Sairandhri

Sairandhri is a place in Kerala, South India at about coord|11|5.22|N|76|27.24|E|. It is the entrance point and visitors center for Silent Valley National Park. Sairandhri is the site of a controversial hydroelectric dam that was proposed in 1958 and finally rejected in 1984.

The nearest town is Mannarkad, 32 km. Sairandhri is a 1½ hour drive along a 23 km steep winding road from Mukkali village that houses a Forest Department office. The road is being paved in 2007. Visiting and Trekking in the park requires special permits from the Kerala State Forest Department. Entry is allowed only from 8 AM to about 2 PM. Once in the park, walking is the only way to get around. A forest guard accompanies each group as a guide and ensures that no damage is done to the fragile flora and fauna. Day visitors are permitted only 2 km past Sairandhri.

History

The area is known locally as "Sairandhrivanam", Literally, in [In the court of King Virata, "Narayan's Mahabharata", p. 93, retrieved 3/9/2007 [http://casweb.ou.edu/lgibbs/india/audio/nm093.mp3 "Narayan's Mahabharata", Audio] ] . The legend says that the Pandavas, deprived of their kingdom, set out on a 13-year exile. They wandered south, into what is now Kerala, deeper and deeper into its forests, until one day they came upon a magical valley where rolling grasslands dipped into wooded ravines, where a deep green river bubbled its course through impenetrable forest, where at dawn and twilight the tiger and elephant would drink together at the water's edge, where all was harmonious and man unknown. Beside that river, in a cave on a hill slope, the Pandavas halted.

Visitors Center

There is a visitors center at Sairandhri with a small exhibit building, Observation tower, parking area for authorized vehicles and a small 4 unit visitors bungalow.

There is a memorial to Indira Gandhi unveiled by Shri. Rajiv Gandhi, Hon. Prime Minister of India, when the park was inaugurated on September 7, 1985, ten months after her assassination.

Inside the exhibit building are photographs and information on the various species of orchids, plants and animals in the park. There is an innovative "Jungle orchestra" at the centre, where the sound of various animals living in the park can be heard at the press of a button.

One may get a panoramic view of the park by climbing five levels of winding stairs to a viewing platform on top of a 30 m high steel observation tower constructed to commemorate opening of the park.

Kuntipuzha River

Legend says that every morning the Pandavas would rise with the sun and bathe at the river and to that river they gave their mother's name Kunti (Puzha: is river in Malayalam) thus: "Kunthipuzha". [Ullash Kumar R K (5/21/2006) "Stolen Generation - Silent Valley", retrieved 2/7/2007. [http://www.mail-archive.com/[e-mail]/msg00511.html "Stolen Generation - Silent Valley"] ]

The only way to reach the river from Sairandhri is a 2 km down hill day hike along a steep winding trail to an 18-m long suspension bridge that crosses the river. There are many perennial springs along the way and there are many leeches along the trail. Wear high ankle leech proof jungle boots and apply salt or tobacco paste to your legs as a repellent. Be prepared to roll up your trousers to your knees or wear shorts to easily spot and remove leeches who may cling to your skin. Bird watching, picnicking, and photography ("Photo Gallery:" [183 images (1/21/2006) KeralaClick Photo Gallery "God's own country - Silent Valley National Park", retrieved 3/9/2007 [http://gallery.world-click.com/v/SilentValley/?g2_GALLERYSID=34167e6a4be777ff9d40ce9d89189ac6 Photo gallery] ] ) may be enjoyed along the trail and near the bridge.

Overnight Trekking

There are about 80km of walking paths that begin at Sairandhri. Long trekking routes can be chosen based on the duration of stay (1-4 days). For treks with more than a day’s journey there are camping sites at Sairandhri, Poochipara, Neelikkal, Walakkad and Sispara. A 4-day trek route starts from Mukkali and goes through Sairandhiri (4 unit forest bungalow)), Poochipara peak (spartan forest bungalow, surrounded by a 10-foot-deep trench to keep elephants away), Walakkad (the most densely forested division), Sispara peak (new trekkers bungalow being built in 2007) and Anginda peak. [Thomas Jennis Jacob (1/31/2004) The Telegraph, Calcutta, "Jungle Book", retrieved 3/8/2007. [http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040131/asp/atleisure/story_2843880.asp Trekking] ] For treks starting from Mukkali, all permits and payments are made at the forest department office, Mukkali.

An alternate mostly down hill 3 day trek ending at Sairandhri or Mukkali starts by driving 75 km from Udhagamandalam(Ooty), Tamilnadu in 4 hrs and 1 km walk to overnight at Bangitapal, walk 24 km in 9 hrs to overnight at Walakkad, walk 18 km in 7 hrs to Poochipara, walk 8 km in 3 hrs to end at Sairandhiri in Silent Valley. A guide-cum-cook accompanies park visitors during all treks. [Venugopal, Dharmalingam, "Stairway to heaven, up the blue mountain", The Hindu Business Line, July 08, 2002. [http://www.blonnet.com/life/2002/07/08/stories/2002070800030300.htm Ooty trek] ] [ Radhareddyh, Silent Valley Trek, Travelblog.com, 18/01/2007. [http://www.travelblog.com/2606/users/radhareddyh/index.php Trek] ]

Visitor information

The best time To visit is September to March. early mornings and evenings are the best time to spot animals.
Don't litter. It spoils the natural beauty of the place and animals may be killed by choking or strangling on polyethylene and plastic.

In 2007 there is some tourism related construction being undertaken, including: construction of a trekkers' camp shed at Sispara, paving of the Mukkali - Sairandhri road and construction of hall at the top of forest dormitory at Mukkali. These infrastructure improvements will generate more tourism and increase local revenue. [Kerala Forest Dept. Tenders for construction [http://www.vikasmudra.com/default.asp?txtPage=Updates&Lnk=Tenders&tc=Kerala%20Forest%20Dept.&tcid=8 construction tender] ]

Permits & Reservations

Application for visitors' permits, Transportation from Mukkali to Silent Valley, trekking permits and lodging reservations at Mukkali or the inspection bungalow at Sairandhri lodging should be made in advance with:
* The Wildlife Warden, Silent Valley National Park, Mannarkkad. P.O. Palakkad, Pin-628582. Phone: [phone]. Email- or
* Assistant Wildlife Warden, Silent Valley National Park, Mukkali P.O, Palakkad, Kerala, Pin-678582, Phone: [phone]. [ Kerala Forests & Wildlife Dept. (2004) "THE SANCTUARIES AND NATIONAL PARKS IN KERALA/Silent Valley National Park" retrieved 4/4/2007 [http://www.keralaforest.org/html/wildlife/sanct.htm Kerala Forests & Wildlife Dept.] ]
* Application for trekking permit departing from Ooty should be made in advance with:
The Wildlife Warden, Mahalingam buildings, Coonoor Road, Udhagamandalam – 643 001. Phone: [phone] [K. Kalyanasundaram (2005) "Wildlife sanctuaries of Tamilnadu - Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary - National Park", Tamil Electronic Library, retrieved 4/4/2007 [http://tamilelibrary.org/teli/wildlife1.html "Wildlife sanctuaries of Tamilnadu] ]

Getting there

By Rail : The nearest railway station is Palakkad, 75 km.
By Air : Nearest airport is at Coimbatore, 55 km.
Bus - Mannarkkad – Mukkali 32 km., hourly service.
Auto: Coimbatore – Anakkatty – Mukkali – 90 km.
Auto: Coimbatore – Palakkad – Mannarkkad – Mukkali – 120 km.
Auto: Kozhikode - Palakkad – Mannarkkad – Mukkali – 120 km.
Public vehicular traffic is allowed only up to Mukkali.
One may also walk the 23 km From Mukkali to the park entrance at Sairandhiri.

Lodging

PWD rest house at Mannarkkad.
Forest Dept. Rest house at Mukkali – four 3 bed suites, one 40 bed Dormitory, one Hut with 2 suites
An inspection Bungalow at Sairandhri has 4 rooms with solar powered electricity. Room rent for two persons is Rs 400. The rooms are quite basic. Reservations should be made at the same time as applying for visitors permits. - People who go for trekking and nature camps are allowed to stay in the five camps set up deep inside the forest. [Prabhakaran G., "Unchecked flow of tourists to Silent Valley", The Hindu, May 3, 2004. [http://www.hinduonnet.com/.../2004050307460400.htm Trekking] ] .

References

More information for Tourists and Trekkers: [Nair, Sajita, More information for Tourists and Trekkers: "Valley of Silence" [http://www.gatewayforindia.com/tourism/silent_valley.htm Tourist information] ] .