Places to Visit in Idukki

Away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, the Idukki Wildlife is located in the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki at an altitude of 450 – 750 ft above the sea level.

The sanctuary, flanked on 3 sides by the tranquil waters of Idukki Lake, is housed amidst picturesque settings of tropical evergreen & semi-evergreen forests, meadows, and deciduous trees.The Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the places to visit in Idukki, houses hordes of wild elephants.

The other species from the animal kingdom include bison, sambar, deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, Malabar Giant Squirrel, wild boars, and tigers. Reptilians such as Cobra, viper, krait, etc will bewilder the visitor, while avian species Malabar grey hornbill, Purple Sunbird, Golden Oriole, and Black bulbul enchant him.

Distance: 40 km from Thodupuzha, Idukki.

Timings: All day.

Entry fee: None.

The Idukki dam is constructed across the Periyar River, in a valley between the Kuravan and Kurathi hills in Kerala. The awe-inspiring, majestic dam, which stands at 167.68 meters (550 ft), is one of the highest arch dams in Asia. The dam, which is one of the Idukki tourist places, constructed by the Kerala government in 1975 and supports 780 MW hydroelectric power station that draws electricity from this dam.

Ilaveezha Poonchira, the Shangri-La of Kerala, situated in Melukavu village in Kottayam district is one of the places to visit in Idukki. Located at the foothills of the 3 floral hillocks – Mankunnu, Kudayathur, and Thonippara Hills at Kanjar, the bewitching valley is spread across thousands of acres.

“Ila-veezha Poonchira” which means “the pond of flowers where the leaves do not fall” has its roots in Mahabharata. The rains during the monsoon season transmogrify the valley and present an enthralling and hypnotic effect on the visitors. Words fall short to explain the beatitudes of the play of colors on the horizon during the Sunrise and Sunset. Ilaveezha Poonchira is also an ideal destination for trekking.

Distance: 36 km from Idukki

Timings: All day.

Entry fee: None.

Hill View Park, one of the Idukki tourist places, located at a distance of 2 km from Idukki Bus stand, is a magnificent and well-managed park. The park, stretching over 8 acres enthralls the visitors with hundreds of varieties of crotons, flowers, medicinal plants, and other woods.

The Hill View Park houses a natural water body, where visitors can enjoy boat rides. The view from the watchtower of both the dams, Idukki and Cheruthoni, the surrounding hills on all four sides and the lush greenery takes the breath away.

The Park remains open throughout the year and can be accessed through gentle slopes, though it is stationed at 350 ft above the level of Dam water. The herbal garden and children’s play area add appeal to the Hill View Park.

Distance: 2 km from Idukki.

Timings: 9:30 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fees: Rs. 10 for adults and Rs. 5 for Children.

Ramakkalmedu, situated 3500 ft above the sea level, presents a bird’s eye view of the countryside of the neighboring Tamil Nadu State. The striking feature of the Ramakkalmedu is the historical monument of Kuravan and Kurathi, a huge statue that illustrates the Sangam period of Kerala.

Rama-Kal-medu literally means “Land of Rama’s stone” or “ Land where Lord Rama set his holy foot”. Another unique feature of Ramakkalmedu is the prevailing wind conditions, irrespective of the seasons. It offers excellent trekking options to adventure enthusiasts. Other attractions include Frog-rock, Turtle –Rock etc.

Distance: 40 km from Thekkady.

Timings: All day.

Entry fee: None.

Mangala Devi temple is a historic temple situated in the dense forests of Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Idukki district of Kerala bordering Tamil Nadu State. The fable prevalent among the natives elucidates that Kannagi, a devout Tamil woman, had wreaked destruction on the Pandyan dynasty through her curse for unjustly executing her husband, Kovalan in a theft case.

Kannagi is extolled as the epitome of chastity and is bestowed the position of the goddess. The ancient Tamilakam King, Chera Chenguttuvan, constructed this temple, around 2000 yrs ago. So, the temple is known for Pandiyan architecture.

Apart from Mangala Devi, the idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Karuppuswamy and sanctorium of Ganesh adorn the temple.Only during Chitrapournami festival, which falls in the Summer season (April/May), the devotees can visit and offer the prayers. The 12 km stretch to the temple can be accessed only through Jeep.To visit the Mangala Devi during other times prior special permission must be sought from the forest ranger.

Distance: 60 km from Pazhiyankudi, Idukki

Timings: All day.

Entry fee: None.

Nedumkandam Hill, one of the Idukki tourist places, is located at 3200 ft above the sea level at the taluk headquarters of Nedumkandam in Idukki district. The place is popularly known as the land of spices produces coffee, cardamom, and pepper.

The Hill offers a panoramic view of the countryside with cloud-covered mountains, lush green rolling hills, plantations of cardamom and pepper, and pristine air. The other tourist spots in the proximity are Kailasapara, Kallumekallu, Neyyandimala, Ramakkalamedu, Thooval falls etc.

Distance: 40 km from Thekkady.

Timings: All day.

Entry fee: None.

The Lord Ganesha statue in Idukki, Kerala, is a remarkable symbol of devotion and artistry, nestled amidst the serene beauty of the Western Ghats. Standing tall at a height that impresses every visitor, this statue exudes an aura of spirituality and tranquility. The craftsmanship is exquisite, capturing the divine essence of Lord Ganesha with intricate detailing, from the ornate crown to the delicate folds of his attire.

Painavu, one of the popular places to visit in Idukki, is located at a height of 3,900 ft above the sea level, inside the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. Painavu, encircled by the expansive forest cover and mountainous range, is a favorite spot for trekking enthusiasts. The tracts take the trekkers through the resplendent forests, plantations, and quaint hamlets.

An important commercial center, Painavu, is accessible only by road and is closest to other tourist hubs of Idukki like Idukki Arch Dam, Cheruthoni Dam, and Kulamavu. The sight of elephants sauntering on the roads during winter and rainy seasons will astound the visitors.

Distance: 114 km from Ernakulam Railway station and 98 from Kottayam.

Timings: All day.

Entry fee: None.

Kalvari or Calvary Mount, one of the Idukki tourist places, is a mountain situated at a distance of 5 km from Idukki. The Kalyanathandu viewpoint on Calvary Mount offers stunning visuals of the serene waters of the reservoir between Kuravan and Kurathi Hills and the Idukki dam.