Eravikulam National Park

This is a must visit place in Munnar for all animal and nature lovers. The park is situated around 8KMs from the munnar town. You can drive down to the base of the park in your vehicle or one of the autos(you have to see them climbing the steepy hills!!). From here you will have to go to the top of the hill where the Eravikulan National park is situated on one of the buses provided by the park.

buses to take visitors till the entrance of the national park

Private vehicles are not allowed inside the park area. The buses will leave you at the entrance of the park and then you will have to trek for another 1-2KMs to catch a glimpse of the beautiful tea plantations and ofcourse the endangered wildlife this park strives to protect.

is it not beautiful ?

The park is home to the Nilgiri tahr - an endangered goat species. At the start of the 20th centuary only 100 of these beautiful animals were left after being almost destroyed by hunting and poaching. Since then the nilgiri Tahr has been included in the list of endangered species. Efforts are being made to prevent the extinction of this wild goat like many other endangered species. With the efforts of the park officials and others involved in saving the Nilgiri Tahr the population has increased to above 1600 and around 700 of them reside in this park. The park is spread across 100 sq KMs and is claimed to be one of the cleanest national parks in India.

The entry tickets to the park cost Rs 35/- for Indians and Rs 200/- for foreign nationals. Incase you are carrying a camera you would have to shell out Rs 25/- for a still camera and Rs 200/- for a Video camera.

view from the ervaikulam national park

During the calving season of the nilgiri Tahr, the Eravikulam National Park is closed for 45 days from February 1st onwards.

For more pictures click here
Eravikulam national Park

munnar mela

Munnar mela started as a cultural and social celebration in 1982 and then onwards happens every year in the month of April. Over time the celebration has now become a part of Munnar's annula celebrations to bring in the new year. This year it was held from 6th of April till 13th April.

revelry @ munnar mela

The people of munnar eagerly wait for the arrival of this festival that fills munnar with all colors of the universe. These eight days make Munnar a joyous and memorable place for everyone who is fortunate to visit Munnar during this time.

I luckily happened to be in Munnar this year in april and visited the Munnar Mela that was organized in the Tata Tea Sports ground. The ground was colorfully lit and and there were stalls ranging from electronics, food items to even plants! For children it was a paradise with a variety of rides and games.

Immediately the shopper within me urged me to start purchasing some memorable items from this beautiful fare. I bought a strawberry conserve prepared in the Tata tea estates and a Kerela hat made of coconut tree bark! I also tried fresh ice tea that was being prepared(by crushing the tea leaves and taking out the juice) and served chilled in one of the stalls. It was one of the most refreshing cup of teas that I have ever had.

Being a chocoholic I also bought delicious home made chocolates and they were much better than what I had got from Ooty and Bangalore and at half the price too! :)

For more pictures of munnar mela click here