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Idukki

''Idukki is the largest district and a beautiful hill station in Kerala. This lively city is located at the top of the Western Ghats and is surrounded by mountains all around. This place is famous for mountainous hills, dense forests, gushing streams, valleys, sprawling plantations and wildlife.
People from all over the country love to spend their holidays in this city to get utmost enjoyment. It is a unique destination where River Periyar flows. ''

At an altitude of 750 to 2500 m above sea level the landscape at Idukki is scarred by the rivers Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhayar. The name Idukki is derived from the word idukku meaning à narrow gorge' in Malayalam. The low green hills at Idukki make way for the meandering rivers to gurgle past its slopes.

Idukki is one hill station of Kerala known for its exotic flora and fauna. It has several well protected sanctuaries. It is renowned worldwide for the Periyar Tiger Reserve that is an abode of many animals. Apart from the sanctuaries, the place is very peaceful and quite, offering tourists a unique relaxing experience. You can find numerous tourist attractions, during your visit to Idukki.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Depending upon what are the areas of the districts are to be toured, the time of the year could be chosen but the prime time remains the summer season before the onset of monsoon.

PLACES AROUND IDUKKI

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary - One of the many distinguished destination in the district is the sanctuary that houses variety of flora and fauna.

Idukki Arch Dam - This dam, constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills is the world's second and Asia's first arch dam. The dam lying close to the cheruthoni barrage is 550 ft high and 650 ft. wide. To its west is the Kulamavu Dam.

Kuthumkal Waterfalls - The misty waterfall provides a picturesque view of the water, cascading down from scintillating heights. The sheer beauty of the place allures thousands of visitors every year.

Mangaladevi Temple - This ancient temple of Kumily opens only for the celebration of the festival of Chithra Purnima in the month of April-May, as declared protected archeologically.

Kurinjimala Sanctuary - For those who know about Neelakurinji flower, being aware of this sanctuary is natural as it is associated with the conservation of this rare flower that blooms once in a cycle of 12 years.

Hill View Park - The picnic spot with great views of southern hills along with Idukki Dam and Cheruthoni Dam, this park has many activities happening all the time. These could be participated by young and adults both.

Devikulam - A hill village only 16 Km away from Munnar, this town has its own list of attractions that keep visitors keep returning to it.

Cheruthani Dam - On the river by the same name the dam is build contributing to the same Idukki project lies on the way to Painavu. Boating from Kulamavu to Cheruthani can be availed.

CLIMATE

Going from one direction like East to the other like West might give you a feeling of being in a different place altogether than just being in one district of the same state. Summers can witness 25°C to 30°C in some places while others might remain a notch cooler during the same months, especially during March to May. In some places monsoon can be really beautiful and give a reason to become romantic while in others they can be very heavy becoming more of a nuisance than a holiday excuse. Winters can really cooler than other parts of the hills, temperature going down to 0°C even. Carrying a raincoat always is one of the most received tips before visiting Idukki.

HOW TO REACH THERE

Air: Madurai and Cochin are the nearest airports at 190 and 140 Km respectively, thereafter reaching Idukki by road.

Rail: Theni in Tamil Nadu is only 60 Km from Idukki and houses the nearest railway station to this hill district of Kerala. Others are Changanassery and Kottayam at 95 Km and 114 Km respectively.

Road: Roads are best way to reach Idukki to enjoy the vistas panoramically anytime one wishes. The other reason is its well connectivity to other hill stations like Ooty, Kodaikanal, etc.