Anamalai Hills is a range of mountains in southern India, close to Pollachi in Coimbatore District, Tamilnadu.It is also well-known as ‘The Elephant Mountain,Anamalai borders the Kerala state. It is home to the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary which consists of a forest area spreads almost 600 square miles. Animals like elephants, tigers, deer’s and crocodiles are visible in Anaimalai. All rare collection of the birds, also pull towards you more than once, to this wonderful place. It is also an exact place for a tourist who wishes to trek. The landscape of the Anamalai Hills has coffee and tea plantations scattered teak forests of great profitable value. The antique inscription, the stone curvature, the artistic excellence all merge to speak of the ancient culture of the place Anaimalai , making it one of the top destinations for tourist.
PLACES TO SEEIndira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary (Anamalai Sanctuary)This is named of India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.Anamalai wildlife Sanctuary is famous for wide-ranging class of animals. Some of the main species of animals at this sanctuary include civet cats, tigers, panthers, wild boars, spotted deer and elephants. There are several of birds like black headed oriole, tree pie and rocket-tailed drongo at this sanctuary. Trekking and jungle safari are most common activities available at this wildlife sanctuary.
Thoonakkadavu After Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary ,Thoonakkadavu is a trendy lake which has been formed by the Parambikulam Dam which is situated next to. This lake is enclosed with green forests. As there are numerous crocodiles in this lake ,swimming is not advisable..
Parambikulam Sanctuary Bordering to the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, the 285 sq km extend of forest known as the Parambikulam Sanctuary is one of Kerala’s leading wildlife reserves. Parambikulam situated in the Anamalai Hills, south of the Palghat Gap in the Western Ghats. The sanctuary is gifted greatly by the nature. In a thick layer forested with stands of bamboo, sandalwood, rosewood and teak. Parambikulam’s animal species include tigers, , spotted deer, leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, elephants, wild boar, barking deer, langurs and macaques.
Varagaliar Elephant CampThe Varagaliar elephant camp is a great place to know-how the attachment between man and animal .It is situated in an isolated area and lies to the right of the main Anamalai forest. There are around 21 domestic elephants at this camp that are not trained for being used by tourists.. It is very rare for travellers to get permission to visit this elephant camp from the forest department.
Kolikamuthi Elephant CampIndia is known for their worship of elephants and makes use of these in celebrations and festivities of temples. The Kolikamuthi Elephant Camp is a place that elephants are kept trained and housed in different ways.. The people who are occupied in the task are the members of the Malisar tribe and these families are especially skilled in working with these elephants. Traveller need to make prior permission from the Indira Gandhi wildlife sanctuary to visit the place.
Mt Stuart BlockMt Stuart block is the place recognized for the forest department bungalow. A good place to sight bears, whose droppings and pug marks and you can see even near an ancient Forest Department bungalow. Mt Stuart Block is situated at around 3 km from top slip in Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. There you can see the grave of Hugo Wood, a British officer who ensured that new saplings of teak were planted and nurtured after every bout of timber extraction. On his tombstone is inscribed (in Latin), If you want to see me, look around.
Top Slip Top Slip” is one of the ever green location in southern India. Top Slip is a major location which is situated within Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. The name top slip comes from the practice carried out in 19th century, of sliding logs of teak timber down the hills that took place in this area. It is a best place for bird watching and is also the home to world's rarest primates.
HOW TO REACHBy Air : The nearest airport is at Coimbatore.
By Rail : The nearest railway station is at Pollachi from where there are trains to Coimbatore and Dindigul.
By Road : There are regular buses from Coimbatore and Palani to Pollachi, which is the nearest big town.
WEATHER The best time to visit Anamalai is during November to May.
