All of us like to see wild animals especially in thier own habitat rather than in zoos!We go to different places,often spending a lot of money and enjoying a day or two observing wild animals!
There is one magical place in Kerla to view wild Elephants!You can sit,like you sit to watch a cricket match,and see wild elephants drinking water for as much time as you like!Here elephants spend more time drinking water compared to other spots!
Where is this place?!
Yes....its Anakulam in Idukki district (Bordering Ernakulam District)!
Anakulam is very close to the more famous Munar.Just 40 kms from there.You have to take a left turn at Kallar,on the Neriyamangalam -Munnar route and travel another 40 kms to reach Anakulam.
You can see wild elephants coming in herds of 15 and more and sipping water from the Karinthiri River.The elephants spend a lot of time,2 to 3 hours drinking the river water.
But what attracts these elephants to this particular spot and not anywhere else to spend so much time drinking water?!
Yes,the answer is the salt rich content of the Karnthiri River water.Nobody exactly knows why there is so much salt content in the water.Its probably emanates from the underground springs on the river bed.But why only at this spot?....Noone knows!
So you can reach Anakulam by travelling around 40kms from Kallar.There are other roads but not very motorable at this time.There is no dearth for tourists to observe the wild elephants at Anakulam.
Youtube Video of Anakulam!
We reached Anakulam one fine day at around 5PM.The elephants were already there,at Karinthiri River,drinking water and around 100 people watching the show.We all took a good vantage point by the side of the river and started our own observation!
We could see around 15 elephants playing on the river.Suddenly 2 dogs started quarrelling with each other and started constant barking.The elephants did not like the bark and retreated into the forest.
But a local at the spot said they would come back.Exactly thats what they did!....All the elephants came back in about 10 mins and started their consumption of water.They stood there for the next 2 hours.I was informed by the locals that once one herd finished drinking and retreats another herd would arrive!
We left the place and checked into our resort which was nearby and we again came back to see if there were any elephants at around 10pm.
Yes....they were there.But this time fewer in number.We observed them for quite some time and then left to our resort.
There are other attractions near Anakulam,zip lines is one of them,waterfalls and tribal habitats.A jeep ride would take you to all these spots.
Another uniqueness about Anakulam is that the elephants do not take bath in the river!...They somehow knows that the water at Ankulam is only for drining!
Approximate Distance to Anakulam...
From Munnar 40 KM
From Cochin 140 KM
From Trivandrum 292 KM
