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| Idukki |
| Idukki derives its name from the Malayalam word ‘idukku’ which means a narrow gorge. High ranges and wooded valleys girded by three main rivers span a landmass that covers almost 13 per cent of the state, making it the largest district in Kerala. Needless to say, Idukki offers diverse attractions such as wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantations, trekking trails and everything a nature enthusiast could ask for. |
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 Historical records show that since ancient times ivory, teak, rosewood, sandalwood and peacocks were exported to foreign countries from Idukki. Idukki had a predominantly tribal population and it is believed that more than 200 tribal settlements are scattered all over the district. Over time however, due to migration from neighbouring states, the culture of Idukki has become mixed. The major attractions in idukki are Periyar and Munnar. Kumily, which is the town nearest to Periyar, is a major spice trading centre.
Places of Interest in and around IDUKKI:
 Periyar Tiger Reserve:
One of the 27 tiger reserves in India, the Periyar valley in Thekkady is the oldest and largest protected area in Kerala. A repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna, the valley is a major watershed for two rivers, the Periyar and Pamba. Periyar (locally also known as Thekkady) is the ideal place to track down wild animals such as bison, elephant, deer and various species of birds.
Gavi:
Located inside the Periyar Reserve, Gavi offers the visitor an ideal wildlife experience. As a highly acclaimed eco tourism project, it gives travellers a true jungle experience.
Munnar:
Munnar derives its name from the Malayalam words ‘mun’ meaning three and ‘aaru’ meaning streams because of the way it is located at the confluence of three mountain streams. Once the summer capital of the British during the times of the Raj, Munnar is most famous for its sprawling tea plantations, picture postcard towns and winding lanes and hills. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands is the Neelakurinji, a flower that bathes the hills in blue every twelve years.
The high ranges of Munnar were earlier known as Kanan Devan Hills, named after a certain Kanan Devan who was the landlord. Tea cultivation started on an experimental basis and eventually grew on a large scale. Today tea is cultivated on 24,000 hectares of land and yields about 47500 metric tons. All the plantations are now owned by the Tata Tea Company.
Mattupetty:
A drive through to the Matupetty takes you through some very picturesque locations of Munnar. Situated at a height of 1700m, Mattupetty is known for its highly specialised dairy farm, the Indo Swiss livestock project, which has more than 100 varieties of high yielding cattle.
Vandanmedu:
This is one of the world’s largest auction centres for cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantations of Vandanmedu is a heady experience.
Peerumede:
The famous plantation town takes its name from Peer Mohammed, a Sufi saint. Wide vistas of tea, cardamom, rubber and coffee plantations interspersed with silver cascades, sculptural rocks, meadows and mist-cloaked hilltops make Peerumede an unforgettable destination.
Eravikulam National Park:
This national park is set between the Kanan Devan hills of Munnar and Anamudi (which is the highest peak south of the Himalayas) over a 97 sq km park. One of the specialities is that it is home to almost 30 per cent of the population of the endangered mountain goat, ‘Niligiri Thar’.
Idukki Arch Dam:
An architectural marvel, the Idukki arch dam is the world’s second and Asia’s first arch dam constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills and is 550 feet high and 650 feet wide.
Idukki Wildlife sanctuary:
Spread over 77 sq kms, the sanctuary has animals such as elephant, bison, sambar, deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, wild boars and a large variety of birds.
Vagamon:
Vagamon is covered in hills and is a curious blend of religious mysticism and European legacies. The chain of three hills, which belong to different faiths, marks religious harmony. |
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