Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of South India's most popular tourist attractions. British engineers created the picturesque artificial lake at the heart of the sanctuary in 1895 as a way to irrigate nearby districts and provide water to the city of Madurai.

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1934 and became a tiger reserve in 1973, it is also known as Thekkady Tiger Reserve, Although the biggest draw to the sanctuary is the 900 or so Indian elephants that roam freely.

Other wildlife found within Periyar includes guar (Indian bison), sambar, wild boar, langur, sloth bear, otters and lion-tailed macaque. Bird watching is another desirable activity with sightings of species such as darters, storks, kingfishers