The Irulasting Experience - Mahabalipuram
The serpentine path
Grab the opportunity to interact with this unique and highly skilled tribe. Set out on walks in the rural parts of Mahabalipuram (walk in paddy or rice fields and not in sanctuaries) with the Irulas, understand their ways in the outdoors, their incredible skill of reading forest signs and animal life. The walk is to observe and appreciate fantastic skills that these folks have honed for generations.
The adventure
During the walk, on a good day, you could be lucky and watch at least one snake and or maybe over 5 to 7 being caught. The Irulas are known to catch the top four species of snakes (Saw scaled Viper, Russells Viper, Spectacled Cobra and Krait) responsible for human deaths, extract venom to create antidote and release the snake back in to the wild. There are other species of non-venomous snakes that can be seen as well, like the Striped keelback, common bronzeback, rat snakes, checkered keelback and so on.
The walk is for about 4 hours. Both morning and evening walks can be done, although, morning walks are most recommended.
Club this with
Crocodile Bank Walk
Take a walk in a facility created to save India’s dwindling crocodilian population. Today, after more than 30 formidable years, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust/Centre for Herpetology remains a world leader in the field of frontline conservation and preservation of reptiles and natural landscapes. The facility houses the highest numbers of Indian species of the Mugger crocodile and it is also home to the rare Gharial species that are successfully breeding in the facility. Other reptiles like turtles, tortoises and few snakes can also be seen here. The facility also has the Irula co-op venom extraction centre (closed on Mondays) where one can see the snakes that are set out for milking (if scheduled).
Itinerary
0530 hours: Irula walk till 10am.
1030 hours: Breakfast and rest.
1430 hours: Crocodile Bank Walk.
1630 hours: Venom extraction at the co-operative.
OR
Submerged temple and Dolphin Watch
Hire the local fishermen and ride in fishing boats to witness a submerged temple and the chance to spot dolphins. A little less than a kilometer, the main temple of Mahabalipuram extends to this submerged monument/temple. As the sea levels have risen over centuries the entire temple is now under water. In fact, it is also believed that the submerged monument, only the tip of which is visible, is actually the main temple. Dolphins are sighted around a kilometre away from the shore. Morning and evening rides to the submerged shrine may actually give you an opportunity see dolphins. Though sightings are rare - they have been sighted several times in the past.
Itinerary
0530 hours: Irula walk till 10am.
1030 hours: Breakfast and rest.
1600 hours: Submerged monument and dolphin watch.
Special Remark: This experience will be facilitated by an English speaking friend of the Destination Knowledge Centre who is a wildlife expert (particularly reptilian life), is amicable with the Irula tribe and their way of life. Do note this experience cannot be done with a department of tourism guide from our panel.
