Thekkady

Located close to the spice plantations and surrounded by the Cardamom Hills, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular attractions in Thekkady.

Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978, this wildlife sanctuary is one of India's most prominent tiger reserves and has played a major role in the conservation of tigers. The sanctuary, noted for its diversity of wildlife, evergreen forests, and scenic beauty, receives a large number of tourists from all over the world.

Better known as Kurisumala among the locals, the Spring Valley Mountain is a hillock overlooking the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The hillock provides excellent opportunity for trekking. The peak of the hillock presents a dazzling view of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

This cradle of picturesque landscape, exotic flora and fauna and winding streams is sandwiched between Chellarkovil and Tamil Nadu. Pandikuzhi is a delightful spot for spending a day picnicking amongst thickets of greenery and gushing streams.

Vandiperiyar is home to plantations of tea, coffee and pepper. The Periyar river flows through this town enriching the plantations. You can pay a visit to the Government Agricultural Farm and Flower Garden which has on display an illustrious collection of Roses, Orchids, and Anthuriums

This sleepy little village has started figuring prominently on the ‘places to visit while in Thekkady’ list. The stunning natural beauty of this place combined with the solitude and peace attract a good number of tourists. The shimmering light of the sun reflected on the cascading waterfalls is a sight to behold. A picnic and photography are strongly recommended here.

Deeply revered in Thekkady, it is believed that the Pancha Pandavasspent their years of exile in the forests of Panchalimedu. The stones found hereb are quite intriguing and interesting as they are carved in the shape of furniture, which were believed to be used by the Pandavas. Popular belief is that the Pandavas still live in these forests and that they can see other people, but can’t be seen by others.

The Mangala Devi Temple is a highly revered and sacred temple hidden deep in the forests of Thekkady. The temple opens only once every year for devotees to pay their respects to the deity of the temple. The temple only opens on Chitra Pournami, which falls in the month of March.

If you are driving from Kottayam towards Thekkady, you will come across Abraham’s Spice Garden – a beautiful organic garden of spices. It’s a difficult task to spot the garden from the road unless you are actually looking for it and have a fair idea of its location. Hidden behind a thick foliage of green, you will need to walk down a narrow dirt path to reach the main office of the garden. Abraham’s Spice Garden lets you explore the world of spices and learn a lot about spice cultivation, organic farming and Ayurveda.