Geography of Attappadi Reserve Forest Attappadi Reserve Forest is the beautiful confluence of forest, mountains and rivers. It is an informal buffer zone located adjacent to the Silent Valley National Park. In the year 2007, 81 square kilometre area of the reserve forest was made a part of the newly formed Bhavani Forest Range which in turn is included in the Silent Valley Buffer Zone. The altitude of Attappadi Reserve Forest ranges from 750 meters to 1664 meters. The rainfall in Attappadi Reserve Forest is quite high in the southwest portion and measures about 4700 millimetres but reduces eastward to about 900 millimetres. The Malleswaram peak forms the highest point of the forest. The tributaries of Kaveri River also feed the highland terrains of the forest. Attractions of Attappadi Reserve Forest Attappadi Reserve Forest is quite significant for anthropologists as it serves as the habitat of tribal communities namely Kurumba, Irula and Muduga. Malleswaram temple, located there, is the site of the celebration of Shivaratri festival during the month of February or March. In the festival, the tribes worship the Malleeswaran peak of the mountain as a mammoth Shivalingam. Visiting Information Attappadi Reserve Forest can be approached through frequent local buses from the nearest towns of Nelippathy and Mannarghat and from the Anakkatti village. Palakkad is the nearest railway station while Coimbatore Airport in Tamil Nadu serves as the nearest airport. Private lodges provide accommodation to the visitors. However rainy season is not said to be preferable for a visit to the Attappadi Reserve Forest. |