Periyar Sanctuary
253 km away from Trivandrum and accessible
by bus, the Peniyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady skirting
the Periyar Lake and the river Revir of the same name, is full
of opportunities for close and exciting encounters with wild
life. The lake has been made artificially by damming the river
Periyar. Sprawling in 777 sq. km. area this sanctuary on the
border of Tamil Nadu. is one of the finest sanctuaries men has
created and nature has blessed. The artificial lake itself stretches
into 26 sq. km. Nestled in the lush surroundings, high up in
the Sahyadri Mountains of the Western Ghats. Periyar Sanctuary
contains gaurs, sambhars, herds of wild elephants, otters, deer’s,
Panthers, tigers, sloth bears besides a large variety of birds.
There are cruises in the lake and you can watch the animals
in their natural habitat at a breathtaking close range from
your boat gliding on the placid waters. You can shoot the animals
with your camera.
For stay there are good hotels. Lake Palace is the hotel on
an island in the lake itself and you can view wild life from
your hotel room.
Cochin-Ernakculam
Cochin Fort & the church
Cochin Fort is the oldest European settlement
in India established in 1503 by the Portuguese. Vasco De Gama
was buried here in St. Francis Church, but his remains were
taken back to Portugal later. The Dutch captured it in 1663
and finally it passed into the British hands in 1795. Also within
this fort is Cathedral of Santa Cruz built much later which
deserves your visit.
The Dutch Palace
In Mattancheri, a little-south east of
the fort, lies this palace. an imposing structure built by the
Portuguese in 1557 and then taken over by the Dutch and improved
upon considerably. It was presented by its founders to the Raja
of Cochin Veer Kerala Verma, who used it as his residence and
palace. The greatest highlight of the palace are the excellent
murals which depict scenes from the Ramayana and episodes from
the life of Sri Krishna.
The Synogogues
The Jews of Cochin trace their history
back to the 6th Century BC when their ancestors fled here to
escape the religious persecution in Jerusalem. Their stay here
was disturbed by the arrival of the Portuguese but the advent
of Dutch made them again feel safe and secure and then they
raised Synagogue in Cochin. Here you will find the clock tower
and the floor paved with porcelain hand painted tiles brought
from China in 1762. It is an interesting place open to the visitors
daily except on Saturdays and Jewish holidays from 10 AM to
12 AM.
Cochin, called the “Venice of the East” is actually
a cluster of off-shore islands. The railway and bus stations
and most of the hotels are located on the maniland at Ernakulani
but all historical monuments and sites are in Cochin. The airport
is on Willingdon Island. For moving around there are city buses.
Taxis, auto rickshaws and ferries the best means of transport
between Ernakulam and Cochin. There arc daily flights to this
place from Bombay and Madras. There al-c rail connections between
Cochin-Ernakulam and the major cities of south India. Very many
good hotels are available besides some governmental accommodation
in this city-complex.
Trichur
Ninety-eight km. north-east of Cochin in
inland lies Trichur, a prosperous town noted for its old palaces,
fort, temples. the reptile collections and the celebrated Pooram
festival. It is an annual celebration held in April-May. One
of south India’s biggest festivals, it offers a spectacular
show in the form of a procession of 30 richly caparisoned elephants
and excellent fire works in the end. There is a Tourist Bungalow
br accommodation. The Reptile House of the Zoo here is the finest
in India. The temple complex at Trichur is a typical Keralite
construction. It is accessible by road 32 kms. from here lies
Guruvayur. a noted Hindu centre of pilgrimage where Sri Krishna’s
is worshipped with great religious fervour, hut the non Hindus
are not allowed inside the shrine. Tirchur is accessible by
bus from Cochin and has good accommodation available for the
visitors.
