Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary

About:

Point Calimere Sanctuary is a zone of idyllic bliss with its lush greenery sprinkled with sparkling water bodies. The sanctuary exudes an aura of tranquility and the quietude is occasionally disturbed by the welcome melodious twitters of sandpipers.

Point Calimere Sanctuary is strategically located in Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district, a mere 42 km from Thiruthuraipoondi Railway station and 225 km from Tiruchirapalli Airport. The sanctuary is connected through a well-developed road networ

While covering 377 sq. km. of picturesque area, the wildlife reserve invites wildlife lovers to embark on a journey to explore its flora and fauna.Travel to Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu in between the months of November and February.

The Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary has a diverse and exotic plantlife.Draped with dry evergreen forests, mangrove forests and grassland, Point Calimere wildlife sanctuary harbors some of the rare species of fauna.

The varied wildlife here consists of Chitals, Wild Boars, Bonnet Macaques, Black Bucks, Flamingos, Teals, Gulls, Terns, Plavers and Stilts along with the Dolphins and Turtles that quite often come very close to the shores. The best season to visit the sanctuary is between November and January, when there are Teals, Curlews, Gulls, Terns, Plovers, Sandpipers, Shanks, Herons and about 3000 Flamingoes all over the tidal mud flats and marshes. In springtime you can see Koels, Mynas, Barbets and a profusion of wild berries. The Forest Department Rest House at Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary has adequate rooms and provide meals too.

Sprawling on 17.26 sq km surrounded by sea and shore, comprising forests of tidal swamps, this sanctuary is situated in Nagapattinam district. It is bestowed with populations of varied wild life such as Chittal, Wild Boar Sprawling on 17.26 sq km surrounded by sea and shore, comprising forests of tidal swamps, dry evergreen forests of mangroves, this sanctuary is situated in the Nagapattinam district. It is bestowed with population of varied wild life such as Chital, Wild boar, Bonnet macaque, Black Buck, Flamingoes, Teals, Gulls, Terns, Plavers and Stilts. Special attractions are close encounters with Dolphins and Turtles which often come quite close to the shore.

90 Km from Thanjavur or Tanjore, Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary is often also referred to as Kodikkarai Wildlife Sanctuary. Stretching across an area of 17.26 sq. km., it is surrounded by ble waters of the sea and mesmerizing beaches. The beautiful locales, tidal swamp forests and dry evergreen forests of mangroves, make the Kodikkarai coastal sanctuary, a delightful and adventurous wilderness destination. The wetland jutting out into the Palk Strait separating India and Sri Lanka, the highlights of the area are the migratory waterfowls such as Flamingos that come to seek refuge here in winters. The flora consists of mostly shrubs; the sanctuary recently faced a problem of survival in the wake of violent monsoon winds, feral cattle, horses and bucks. Presently, lobster is being cultivated here to again attract the birds to the place

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

Summer and winter. May and June are the hottest months with an average maximum temperature of 40ºC. Tiruchirapalli lies on Deccan Plateau and thus have relatively cooler nights thanks to the sea breeze that sets in the evening.

Winter persists between November-January when the climate swings between pleasantly cool to mildly chilly at times. Minimum temperatures rarely dip below 15 ºC. The rainy season that falls between October and December brings rain in spurts, mostly due to northeast branch of monsoon.

History:

Interesting things to do:

Interesting things to Visit:

Flora at Point Calimere Sanctuary:
The diversity of habitats makes the vegetation of the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary quite diverse. This diversity ranges from dry evergreen forests, salt marsh, mangrove vegetation to grasslands. Of all the trees present in the forest, Manilkara hexandra and Salvadora persica are the dominant ones. You can also spot some insectivorous plants such as Drosera burmanii and D Indica. The marshy areas of the shore are home to Salicornia brachiata and Sessuvium portulacastrum while Calotropis gigantea, Prosopis chilensis and Pandanus tectorius occur in elevated regions.

Fauna at Point Calimere Sanctuary:
Point Calimere Sanctuary is most famous for its flamingos and blackbuck. There is no end to your excitement at the sanctuary as you get to spot a vast variety of water birds such as plovers, teals, terns, gulls etc. Fourteen species of mammals have been reported from the Point Calimere Sanctuary. The larger mammals include the blackbuck, wild boar, spotted deer and jackal. Another interesting creature at the sanctuary is the flying fox that resides in large groups on trees. The water birds in the great swamp and the dolphins and turtles that often come quite close to the shore are interesting to see.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Visiting places:

Rock Fort Temple:
This temple sits pretty atop a mammoth piece of rock which rises from the plains, soaring to a height of 83 meters. The Rock fort temple is a combination of three temples, of which The Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva - halfway up is the most famous and visited temple complex by the devotees. The temple has a 100-pillared hall, and a Vimana completely covered with gold, which more often than not captures the imagination of the onlookers. There are several remarkable rock-cut cave temples on the southern face of the rock, dating back to the Pallava period, which perfectly compliment the resplendence of the Rock Fort. This temple site is also the chosen venue for the famous Carnatic wars between the French and English, which was fought around this rock.

Sri Jambukeshwara Temple:
The Sri Jambukeshwara Temple is located 5 km from the town, dedicated to Lord Siva. The legend has it that an elephant worshiped Lord Shiva near the Jambu tree, hence the temple was named Jambukeshwara. There are seven gopurams and 5 concentric walls, which are completely covered with splendid carvings. These carvings are so life-like that they virtually transport the beholder into the past realm. It is built around a Siva Lingam, which is completely submerged in water that comes from a spring in the sanctum sanctorum. Although non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple, but such tourists can experience the structural beauty of the complex from outside which also is worth the time. The temple is open daily between 6 am to 1pm and between 4pm to 9.30pm.

Samayapuram Mariamman Temple:
Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is located 12 km north of the city junction on Trichy-Chennai highway. The Maariamman Temple is one of the most visited shrines in Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Maariamman, who is a form of Goddess Shakti associated with prosperity and health. Locals believe that the deity cures diseases such as Small Pox and Chicken Pox. The walls of the temple have carvings of Goddess Shakti in her various manifestations and also other heavenly sculptures of various Gods.

Srirangam (Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple):
The temple of Sri Ranganatha is the largest temple in India. It is of great importance to all Hindus as it is considered to be the supreme temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is located some 6 km from Trichy and is on the banks of River Kaveri. This 13th century temple is surrounded by seven scintillating rectangular courtyards and has 21 spectacular gopurams, among which Rajagopuram is the largest in India. The walls and surroundings of the temple are rich in brilliant carvings and wonderful paintings that have proved to be a great attraction for the tourists.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Indian Oil Petrol Pump:Salai Road,Woraiyur, Tiruchirapalli,Tamil Nadu,India

BP Petrol Pump:NH 67,Thiruchirapalli,Tamil Nadu,India

IOC Petrol Pump:Thiruchirapalli,Tamil Nadu,India

HP Petrol Pump:Municipal Office Rd,Thiruchirapalli,Tamil Nadu,India

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Ramyas Hotels Pvt Ltd:Williams Rd, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu,India,Ph:0431 2415128

Hotel Sangam:Collector Office Road,Tiruchirapalli, Tamil nadu,India,Ph:0431 2414700

Ashby Hotel:Rockins Rd, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu,India.Ph:0431 2460652

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number:

Gandhi Market Police Station:W B Road,Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu,India

Srirangam Police Station:THERKU VASAL,Srirangam,Tiruchirappalli,Tamil Nadu,India

Sowmanasya Hospitals Pvt Ltd:6, K K Nagar, Chinthamani,V N Nagar, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil nadu,Ph:0431 2704304

Kavery Medical Centre & Hospital:Thennur,Tiruchirapalli, Tamil nadu,Ph:0431 4022555

Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary