Thekkady, one of the most nature-rich tourist towns in south India

Thekkady is a beautiful region filled with the matchless allures and attractions of the nature. Home to the Periyar National Park, the town is famous for its natural beauty and richness, the wide species of animals, and the everlasting hills. Visit the beautiful town for a relaxing holiday, and for accommodations choose from the best hotels in Thekkady.

Thekkady is one of the prime tourist destinations in south India. It is basically a tourist town located in the Idukki district of Kerala State. It is the site of the nationwide famous tiger reserve, the Periyar National Park, and thus is often called by the name of the tiger reserve. Consisting of beautiful landscapes that are capped by extending dense forests, the tourist town is one of the most popular holidaying destinations in south India. The forests of the region are basically the semi-evergreen and evergreen moist deciduous forests and savanna, which are home to a wide species of animals besides the tigers. These include elephants, wild boars, sambar, gaur, and many others. If one is about spending the holidays  amidst of nature, exploring and discovering the wild up-close, heading to Thekkady is the thing to do.

The tourist town is situated in proximity to Kumily, which is the largest Grama panchayath in the parent state and is also the border of the states Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This explains one of the prime reasons for Thekkady being flocked by large counts of visitors throughout the year, especially on the weekends. The roads are the only possible modes to access the town. There are a number of buses, taxis, and jeeps running between Thekkady and the neighbouring towns and cities. The Kottayam Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Thekkady. It is about 68 km away. Besides, the Madurai Airport and the Cochin International Airport are the two nearest airports to the town. Their respective distances are 140 km and 190 km. Meanwhile, the good thing is that there are a number of good hotels in Thekkady that offer airport and railway station transport services. Besides, one can also take taxis or buses for the very purpose.

A trip to Thekkady is a route deep into the raw and wild nature. It is a rewarding opportunity to explore and discover nature, and provides one with a must-needed break from the maddening chaos of the cities. The Periyar National Park is one of the best nature reserves in the country. The mighty Periyar river flows across the national park; a dam was constructed on the river around 1890s, which in turn made a beautiful artificial lake in the region. Situated in the midst of the thick jungles, the lake today is the prime source of water for wild animals. Boating and number of other water based activities have been put-out on the lake for the tourists, and it is perhaps the only lake that gives one the pleasure of boating as well as watching the wild animals drink and play on the shores of the lake.

Additionally, there also exists a regionally revered temple within the province of the town. The temple is called Mangala Devi temple; she is a local goddess and is highly revered and followed. However, before heading to the temple, it is important to note that the temple opens only during the Chitra Pournami festival. It remains closed for the rest of the year. In the meantime, the other interesting tourist sites in and around Thekkady include:

Kurisumala – A perfect adventure tourism and trekking destination.

Kumily – A small town best to buy the spices for which the region is famous.

Vandanmedu – A tranquil, beautiful town housing one of the largest cardamom auction centres.

Pullumedu – A beautiful nature-replete town perfect for honeymooners, and housing rare fauna and velvet lawns.

Ramakalmedu – Yet another beautiful hill town that offers the best panoramic views of the region.