Idukki

Idukki is one of the 14 districts of Kerala. Idukki district headquarters is located at Kuyilimala in Painavu. The name of the district is derived from the Malayalam word Idukki, meaning narrow gorge.

The four taluks (subdistricts) in the district are Devikulam, Udumbanchola, Peerumade and Thodupuzha. The taluks contain 65 villages between them.

Thodupuzha is the only municipal town in the district. Munnar is a census town.

The largest village is Kannan Devan Hills of Devikulam taluk with an area of 557 sq km, and Kudayathoor of Thodupuzha taluk is the smallest village with an area of 21 sq km.

There are eight community development Blocks: Devikulam, Adimali, Nedumkandom, Azhutha, Kattappana, Idukki, Elamdesom and Thodupuzha. There are 51 Panchayaths in the district. Thodupuzha is the only Municipality and Idukki is the only township in the district. Munnar panchayat of Devikulam block is the largest in the district with an area of 557 sq km and Karimkunnam in Thodupuzha block is the smallest panchayat of the district with an area of only 22 sq km. The district headquarters were originally located at Kottayam and moved to Painavu in June 1976. Developmental activities are co-ordinated by the District Rural Development Agency.

Idukki Arch Dam
Idukki Arch Dam is the world's second and Asia's first arch dam, constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. This dam is about 550 feet high and 650 feet wide, and lies close to the Cheruthoni barrage. The Kulamavu Dam lies to its west and Idukki wildlife sanctuary is located close by.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
Idukki Wildlife sanctuary extends over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district. This sanctuary spreads over an area of 77 square km and is located about 450 - 748 m above sea level. The Idukki reservoir is formed by three dams - Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavo, and extends to 33 square km. Various animals like elephant, bison, sambar deer, wild dog, jungle cat, tiger, wild boar, snakes like cobra, viper, krait and a number of non poisonous snakes and birds like Jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher, etc can be seen in this sanctuary.

Nadukani
Nadukani is an ideal place for one day picnickers. It offers a panoramic view of a large area than one can experience from any high mountain peak. A two-storeyed pavilion makes an ideal place for enjoying the landscape and beauty of nature.

Thumpachi Calveri Samuchyam
Thumpachi Calveri Samuchyam is a picnic spot also ideal for meditation, relaxation and watching sunset.

Kalliyanathandu
Kalliyanathandu, about 10 km from Idukki is a splendid tourist spot. It offers the aerial view of the Idukki reservoir, panoramic view of the peaks and forests. It is also an ideal place for mountain climbers and trekkers.