Best Places to Visit in Thekkady

Set high in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 700 metres above sea level, Thekkady is an idyllic town in the state of Kerala. Blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, this town is known for its expansive spice plantations, rolling hills, and gushing waterfalls. If you are a nature lover planning an escape from your mundane everyday life, this place is just perfect to plan a relaxing holiday. However, this does not mean that Thekkady does not have anything for other people. This small south Indian town is equally famous for its unique culinary scene and amazing art culture. Apart from this, Thekkady is no less than a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, as it is home to the world-famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. In short, no matter what your interests are, this beautiful town in Kerala will never leave you disappointed.

Best Places to Visit in Thekkady

With so many options to choose from, it can be a little difficult to decide which places you should visit on your trip to Thekkady. Especially if you’re planning a vacation for a shorter period of time, you should pick places that can be covered easily. Here is a list of some of the important places to see in Thekkady:

• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mangla Devi Temple
• Abraham’s Spice Garden
• Spring Valley Mountain
• Kadathanadan Kalari Centre
• Periyar Lake
• Mullaperiyar Dam
• Elephant Junction Thekkady

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Located on the banks of the Periyar River, this wildlife sanctuary is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Thekkady. Extending over an area of 770 square kilometres, this reserve is known to offer some of the best wildlife sightings in India. In 1978, a small part of this sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve under the Project Tiger scheme. Currently, that area is known as Periyar Tiger Reserve and enthrals a large number of tourists. Years later, in 1991, the sanctuary was also declared an elephant reserve. There are certain areas where you can easily spot herds of elephants.

Apart from tigers and elephants, other common animals that you can spot here include sambar deer, bears, porcupines, wild boars, Nilgiri langurs, bonnet macaques, lion-tailed macaques, etc. In Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, you can indulge in a number of activities, such as birdwatching, wildlife safaris, etc. In addition to this, you can also try bamboo rafting to make your trip even more exciting.

Mangla Devi Temple

Built within the premises of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, the Mangla Devi Temple is another addition to the list of places to visit in Thekkady with family. Mangala Devi, also known as Kannaki, is the main deity of this temple. She is considered the symbol of the moral powers possessed by a woman. Being one of the highly revered temples in the area, it is visited by a large number of pilgrims. Other than this, people of other religious beliefs also visit the temple because of its beautiful surroundings and serene ambience.

Abraham’s Spice Garden

Situated between the towns of Thekkady and Kottam, Abraham’s Spice Garden is a place with a unique charm. This spice garden is a hidden gem that is slowly gaining huge popularity. Currently, it is one of the important places to visit around Thekkady. With fertile soil and great climatic conditions, this place is considered perfect for spice cultivation and other types of organic farming as well. Here, you can see how several spices that you have in your kitchen are grown organically. With vast expanses of lush green spice plantations, this place will give you a feeling of being closer to nature. You can plan a tour of this spice garden for a nominal entry fee of INR 200 per person.

Spring Valley Mountain

Known for being blessed with bounties of natural beauty, Thekkady is a place where you can leave all the worries behind and just enjoy. There are a number of beautiful places in this idyllic town that make it popular among tourists. One such nature spot is Spring Valley Mountain, which is also called Kurisumala by the locals here. This is a small hillock overlooking Periyar National Park, and it currently serves as a vantage point as well. From here, you can enjoy absolutely stunning panoramic views of the town and its surrounding areas. Although you can come here at any time of the year, the area looks even more beautiful in the monsoon season. With lush greenery all around, this hillock has become one of the best places to visit in Thekkady at this time.

Periyar Lake

With a beautiful backdrop of towering mountains and lush green valleys, Periyar Lake is one of the best places to visit in Thekkady in 1 day. Flowing through the forest in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, this lake covers a large area of 26 square kilometres. It was formed when the Mullaperiyar Dam was constructed in 1895. This lake is located amidst the lush green jungle and is quite famous for the wildlife that can be seen in huge varieties. Here, you can go for a boat ride and enjoy the serene views of the surroundings in a better way.

Kadathanadan Kalari Centre

Kerala is famous for a large number of things, and Kalaripayattu is one of them. Known as the mother of all martial arts, this is the oldest form. If you also find Kalaripayattu fascinating and want to enjoy some great live performances, Kadathanadan Kalari Centre is a place you shouldn’t miss. Other than this, you can also enjoy Kathakali performances here. It is one of the oldest theater forms in the world and is performed by a large group. Since these performances are brief, you can make bookings for an evening show after a long day of sightseeing.

Mullaperiyar Dam

Built on the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers, Mullaperiyar Dam is also one of the popular tourist attractions in Thekkady. Known for offering breathtakingly beautiful views of the surroundings, this dam is 155 feet high and 1200 feet long. Its construction started in 1887 and was completed in 1895. The initial dam, built by the British Corps of Royal Engineers, was washed away by floods. After that, construction started again in 1895, and a new team built the sturdy structure that we see today. Currently, Mullaperiyar Dam is one of the important places to visit at Thekkady and experiences a huge visitor influx throughout the year.

Elephant Junction Thekkady

Spread over a large area of 16 hectares, Elephant Junction is among the most important places to visit in Thekkady in one day. This elephant park is popular among tourists and locals alike. Here, you can spend time with the elephants while admiring the lush green surroundings. Other than feeding them with your own hands, you can watch these large animals getting trained closely. Or, you can also go for an elephant ride, which is an amazing experience altogether. The charges can vary depending on the hours you want to spend there and the activities you choose to indulge in.

With this comprehensive list of places to visit in and around Thekkady, you can easily plan a trip. At Veena World, we offer an extensive range of all-inclusive Thekkady tour packages that you can choose from and enjoy to the fullest.