| Idukki |
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| Idukki is the most gifted and
unspoiled natural queen of Kerala, where forests and wildlife abound. It is marked by
streams, undulating
hills and valleys, making it an ideal year round holiday destination. At Idukki, tourists could enjoy the beauty of the
forest which is much in flora and fauna. River Pamba originates from this
district. The district's name, 'Idukki' is supposed to be derived from the
Malayalam word 'Idukku' which means a narrow gauge. For the people of
Kerala, Idukki is always associated with power generation as it meets
about 60% of the State's power needs.
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PROFILE |
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| Area | 5019 sq. km. |
| Climate | The climate of the district undergoes a sudden variation as we go from west to east. In high peaks, the temperature at times falls down to freezing point in the winter. |
| Location | The district is bounded by Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts on the south, Trichur and Coimbatore districts on the north, Madurai, Ramanad and Thirunelveli districts on the east and Ernakulam district on the west. |
| Tourist season | August to March. |
| Language | Malayalam is the official language. English is also used among the business class., Local people speak Tamil also. |
| Altitude | 2200m above sea level. |
| Time Zone | (Indian standard Time + 5.30 hours GMT). |
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TOURIST SPOTS |
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| Munnar | As the long and winding roadclimbs steadly, your view changes from untamed forest to perfectly manicured hillsides. Tea gardens stretch for miles, broken by the splash of a waterfall here and there... Yes! It is munnar, the mystical hill station. |
| Chinnar | A wildlife sanctuary located in the rain shadow region of western ghats, with an area of 90 sq kms. |
| Thekkadi | A lake formed when a dam is created across the Periyar river. This is a wild life sanctury too, known as the 'Periyar Tiger Reserve'. This beautiful area, where birds, wild animals, elephants ...etc live in perfect harmony, is about 117 kms from Kottayam. |
| Mattuppetti | 13 kms from Munnar. The hillside where the 'Neelakkurinji' (Strobllanthis cunthianas), the bluish-mauve orchid, sets the hillside on fire once in every 12 years. Dam site, Indo-Swiss cattle projects ...etc are also the major attractions. |
| Kumili | Gateway of Thekkady. Yet another resting place in the mountain lap. |
| Aanamudi | The largest peak in South India. 50 kms from Munnar in Udumalpetta route. |
| Marayoor. | Land of sandal forests. Caves of saints from the ancient times adds to the mystery of this place. |
| Moolamattom | The largest under ground hydro-electric power station is situated right here. |
| Meenuli | A huge rock peeping from the evergreen forests. |
| Peerumedu | A resting place for the tourists in the tea, coffee gardens |