Amaravathi

Dec 27, 2008

Amaravathi is a part of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, and there was a dam build across the river Amaravathi. It’s the last unplanned destination in my Valparai vacation last December and it happened to be an evening visit for us. Something like ever seen horses, viewed those gathered inside Sainik school campus before reaching amaravathi Dam, and the sun was glowing conclude when we were seeking a forest ranger whom we suppose to meet for guidance. After a quick move in and out, we found him at his office and he took us around.

First we visited the crocodile bank near the dam, and those are the crocodiles caught at the reservoir and those are belonging to muggers, which won’t found everywhere. He asks someone in the park to catch a medium size crocodile to carry in hand and it was something our family members unexpected and felt excite about touching the crocodile. It would be an unforgettable experience and more than enough he takes us a drive inside the forest. Where we spotted, spotted deers, peacocks sitting on a fencing which separates fields and forest, two wild boars standing far away showing its back, and a big horn deer just hide around in glance looking at our vehicle, which looked like a bull. As it was turning dark and we were in hurry visiting dam, we missed an opportunity seeing an elephant in just few minutes, but it surprised later everyone knowing what the ranger sensed about elephant’s movement at near was very exact!

The dam was very steep to climb, so he took our family at either easy way, but I can’t follow as the road lead to dam top was locked with no keys, and later I felt distress seeing the pictures, what a fantastic view I have missed. The picture showed me the beauty and serenity of amaravathi, which I love to share here. There one can view the plains that belong to Annamalai and Palani Hills. Fishing is one important thing in the dam; where there are some mobile shops outside dam making spice fish fries which our driver had, but it clearly signed me unsanitary.

The ranger said he was one of a person worked in the special task force organized to catch late sandalwood smuggler Veerappan. Whether it’s the reason or not, he had a mustache like the brigand veerappan and his name also ends with ‘pan’! He was very friendly even before knowing clearly about who guide us to him and said to call him anytime if we are willing to visit any forest area to get a prior permission. Later we had some coffee with him and moved towards pollachi and reaching guest house by night, then to get ready to return home the next day. I will write about it at next post.