Shakti's Musings & Travelogue

Thekkady in Kerala is known for its Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and spice plantations, it’s the place where you can hike your way to nowhere in particular but with great views. This sanctuary is supposed to be a tiger reserve, but we must have hit the “No Tiger Today” jackpot because we didn’t spot a single one, just like our luck at Corbett National Park. I guess you need a lucky charm to see those majestic felines! However, we did get to hang out with some deer, Malabar squirrels, monkeys, and their many relatives. And hey, see if you can spot the elusive snake in the pictures below—I’m calling it the “Where’s Waldo” of Thekkady!

One might fancy a delightful jaunt on elephant back, sail through the lake like a rather ungraceful pirate, or even take a stroll through the lush rainforests of Gavi —because who doesn’t enjoy a good nature walk while dodging branches? Don’t miss out on the spice plantations; they’re the real MVPs of flavor! And for heaven’s sake, grab some cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, and all those other fabulous spices—your kitchen will thank you, and your taste buds will throw a party!

I had a blast traipsing through the cardamom plantations and splashing around in Pandikuzhi (the waterfall that’s just a bit too splashy for its own good) near Kumily. Then there’s the Mullaperiyar Dam, which has somehow become the drama queen of dams, sparking a “who’s got the water” rivalry between Kerala and Tamil Nadu! Apparently, during British rule, Kerala decided to share its water with Tamil Nadu to quench their thirst—only to realize later that sharing is not always caring!

When in Kerala, you simply can’t miss out on the local art forms like Kalari, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and Theyyam. If you’re going for Theyyam, make sure to get yourself to the North of Kerala, especially Kannur.