Situated in the Agasthyamalai range, Neyyar Wildlife Sactuary; a repository of some of
the rarest medicinal herbs, the located about 32 km from Thiruvananthapuram. It is a
popular picnic spot with a lake and a picturesque dam site. Neyyar Dam was established
in 1958 and the lake formed by the dam across the Neyyar River. Boating in the
reservoir will be a pleasant surprise for the tourists. Boats can be hired to explore the
shores of the sanctuary. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation organizes (KTDC)
tours to Neyyar Dam.
The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary of which the dam is a part is the habitat of over a
hundred species of fauna including Asian Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, wild buffaloes, wild
boar, Slender Loris and reptiles like King Cobra, Travancore Tortoise, etc. 176 species
of birds, 30 species of reptiles, 17 species of amphibians and 40 species of fishes are
reported from the sanctuary. A crocodile breeding centre and a lion safari park are also
located in the dam site. Crocodile breeding centre has been set up in 1977 at Neyyar, is
home to around 20 mugger crocodiles. The Steve Irwin Crocodile Rehabilitation and
Research Centre was inaugurated at Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in May 2007. Neyyar
Elephant Rehabilitation Centre complex within the area cares for several elephants and
offers elephant rides and elephant feeding. There is also a Deer Rehabilitation Centre.
A yoga centre, Sivananda Ashram, is near to this place, which provides classes about
meditation, yoga etc. for foreigners as well as for natives. Several temples are near
Neyyardam, including the Veeranakavu Sreedharma Shastha temple and the Mangara
Muttom Siva temple.
• Ponmudi
• Kallar
• Peppara Wildlife Sactuary and Dam
• Agasthyakoodam
• Dam site
• Trekking to forest area
• Flora and Funa
• Steve Irwin Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre
• Lion Safari Park
• Elephent and Deer Rehabilitation Centres
• Sivananda Ashram
• By Train: Nearest railway station is Thiruvavanthapuram Central at 32 kms away
• By Air: Nearest airport; Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 38
km.
• By Road: Neyyar is well connected with rest of the district. You can take the
Thiruvananthpuram-Pangode-Thirumala-Kattakkada-Neyyar Dam route or just
catch a bus operated by KSRTC from the Thiruvananthpuram Bus Stand. Buses
are also available from Neyyattinkara as well.
Best time to visit Neyyar is between the months of December to April. Monsoon season
is less recommended because trekking and boating will become risky and dam site will
be water logged.