Wayanad
From World travel guide
Nestled among the mountains of the western ghats , lies Wayanad, one of the loveliest hill stations of Kerala. This green paradise, located at a distance of about 76 kms. From the seashores of Kozhikode , lies at a height of 700 to 2100m.above sea level, on the northeastern part of the state. The name Wayanad, is believed to have been derived from the word, Vayalnadu, meaning the land of paddy fields. The present of Wayanad was carved out , from the parts of Kozhikode and Kannur districts and came into being on 1st November 1980 as the 12th district of Kerala. This backward district is, perhaps one of the biggest foreign exchange earners of the state , thanks to its cash crops of pepper, cardamom, coffee, tea, spices and other condiments.
Comprising an area of 2,126 sq. kilometres, Wayanad has a powerful history. Historians are of the view that organised human life existed in these parts, at least ten centuries before Christ. Countless evidences about New Stone Age civilisation can be seen on the hills of Wayanad.
In ancient times, this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe. In later days, Wayanad came under the rule of the Pazhassi Rajahs of Kottayam royal dynasty. When Hyder Ali became the ruler of Mysore, he invaded Wayanad and brought it under his sway. In the days of Tipu, Wayanad was restored to the Kottayam royal dynasty. But Tipu handed over the entire Malabar region to the British, after the Sreerangapattanam truce
This was followed by fierce and internecine encounters between the British and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Rajah of Kottayam. When the Rajah was driven to the wilderness of Wayanad, he organised the war-like Kurichiya tribals into a sort of people's militia and engaged the British in several guerrilla type encounters. In the end, the British could get only the dead body of the Rajah, who killed himself somewhere in the interior of the forest. Thus, Wayanad fell into the hands of the British and with it came a new turn in the history of this area
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Climate
Wayanad has Hot weather, dry winds blow in March-April, The relative humidity is between 74-95%
Regions
Cities
- Sultan Bathery
Understand
Talk
Get in
By Air
- Nearest International Airport - Kozhikode (Calicut).
- you can come to Kochi International Airport or Thiruvananthapuram air port with direct flights from the Middle East, Singapore, Maldives and Sri Lanka then catch train of bus to Kasargod.
- Alternatively reach Chennai (Madras), Bangalore, Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, or other Indian cities and then by train.
By Train
Reach Kozhikode (Calicut) or Mangalore by rail from major cities in India then by road to Wayanad.
By Bus
You can also reach here by bus, first to Kozhikode or Mangalore from other big cities like Kochi, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Mumbai, Coimbatore.
By Road
Wayanad is well connected to other cities Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Madras, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai by road.
Get around
- Bus - local bus service system is expensive.
- Autorickshaw - This is cheap way of transportation facility between attractions.
- Taxi - Local taxis are also available at cheap rates.
- Car - There are many Car rental companies offering cars with drivers or self drive.
- Walk - Many places of attractions are near by other so you could walk between them.
See
Main attractions
Other attractions
- Begur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chembra Peak - 2100 m peak above sea level, ideal area for trekking.
- Chain Tree
- Edakkal Caves - This location of breathtaking beauty is 25 kilometres from Kalpetta. The Edakkal cave in the Ambukuthy mountain, is not a cave in the real sense. As stated in the India Antiquary, it is only'a cleft about 96ft. long and 22ft wide in the rock'. It is a fissure made by a corner of rock splitting off from the main Entrance to Edkal Cavesbody due to some natural causes. The depth of both the cleft and the fissure is 30 ft. What makes it a cave to the ordinary observer is the fact that in the other portion of the large cleft, an enormous rock, weighing several tonnes, has fallen forming a roof over a large part of it. The rock wall contains some interesting carvings, which represent human and animal figures and objects of human use and symbols. These carvings speak of a highly civilized people of pre-historic age and inspires the archaeologists and historians to rewrite the history of Wayanad and Kerala as a whole. The caves accessible only by a 1 Km trekking trail from Edakkal.
- Jain Temple
- Kalpetta
- Kuruva Dweep - The Kuruva island, 950 acres of ever green forest on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabini, is an ideal picnic spot, far away from the disturbances of city life. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom. It is 17 Kms east of Mananthavady and 40 Kms north west of Sultan Bathery. As a precaution don't stay on this island after dusk.
- Kanthapara Waterfalls
- Lakkidi - hill station situated 700 m above sea level, at Thamarasseri Ghat pass. Winding roads, Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests.
- Mananthavady
- Mananthavady Kuruvadweep - uninhabited island Kabani river is an ideal picnic spot in the woods.
- Meenmutty waterfalls
- Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary - Deer, Monkeys, Birds, Elephants and tigers.
- Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuaries - This sanctuary extends to Karnataka State.
- Padinjarathara - Famous for Bansura mini hydro project with the largest earth dam in India, and with a sanctuary and park with ever flowering trees.
- Pakshipathalam - bird sanctuary, bird watching accessible only be trekking.
- Papanasini - See Thirunelly Temple in the list below
- Pazhassi Raja Tomb - Memorial of the Lion of Kerala Veera Pazhassi Raja, who organized a guerrilla warfare against the British East India Company.
- Pookote Lake - It is a natural fresh water lake, brimmed with ever green mountains. The weather here is salacious; the scenic beauty, hypnotising and the nature, unspoiled. Pookode lake tourist resort in Vythiri is the most sought after tourist spot of Wayanad. There is an aquarium and a green house here. Boating facilities also are available. Spices and handicraft items are also arranged for sale at Pookode. The lake has an area of 8.5ha. and the maximum water depth is 6.5mtrs. This lake is three kms.south of Vythiri
- Soochipara Waterfalls
- Thirunelly Temple - Thirunelly is situated 29 Kms.north east of Mananthavady under the Brahmarigi hills in the reserve forests. The temple at Thirunelly is often called 'Thekkan Kasi' It is believed that a bath in the holy water of 'Papanasini' will wipe off all the sins. Apart from the temple, Thirunelly is a place of scenic beauty. Its Famous for its architecture, the shrine is shielded with 30 granite on the bank of Papanasini river. Pakshipathalam, an interesting trekking centre, is 7 kms. away from the temple.
- Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctury
- Vythiri Resorts
Do
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- Haritagiri Ecotel, Kalpetta, Ph - 4936-203145 - 48
Get out
External links
- India Govt. NIC site for Wayanad, history, photo gallery.
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