Tusker school at Kodanad
| ||||
Naughty baby elephants, thriving bamboo stalks and freezing cold river makes Kodanad, situated in the southern bank of river Periyar, a perfect get-away during the scorching summer season. Children are sure to enjoy visiting the adjoining park and 'mini zoo.
Kodanad is an idyllic family spot in the suburbs of Kochi, away from the city hassles. Its access to Malayattor, the seasonal pilgrimage center, is yet another highlighted feature of this elephant kraal.
Tourists frequent Kodanad since it is the lone elephant rescue and training center in Kerala. Earlier, both adult and baby elephants obtained from various forest regions across the state were brought to the kraal for grooming purposes. However, the legal stoppage of the practice of trapping wild elephants, emptied the training unit.
The baby elephants now seen at Kodanad are those which have accidentally roamed out of the forest. Wounded adult elephants are also brought to the kraal for treatment. Baby elephants who have been washed down to the valley during mountain floods or whose mothers might have died are also taken to the Kodanad training camp.
Tourists, especially foreigners, love to watch the restless baby elephants in their growing stages of development.
A refreshing bath in the river Periyar and exciting ride on the top of the tamed elephants through the village pathways makes the trip to Kodanad worth remembering. No wonder, the elephant kraal at Kodanad is listed among the eco-tourism destinations of the state.
For the initial three months, the estranged elephants are put in a cage barred with teak wood (locally known as Aanakkottil). The cage is spacious enough for six baby elephants to be kept within at a time.
Foreigners love the sight of elephants being taken to the river for bathing in a line.
The little wildlife park annexed to the camp houses monkeys, peacocks, deers, snakes,wild cats and different types of birds.
Another larger zoo is being built at the Kaprikad village, adjacent to Kodanad camp, in accordance with the Center government regulations in this regard.
Apart from the teashop at the entrance of the Kodanad camp, kiosks that sell snacks and soft drinks are also found.
Minimal entrance fee ( Rs. 2 for adults and Rs. 1 for kids) is also collected at the kraal. For using camera within its premises, extra amount should be paid. Visitors are not allowed into the camp on Mondays.
If not reserved earlier by officials, visitors can stay at the forest department inspection bungalows at Kodanad. Rate per double room is Rs 400. For booking rooms at the bungalow, tourists should contact the authorities at 0484-2649250.
Apart from the bungalow, accommodation at Kodanad can also be arranged at the three private rest houses. The powerful undercurrent makes bathing at Periyar unsafe.
How to reach there
Kodanad elephant training camp is situated at a distance of eleven kilometers from Perumbavoor. In turn, Perumbavoor is about thirty-five kilometers from Ernakulam.
Both private and KSRTC buses provide service in Ernakulam-Perumbavoor route. Direct buses are available to Kodanad from Perumbavoor.
Tourists coming from Angamaly side through the MC road, should alight at Vallam junction which is about eleven kilometers from Kodanad.
Those from Kothamangalam should take deviation at Kuruppampady junction and should travel about eight kilometers in the Akanaad route to reach Kodanad.
The elephant camp is also accessible from Perumbavoor through the Pooppani route by bus. The nearest railway station is Ernakulam.
Kodanad is an idyllic family spot in the suburbs of Kochi, away from the city hassles. Its access to Malayattor, the seasonal pilgrimage center, is yet another highlighted feature of this elephant kraal.
Tourists frequent Kodanad since it is the lone elephant rescue and training center in Kerala. Earlier, both adult and baby elephants obtained from various forest regions across the state were brought to the kraal for grooming purposes. However, the legal stoppage of the practice of trapping wild elephants, emptied the training unit.
The baby elephants now seen at Kodanad are those which have accidentally roamed out of the forest. Wounded adult elephants are also brought to the kraal for treatment. Baby elephants who have been washed down to the valley during mountain floods or whose mothers might have died are also taken to the Kodanad training camp.
Tourists, especially foreigners, love to watch the restless baby elephants in their growing stages of development.
A refreshing bath in the river Periyar and exciting ride on the top of the tamed elephants through the village pathways makes the trip to Kodanad worth remembering. No wonder, the elephant kraal at Kodanad is listed among the eco-tourism destinations of the state.
For the initial three months, the estranged elephants are put in a cage barred with teak wood (locally known as Aanakkottil). The cage is spacious enough for six baby elephants to be kept within at a time.
Foreigners love the sight of elephants being taken to the river for bathing in a line.
The little wildlife park annexed to the camp houses monkeys, peacocks, deers, snakes,wild cats and different types of birds.
Another larger zoo is being built at the Kaprikad village, adjacent to Kodanad camp, in accordance with the Center government regulations in this regard.
Apart from the teashop at the entrance of the Kodanad camp, kiosks that sell snacks and soft drinks are also found.
Minimal entrance fee ( Rs. 2 for adults and Rs. 1 for kids) is also collected at the kraal. For using camera within its premises, extra amount should be paid. Visitors are not allowed into the camp on Mondays.
If not reserved earlier by officials, visitors can stay at the forest department inspection bungalows at Kodanad. Rate per double room is Rs 400. For booking rooms at the bungalow, tourists should contact the authorities at 0484-2649250.
Apart from the bungalow, accommodation at Kodanad can also be arranged at the three private rest houses. The powerful undercurrent makes bathing at Periyar unsafe.
How to reach there
Kodanad elephant training camp is situated at a distance of eleven kilometers from Perumbavoor. In turn, Perumbavoor is about thirty-five kilometers from Ernakulam.
Both private and KSRTC buses provide service in Ernakulam-Perumbavoor route. Direct buses are available to Kodanad from Perumbavoor.
Tourists coming from Angamaly side through the MC road, should alight at Vallam junction which is about eleven kilometers from Kodanad.
Those from Kothamangalam should take deviation at Kuruppampady junction and should travel about eight kilometers in the Akanaad route to reach Kodanad.
The elephant camp is also accessible from Perumbavoor through the Pooppani route by bus. The nearest railway station is Ernakulam.
This beautiful hill station is noted for its cool climate and tea plantation. This little town boasts of many colonial bungalows, tea factories, wildlife sanctuaries and lakes. Literally meaning 3 rivers, Munnar is situated on the confluence of three rivers - 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.
Fifteen km from Munnar, the famous hill station of Kerala, is the beautiful Rajamala. The natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres), the Eravikulam - Rajamala region is now home to half the world population estimated at around 1300 - of this endangered mountain goat. But the Tahr is only one of the reasons to make a visit to Rajamala. The picturesque beauty of this mountain will make you want to tent here forever!
Elephants are an integral part of Indian mythology and culture. They are oftenreferred to as the sons of the 'Sahya'(the Western Ghats). Once a part of daily life, these animals are ornamental and auspicious pieces now. No festival or celebration is complete without rows of caparisoned elephants, replete with silk parasols.
Have you visited beautiful, green Vagamon Are you thinking, 'In a green country, what's the attraction of yet another verdant spot' Well, the point is Vagamon is not just any other verdant spot. Of course, you can get grassy hills, velvet lawns and cool mountain air in many other places but not the Vagamon kind; not just this exciting blend of religious mysticism and European legacy.
The River Periyar flowing through the centre of this town nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper plantations. A major trade centre, Vandiperiyar is also home to a number of tea factories. The Government Agriculture Farm and Flower Garden have a delightful array of rose plants, orchids and anthuria.
