VETTANGUDI BIRD SANCTUARY

Hello🌸......I am going to share some valuable information about one Bird sanctuary which is home to nearly 8000 migratory birds.

VETTANGUDI BIRD SANCTUARY

A part of Vettangudi Bird sanctuary is located in A.Melaiyur village and another part is located in Kollukudipatti village near Tirupathur, Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu.

I have visited the sanctuary a few months ago and it gave me a wonderful experience. It totally covers 0.384 sq. km, declared in June 1977 as a Bird Sanctuary. Vettangudi Bird sanctuary was considered as one of the safe and secured breeding habitats for more than 200 species of migratory birds, which flocked in the Periya KollukudiPatti irrigation tank.

PERIYA KOLLUKUDIPATTI IRRIGATION TANK / Kanmai

Two other ponds Chinna Kollukudipatti and Vettangudipatti irrigation tanks are located in the sanctuary but Periya Kollukudipatti pond is the only habitat preferred by local and distant migratory birds in huge number.  

One surprising fact about the Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary is the nearby village settlements decided to stop bursting firecrackers during festivals to protect the birds from loud sounds". so "Today, not even a single person in the village bursts firecrackers," - said by the villagers.

Understanding of the villagers about protecting the wildlife surprised me a lot. This literally gave me goosebumps 

How to Reach the Sanctuary?

I took a bus from Madurai Mattuthavani (Dr.M.G.R bus terminal) bus station to S.S Kottai (51.2 km) and then From S.S Kottai to Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary (2.4 km), you can take auto or bus according to your convenience. A grand entrance will welcome you. Once you enter the Periya Kollukudipatti pond which is located inside the Bird Sanctuary, you will hear a lot of bird sounds which welcome you warmly. 

Accessibility

Nearby Airport           - Madurai (55 km)

Nearby Bus station    - Karaikudi (26 km) and Madurai (53.6 km)

Nearby Train station - Karaikudi (32 km) and Madurai (51 km)

You can visit the Sanctuary any day at any month but it's preferable to visit during the early morning and evenings from September end to March every year, because the birds from distant lands including Europe, North Asian countries, the Trans-Himalayan region, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, Myanmar and Maldives reach the Sanctuary during those months.

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Madurai as "KADAMBAVANAM"

KADAMBAVANAM - PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

Tamil Literature refers to Madurai as "Kadambavanam" but today less than 20 Kadamba trees are found in the city.

It is narrated in the legend that Madurai was originally a forest known as Kadambavanam. One day, a farmer named Dhananjaya who was passing through the forest saw Indra (The King of the gods), worshipping a Swayambhu (self created Lingam) under kadamba tree. Dhananjaya, the farmer immediately reported this to king Kulasekara Pandya. Kulasekara Pandya cleared the forest and built a temple around the Lingam. A city was soon planned with the temple as its centre.

It's said that when king Kulasekara Pandiyan was on the lookout for an ideal place to establish the capital city of his kingdom, he stumbled upon a forest of Kadamba trees. And that's exactly where he constructed Madurai with the Meenakshi temple at its heart. The Tiruvilaiyadal Puranam refers to the city as "Kadambavanam" and even today, one can find Kadamba trees dotting the Aadi streets inside the temple complex; a big tree stands right behind the imposing West Tower.

"It's not without reason that the Kadamba tree is reversed as the Sthala vriksham of the temple," Due to its religious significance, the tree is seen in Puttu Thoppu, Kadambeeswarar temple near Girder Bridge and other places connected to the legend of goddess Meenakshi, barring which only few trees stand in Ellis Nagar, Madakulam and Reserve Line on New Natham road. 

The Sangam age poems vividly describe the tree that finds mention as maravam. A song in Paripadal - 'Urul inar kadambu' - documents the ball-like blossoms of the tree. 

Revival of Kadamba trees

Madurai green, an NGO working for nearly two decades has planted over six lakh saplings so far. "Kadamba trees are found only as small patches in the forests. And, to revive them, they have been planting 1000 Kadamba and Marutham trees annually for the past three years. These are native trees to the region and both have medicinal value,". Even home makers and children are enthusiastic in knowing about the flora and fauna. At this rate, they are sure to bring a positive change,".

 
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