Sunday, January 15, 2012

Kodanad in Kerala

We left Cbte around 5.30 am and stopped over at Aryas Vadakkancherry for breakfast. Then we continued onwards in our journey, turned left at Angamali into Kalady Rd. Just before Perumbav
oor we took a left turn via Koovapady (my grandfather hailed from here) passed the Ganapathy Temple and reached the Elephant Kraal at Kodanad, a beautiful and charming semi-rural village situated on the south bank of
river Periyar and popular for eco tourism. Kodanad is known for it famous 'Elephant Kraal', the mini zoo and its easy access to the seasonal pilgrimage centre Malayatoor St.Thomas Church,both placed opposite on the beautiful banks of the river Periyar. Kodanad was very famous for elephant capturing and training. Elephant capturing started in Malayatoor reserve forests in 1895 and a Kraal was erected during that time. Newly captured e
lephants were kept in the kraal till they are sufficiently trained & disciplined to carry out forestry works. The present 6 room kraal was constructed in 1965. This kraal is now only sparingly used and serves more as a monument of the good old days.We saw two cute baby elephants in the kraal perhaps a couple of months old. Behind the kraal in a separate enclosure we saw 6 elephants of varying ages. The
mini zoo had a good collection of animals like monkeys includ
ing a lion tailed macaque, a python, several Brahminy kit
es,Large groups of Sambhar & spotted deer, peacocks. A group of school children had arrived in a bus and were excitedly viewing the animals. I obliged them by taking a photograph of the group and promising to send the same by e mail

36 comments:

  1. beautifully narrated story about a beautiful journey. nice pictures also...
    thanks for sharing and congrats...

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  2. That was a wonderful trip - I wish I could have made it, too (I like to see animals very much and your descriptions make it seem a lovely place)

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  3. Beautiful post as always, love your photos and story.
    What a lovely place. I'd love to see some baby elephants.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Thanks for telling me about the Peacock.
    Have a beautiful week.
    Greetings from Mette

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  4. I always love elephants! Whenever I see one, anywhere, I just stand and watch!

    Interesting information. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Lovely elephats! They are well trained to do forestry works. The water and the green in your second photo catches my eyse. Thank you for taking us to your exciting trip!
    Have a great week.

    RedRose.

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  6. Beautiful and scenic place. The animals look great.

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  7. morning.............
    i went to angamali once..when i was 10...ie 33 years back :-)with my mom and mama.

    u are a good story teller sir.
    regards.

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  8. I had been to Kerala few times, but not enough. Your post reminds me of my Kerala trips!

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  9. Wowww amazing pics!! And what a lovely experience!!

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  10. Banks of periyar sans monstrous structures are always a wonderful sight. I ve heard about this place Kodanad, but have not been there.
    Good piece of report and pics

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  11. Nice place. Had been here long back.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspt.com

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  12. Interesting tour with good commentary and shots.

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  13. Wowww amazing pics!! And what a lovely experience!!

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  14. You visit such interesting and beautiful places and present them so well here.Thanks for sharing .

    A special thanks for your words of encouragement in my pic blog ,I am surprised that it has visitors:)

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  15. i hope the animals are all well tended to.

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  16. Now this is a little piece of heaven on earth!!!

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  17. a nice write up..i haven't been to kodanad yet..have heard lots abt it..

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  18. Beautiful description with lovely pictures of the trip. I have visited this place and feel like going again after reading your post.

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  19. Such a lovely place. I wouldn't mind visiting that! Nice photos. :)

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  20. Hello Ram,

    Very interesting narration and lovely photos. It is interesting to read about capturing elephants,taming them and putting them to do useful work.

    Best wishes,
    Joseph

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  21. The animals and surroundings are lovely, looks like a beautiful place to visit!

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  22. This looks like a fabulous journey. What a great way to spend some time.

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  23. And here I am I have never been to Kerela. Thanks for the journey thourgh your pictures.

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  24. sounds like one memorable trip. and the photos are so nice

    am i beginning to get jealous of you? hehehee

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  25. Wonderful photos and interesting story!
    And you hase deers!!!
    Many greetings

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  26. Brief and beautiful narration. While at CBE I thought of visiting Madumalai to have an appreciatiuon of the elephant resort but then I was told that it remains out of bounds during the period when the animals are rejuveneting.

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  27. very interesting post..thanks for sharing..its in our must visit destination now..:)
    Tasty Appetite

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  28. Lovely post..well explained and beautiful photography

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  29. A cute little place, lot of photo opportunity.

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  30. This rural locale is quite picturesque, as is it's history of elephant capturing and training. I'm fascinated by the word kraal, which sounds so much like the American word corral, an enclosure for horses.

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  31. @Janie: Yes Kraal is similar to coral. The word Kraal has its origin from Dutch Africa. It describes an enclosure where wild elephants are driven into to be tamed & domesticated.

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