Lakkidi
Lakkidi is the most favorite gateway for the people staying in Wayanad and nearby. Surrounded with rain forest the small hill station holds a lot for the tourists. Lakkidi has the second highest degree of rainfall in India. It is very rich in flora and fauna. Apart from other attractions there are a few wildlife sanctuaries near Lakkidi which tourists find very interesting. On the whole Lakkidi offers unique experience to tourists.
Lakkidi offers beautiful views of the hills. The hills are drowned with rains and thick tropical forests surround the place. Lakkidi is a place where time stops and the only sound that can be heard is the murmuring of the rain insects and dripping of water form woods. There are a number of rain resorts in Lakkidi that maximize the experience of the tourists.
Apart from offering beautiful scenery and landscape Lakkidi is known for its association with great poet Kunjan Nambiar. He is known for his satire and humor in his poems. Kunjan Nambiars biggest contribution to poetry is Ottanthullal, or traditional solo dance narration. This has become a classical form of dance in South India. The government has maintained the house and objects related to the poet. It's a favorite tourist spot in lakkidi.
The forest area surrounding Lakkidi is rich in wildlife. There are a few wildlife sanctuaries near Lakkidi. Out of these wildlife sanctuaries near Lakkidi, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is the most popular.
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary
Spot Beautiful Peacock At Muthanga Wildlife
Muthanga wildlife sanctuary near Lakkidi is also referred as Wayanad wildlife sanctuary. This sanctuary was set up in 1973 as a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Muthanga is 50 kms away from Lakkidi and can be reached by jeep or some other vehicle.
Muthanga sanctuary has 345 square kilometers of dense forest. The main animals that can be spotted in the sanctuary are Asian elephants, leopards, cheetah, tiger, gaurs, spotted deer, sambhar, and sloth bears. The main attraction of the Muthanga wildlife sanctuary are the exotic birds found here. Some of the attractive birds are - peacocks, babblers, egrets, snipes, cormorants, peafowl, and bulbuls.
The Muthanga sanctuary has dry and moist deciduous forests. The forest is famous for woody climbers like Entada Scandens, Calycopteries, Floribunda, and so on. Shrubs like Helicters, and Isora are commonly found. A large portion of the sanctuary is covered with teak, silver oak, and eucalypts.
Tourists can enjoy elephant ride inside the sanctuary. There is a "staying" accommodation inside the sanctuary but it's not very suitable for families. One can stay the Sulthan Bathery the nearest town to Wayanad Sanctuary. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between November and May.
Another wildlife sanctuary near Lakkidi is Tholpetty. This sanctuary is actually in the state of Karnataka. Tholpetty is the other end of Wayanad sanctuary. The sanctuary boasts of over 900 elephants. There are other wild animals like bison, boar, deer, and langurs but elephants are the specialty.
Apart from wildlife sanctuaries near Lakkidi there is plenty to see and experience around Lakkidi. The place looks nascent and untouched by human hands. Lakkidi takes the visitors close to the nature.