Annual flower exhibition at Periyar featuring Western Ghats endemic species, orchid displays, and spice flower collections. Held against the backdrop of Periyar Lake.
Why it mattersShowcases the botanical diversity of the Periyar region.
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Naksh.iq
ISSUE Nº 47 · MAY 2026
Festival · KERALA
Periyar Flower Show.
January (3 days) · Thekkady (Periyar)
Going for this? Thekkady (Periyar) in January
NakshIQ score
5/10
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Thekkady in January is the version every Western Ghats wildlife regular wants to see. The 925 sq km Periyar Tiger Reserve sits at 900m elevation centred on the 26 sq km Periyar Lake, the Mullaperiyar Dam reservoir created in 1895. Daytime 18-26C, nights drop to 14-16C, the lake at year-clearest. KTDC boat safari (90 minutes, 5 daily slots: 7am, 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 4pm) is the primary access — ₹350 lower deck, ₹…
Getting there
Elevation
900 m
Nearest airport
Madurai Airport (IXM) — 140km
Nearest railway
Kottayam Railway Station — 114km
Live in Thekkady (Periyar)
Where to stay in Thekkady (Periyar)
Spice Village — CGH Earth
₹₹₹₹eco-resort · Kumily, Thekkady — 52 thatched cottages across 12 acres of spice gardens near PeriyarA CGH Earth eco-resort of 52 elephant-grass-thatched cottages built in the style of the local Mannan tribe, across 12 acres of spice gardens near the Periyar Tiger Reserve — a pool, an Ayurvedic spa, forest treks and bamboo rafting. The defining Thekkady stay.
KTDC Aranya Nivas
₹₹₹jungle-lodge · Thekkady — a premium KTDC jungle lodge inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, at the lake tourism zoneThe Kerala Tourism (KTDC) premium jungle lodge inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve itself, at the central tourism zone by the lake — a pool, a library on the environment, an Ayurvedic spa and a multi-cuisine restaurant. The only hotel actually inside the reserve.
Cardamom County by Xandari
₹₹₹resort · Thekkady — a hillside 4-star resort facing the Periyar Tiger Reserve, 2km from Thekkady townA hillside 4-star resort of cottages and suites facing the Periyar Tiger Reserve — a pool, butterfly garden, Ayurveda spa and yoga. The reliable mid-to-upper resort pick a short way from the reserve gate.
Where to eat
KTDC Periyar House Restaurant
Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady · ₹₹SignatureKerala and Indian buffet meals inside the tiger reserve
Inside the reserve — same Forest Entry Gate timing applies. More modestly priced than Aranya Nivas. Useful for an early breakfast before a dawn boat trip or jungle walk, when Kumily town is still shut.
Chrissie's Hotel and Cafe
Bypass Road, Kumily · ₹₹SignatureBreakfast buffet — homemade breads, jams, cheeses, muesli with dosa and curry
Come for the breakfast buffet — it is the reason to visit, and non-guests can eat for around INR 250. Expect to wait at busy times; everything is made in-house. Ask for the homemade chocolate spread. On the Kumily bypass road.
Spice Garden Restaurant
Thekkady Bypass Road, Kumily · ₹₹SignatureKerala-style fish curry with coconut rice — open-kitchen cooking by a women-run team
Order the Kerala fish curry and coconut rice — the kitchen's strength. The 6-7pm cooking demonstration (extra cost) is worth it if you want to learn the spice-curry technique in the spice-garden heart of Kerala. Open 9am-10pm.
KTDC Aranya Nivas Restaurant
Periyar Tiger Reserve, Lake Road, Thekkady · ₹₹₹SignatureMulti-cuisine meals inside the tiger reserve — Keralite, North Indian and Continental
Inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve — you must clear the Forest Entry Gate (last entry around 5pm) to reach it. Convenient if you are doing the lake boating, since the lodge sits by the boat landing. Priced as an in-reserve KTDC property.
Other festivals in January, elsewhere
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