Silent Valley National Park, Palakkad Sightseeing, Silent Valley National Park photos, comments

The Silent Valley National Park is a unique preserve of natural rainforests. As per Hindu legend, Draupadi ,the wife of the five Pandavas disguised herself as Sairandhri, Queen Sudeshna's assistant, while they were in exile here. The area that they dwelt in is still locally known as "Sairandhrivanam" or Sairandhri's Valley.

Within an area of 237.52 sq.km, the park houses a rich mosaic of flora and fauna and is unique with its high altitude peaks and several rivers that run through it. The wild and perennial clear waters of the tropical river Kunthi winds its way through the Park. The vegetation includes tropical hill forests, temperate grasslands and moist tropical evergreen.

The fauna here includes around 100 species of butterflies, 400 species of moths, Ceylon Frogmouth, Great Indian Hornbill, the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, the giant Malabar squirrel, Nilgiri langur, the lion-tailed Macaque, elephant, tiger, leopard, wild bear, nilgai, sambar, pit viper etc. The parks best known denizens, the Nilgiri Langur and Lion- tailed macaque are both listed in the Red List of Threatened Animals.

The Silent Valley wildlife sanctuary derives its name from the absence of the noisy cicadas. A valuable reserve of rare plants and herbs including medicinal plants and 100 varieties of beautiful orchids plants grow wild in this paradise on earth.

An interesting feature is the very old trees in the park. You will be amazed at the sheer size of the massive hollow tree, which can hide at least 12 people in it! Untouched by Man, The park has never had human habitation in the core area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Nestled in the lush green Kundali hills of Palakkad, the Valley with its rainforest that probably dates back to 50 million years lends a mystical charm to the Park. Scientists value the rich biodiversity of this place and take pains to keep it this way.

Palakkad Sightseeing - Silent Valley National Park