one of the largest elephant capturing centres of South India. In 1977 the elephant capturing came to an end, but the elephant kraal and training centre are still there intact.Kodanad – Location : Kodanad is about 30 km from Ernakulam town the highranges on the southern bank of the river Periyar Elephants are an integral part of Indian mythology and culture. In God’s Own Country, elephants are often referred to as the sons of the ‘Sahya’ (the Western Ghats). Once a part of every day life in Kerala, elephants are the most ornamental and auspicious animals here. No festival or celebration is complete without an elephant procession. Rows of majestically caparisoned elephants, replete with colourful silken parasols form the most spectacular part of any event here. Kodanad, set on the southern banks of the Periyar river amid the beautiful high ranges near Perumbavoor, is one of the largest elephant training centres of Kerala. Earlier elephants captured from the Malayatoor forests (the forests in the east and north of Kodanad) were trained here. Since the introduction of a ban to elephant capture Kodanad has been reduced to a training centre. The famous Malayatoor Church is near Kodanad. Muthanga of Wayanad district and Konni of Pathanamthitta district are two other such centres. Another attraction for elephant lovers is Punnathur kotta, of the neighbouring Thrissur district, where some 40 elephants of the Guruvayoor temple are groomed. Kodanad – Getting there : Kodanad – Nearest railway station: Ernakulam, about 30 km Kodanad – Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 65 km.
General Information about Kodanad:
Location: 45 kms. to the north east of Ernakulam city and 12 kms. to the east of Perumbavoor town
State: Kerala
Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
Language: Malayalam, English, Hindi
Temperature: Max 36˚C, Min 22˚C (summer), Max 28˚C, Min 18˚C (winter)
Best Season: August to March
How to Reach Kodanad:
By Air:
The airport is situated 5 km. away from Ernakulam. Cochin airport has domestic and international terminals.
By Rail:
Ernakulam is connected to all cities in India by railroad. There are two main stations, Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town also known as north station along with additional train stations in Cochin terminal, Aluva and Tripunithura. Ernakulam Town junction is prominent and most of the trains pass through this station.
By Road:
Kochi is connected by good roads with various centers of south India by national highways and linked to all towns in Kerala. The central bus station is situated in the heart of Ernakulam city and is very close to the Ernakulam Junction railway station. Long route private buses operate from High Court Jn., Railway Station and Kaloor Junction.
By Water:
The main Ferry Station (Boat Jetty) is located 1 km. from Junction railway station and has services to the following places. The ferry to Bolgatty Island operates from the jetty near the High Court. Boat services to Chaganacherry, Kottayam, Alapuzha, Vypeen, Fort Cochin, Mattancherry, and Willingdon Island etc. are available.
By Local Transport:
Taxis, buses and auto rickshaws are available for local transport within Ernakulam.
Ermakulam and Kochi are Same:
Ermakulam and Kochi are same. ernakulam is the new developed metro city area and Kochi (Cochin) is the old town. Fortkochi and Mattancherry are the very old regions. You will get taxi cabs, bus and boat to reach Fortkochi and mattanchery.Basically Ernakulam and Kochi are same. Kochi is the old name of Ernakulam and especially Kochi is Fortkochi (Cochin 1) and Mattancherry (Cochin 2). There is another one part named Edakochi. Now the Heart of Kochi is M.G Road and Marine Drive. Mg Road is Kochim35 and 36 and also Marine Drive is Kochi 17. The distance between Old Kochi and the new part of Kochi i.e., Ernakulam is 15 kms by road and 5 km by water (back water) through Boat or Jankar.

