National Parks in Kerala-Silent Valley National Park

Uncategorized
Posted on | by holidaylandmarker

$100 Website Offer

Get your personal website + domain for just $100.

Limited Time Offer!

Claim Your Website Now
About:
The Silent Valley National Park is located 40 km from Mannarkkad in the Kundali Hills of Western Ghats, Palakkad District, the Silent Valley National Valley though smaller than other National Parks, is unique for a horde of reasons. The park is home to rare kinds of herbs, plants and species. The Silent Valley Park besides having a sylvan climate has many high altitude peaks and numerous rivers running through it. The Silent Valley is considered to be the last pristine region of tropical evergreen forest in India and is an area rich in biodiversity. The lush tropical greenery, undulating slopes, hills and rivers make the Silent Valley National Park a beautiful wildlife tourism destination in Kerala, India.The park is also known for the rare and unique herbs and plants that grow here, as well as the wildlife found in the Silent Valley, which include elephants, tigers and lion-tailed macaque. The local name for the park is Sairandhrivanam (the forest in the valley) which is also the last representative of tropical evergreen forests in India. The park which is remote has difficult terrain and is surrounded with Attappadi Reserve Forests in the east, and vested forests of the Palghat and Nilambur divisions in the west and south. In the North, the park is an extension of the Nilgiri Forests. The park which has never had human habitation is in the core area of the Nilgiri BiosphereReserve.The Kerala Silent Valley wildlife sanctuary has got its name due to the absence of the noisy cicadas. The Silent Valley Park is rich in flora and fauna and is home to many animals and birds. The tropical greenery and streams of rivers make this place a haven for the life forms here. The park has many unique and rare herbs and plants that have medicinal value.The Silent Valley National Park has an amazing range of wildlife ranging from wild tigers and mammals to South Indian Peninsula, such as, the Nilgiri Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Lion- Tailed Macaque, Flying Squirrel and Civet Cat. The Silent Valley National Park is famous for Butterflies. Over 100 species of butterflies and 400 species of moths and other fauna like the Ceylon Frog Moth, Great Indian Hornbill and the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush are found here. The best time to visit Silent Valley is from September to March, during the pleasant winter. In the Silent Valley you would notice a wide range of peninsular mammals, 100 different species of butterflies, and also multiple varieties of rare birds. Often during the winters, Migratory birds come here. They are the most unique specimens and attract our attention. An interesting feature is the very old trees in the park. You will be amazed at the sheer size of the massive hollow tree, which can hide at least 12 people in it! Untouched by Man, The park has never had human habitation in the core area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Valley with its rainforest that probably dates back to 50 million years lends a mystical charm to the Park. Scientists value the rich biodiversity of this place and take pains to keep it this way.HornbillAbout 40 species of mammals are found, including nineteen amphibians, and numerous insects and tiny animals. Several endangered bat species are found here. Elephants, tigers, macaques, flying squirrels, hornbills, sunbirds and birdwings can be found in the premises of Silent Valley National Park. Other species include Asian Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr, Tiger, Wild Dog (Dhole), Nilgiri Marten, Rusty Spotted Cat, Small Indian Civet, Striped-necked Mongoose, Brown Mongoose, Lion-tailed Macaque, Slender Loris, Large Brown Flying Squirrel, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, and Mouse deer etc.The Silent Valley National Park has a mixture of varied wild habitats. The lush, thick tropical evergreen forests, subtropical hill forests, `sholas` and grassy lands, prevalent in the western part of Kuntipuzha and also the high ranges of the eastern parts are a home of numerous species. There are almost 1,000 species of flowering plants and the Aeginetia is a significant one.
Location info:
Address: Kundali hills, Palakkad, Kerala, India.
District: Palakkad District.
Nearest City: Coimbatore,Pollachi, Dindigul and Madurai.
Best time to visit: December to April.
Climate/Weather:
Climate Generally warm and humid. The weather temparature Summers: 36°-20°; Winters: 16°-32°C. 
History:
There are two legends behind this park, Silent Valley has a very eventful history in comparison to the other wildlife parks in the country. The local name for the park is Sairandhrivanam (the forest in the valley) and had been a centre of hot debates and protests in the decades of the 70’s and 80’s of the 20th century. The history of the park goes way back to 1888 when the region was declared a reserved land under the Forest Act and later notified as a Reserved Forest by the Government of Madras in 1914.And another one is According to hindu legend, That is the area is locally known as “Sairandhrivanam” literally, in Malayalam: Sairandhri’s Valley. In local Hindu legend, Sairandhri is Draupadi, the polyandrous wife of the five Pandavas, who disguised herself as Sairandhri, queen Sudeshna’s assistant, while they were in exile.[4] The Pandavas, deprived of their kingdom, set out on a 13-year exile. They wandered south, into what is now Kerala, until one day they came upon a magical valley where rolling grasslands met wooded ravines, a deep green river bubbled its course through impenetrable forest, where at dawn and twilight the tiger and elephant would drink together at the water’s edge, where all was harmonious and man unknown. Beside that river, in a cave on a hill slope, the Pandavas halted.
Interesting things to do:
Watch Beautifull scenaries , Tress, Flowers, noisy cicadas, varieties of Butterfly’s, Asian Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr, Tiger, Wild Dog (Dhole), Nilgiri Marten, Rusty Spotted Cat, Small Indian Civet, Striped-necked Mongoose, Brown Mongoose, Lion-tailed Macaque, Slender Loris, Large Brown Flying Squirrel, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, and Mouse deer etc.
Interesting things to Visit:
Attappady:Attappady is a beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, Attappady is of great interest to anthropologists. This is the habitat of many tribals like the lrulars and Mudugas. The Malleeswaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic Siva linga by the Adivasis who also celebrate the Sivarathri festival with ferour.Dhoni:The Peruvannamuzhi dam site set amid hills is a beautiful picnic spot. The reservoir here provides facilities for speed boat and row boat cruises. Uninhabited islands a bird sanctuary and a crocodile farm to the charm of the place.Tusharagiri:Tusharagiri is Famous for its trekking tracks, Tusharagiri, is located near Vythiri in Wayanad. Treakkers start early in the morning grom the second waterfall at Tusharagiri and climb uphill through the pristine, evergreen dense dorests populated with exotic birds and wild animals to reach Vythiri by evening.Malampuzha:Malampuzha has an aerial ropeway across the garden, a telescope tower, boating and fishing facilities, a swimming pool, fresh water aquarium and a snake park. Fantasy Park is a good spot for children. At Dhoni you can go on a 3-hour trek from the base of Dhoni Hills to the waterfall at the reserve forest area.Dhoni Hills:The site can be reached after a fairly long climb of 3 hours from the base of the Dhoni Hills. Dhoni provides trekkers the opportunity to explore its hilly terrains.Its lush green surroundings are a pleasure to watch. Dhoni is also famous for its farmhouse, harbouring hundreds of cattle of Swiss variety.Sholayar:Sholayar stands at the topmost area at Attappady. It is located at a distance of 25 Km from Anakatty. The place has amazing cold weather with sprinkling Natural beauty. The place boosts of some of the best Coffee and tea estates which looks awesome from distance.Chulannur Peacock Protection Centre:Mailadumpara, in Chulannur situated 22 kms away from Palakkad town and 5 kms from Peringothukrish, is also famed. It is here the peacock protection center is located. Kunjan Nambiar Smrudhi forest is also here.
Mobile range info:
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Olavakkode Railway Station
Nearest Airport:Nearest airport is Coimbatore (55km) in Tamilnadu. Kochi airport (160 km) and Kozhikode (130 km) are nearest airports in Kerala.
Road Transport:Mannarghat (32 km from the Silent Valley National Park). Mannarghat is the nearest important township from where one can get buses to all the places in the region like Palghat, Coimbatore and others. There are frequent buses from Palghat to the Silent Valley National Park. Buses are also available from Coimbatore to the park.
Nearest Visiting places:
Thiruvalathoor Bhagavathy Temple.The temple is located 10 kilometer from Palakkad at the Chittoor-Kodumbu road. This ancient temple is well decorated with fine wood works and stone sculptures. It is one of the 108 Durga temples in the country. The temple remains unfinished. The annual festival falls at January, which lasts 10 days. Another attraction in the temple is the Mizhavu (a musical instrument), and it is observed as the largest in Kerala.Palakkad Fort:Palakkad Fort was built by Hyder Ali, the mighty ruler of Mysore, in the year 1766 A.D. The fort was primarily built to speed up the communication between Coimbatore and the West Coast. The region, during those days had a great strategic importance. The fort however fell into the hands of British Empire in the year 1784 after a siege that lasted 11 days. With the Zamorin’s capture of the fort, the dispute and the battle was not meant to end there. The British recaptured the fort in the year 1790 A.D. and with that established their stronghold in the region. Palakkad Fort, at present, is looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India.Walayar Dam:It is located about 25 kilometers from Palkkad town in the Kerala Tamilnadu border. The dam is meant for irrigation purpose. There is a deer Park located 3 kilometers from Walayar.Kalpathi:Kalpathi is the most famous ‘Agraharam'(Street occupied by Brahmins) in Palakkad and one of the 18 Agraharams(Brahmin residing streets) in the state. The famous Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Viswanatha Swamy temple is here where the famous ‘Ratholsavam’ (temple car festival) takes place. Kalpathy is located 3 kilometer from Palakkad.Olappamanna Mana:Olappamanna is the family name of a feudal lords, belongs to the Namboothiri category. They are the reputed patrons of Kathakali and it is believed that Kathakali originated here. The ‘mana’ (ancestral house) lies at Vellinezhi (Which is known as Kathakali village) near Chepulassery.
Thrithala

Thrithala:

Thrithala is the place where Agnihotri (The eldest son of Vararuchi) conducted 99 yagnas and made Indra (King of Gods) envious. The Agnihotri ellam draws visitors. The village lies 8 kilometer far from Pattambi at the Pattambi-Kuttippuram road in the Ottapalam taluk. The Siva temple here is believed to be built around 10th century is a good example of the Chol-Pandya style of Architecture. The presiding deity here is Siva and deity here known as ‘Thalathilappan’.Siruvani:Siruvani is located at a distance of 25 Km from west of Coimbatore which is near Mannarkkad at Ittakurissi. The main places of attraction here are the famous dam and the forest areas.The Jain Temple of Jainimedu:The historic granite temple in the suburbs of Palakkad town displays the images of the Jain Thirthankaras and the Yakshinis. Jainimedu, the region around the temple, is one of the few places in kerala where the vestiges of Jainisim have survived. Poet Kumaranasan wrote his masterpiece Veenapoovu ( the Fallen flower) at a Jain house here.Malampuzha Garden:This famous picnic spot which comprises a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. There are frequent buses to the garden from Palakkad. Attractions: The garden: Green Lawns. Well laid-out flower beds Pools, fountains and pathways.Kottayi:This is 15 km via Poodur from Palakkad – This village is the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Carnatic music.Kollengode:19 km south of Palakkad – Kollengode ( the abode of blacksmiths) enshrines the pristine beauty of rural Palakkad. The Kollengode Palace, the Vishnu Temple and the Poet P.Kunhiraman Nair Memorial are worth visiting. Seethakundu and Govindamalai hills nearby are ideal for trekking.Meenkara:Meenkara is situated at a distance of 32 Km south east from Palakkad. The famous ‘Meenkara’ dam and lovely lake attracts lots of tourist attention specialkly for the people who are true nature lovers. You can enjoy your time sitting at nearby Fish ponds having varieties of fishes.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
IBP Petrol Bunk
Chittur Road, Kenathuparambu
palakkad, Kerala.Bharat Petroleum
Coimbatore Road, Kalmandapam
Palakkad, Kerala.Balaji Fuels
Chandranagar, Palakkad
Kerala 678007
Tel: 0491 2571793.Petrol Pump
Palakkad Road, Kovai Pudur
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Hotel Sinclairs
Gorishola Road, Ootacamund
Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643001
Tel: 022 66181940.Fortune Hotel Sullivan Court
123, Selbourne Road
Ooty, 643 001
Tel: 0423 2441415.Hotel Lakeview
West Lake Road, Ooty,
Tamil Nadu 643004
Tel: 022 66181940.Hotel Silent Valley
Mannarkkad, Palakkad
Kerala.Hotel Lakeview
West Lake Road, Ooty,
Tamil Nadu 643004
022 66181940.
Things to carry:
Tips & Suggestions:
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:Police Station
Narashimapuram Police Station
Narashimapuram, Palakkad main road
CoimbatoreTamil Nadu.Police Station
Mannarkkad, Palakkad, KeralaWadakanchery police station
Wadackanchery, Thrissur
Kerala- 04884 233100
Nearest Hospital:Lakshmi Nursing Home
Kenathuparambu
Palakkad, Kerala.Hosephiinr Memmorial Hospital
Malampuzha
Palakkad-815160, kerala.Madhavi Amma Hospital
Sultanpet, Palakkad
Kerala.Kerala Nursing Home
Court Road, Palakkad, KeralaThankam Hospital
Palakkad, KeralaTrinity Eye Hospital
Stadium Byepass Road,
Palakkad, Kerala.Mannarkad homoeo medical centre
jj complex, old statebank building
t.s junction,, main road, mannarkkad
palakkad dt, Kerala 678582
Tel: 09447630668.
Society/Community Phone Number:
Link:http://profkurakar.blogspot.com/2009/09/silent-valley-national-parksilver.html
http://wildlifeindiatravel.blogspot.com/2009/10/silent-valley-national-parkkeralasilent.html
http://keralawildlifesanctuaries.blogspot.com/2009/09/silent-valley-national-park-valley-not.html
http://postalinfo.blogspot.com/2009/09/commemorative-stamp-on-silent-valley.html
http://keralatourist-place.blogspot.com/2009/07/silent-valley.html