Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary  is located 18 km north of Marayoor on SH 17 in the Marayoor and Kanthalloor panchayats ( Devikulam taluk ) Idukki district of Kerala state,India.

It is one of twelve wildlife sanctuaries among the protected areas of Kerala.

The south side of the sanctuary is covered by Eravikulam National park and the north side is by Indira Gandhi wildlife sanctuary.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki is home to the Great Grizzled Squirrel
It has earned the name for only rehabilitation centre for star tortoise

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique protected area in the rain shadow region in the eastern slope of Western Ghats




Its unique location in the Western Ghats has ensured it gets less than 2 months of rainfall annually. The wildlife along with the deciduous trees makes it an ideal spot for trekking

The area is diverse in eco systems
It is a well known repository of medicinal plants and a healthy population of grizzled giant squirrel, star tortoise, tufted grey langur, gaur, spotted deer, slender loris, wild elephant, crocodile, tiger, leopard and many a birds, insects and plants.
Chinnar has about 1000 species of flowering plants and a wide variety of medicinal plants.
You can sight here 225 recorded species of birds and also the endangered species of Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India.

Interpretation Centre at Karimutty,

 Eco shops at Chinnar check post and Aalampetty, an amenity centre, inspection bunglow, dormitory and cafeteria at Chinnar check post for the needs of visitors.
One can view herds of gaur and elephants strolling around casually in this area.

Dry deciduous forests, high ranges and some grassland add to the diversity of the sanctuary.

during the journey from Karimuthi to Chinnar, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Hanuman Langur and peacocks can be seen along the road side.

The 90 km sq sanctuary is unique with its floral, ecological, geomorphologic and cultural significance.

Due to this extensive variation of rainfall, Chinnar is blessed with a wide variety of habitat types like deciduous forests, dry thorn scrub, riparian forest, shoals and grasslands.

Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is famous for its eco-tourism activities, jointly organized by Forest Department and the Ecodevelopment Committees of the local tribal communities.

 The eco-tourism facilities include river trekking, trekking to the cultural site, nature trail to the watch tower, a trek to the Thoovanam falls, interpretation activities and medicinal garden, tree house at Chinnar, trekking and camping at Vasyappara.

ACOMMODATION

Perumala Stone House – 2000

Extra Person – Rs 500/- for Indian, Rs1000/-for foreigners Note:  Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person.  maximum 6 peoples

Perumala Stone House

Methap Log House – 3000/- ( for Two Indian), 4000/- ( for Two Foreigners)

Extra Person – 1000/-per head Note:  Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person.  maximum 4 peoples

Stone House – 2000/-( for Four Indian), 5000/- ( for Four Foreigners)

Extra Person – Rs 500/- for Indian, Rs1000/-for foreigners Note:  Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person.  maximum 6 peoples

Mathikettan Shola National Park

Mathikettan Log House – 1500/ ( for Two Indian),2500/- ( for Two Foreigners)

Extra Person – 1000/-per head Note:  Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person. maximum 4 peoples

Mathikettan Shola National Park

Amenity Center – 200/-per head

Maximum  Persons – 15 to 20

Note: Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person

Pampadum Shola National Park

Bison 1 Log House – 4000/- ( for Two Indian), 5000/- ( for Two Foreigners)

Extra Person – Rs 1000/-for Indian, Rs 1500/- for foreigners Note: Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person.  maximum 3 peoples

Pampadum Shola National Park

Bison 2 Log House – 4000/ ( for Two Indian), 5000/- ( for Two Foreigners)

Extra Person – Rs 1000/-for Indian, Rs 1500/- for foreigners Note: Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person.  maximum 3 peoples

Pampadum Shola National Park

Amenity Center – 500/-per head

Maximum  Persons – 15

Note:  Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person.

Pampadum Shola National Park

Ethnic Hut – 4000/-( for Two Indian),5000/- ( for Two Foreigners)

Extra Person – Rs 1000/-for Indian, Rs 1500/- for foreigners Note: Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person.  maximum 6 peoples

Eravikulam National Park

Lakkom Log House – 3000/- ( for Two Indian),4000/- ( for Two Foreigners)

Extra Person – 1000/-per head Note:  Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person.  maximum 4 peoples

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – Alampetty Zone

Thoovanam Log House – 3000/-( for Two Indian),4000/- ( for Two Foreigners)

Extra Person – 1000/-per head Note: Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person. maximum 4 peoples

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – Alampetty Zone

Jellimala Log House – 3000/-( for Two Indian),4000/- ( for Two Foreigners)

Extra Person – 1000/-per head Note: Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person. maximum 4 peoples

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – Alampetty Zone

Squirrel House – 3000/-( for Four Indian),5000/- ( for Four Foreigners)

Extra Person –  Rs 700/- for Indian, Rs 1000/-For foreigners. Note:  Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person.  maximum 8 peoples

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – Chinnar Zone

Koottar Log House – 3000/- ( for Two Indian), 4000/- ( for Two Foreigners)

Extra Person – 1000/-per head Note:  PPark entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person. maximum 4 peoples

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – Chinnar Zone

Pambar Log House – 3000/- ( for Two Indian),4000/- ( for Two Foreigners)

Extra Person – 1000/-per head Note:  Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person.  maximum 4 peoples

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – Chinnar Zone

Churilipetty Log House – 3000/-( for Two Indian),4000/- ( for Two Foreigners) 

Extra Person – 1000/-per head Note:  Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person. maximum 4 peoples

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – Chinnar Zone

Karakkad Tree House – 3000/- ( for Two Indian), 4000/- ( for Two Foreigners)

Extra Person – 1000/-per head Note: Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person. maximum 3 peoples

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – Chinnar Zone

Amenity Center – 350/-per head

Maximum  Persons –  20

Note: Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/personn.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – Chinnar Zone

Night Jar Camping – 350/-per head

Maximum  Persons –  12

Note: Park entrance fee will be charged extra : Indian- 25 INR /person , Foreigners – 315 INR/person.

Dormitories

Eravikulam National Park – 150/- per head , Maximum  Persons –  40

Pampadum Shola National Park – 150/- per head , Maximum  Persons –  30

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – 150/- per head , Maximum  Persons –  40

Above rates are for Two adults stay in respective room with Dinner and Breakfast Inclusions : Breakfast,  Dinner and Trekking Check in: 2 PM and Checkout:  10 AM, Entrance Fee 315/- for Foreigner 25/- for Indians

Child policy

Children above 8 years will be charged @ 500/head The amount you are spending goes to the benefit and development of forest dependent people and their livelihood and protection of our forests.
 Any further clarification, Please feel free to contact us 9AM TO 5PM. 85476 03199, 8301024187, 8547603222.
email : munnarwildlifebooking@gmail.com

Location: 77º 15’ and 77º 17 East Longitude and 10º 15 ‘ and 10º21’ North Latitude.Area: 90.422 sq. km.Climate: Temperature varies from 18ºC to 25ºCTopography: Altitude ranging from 500 to 2400m . Major Peaks in the Sanctuary are Kottakombumalai (2144 m), Rainfall: Average annual rainfall is 100mm.
Forest Types: The major portion of the area is covered with grass lands. There were also several patches of shoals.

Contact Address:

The Wildlife Warden
Eravikulam National Park
Munnar P.O, Idukki, Kerala, PIN - 685 612
Phone: +91 4865 231587
Mobile:+ 91 9447979093
Email:  ww-munnar@forest.kerala.gov.in
Website: www.chinnar.org

Entry fee for Indians: Rs 10 per head per day (Rs 5 for children below 12 years and for bonafied students on tour)Entry fee for foreigners: Rs 100 per head per day

Nearest railway station: Ernakulam, about 230 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 204 km

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Kanthalloor..with picturesque landscapes...

Kanthalloor is a village in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala.
It is a village nestled in the Western Ghats of India.

The salubrious climate and the picturesque landscapes and wide variety of tropical crops coupled with the close proximity of Munnar, has transformed this village into a tourist destination.

Facts at a glance

Location: Southern Central Kerala
District: Idukki
Nearest towns: Munnar  (40 kms) and Maryoor (14 kms.)
Bus Station: Munnar ( 40 Kms.)
Taxi Hire: Munnar Town ( 40 Kms.)
Railway Station: Eranakulam Railway Station (155 kms.)

Air port: Cochin International Airport (145 Kms.)

guide i got from kanthaloor

Food Options: Restaurants at Marayoor town. More choice at Munnar.

Nearby Attractions: Chinnar Wildlide Sanctuary, Marayoor, Manavan Shola, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kumali, Munnar, Devikulam, Peerumedu, Eravikulam National Park, Mattuppetty, the Arch dam, Idukki wildlife sanctuary, Anamudi, Eco Point, Top Station, Waterfalls of Cheeyappara, Valara, Thommankuthu, Keezharkuthu, Attukal and Chellarkovil, Carmalagiri elephant walk, Anachal, Malankara reservoir, Mangala Devi Temple, Meenuli,  Kundala dam  and Kalvari Mount.

Kanthaloor is famous for its wide variety of crops which is not seen on the other parts of kerala, which includes varieties of Apple,



orange, Strawberry,

Blackberry, Plums, Gooseberry, Egg fruits, peach & passion fruits..etc.

orange

Accommodation Options: Farm stays and resorts at Kanthaloor. Resorts, hotels and home stays in Marayoor. There are resorts and home stays in Kanthalloor or else you could stay at Munnar.

we stayed in SHOLA HEAVAN ....its best natur's buety place with calm environment in the base of mountain
with good staff  and facilites

view from my room

with hygenic canteen and nice food and large parking area also available

breafast at canteen

playing area for childrens

with my kid

Best time to visit: Throughout the year. March, April and May are hot nowadays though.

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Marayoor Jaggery( Marayoor Sarkkara ).....

Marayoor is a place in the Idukki district of Kerala,42Kms north of Munnar (on Munnar-Udumbalpetta road.) 

Marayoor falls in the rain shadow region and the quality of the molasses is attributed to the specialty in temperature and the ph value of the earth.




Marayoor is top known for its extensive sugarcane cultivation  (major crop of Marayoor and Kanthalloor.)




sarkkara (jaggery) production is a cottage industry here.

Here, more than 2500 acres of land is used for sugarcane cultivation.

sugarcane compressor

sugar cane is compresed in large machine and juice is collected in large vessels

When this jaggery undergoes a laboratory analysis it was found that the jaggery is one of the best having 97 % sugar in it.

sugar cane compressor unit

The peculiar geographical location of Marayoor in  the Western Ghats gives the sugar cane a distinct geographical identity.

Jaggery is the term for dark brown sugar balls made of condensed sugar cane juice. 
In sugar cane farms, manufacturing units are set up and the Jaggery is manufactured by the farmers, 

boiling sugarcane juice

First the sugar cane juice is boiled in a special type of huge vessel and then condenses to jaggery balls.

Added to this, the age old specialized skill of the local people in making the jaggery in the farm itself, make it a unique product.

transferring to large vessels for condensation

Marayoor Sarkkara  is one of the sweetest jaggereis in the world

Marayoor Forest Development Agencies  has taken up the ambitious task of marketing marayoor jiggery which is manufactured by marginal cultivators in the forest villages of Marayoor and Kanthalloor who are member of Vana Samrakshana samithies for ensuring fair prices and a better livelihood for the community.

mixing in between for condensation

One of the best dishes using this ‘Sarkara’ is ‘Marayoor Sarkara Payasam’ the famous temples are using this jaggery

  

jaggery balls are made from condensed juice

if you have planned a visit to Marayoor,Don’t forget to taste it .

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Pulikkali.....(Tiger Dance)

Pulikali (Tiger Dance) is one among the best folk art forms of Kerala. 
It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam,  in the Indian(Kerala state)

The word Pulikali literally means the 'play of the tigers' so the performance revolves around the theme of tiger hunting.

On the fourth day of Onam festival, (Nalaam Onam) artists paint their bodies like tigers with stripes of yellow, red and black and dance to the rhythm of traditional percussion instruments such as thakil, udukku and chenda. 

This colorful dances is mainly staged in the Thrissur and Palghat districts.

The folk art is mainly practiced in Thrissur district of Kerala.

The art also known as Kaduvaakali is a 200 year old form which has been very carefully preserved by the artists of the state.

The best place to catch the glimpse of the performance is the Swaraj Ground at Thrissur on the fourth day of Onam.

The festival attracts thousands of people to the Thrissur city.

History

The origin of Pulikkali dates back to over 200 years, when the Maharaja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran, the then Maharaja of Cochin, is said to have introduced the folk art,

who wanted to celebrate Onam with a dance that reflected the wild and macho spirit of the force.

which was immensely enjoyed by the locals. Pulikkali in Thrissur is held in memory of this event.

Venue: Swaraj Round, Thrissur

Location: Swaraj Round
District: Thrissur

Getting there

Nearest railway station: Thrissur, about a kilometer
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 58 km from Thrissur.

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Windmill.....

Windmill, device for tapping the energy of the wind by means of sails mounted on a rotating shaft.

A windmill is a mill that converts the energy of wind into rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or blades. 

Earlier windmills usually were used to mill grain (gristmills), pump water (windpumps)
The majority of modern windmills take the form of wind turbines used to generate electricity, or windpumps used to pump water, either for land drainage or to extract groundwater.

There are currently two different kinds of wind turbines in use, the Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines
(HAWT) or the Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT).
HAWT are the most common wind turbines, displaying the propeller or ‘fan-style’ blades, and VAWT are usually in an ‘egg-beater’ style.

How Does a Wind Turbine Generate Electricity.....

Wind power converts the kinetic energy in wind to generate electricity or mechanical power.
This is done by using a large wind turbine usually consisting of propellers; the turbine can be connected to a generator to generate electricity

As the wind passes the turbines it moves the blades, which spins the shaft.
To create electricity from wind the shaft of the turbine must be connected to a generator.

The generator uses the turning motion of the shaft to rotate a rotor which has oppositely charge magnets and is surrounded by copper wire loops.

Electromagnetic induction is created by the rotor spinning around the inside of the core, generating electricity.

Sizes of Wind Turbines.....

Utility-scale turbines range in size from 100 kilowatts to as large as several megawatts. Larger wind turbines are more cost effective and are grouped together into wind farms, which provide bulk power to the electrical grid.
Offshore wind turbines are larger, can generate more power,  as the large components can be transported on ships instead of on roads.

Single small turbines below 100 kilowatts are used for homes, telecommunications dishes, or water pumping.

Distribution of Electricity

The electricity generated by harnessing the wind’s mechanical energy must go through a transformer in order increase its voltage and make it successfully transfer across long distances.
Power stations and fuse boxes receive the current and then transform it to a lower voltage that can be safely used by business and homes.

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Dashavatara ( दशावतार.....)"Whenever there is a decline in righteous and wherever there is a predominance of unrighteousness. I incarnate on earth"-

Dashavatara  refers to the ten avatars of Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation.
Vishnu is said to descend in form of an avatar to restore cosmic order.
These Avatars play a major role in shaping human evolution through centuries.

The most accepted list of avatars is as follows

1. Matsya (Fish)

A SatyaYuga Avatar

When the world was at the brink of extinction Manu was instructed by God to rescue the life form on earth, he chooses 1 male and 1 female from every species, also collects plants of different species and loads them all on the big ship he had already built. 

The whole world was washed up in rain and as a result there was no land to stay.

A fish (matsya) with horns comes to the rescue. The ship was tied to the horn of the fish, the fish pulls the ship with great speed towards the himalayas where there was a small island for all the life forms to gradually grow and increase in number.

2. Kurma (Tortoise)

A SatyaYuga Avatar

When the devas and asuras were churning the Ocean of milk in order to get amrita, the nectar of immortality, with serpent Vasuki as the rope and the mount Mandara as the churning staff, the mountain starts to sink, Vishnu took the form of a tortoise to bear the weight of the mountain.

3. Varaha (Boar)

A SatyaYuga Avatar

When the demon Hiranyaksha stole the earth ( Bhudevi) and hid her in the primordial waters, Vishnu appeared as Varaha to rescue her. 
Varaha finally slew the demon and retrieved the Earth from the ocean, 
lifting it on his tusks, and restored Bhudevi to her place in the universe.

4. Narasimha ( half-man/half-lion)

A SatyaYuga Avatar
The younger brother of Hirṇayakṣa, Hiraṇyakaśipu wanted revenge on Viṣṇu and his followers.
 He undertook many years of austere penance to take revenge on Viṣṇu for the death of his brother. 
Brahma thus offers the demon a boon and Hiraṇyakaśipu asks for immortality. 
Brahma tells him this is not possible, but that he could bind the death of Hiraṇyakaśipu with conditions.
Hranyakashipu asks that he not be killed by man or animal, inside or out, day or night, on earth or the stars, with a weapon either living or inanimate.
Vishnu descended as an anthropomorphic incarnation, with the body of a man and head and claws of a lion. He then disembowels the rakshasa at the courtyard threshold of his house, at dusk, with his claws, while he lay on his thighs.

5. Vamana (Dwarf)

A Treta yuga Avatar

The fourth descendant of Hiranyakashyap, Bali, with devotion and penance was able to defeat Indra,

This humbled the other deities and extended his authority over the three worlds. 
The gods appealed to Vishnu for protection and he descended as the dwarf Vamana. 
 During a yajna of the king, Vamana approached him and Bali promised him for whatever he asked.
Vamana asked for three paces of land. Bali agreed, and the dwarf then changed his size to that of a giant.
 He stepped over heaven in his first stride, and the netherworld with the second.
Bali realized that Vamana was Vishnu incarnate.
 In deference, the king offered his head as the third place for Vamana to place his foot. 
The avatar did so and thus granted Bali immortality. 

6. Parashurama

A Treta yuga Avatar
King Kartavirya Arjuna and his army visited the father of Parashurama at his ashram, and the saint was able to feed them with the divine cow Kamadhenu
The king demanded the animal, Jamadagni refused, and the king took it by force and destroyed the ashram. Parashurama then killed the king at his palace and destroyed his army.
In revenge, the sons of Kartavirya killed Jamadagni. 
Parashurama took a vow to kill every Kshatriya on earth twenty-one times over, and filled five lakes with their blood. Ultimately, his grandfather, rishi Rucheeka, appeared and made him halt. 
He is a immortal, and believed to be alive today in penance at Mahendragiri.
 Parashurama also fought back the advancing seas to save the lands of Konkan, Malabar and Kerala.
 He is one of the seven immortals mentioned in the scriptures.

7. Rama

A Treta yuga Avatar
The prince and king of Ayodhya. 
Rama's life and journey is one of adherence to dharma despite harsh tests and obstacles and many pains of life and time.
He is pictured as the ideal man and the perfect human.
For the sake of his father's honour, Ram abandons his claim to Ayodhaya's throne with his brother Lakshman , monkey king Hanuman, his wife Sita to serve an exile of fourteen years in the forest.
Sita was abducted by the demon king of Lanka, Ravana
Rama travelled to Ashoka Vatika in Lanka, killed the demon king and saved Sita.

8. Krishna

A DwaparaYuga Avatar
During the last DwaparaYuga, which was predominantly an age of Rajas  Fight for power was destroying the earth.  Lord Vishnu incarnated as Lord Krishna and killed many demons and evil kings.
His mission was not only to destroy the evil but also to give the pious people with true Dharma

9.Balarama (Krishna's Elder Brother)

Balarama is said to be the elder brother of Krishna. It is believed that he engaged in many adventures alongside his brother. Balarama is rarely worshiped independently, but stories always focus on his prodigious strength.
In representations, he is usually shown with pale skin in contrast to Krishna's blue skin.
In a number of versions of the mythology, Lord Buddha is thought to be the ninth incarnation. However, this was an addition that came after the dasavatara was already established. In Jainism, he is known as Baladeva and has been a historically significant farmer-related deity
He is also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra, Haladhara and Halayudha.

10. Kalki (destroyer of darkness)

A KaliYuga Avatar
Kalki is the final incarnation of Vishnu in the current Mahayuga,
 foretold to appear at the end of Kali Yuga, the current epoch.
 Religious texts called the Puranas foretell that Kalki will be atop a white horse with a drawn blazing sword.
 He is the harbinger of the end time in Hindu eschatology, after which he will usher in Satya Yuga.






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