Various well equipped sanctuaries and national parks in the state give the visitors the chance to spot the varied flora and fauna of Tamil Nadu. Viralimalai Wildlife Park is one of the popular tourist destinations. This wildlife resort is located in the midst of the small village 30 kms away from Thiruchirappalli and 40 kms from Pudukkottai. The place is famous for its Murugan Temple and the Peacock Sanctuary.
This is the best place to spot peacocks in their natural habitat, roaming freely. There are varieties of peacocks in different colors and species. The local survey says that this sanctuary is the home ground for six species of peacocks from different part of India and south East Asia. The most attractive among them is the Palawan Peacock Pheasant or ‘Tandikan’ as they impress with their spectacular colors. The number has now risen to 500 and all the birds are scattered over the district of Pudukkottai.
This peacock sanctuary is a must visit place for tourists visiting Chennai. The nearest airport is Thiruchirappalli, which is 30 kms away from the Viralimalai Wildlife Parks. The Thiruchirappalli is the nearest rail junction. This railway junction connects Chennai, Chidambaram, Madurai, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Kollam, and Rameswaram. Regular buses ply from Thiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai.
The local hotels in Thiruchirappalli and Pudukkottai are the best places to stay in as there is a huge variety of accommodations on offer which allows the tourist to choose according to his budget.
