There is a place where butterflies of the forest congregate—right in the middle of a forest. That’s what you can expect at the Butterfly Garden adjacent to the Nilambur Teak Museum. It’s a beautiful, well-maintained garden with flowers, shrubs, mini foundations, cobblestoned pathways shadowed by ivy’s, mini ponds, and tiny waterfalls. You can see stunning stone formations right in the middle of the garden. But yes, all roads eventually lead to the colourful world of butterflies who are merrily perched at every corner of this huge garden. And with the onset of the season, you can see them flocking in hordes. The teak museum will also be a sight to behold during this time.
At the butterfly garden, you can see a wide variety of plants that have been handpicked to entice the butterflies. So, the blue tiger's (also called Tirumala limniace is a migratory butterfly found in South Asia and Southeast Asia) love the Kiluki and Munja plants. Garudakodi and Krishna kireedam are the favourites of the Garuda butterfly (also called Troides minos is a striking and swallowtail butterfly endemic to South India. With a wingspan of 140–190 mm, it is the second-largest butterfly of India). While the arali plant and kolambi plant are a favourite of arali butterflies (also called Common Crow, Common Indian Crow, Australian Crow and Kakkapoombatta are common species found in Kerala). The castor plant and the palm species are popular for the genus Avanachoppan. Vellilathozhi is interested in Mosanda and Viravalan loves Thechi, and Kongini.
Most of the butterflies prefer plants that are equipped with food as well as for the purpose of laying eggs. Therefore, both species have been scientifically cultivated here. Some of these plants are also lifesaving. According to the authorities, the blue tiger's body becomes degenerated after it consumes the water of the Kiluki plant (it's a Butterfly hosting plant. This particular species is conserved and propagated in our agricultural farms) and other creatures escape from its prey. These plants also provide nutrients that help the butterflies to reproduce.
Exotic plants like African Karalakam, uraria and other varieties of Garudakodi are also grown here. Adult butterflies are attracted to red, yellow, orange, pink and purple blossoms that are flat-topped or clustered and have short flower tubes. Plant good nectar sources in the sun - Your key butterfly nectar source plants should receive full sun from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
Most of the butterflies come here during the months of October and November when it is neither too hot nor too cold. It is also a favourite haunt of migratory butterflies. When the season is over, butterflies cover the garden. The mud pudding done by a flock of butterflies to extract minerals from the moist soil is a unique sight.
Behind the Teak Museum, the Butterfly Garden is spread over 3 acres. The garden is made up of shrubs, vines, and aquatic plants. Tourists can also enjoy the view of the pandal-like vines in some places along the sidewalk.
The Teak Museum is located at a distance of 3 km from Nilambur town on the Gudaloor route. There is also a medicinal plant garden, a palm garden, a bamboo garden, a thorn bush, an orchid garden, a children's park and a variety of fountains.
