Periyar refers to several individuals and places. Here are the two most common references:
- Periyar E. V. Ramasamy: Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, also known as Periyar, was a prominent social reformer and politician from South India. He was born on September 17, 1879, and passed away on December 24, 1973. Periyar was a staunch advocate for social equality, rationalism, and the eradication of caste-based discrimination. He played a significant role in the Dravidian movement, which aimed to create a separate identity for the Dravidian people and challenge Brahminical dominance in Tamil Nadu, India. Periyar also founded the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) political party and initiated various social reforms, including the Self-Respect Movement.
- Periyar National Park: Periyar National Park is a renowned wildlife sanctuary located in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India. It is named after the Periyar River, which flows through the park. The park covers an area of about 925 square kilometers (357 square miles) and is known for its diverse flora and fauna. Periyar National Park is particularly famous for its population of wild elephants and is one of the best places in India to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. The park also offers activities like boat safaris on the Periyar Lake, guided nature walks, and tiger spotting expeditions.
