Pullumedu
Pullumedu, meaning "green meadow" in the local language, is a beautiful and serene spot situated deep within the forests of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, close to the famous Sabarimala hill temple. The area is characterized by rolling hills covered in lush green, velvety savanna-like grasslands (known locally as Vistaram or Shola grasslands), interspersed with patches of shola forests. Due to its strategic location, it offers magnificent views of the adjacent areas, including the distant Periyar River valley and the slopes leading up to the Sabarimala temple. The high-altitude, open nature of the landscape provides a dramatic contrast to the dense forests elsewhere in the reserve. Access to Pullumedu is strictly controlled by the Forest Department as it falls under the sensitive core zone of the tiger reserve and is near a significant religious pilgrimage route. Visitors typically require a special permit, and entry is often restricted to specific eco-tourism programs, such as escorted trekking or jeep safaris managed directly by the Kerala Forest Department. This restriction maintains its pristine beauty and protects the fragile ecosystem from over-tourism.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
Full Day (The visit is often part of a full-day, forest-managed eco-tourism trek or safari).Place Type:
Eco-Tourism / Trekking / Wildlife ViewEntry Fees:
Forest Department Eco-Tourism Fee: Access is tied to the Periyar Tiger Reserve's eco-tourism programs, which must be booked through the Forest Department or approved agencies. The fee is substantial, reflecting the high cost of maintaining a sensitive reserve and providing ...Forest Department Eco-Tourism Fee: Access is tied to the Periyar Tiger Reserve's eco-tourism programs, which must be booked through the Forest Department or approved agencies. The fee is substantial, reflecting the high cost of maintaining a sensitive reserve and providing armed protection/guides.
Trekking/Safari Cost: The cost for an eco-tourism program that includes Pullumedu access (such as a full-day trekking/safari package) can range from INR 1500 to INR 4000 per person, depending on the duration and inclusions (like lunch, specific vehicle type).
Permit Fee: This cost inherently includes the entry permit fee to the core area of the reserve, a significant portion of which goes directly into conservation and community support.Timing:
Regular Timings: As a restricted area, the site is not open for general visits. Access is strictly limited to the operational hours of the eco-tourism programs, usually starting early morning (around 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM) and concluding by late afternoon (4:00 PM to 5:00 PM)....Regular Timings: As a restricted area, the site is not open for general visits. Access is strictly limited to the operational hours of the eco-tourism programs, usually starting early morning (around 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM) and concluding by late afternoon (4:00 PM to 5:00 PM). Night trekking is strictly prohibited.
Ideal Visit Time: The Early Morning is the Ideal Visit Time. This is when the weather is coolest, the mist often covers the valley beautifully, and the chances of spotting wildlife (particularly grazing animals) are highest.
Midday Avoidance: The long trek or safari can be very hot between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM as the grasslands offer little shade, making an early start essential.Special Events:
Annual Forest Conservation Day (Internal): The local Forest Department and partnering tribal communities might hold small, internal gatherings or awareness sessions near Pullumedu (or the access point) to mark important environmental days, focusing on anti-poaching and habit...Annual Forest Conservation Day (Internal): The local Forest Department and partnering tribal communities might hold small, internal gatherings or awareness sessions near Pullumedu (or the access point) to mark important environmental days, focusing on anti-poaching and habitat restoration. Sabarimala Pilgrimage View (Specific November/January): The area gains special cultural importance during the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season (November to January), as it provides a vantage point for the distant, auspicious light (Makarajyothi). This viewing is strictly regulated and is a special, temporary event.
Research and Survey Camps: Given its sensitive ecology, the most frequent 'special events' are scientific research camps or wildlife survey initiatives (e. g. , census counts, ecological studies) that are conducted by external research bodies in collaboration with the Forest Department.Best Photo Spots:
The Rolling Grasslands Vista: The best photograph is a wide-angle shot of the endless, undulating green carpet of the meadows meeting the distant sky, often using a single shola tree patch or a winding path as a foreground element to give scale.
Read MoreThe Rolling Grasslands Vista: The best photograph is a wide-angle shot of the endless, undulating green carpet of the meadows meeting the distant sky, often using a single shola tree patch or a winding path as a foreground element to give scale.
The Shola Forest Edge: A close-up shot capturing the dense, unique moss and lichen-covered branches and the dark, canopied interior of the shola forest patches contrasts beautifully with the bright, open grasslands.
Wildlife/Birding Focus: A telephoto lens shot of a herd of gaur (Indian bison) or a rare bird species grazing or resting in the open meadow, perfectly capturing a moment of raw wildlife in their natural habitat.
The Trekking Trail Perspective: A photo taken from behind a fellow trekker, looking down a winding trail into the distant valley, captures the sense of adventure and the scale of the trekking experience.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Guided Forest Trekking: The primary activity is a structured trek led by a forest guard or a local tribal guide. This involves walking through the rolling grasslands and along the shola forest boundaries, focusing on identifying animal tracks, medicinal plants, and various tree species.
Panoramic View Photography: Capturing the sweeping, majestic views of the valley, the grasslands, and the distant hills is the main photographic pursuit. The vast, open skies make for dramatic landscape shots.
Eco-Tourism Safari: Participating in the specific jeep safari or green walk programs sanctioned by the Forest Department to reach and explore the Pullumedu area. This activity is as much about the journey through the diverse forest ecosystem as it is about the destination.
Information
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Why Famous:
Scenic Grasslands and Shola Forests: Pullumedu is famous for its distinct ecological character: the high-altitude, beautiful grasslands that are a rarity in the typical Kerala rainforest environment. The visual appeal of the green meadows is spectacular, especially after th...Scenic Grasslands and Shola Forests: Pullumedu is famous for its distinct ecological character: the high-altitude, beautiful grasslands that are a rarity in the typical Kerala rainforest environment. The visual appeal of the green meadows is spectacular, especially after the monsoon.
Restricted and Exclusive Access: Its restricted access, managed by the Forest Department, adds to its mystique and fame. Only a limited number of tourists are allowed to visit, making the experience feel exclusive, pristine, and closer to true nature, unlike the more commercial spots.
View of Sabarimala Temple (Distant): During the annual pilgrimage season, the location is famous for offering a distant view of the sacred Sabarimala temple, giving it a cultural and spiritual significance that draws a particular demographic of visitors. -
Architecture:
Nil (Natural Landscape): Pullumedu is a purely natural landscape; therefore, it does not possess any significant man-made 'architecture' in the traditional sense. Its beauty lies in its unadulterated ecological structure.
Landscape Dimensions...Nil (Natural Landscape): Pullumedu is a purely natural landscape; therefore, it does not possess any significant man-made 'architecture' in the traditional sense. Its beauty lies in its unadulterated ecological structure.
Landscape Dimensions: The 'architecture' here is the geological and botanical one: the rolling hills and grasslands that stretch across several square kilometers (often referred to as the Vistaram). The elevation is considerable, standing at approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. The topography is defined by gentle slopes that transition into the dense, dark green shola patches and then suddenly drop into the valleys of the reserve. The only functional structures are small, temporary forest guard stations or check-posts—simple, compact wooden or stone buildings used for patrolling and monitoring, usually measuring no more than 5 meters by 5 meters. The main 'design' element is the natural boundary between the high-altitude grasslands and the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats. -
How To Reach:
By Air, Train, and Main Road: Same as Elephant Junction and Chellarkovil to reach Thekkady (Kumily) town.
By Local Transport (Restricted Access): The final journey to Pullumedu is not possible via public local transport like auto-rickshaws ... -
Near Tourist Places:
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Boat Landing): (Approx. 30 KMS - by road/forest track)
Vandiperiyar: (Approx. 15 KMS) - Town famous for tea factories.
Gavi Eco-Tourism: (Accessible via forest routes, but requires separate full-day package booking)
Kumily Spice Market: (Approx. 30 KMS)
Elephant Junction Thekkady: (Approx. 35 KMS)
Chellarkovil Viewpoint: (Approx. 20 KMS)
Parunthumpara: (Approx. 45 KMS) - Another stunning high-altitude viewpoint.
Panchalimedu: (Approx. 55 KMS) - Mythological and scenic viewpoint.
Murikkady: (Approx. 28 KMS)
Anakkara: (Approx. 20 KMS)
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety:
Mandatory Guide: Never leave the group or stray from the guided paths. The area is a core tiger reserve. Wear strong, closed trekking or walking shoes, as the paths can be slippery or uneven. Carry a basic first-aid kit. ...
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