Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala

Tripoto
27th Mar 2015
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 1/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 2/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Natural tree-trunks submerged in the river
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 3/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 4/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 5/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 6/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 7/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
After a long day
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 8/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 9/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 10/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 11/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 12/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 13/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Entering the Silver Crest Resort
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 14/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 15/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala 16/16 by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Periyar Lake, Idukki, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Periyar Lake, Idukki, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Periyar Lake, Idukki, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Periyar Lake, Idukki, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty

I stayed near the Periyar Wildlife Reserve with the obvious objective to be able to make the most of the trip here. I checked into the Silver Crest Resorts which is very close, about 5 mins drive from the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. The resort has a good ambiance and it is a budget place to stay, not very costly, if you are only concerned with staying overnight.

The other aspects are that the evening shows of Kalaripayattu and Kathakali performance at the 'Mudra Kathakali Centre' are at a very short distance. The show is conducted every evening between 4 pm and 6 pm and can be a great way to enjoy the evening. The market close-by has great collection of local handicrafts, saris and emporiums. Do not forget to hunt for your souvenir before you move out from here.

The Periyar Wildlife Experience

The double-decked cruise line Jaltarangini waited for its passengers to get aboard for a serendipitous journey on thePeriyar River. The experience of the wilderness a midst the tranquil of nature!! The engines cranked with a bleak staccato as it gently puffed the smoke on top. We sort of hurried to board it as we were among the last of them to reach. The sun was about to set and was in perfect placement between the hills on the either side of the lake.

Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala by Rajat Chakraborty

The boat gently started to move along the river. The river had large submerged tree trunks all along its course,somewhat similar to the Sangetsar Lake in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh and added to the beauty of the river. The trees seem to have been artificially placed in the middle of the river, but they are natural!!

Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala by Rajat Chakraborty

Herds of wild animals flocked along the banks on the either side, quenching their thirst after a long days work. Wild elephants, deers, bisons form the biggest attraction of the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. It was not a lucky day for us, as we did not notice any of the elephants on the way.

Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala by Rajat Chakraborty

As we inched ahead slowly, a sambar waited at the bank on the left, standing gracefully erect and watching over us. It waited until the boat moved ahead a little more, then made its way back to the wild, being rest assured that it is not being followed.

Photo of Venturing through the Serenity in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala by Rajat Chakraborty

The environment was at its best with a clear landscape reflecting over the water surface. Far off at the horizon, I could see the vivid shades of the Cardamom hills, adding glory to the natural beauty of the place. Couldn’t help myself from capturing as many photos as possible. It was time to move back home now, and as we moved back to the start, I had another memorable chapter to add to my journeys…

Periyar Wildlife Reserve is home to more than 200+ species of birds, 35+ species of wildlife, flora and fauna. A Tiger Reserve, this sanctuary can be explored by trekking/hiking, by boat, and by jeep safaris. A great way to explore the wilderness in the tranquility of nature. Do not forget to notice the submerged trees in the water, they might appear to be artificially put there, but they are very much natural!!!!

Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady, Periyar, Kerala, India by Rajat Chakraborty

Close to the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. Other amenities such as markets and shopping are also close. Evenings are pleasant for a stroll and to go for the 'Kalaripayattu show' and 'Kathakali Show'.

Photo of Silver Crest Resorts, Thekkady, Kearal by Rajat Chakraborty

Kathakali show live performance in the evenings. Enjoyed being with the dancers..

Photo of Mudra Kathakali Centre by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Mudra Kathakali Centre by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Mudra Kathakali Centre by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Mudra Kathakali Centre by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Mudra Kathakali Centre by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Mudra Kathakali Centre by Rajat Chakraborty
Photo of Mudra Kathakali Centre by Rajat Chakraborty