Thekkady

2021-11-10T16:23:13Z

2401:4900:5095:FD3E:ECDA:AFF:FEF4:E6EC: /* Nearby places of interest */

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{refimprove|date=May 2009}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Thekkady
| other_name =
|other_name_lang =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Hill station
| image_skyline = Thekkady.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Landscape at Thekkady
| pushpin_map = India Kerala#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|9.533|N|77.200|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Idukki District|Idukki]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Talukas of Kerala|Taluk]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Peerumedu taluk|Peerumedu]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 =[[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[English language|English]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| registration_plate = [[List of RTO districts in India#KL.E2.80.94Kerala|KL]]-37
| website = www.idukki.nic.in
| footnotes =
}}
{{OSM Location map
|lat = 9.577
|lon = 77.18
|zoom = 10
|width = 275
|height = 400

|minimap = yes
|mini-width=
|mini-height=
|minipog-x=
|minipog-y=
|scalemark =180

|mark-lat = 9.577
|mark-lon = 77.18
|mark-title = Thekkady
|label = Thekkady
|label-pos = right

|mark-lat1 = 9.609
|mark-lon1 = 77.169
|mark-title1 = Kumily
|label1 = Kumily
|label-pos1 =

|mark-lat2 = 9.529
|mark-lon2 = 77.144
|mark-title2 = Mullaperiyar
|label2 = Mullaperiyar
|label-pos2 =



}}
[[File:Bamboo Rafting during guided tour through Periyar Wild Life Sanctury.JPG|thumb|Rafting inThekkady]]
[[File:Periyar Thekkady.jpg|thumb|Elephants in Thekkady]]
[[File:Boat similar to the one involved.JPG|thumb|Boating]]
Thekkady<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/periyar-tiger-reserve-idukki/192|title=Thekkady, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Destination, Idukki|website=Kerala Tourism|language=en|access-date=2020-02-04}}</ref>([[Idukki district]]) is a town near [[Periyar National Park]], an important tourist attraction in the [[Kerala]] [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[India]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerala Tourism|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/periyar-tiger-reserve-idukki/192/}}</ref> The named Thekkady is derived from the word "thekku" which means teak. Temperatures are lowest in the months of December-January and highest in the months of April-May.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/periyar/thekkady-name.php|title=Name, ambience and other details}}</ref>

== Overview ==
Thekkady is situated about {{convert|257|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Thiruvananthapuram|Trivandrum]], 145 km from [[Cochin International Airport]] and 114 km from [[Kottayam]] railway station. Thekkady is located 4 km away from [[Kumily]], a plantation town in Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The sanctuary is famous for its dense [[evergreen]], semi-evergreen, moist [[deciduous]] [[forest]]s and [[savanna]] grass lands. It is home to [[herd]]s of [[elephant]]s, [[sambar deer|sambar]], [[tiger]]s, [[gaur]], [[lion-tailed macaque]]s and [[Nilgiri langur]]s. Due to the density of the forest sightings of elephants and in particular, tigers are highly unlikely.

The [[Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary]] is spread across {{convert|777|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|360|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} is thick evergreen forest. The wildlife sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the [[Mullaperiyar Dam]] across the [[Periyar River]] adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants, deer and bison that come down to drink in the lake. The sanctuary can be accessed by trekking, boating or jeep safari.
<ref name="Tourist Guide to Kerala">Tourist Guide to Kerala By Motilal (UK) Books of India, Various, V. Subburaj</ref>

Thekkady is considered a haven for natural [[spice]]s such as [[black pepper]], [[cardamom]], [[cinnamon]], [[nutmeg]], nutmace, [[ginger]], and [[clove]].

==Nearby places of interest==

==Ottakathalamedu==
One of the highest Mountain for trekking. Jeep trip is available from Kumily. Thekkady lake is visible from the top of the mountain.{{cn|date=August 2020}}

===Murikkady===
This place consists of spices and coffee plantations. It is about 5 km from Thekkady.{{cn|date=September 2019}}

===Chellar Kovil===
This is located about 15 km from Kumily en route to the [[Theni district]] of Tamil Nadu. This place has a lot of picturesque waterfalls and cascades.{{cn|date=September 2019}}

===Anakkara===

Located at about 13 km from Kumily on the Kumily-Munnar road. A new airport is proposed at [[Anakkara Idukki|Anakkara]] and is under review by the [[Airports Authority of India]].
Anakkara is famous for spice garden. All variety of spices available.

===Mangala Devi Temple===

It is situated about 18 km from Thekkady at an altitude of 1341 m above sea level. It is surrounded by lush greenery and is closed throughout the year except during the Chitra Pournami festival. At other times tourists can still visit it by getting a special letter from the forest ranger. The view from the temple premises is spectacular and one can see part of Eastern Ghats and some villages from adjacent state of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="Tourist Guide to Kerala"/>

== Periyar National Park ==
It is spread across an area of 300 square miles, Periyar National Park is covered by lush evergreen and deciduous forests serving as home to various animals such as deer, elephants, sambar, Nilgiri Langurs,

== Pattumalay ==
Pattumalay literally means hills draped in silk. It is known for its lofty peaks, little streams, tea plantations and tea factories. This beautiful region in Idukki is 8 km from Peermade and 24 km from Thekkady. One of the major attractions of this region is The Velankanni Matha Church<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pattumalamatha.com/aboutshrine.html|title=pattumala matha church|website=Go Daddy|access-date=2018-03-26}}</ref> situated atop a hill. This is a famous pilgrim center, and is built entirely from granite. Pattumalay is also home of the biggest names in the tea production sector - Harrisons Malayalam limited<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.harrisonsmalayalam.com/|title=Harrisons Malayalam Ltd : Rubber, Tea, Tissue Culture, Engineering - India|last=Harrisonsmalayalam.com|website=www.harrisonsmalayalam.com|access-date=2018-03-26}}</ref>Pattumalay Estate.

== Pattumalay Tea Factory ==
Pattumalay Tea Factory is situated 24km from Thekkady. Pattumalay Tea Factory is a major producer of Orthodox tea and belongs to Harrisons Malayalam Limited. It is the oldest Orthodox factory and also owns central Travancore only Orthodox Tea Factory. It has capacity of 16000kg per day. The Pattumalay Estate was established in the year of 1931.

==Boat tragedy==
{{further information|2009 Thekkady boat disaster}}
[[File:Pattumalay Tea Bungalow.jpg|thumb|[https://goo.gl/maps/XUUpCBQbeAorG5zj6 Pattumalay Tea Bungalow]]]

==Gallery==

<gallery>
File:Thekkady Lake.jpg|The Thekkady lake as seen from Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Image:Boat similar to the one involved.JPG|A boat cruise on Periyar river
File:Periyar National Park 02.jpg|Submerged trees in Periyar National Park
File:Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary Mountains.jpg|The misty mountain ranges of the Periyar region
File:Cardamom Hills.jpg|Southern Western Ghats, Near Thekkady in Kerala
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Thekkady}}
{{wikivoyage|Thekkady}}
* {{Official website|http://idukki.nic.in/thekkady.htm }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091004004100/http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/01/stories/2009100158340100.htm The Hindu Report on Thekkady Boat Accident]

[[Category:Cities and towns in Idukki district]]
[[Category:Tourism in Kerala]]

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Idukki district]]
[[Category:Geography of Idukki district]]
[[Category:Lakes of Kerala]]

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Thekkady