Sairandhri
Encyclopedia
Sairandhri is a place in Kerala
, South India
at about 11°5.22′N 76°27.24′E. It is the entrance point and visitors center for Silent Valley National Park
. Sairandhri is the site of a controversial hydroelectric dam that was proposed in 1958 and finally rejected in 1984.
The nearest town is Mannarkad, 32 km. Sairandhri is a 1½ hour drive along a 23 km steep winding road from Mukkali village that houses a Forest Department office. The road is being paved in 2007. Visiting and hiking
in the park requires special permits from the Kerala State Forest Department. Entry is allowed only from 8 AM to about 2 PM. Once in the park, walking is the only way to get around. A forest guard accompanies each group as a guide and ensures that no damage is done to the fragile flora and fauna. Day visitors are permitted only 2 km past Sairandhri.
, the wife of the five Pandava
s, who disguised herself as Sairandhri, queen Sudeshna's assistant, while they were in exile.
'. The legend says that the Pandavas, deprived of their kingdom, set out on a 13-year exile. They wandered south, into what is now Kerala, deeper and deeper into its forests, until one day they came upon a magical valley where rolling grasslands dipped into wooded ravines, where a deep green river bubbled its course through impenetrable forest, where at dawn and twilight the tiger and elephant would drink together at the water's edge, where all was harmonious and man unknown. Beside that river, in a cave on a hill slope, the Pandavas halted.
There is a memorial to Indira Gandhi
unveiled by Shri. Rajiv Gandhi
, Hon. Prime Minister of India, when the park was inaugurated on September 7, 1985, ten months after her assassination.
Inside the exhibit building are photographs and information on the various species of orchids, plants and animals in the park. There is an innovative Jungle orchestra at the centre, where the sound of various animals living in the park can be heard at the press of a button.
One may get a panoramic view of the park by climbing five levels of winding stairs to a viewing platform on top of a 30 m high steel observation tower constructed to commemorate opening of the park.
The only way to reach the river from Sairandhri is a 2 km down hill day hike
along a steep winding trail to an 18-m long suspension bridge that crosses the river. There are many perennial springs along the way and there are many leech
es along the trail. Wear high ankle leech proof jungle boots and apply salt or tobacco paste to your legs as a repellent. Be prepared to roll up your trousers to your knees or wear shorts to easily spot and remove leeches who may cling to your skin. Bird watching, picnic
king, and photography
(Photo Gallery:) may be enjoyed along the trail and near the bridge.
At present the kerala forest and wildlife department is not encouraging any overnight trekking programmes inside the silent valley national park.Therer are certain eco tourism trekking packages operating inside the Buffer Zone of the national park from mukkali. These packages are conducted by Eco development Committees constituted under participatory forest management.The only entry inside the national park permitted at present is the guided safari from Mukkali to Sairandri (23 km).
Don't litter. It spoils the natural beauty of the place and animals may be killed by choking or strangling on polyethylene and plastic.
, 75 km.
By Air : Nearest airport is at Coimbatore
, 55 km.
Bus - Mannarkkad – Mukkali 32 km., hourly service.
Auto: Coimbatore – Anakkatty – Mukkali – 90 km.
Auto: Coimbatore – Palakkad – Mannarkkad – Mukkali – 120 km.
Auto: Kozhikode
- Palakkad – Mannarkkad – Mukkali – 120 km.
Public vehicular traffic is allowed only up to Mukkali.
One may also walk the 23 km From Mukkali to the park entrance at Sairandhiri.
Forest Dept. Rest house at Mukkali – four 3 bed suites, one 40 bed Dormitory, one Hut with 2 suites
- People who go for trekking and nature camps are allowed to stay in the five camps set up deep inside the forest.
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
at about 11°5.22′N 76°27.24′E. It is the entrance point and visitors center for Silent Valley National Park
Silent Valley National Park
Silent Valley National Park , is located in the Nilgiri Hills, Palakkad District in Kerala, South India...
. Sairandhri is the site of a controversial hydroelectric dam that was proposed in 1958 and finally rejected in 1984.
The nearest town is Mannarkad, 32 km. Sairandhri is a 1½ hour drive along a 23 km steep winding road from Mukkali village that houses a Forest Department office. The road is being paved in 2007. Visiting and hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
in the park requires special permits from the Kerala State Forest Department. Entry is allowed only from 8 AM to about 2 PM. Once in the park, walking is the only way to get around. A forest guard accompanies each group as a guide and ensures that no damage is done to the fragile flora and fauna. Day visitors are permitted only 2 km past Sairandhri.
History
The area is known locally as "Sairandhrivanam", Literally, in Malayalam: Sairandhri's Valley. In Hindu history, Sairandhri is DraupadiDraupadi
In the epic Mahābhārata, Draupadi, also known as ' is the "emerged" daughter of King Drupada of Panchāla and the wife of the five Pandavas. When Yudhisthira becomes the king of Hastinapura at the end of the war, Draupadi becomes the queen of Indraprastha...
, the wife of the five Pandava
Pandava
In the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, the Pandava are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu , by his two wives Kunti and Madri. Their names are Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Although, Karna is told by Lord Krishna that according to the laws and ethics he is the first son of Kunti making...
s, who disguised herself as Sairandhri, queen Sudeshna's assistant, while they were in exile.
'. The legend says that the Pandavas, deprived of their kingdom, set out on a 13-year exile. They wandered south, into what is now Kerala, deeper and deeper into its forests, until one day they came upon a magical valley where rolling grasslands dipped into wooded ravines, where a deep green river bubbled its course through impenetrable forest, where at dawn and twilight the tiger and elephant would drink together at the water's edge, where all was harmonious and man unknown. Beside that river, in a cave on a hill slope, the Pandavas halted.Visitors center
There is a visitors center at Sairandhri with a small exhibit building, Observation tower, parking area for authorized vehicles and a small 4 unit visitors bungalow.There is a memorial to Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
unveiled by Shri. Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Ratna Gandhi was the sixth Prime Minister of India . He took office after his mother's assassination on 31 October 1984; he himself was assassinated on 21 May 1991. He became the youngest Prime Minister of India when he took office at the age of 40.Rajiv Gandhi was the elder son of Indira...
, Hon. Prime Minister of India, when the park was inaugurated on September 7, 1985, ten months after her assassination.
Inside the exhibit building are photographs and information on the various species of orchids, plants and animals in the park. There is an innovative Jungle orchestra at the centre, where the sound of various animals living in the park can be heard at the press of a button.
One may get a panoramic view of the park by climbing five levels of winding stairs to a viewing platform on top of a 30 m high steel observation tower constructed to commemorate opening of the park.
Kuntipuzha River
Legend says that every morning the Pandavas would rise with the sun and bathe at the river and to that river they gave their mother's name Kunti (Puzha: is river in Malayalam) thus: "Kunthipuzha".The only way to reach the river from Sairandhri is a 2 km down hill day hike
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
along a steep winding trail to an 18-m long suspension bridge that crosses the river. There are many perennial springs along the way and there are many leech
Leech
Leeches are segmented worms that belong to the phylum Annelida and comprise the subclass Hirudinea. Like other oligochaetes such as earthworms, leeches share a clitellum and are hermaphrodites. Nevertheless, they differ from other oligochaetes in significant ways...
es along the trail. Wear high ankle leech proof jungle boots and apply salt or tobacco paste to your legs as a repellent. Be prepared to roll up your trousers to your knees or wear shorts to easily spot and remove leeches who may cling to your skin. Bird watching, picnic
Picnic
In contemporary usage, a picnic can be defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors , ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open air theatre performance,...
king, and photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
(Photo Gallery:) may be enjoyed along the trail and near the bridge.
At present the kerala forest and wildlife department is not encouraging any overnight trekking programmes inside the silent valley national park.Therer are certain eco tourism trekking packages operating inside the Buffer Zone of the national park from mukkali. These packages are conducted by Eco development Committees constituted under participatory forest management.The only entry inside the national park permitted at present is the guided safari from Mukkali to Sairandri (23 km).
Visitor information
The best time To visit is September to March. early mornings and evenings are the best time to spot animals.Don't litter. It spoils the natural beauty of the place and animals may be killed by choking or strangling on polyethylene and plastic.
Permits & reservations
Application for visitors' permits, Transportation from Mukkali to Silent Valley, trekking permits and lodging reservations at Mukkali or the inspection bungalow at Sairandhri lodging should be made in advance with:- The Wildlife Warden, Silent Valley National Park, Mannarkkad. P.O. Palakkad, Pin-628582. Phone: 04924-222056. Email-
- Assistant Wildlife Warden, Silent Valley National Park, Mukkali P.O, Palakkad, Kerala, Pin-678582, Phone: 04924-253225.
- Application for trekking permit departing from Ooty should be made in advance with:
The Wildlife Warden, Mahalingam buildings, Coonoor Road, Udhagamandalam – 643 001. Phone: 0423- 2444098
Getting there
By Rail : The nearest railway station is PalakkadPalakkad
Palakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...
, 75 km.
By Air : Nearest airport is at Coimbatore
Coimbatore
Coimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
, 55 km.
Bus - Mannarkkad – Mukkali 32 km., hourly service.
Auto: Coimbatore – Anakkatty – Mukkali – 90 km.
Auto: Coimbatore – Palakkad – Mannarkkad – Mukkali – 120 km.
Auto: Kozhikode
Kozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
- Palakkad – Mannarkkad – Mukkali – 120 km.
Public vehicular traffic is allowed only up to Mukkali.
One may also walk the 23 km From Mukkali to the park entrance at Sairandhiri.
Lodging
PWD rest house at Mannarkkad.Forest Dept. Rest house at Mukkali – four 3 bed suites, one 40 bed Dormitory, one Hut with 2 suites
- People who go for trekking and nature camps are allowed to stay in the five camps set up deep inside the forest.