{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}} {{more citations needed|date=May 2009}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Thekkady | other_name = |other_name_lang = | nickname = | settlement_type = Hill station | image_skyline = Thekkady.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Landscape at Thekkady | pushpin_map = India Kerala#India | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India | coordinates = {{coord|9.533|N|77.200|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Kerala | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Idukki | subdivision_type3 = Taluk | subdivision_name3 = Peerumedu | established_title = <!-- Established --> | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_total = | population_as_of = | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_footnotes = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 =Malayalam, English | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = <!-- PIN --> | postal_code = | registration_plate = KL-37 | website = www.idukki.nic.in | footnotes = }} {{OSM Location map |lat = 9.577 |lon = 77.18 |zoom = 10 |width = 275 |height = 400
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|mark-lat = 9.577 |mark-lon = 77.18 |mark-title = Thekkady |label = Thekkady |label-pos = right
|mark-lat1 = 9.609 |mark-lon1 = 77.169 |mark-title1 = Kumily |label1 = Kumily |label-pos1 =
|mark-lat2 = 9.529 |mark-lon2 = 77.144 |mark-title2 = Mullaperiyar |label2 = Mullaperiyar |label-pos2 =
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}} thumb|Rafting in Thekkady thumb|Elephants in Thekkady thumb|Boating '''Thekkady''' ({{ipa|ml|t̪eːkːɐɖi|lang}}) in Idukki district is a town near Periyar National Park, an important tourist attraction in the Kerala state of India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerala Tourism|url= https://www.keralatourism.org/periyar/}}</ref> The name Thekkady is derived from the word "thekku" which means teak and "adi" meaning bottom. Temperatures are lowest in the months of December–January and highest in the months of April–May.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/periyar/thekkady-name.php|title=Name, ambience and other details}}</ref>
== Overview == Thekkady is situated about {{convert|257|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Trivandrum, 145 km from Cochin International Airport and 114 km from Kottayam railway station. It is 4 km from Kumily, a plantation town on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grass lands. It is home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs. Due to the density of the forest, sightings of elephants and especially tigers are highly unlikely.<ref>{{cite web |title=Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/periyar-tiger-reserve-idukki/192|website=keralatourism.org |publisher=Government of Kerala}}</ref>
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across {{convert|777|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|360|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} is thick evergreen forest. The wildlife sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1978.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady, Idukki, Kerala, India |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/periyar/history-periyar-valley.php |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Kerala Tourism - Periyar |language=en}}</ref> The artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River is a key element of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar are wild deer and bison that come down to drink in the lake. The sanctuary can be accessed by trekking, boating or jeep safari. <ref name="Tourist Guide to Kerala">Tourist Guide to Kerala By Motilal (UK) Books of India, Various, V. Subburaj</ref>
Thekkady is famous for spice plantations including black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, ginger, and clove.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spice plantations |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/periyar/spice-plantations-kumily.php |website=keralatourism.org |publisher=Government of Kerala}}</ref>
==Nearby places of interest==
===Ottakathalamedu=== One of the highest Mountain for trekking. Jeep trip is available from Kumily. Thekkady lake is visible from the top of the mountain.<ref>{{cite web |title=ഒട്ടകത്തലമേട്: കുമളിയിലെ ഒളിഞ്ഞു കിടക്കുന്ന മാണിക്യം. |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/travel/travel-kerala/2021/03/23/ottakathalamedu-view-point-best-sightseeing-point-in-thekkady.html |publisher=Manorama Online |access-date=23 March 2021}}</ref>
===Murikkady=== This place consists of spices and coffee plantations. It is about 5 km from Thekkady.<ref>{{cite web |title=Murikkady |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/murikkady-spice-plantation/101 |website=keralatourism.org |publisher=Government of Kerala}}</ref>
===Chellar Kovil=== This is located about 15 km from Kumily en route to the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. This place has a lot of picturesque waterfalls and cascades.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chellarkovil in Kumily |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/chellarkovil/435 |website=keralatourism.org |publisher=Government of Kerala}}</ref>
===Anakkara===
Located at about 13 km from Kumily on the Kumily-Munnar road. A new airport is proposed at Anakkara and is under review by the Airports Authority of India.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peter |first=Babu K. |date=2013-01-01 |title=Study period for Anakkara airport extended |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2013/Jan/01/study-period-for-anakkara-airport-extended-438986.html |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Anakkara is famous for spice garden.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} All variety of spices available.
===Mangala Devi Temple===
It is situated about 18 km from Thekkady at an altitude of 1341 m above sea level. It is surrounded by lush greenery and is closed throughout the year except during the Chitra Pournami festival.<ref>{{Cite web |last=kerala-tourism |title=Mangala Devi temple - Kerala Tourism - Periyar |url=https://www.keralatourism.holiday/best-places/periyar/mangala-devi-temple.php#:~:text=The%20history%20of%20Mangala%20Devi,by%20the%20king%20of%20Madurai. |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.keralatourism.holiday |language=en}}</ref> At other times tourists can still visit it by getting a special letter from the forest ranger. The view from the temple premises is spectacular and one can see part of Eastern Ghats and some villages from adjacent state of Tamil Nadu.<ref name="Tourist Guide to Kerala"/>
== Pattumalay == Pattumalay literally means hills draped in silk. It is known for its lofty peaks, little streams, tea plantations and tea factories. This beautiful region in Idukki is 8 km from Peermade and 24 km from Thekkady. One of the major attractions of this region is The Velankanni Matha Church<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pattumalamatha.com/aboutshrine.html|title=pattumala matha church|website=Go Daddy|access-date=2018-03-26}}</ref> situated atop a hill. This is a famous pilgrim center, and is built entirely from granite. Pattumalay is also home of the biggest names in the tea production sector - Harrisons Malayalam limited<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.harrisonsmalayalam.com/|title=Harrisons Malayalam Ltd : Rubber, Tea, Tissue Culture, Engineering - India|last=Harrisonsmalayalam.com|website=www.harrisonsmalayalam.com|access-date=2018-03-26}}</ref> Pattumalay Estate.
== Pattumalay Tea Factory == Pattumalay Tea Factory is situated 24 km from Thekkady. Pattumalay Tea Factory is a major producer of Orthodox tea and belongs to Harrisons Malayalam Limited. It is the oldest Orthodox factory and also owns central Travancore only Orthodox Tea Factory. It has capacity of 16000 kg per day. The Pattumalay Estate was established in the year of 1931.
==Boat tragedy== {{further|2009 Thekkady boat disaster}} [[File:Pattumalay Tea Bungalow.jpg|thumb|[https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Pattumalay+Tea+Bungalow/@9.5733763,77.0331167,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3b06538fd1b4e1a7:0x629c7b58038e2ea!8m2!3d9.573371!4d77.0353054?hl=en Pattumalay Tea Bungalow]]]
==Gallery==
<gallery> File:Thekkady Lake.jpg|The Thekkady lake as seen from Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Image:Boat similar to the one involved.JPG|A boat cruise on Periyar river File:Periyar National Park 02.jpg|Submerged trees in Periyar National Park File:Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary Mountains.jpg|The misty mountain ranges of the Periyar region File:Cardamom Hills.jpg|Southern Western Ghats, Near Thekkady in Kerala </gallery>
== See also == *Vellaramkunnu *Kalvary Mount *Kumily *Kattappana
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Thekkady}} {{wikivoyage|Thekkady}} * {{Official website|http://idukki.nic.in/thekkady.htm }} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20091004004100/http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/01/stories/2009100158340100.htm The Hindu Report on Thekkady Boat Accident]
Category:Cities and towns in Idukki district Category:Tourism in Kerala Category:Tourist attractions in Idukki district Category:Geography of Idukki district Category:Lakes of Kerala