| The word Idukki derived from the word Idukki which means a gorge. The perennial river Periyar flows through a narrow gorge between two granite hills, the legendary KURAVAN and KURATHI where the Idukki Arch Dam is constructed. |
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| History and Heritage |
| The district was formed on January 26, 1972 carving out of Devikulam, Peerumedu and Udumbanchola taluks from Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk from Eranakulam district. It extends by 115 kms. from south to north and 67 kms. From east to west. The area of the district is 5019 Sq. kms. For revenue administration the district is sub divided into four taluks viz., Devikulam, Peerumedu, Udumbanchola and Thodupuzha. For purposes of developmental activities it is divided into eight blocks Arudai, Devikulam, Elamdesom, Idukki, Kattappana, Adimali, Nedumkandom and Thodupuzha. The district is bounded by Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts on the south, Thrissur and Coimbatore districts on the north, Madurai, Ramanad and Thirunelveli districts on the east and Eranakulam and Kottayam districts on the west |
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| Though the district cannot boast of a history of the rise and fall of a few dynasties, it played a significant role in the spiritual development of the country, especially the south. The Ramayana gives a graphic description of the flora of the Pamba Valley |
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| It is believed that the name Sabarimala derived from Sabari Ashram which was located at Sabari Peedom near Sabari Mala, one of the famous Pilgrim centres. The Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala is supposed to be the place where a great Jain or Buddhist monk attained Nirvana. (Now Sabarimala is in Pathanamthitta district). The archaeological evidence of the Mangaladevi Temple 15 kms. from Thekkadi in the dense forest bespeaks of an equally shrouded antiquity. May be, with its undulating hills and valleys and the perennial rivers the district formed a recluse for the spiritual seekers of ancient India. |
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| But the history of the present population of the district is very recent. It is a history of colonisation braving inclement weather, wild animals and epidemics. It is also a history of the exploitation of labour and labour struggles. Settling in the district began in all seriousness during the Ministry of Sri T.K.Narayana Pillai, as a sequence to the grow-more-food campaign in the State. These migrants who constituted a few planters and a cross section of the people became the nucleus of the present population. In the days of Shri Pattom Thanu Pillai it became a systematic colonisation. Kallar Pattom colony in Udumbanchola taluk bears the imprint of his name. That the earliest human habitation of the district started from Tamil Nadu in the first two decades of the present century can be gauged from the story that while Maharaja Sri Mulam was personally supervising the construction of the Dam on Mullaperiyar river he felt thirsty and a shepherd called Ankur Rautar gave him milk hot from the udder of the sheep. The delighted Maharaja gave him title over extensive forest land which his descendants sold to land owners in Tamil Nadu and with the help of cheap labour they were converted into Cardamom or Tea Plantations. The area around Munnar developed from the time when the British made it their summer resort. Here too the immediate accessible population was from Tamil Nadu and Munnar became a Tamil pocket in Kerala |
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| Munnar |
| Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, 1600 m above sea level. This hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower that bathes the hills in blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m (more) |
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| Idukki Arch Dam |
| This is the world's second and Asia's first arch dam, constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills, 550 ft. high and 650 ft. wide.The dam lies close to the Cheruthoni barrage. To its west is the Kulamavu Dam. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located close by. |
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| Mattupetty |
| Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetty is known for its highly specialised dairy farm-the Indo Swiss livestock project. Over a 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into 3 of the 11 cattle sheds at the farm. Visiting time: 0900-1100 hrs and 1400-1530 hrs. Rate Rs.5 per head |
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| Echo - Point |
| This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Stations from Munnar |
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| Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary |
| This sanctuary extends over the Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola taluks of Idukki district, spreading over 77 sq.km. and is about 450-748 m. above sea level. The Idukki Reservoir formed by three dams - Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamanu - extends to 33 sq.km |
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| Eravikulam National Park |
| Eravikulam is another wild life sanctuary proclaimed as a National Park since it supports the largest population of Nilgiri Tahr existing in the world now. Anamudi peak (2695 Metres), the highest point south of the Himalayas falls in the southern part of this park. The park is 135 k.m. from Kochi and is accessible by road |
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| Most of the park is either grassland or part of the shola ecosystem and the average altitude is 2000 metres above m.s.l. The temperature varies from (-)3 degrees Celsius in winter to 29 degrees Celsius in summer. Severe frost occurs between the months of December and January and the average rain fall is 4800 m.m. During the monsoon, lashing rains, high velocity winds and poor visibility makes the area practically inaccessible |
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| The Nilgiri Tahr is seen in the highlands and rocky regions of this national park. Sambar, barking deer, gaur, giant Malabar squirrel, tiger, panther, wild dogs, civet cat, jungle cat, Nilgiri langur, giant squirrel, grass owl, black winged kite, wood pigeon, black bird, Eurasian kestrel, jungle crow etc. are seen here |
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| The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Lying close to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar wildlife sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq.km, of which 360 sq.km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar wildlife sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the reserve attracts visitors from all over the world |
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| The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar dam across the Periyar adds to the charm of the park. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however, is the herd of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake. Entry timing: 0600 - 1800 hrs |
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| Thekkady |
| The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations. In the Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great apportunities for treks and mountain walks (more) |
