Mudumalai is a city in Indian southern state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on southwest side of Nilgiri Mountains. Nilgiri literally means Blue Mountains and one can easily imagine by the name how the landscape would be looking like. Mudumalai is mainly popular as Mudumalai National Park. Mudumalai is famous for housing many exotic animals. As a matter of fact, most of the tourists come here only to see these exotic creatures. Mudumalai is also an ideal place to watch various birds as Mudumalai is the home to various species of birds. Mudumalai national park was established way back in 1940 AD. Earlier the park was spread over an area of 60 sq km and now it occupies an area of 320 sq km. It is home to primates like the bonnet macaque and the gray Langur. Tigers, leopards, dholes, striped Hyemnas, Asian elephants, golden Jackals and sloth bears are seen in the park. The park is home to various birds like the crested serpent eagle, crested hawk-eagle, Malabar grey hornbill and Malabar Trojan. Striped tit- babbler can also be seen here. Mudumalai is also the place where one can take the joy of Jangle Safari. Elephant safaris and vehicles safaris offer the rare chance of watching many exotic animals with their natural habitat. Vehicles for safaris are available on first come first served basis. Jeep and van are used as vehicles safaris. Jeep can accommodate 6 people at a time while van accommodates 25 people at a time. Elephant safaris allow four people on an elephant at a time. These Jungle safaris are available in the morning and in the evening. Theppkadu Elephant Camp is another interesting place in Mudumalai. The camp was set up in 1972. The camp is place where elephants are trained. It is interesting to see two elephants performing Pooja to lord Shiva every day. Mudumalai is well linked by many state run buses and other private vehicles to Coimbatore, Mysore, Madurai, Chennai, Bangalore and other many cities and towns of the state and the country. Udagamadalam railway station serves the nearest railhead to Mudumalai. It is just 64 km away from Mudumalai and connected to other cities and towns of the state and the country. Coimbatore airport is nearest airbase to Mudumalai and is about 160 km away from it. The airport is well linked to other major cities of India.
