Kodanad
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Kodanad, a beautiful and charming semi-rural village situated on the south bank of river Periyar, about 50 kilometers east of Kochi(Cochin), Kerala, South India. Kodanad is the headquarters of Malayattoor forest division, Department of Forest run by the state government of Kerala. Kodanad is known for it famous 'Elephant Kraal', the mini zoo and its easy access to the seasonal pilgrimage centre Malayattoor St Thomas church,both placed opposite on the beautiful banks of the river Periyar. The sylvan set up of the rural riverside locality attracts regional visitors, film crews, foreign tourists and naturists all around the year. There are many walkways alongside the river and they offer a unique experience to most of the visitors arriving at Kodanad. Kodanad is the only elephant training centre in Kerala specialised for training stranded baby elephants from the forests across the region. This itself has become a unique attraction in recent times as at least 5-8 baby elephants are brought in and trained every year. Kodanad mini park also offers a royal elephant safari to its visitors. Elephants are made ready with a specially constructed wooden saddle on top, designed to make the riding comfortable and safe. At Kodanad, the old 'Kraal' is still preserved and used to house elephants. The Kraal is a structure made of wood compartments which can accommodate up to 4 elephants. The 'mini zoo' shelters wild animals which have become unfit for survival in the local forest and some inmates of the zoo are very rare species.
Kodanad is also a part of the recently announced Ecotourism campaign by the Government of India. As a part of this project, Kaprikkad, a village lying 3km adjacent to Kodanad on the Periyar River banks has been set up in 2006 for entertaining visitors in the most natural and environmental friendly way.
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[edit] History
In 1950-60s, Kodanad used to be the largest of several elephant training centres across India. Elephants captured from the Malayattoor forests and the adjoining north and eastern forests of Kodanad were trained using Mahouts, specially skilled people also known as Paappan in Malayalam language. In 1970s, there was a ban to elephant capture by Government of India and from then on, Kodanad is primarily used as a training centre to bring up stranded baby elephants found inside the forests. The baby elephants are owned and taken care by the Department of Forest till their adulthood until someone buy them out in auctions. In Kerala, elephants are used for a variety of traditional jobs such as timber loading & wood moving, or as temple elephants for religious Hindu festivals & events.
[edit] Getting there
Nearest railway station is Aluva (Alwaye, 28 km to the west) and the Nearest airport being Cochin Airport(COK) located at Nedumbassery (22 km to the north-west) served by many international airlines. The closest town to Kodanad is Perumbavoor(11km to the west) and connects Kodanad by regularly operated passenger bus services. If you are a foreign tourist travelling from Aluva(Alwaye) or Kochi(Cochin), it is recommended to take taxi that would cost approximately $8-$15 return and gets you there in about 45 minutes from Aluva or 70 minutes from Cochin city.
[edit] Address & Contact Info
Divisional Forest Office Malayattur Forest Division Kodanad, Ernakulam District - Kerala South India. POST CODE : 683 544 Ph : +91-484-2649052
Wikimapia link : http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=10185202&x=76512651&z=18&l=0&m=a
[edit] Accommodation
At last updated time of wikipage, there is only one known private accommodation available in Kodanad.
http://www.riverfrontresort.com/ The River Front Resort (Given purely for informational purposes)
Though there is a government owned guest house, it is recommended to visit Kodanad on a day trip or as a picnic spot due to its limited facilities.
[edit] Things to do
- Visiting the Elephant Kraal, Elephant Safari, riverside walks, mini zoo & a country boat trip to Malayattoor Church
- Kaprikad, which lying 3 km to the west from Kodanad is now becoming one of the major picnic spot in Ernakulam region. A tourist boat service has been recently introduced (Nov 2006) at Kaprikad.
For those who prefer to do things off the beaten track, Kodanad & Kaprikad offers highly charming and beautiful river side walks. Take care of the of deep and fast moving water due to the excessive sand mining from the river bed in the recent times.
If you are interested in elephant safari, it is recommended to contact Kodanad Tourist office prior to your visit.
[edit] News items & External links for Kodanad
- Dec 12 2006, Lion-tailed macaque comes to town from The Hindu
- Oct 27 2006, Mini zoo at Kodanad may be shifted soon from The Hindu
- Sept 19 2006, Deer to be released into the wild at Kodanad from The Hindu
- Sept 02 2006, Turtles shifted from Kodanad from The Hindu
- Sun, July 09 2006 Bringing up a baby elephant, from Indian Express
- July 07 2006, Baby elephant rescued,from The Hindu
- Training centre for Mahouts. The Hindu
- http://www.keralaforest.org/html/tourism/Kodanad.htm
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State of Kerala Kerala Topics | History | Economy | Geography | Flora and Fauna | Culture | Arts | Tourism |
|---|---|
| Capital | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Districts | Alappuzha • Ernakulam • Idukki • Kannur • Kasaragod • Kollam • Kottayam • Kozhikode • Malappuram • Palakkad • Pathanamthitta • Thiruvananthapuram • Thrissur • Wayanad |
| Major cities | Kochi • Kollam • Kozhikode • Thiruvananthapuram • Thrissur |
