Mukkurthi National Park

Mukkurthi National Park, enclosed high up in the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu is an ideal weekend retreat for tourists who are tired of the dreary humdrum of living in a concrete jungle and crave for a whiff of freshness and greenery. Tamil Nadu’s pride, Mukkurthi National Park is an oasis of idyllic green and worth an artist’s pencil.

The park exhibits a rare natural beauty, which cannot be elucidated by mere words. Saffron sun beams playing upon luxuriant forests that are dotted with sylvan lakes, glittering like a mirage of quicksilver paint an accurate and pretty picture of the sanctuary’s mind blowing scenery.

The reserve is moored on the jungle-clad Nilgiris, at a distance of 40 km away from Udhagamandalam. The sanctuary is easily accessible and tourists can witness a glimpse of Tamil Nadu’s spellbinding natural beauty on their journey to the park.

Besides sightseeing Mukkurthi National Park provides tourists with the opportunity of exploring the wilderness. To facilitate a trek across the barren countryside the sanctuary has an extensive trekking route from Parsan Valley, Portimund and Pykara.Tourists can also indulge in trout fishing in the sparkling rivers and lakes of Mukurthi. However prior permission has to be obtained from the Assistant Director of Fisheries Department, Udhagai.

Mukkurthi National Park’s prized possession is the rare Nigiri Tahr as well as varieties of Sambar, Nilgiri Marten, Barking deer, Otter, Jungle cat and Jackal. Besides several species of birds, dappled in vibrant colors like the laughing and whistling thrushes, woodcock, wild pigeon and black eagle and the multi-hued butterflies with exotic patterns like the Blue Admiral, Indian Red Admiral, Indian Fritillary, Indian Cabbage white, Hedge blues and Rainbow Trout are available in plenty.

Mukkurthi National Park, a part of the distinguished Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is an exquisite with its panoramic rhapsodies and has much to offer to tourists and visitors.