By Ashok SP
This journey is to Masinagudi to enjoy the beauty of forests. There is no other place like this anywhere near Kerala for watching wild animals. Mudumalai National Park is the most beautiful place in Nilgiri District and the most attractive spot in Mudumalai National Park is Masinagudi. It is around 271 km from Kochi to Masinagudi, the route being Thrissur – Pattambi – Perunthalmanna – Nilambur – Goodallur – Mudumalai National Park – Masinagudi. The check post at Gudalloor closes at 7.30 in the evening, so it is important to cross the check post before 7.30 p.m. for seeing the animals at night.
I reached the check post too late and so, I had to beg earnestly to get in. After travelling around 5 to 6 km, I saw a bison on roadside. In the light of the vehicle, I felt like the bison is shining. As I went on, I had the unforgettable experience of coming across a wild elephant bathed in dust, standing there shaking its head.
I reached Masinagudi at 9.30. There is a lodge by name Saint Xavier’s Lodge, run by a malayalee; they also help book vehicles for the safari. Other private vehicles are also there that take people for safari at night. I booked a jeep for the next day and I started for safari the next day morning itself.
The forests here are the thickest in Nilgiri. On the way, I could see numerous parades of elephants, bison, herd of deer and wild rabbits. The beauty of the forests as seen in the morning is indescribable, it made my day. On top of the hill stands Gopalaswamy Betta Temple. The view from the top of the hill is attractive. When it is not misty, the view of elephants and bison moving below resembles ants.
Masinagudi is a reserve tiger forest that expands to an area of 320 km. A tiger is calculated to be present in every 3 km. Whichever time you visit Masinagudi, you can possibly see elephants, bison, peacocks and large herds of deer.
There are plenty of birds and animals, primarily, tiger, leopard, bear, elephant, bison, golden fox, flying squirrel, peacocks, eagle, hornbill, etc.
From Mudumalai National Park, it is 20 km to Masinagudi. Bandipur National Park is situated on the way from Masinagudi to Mysore. While travelling, I came across elephants, bison, peacocks, lion-tailed macaque and herds of deer. Elephant safari is a great experience and en route, there is a center for elephant safari, where there are 28 elephants.
It is important to remember that only the early morning safari offers maximum chances of enjoying the beauty of early morning scenery of the forest and also to get to know the forest closely. The safari time is 6.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Filling my mind with memories of the mesmerizing beauty of Nilgiri Forests and watching the wild animals, I bid farewell to Masinagudi.
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