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We started before dawn to the exotic trip to Wayanad. The meandering ride through the mountain pass that starts from Thamarassery up to Vythiri was adventurous, wild and funny. |
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Throughout the climb through the churam (mountain pass) we were wondering about the much head about msit of Wayanad. It was not to be seen anywhere. Suddenly on turning the last curve in the Churam a huge cloud of white mist appeared beneath the big hoarding welcoming travellers to Wayanad district and Swallowed our vehicle. |
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| Essential Information |
Area
Population
Taluks
Villages
Blocks
Telephone Code
Pincode
Vehicle Regn. Code
When To Go |
: 2131 Sq.Km
: 7,86,627
: Mananthavadi, Sulthan Bathery, Vaithiri
: Nenmeni, Ambalavayal, Sulthanbatheri, Kidappadi, Cheeral, Purakkadi, Poothadi, Pulppalli, Padichira, Erulam, Krishnagiri, Nadavayal, Kunnithidavaka, Achooranam, Thariyodu, Kottathara, Kuppadithara, Padinjarathara, Chundel, Vengappalli, Kavumandam, Pozhathana, Kaniyamppatta, Muttil North, Mutttil South, Kottappadi, Kalppatta, Mupainadu, Vellarimala, Thrukaippatta, Anjukunnu, Porunnannoor, Nalloornadu, Manandhavadi, Thirunelli, Thrissileri, Payyamballi, Cherukattoor, Panamaram, Periya, Thondarnadu, Vellamunda, Thavinjal, Edavaka, Valadu, Kanjirangadu,
: Manandavadi, Sulthan Batheri, Kalppatta.
: +91 493
: 673 XXX
: KL-12
: November to Marchr
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Around Mananthavady
Mananthavady is small town on the banks of Kabani River. Along the riverside we took a trip to the Valliyoorkkavu temple. Teh Valliyoorkkavu Vanibham is an occasion for purchasing tribal artifacts and forest goods, we were told by our local guide. It is said that tribal people were being sold here as slaves in this fair in older days.
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Brahamagiri, beauty meets divinity
The beauty of Thirunelli has an aura of spirituality. The ancient temple that meditates in the valley of Brahmagiri, the thousands of souls those have attained etrnal peace in the clear stream of Papanasini and the greenery of the forest that engulfs everything bestow uniqueness to Thirunelli. It was during the journey to Thirunelli that we could enjoy the compact beauty of Wayanad. The bamboos keep guard all along the road. Two or three times deers made frightened galloping across the road. Thirunelli temple, with a history of thousand years is one of the most important centers for doing pitrutarppana, the paying of obeisance to the departed forefathers, which can be done of the banks of Papanasini. According to legends Thirunelli is the holy place where Lord Brahma conducted a great Yaga. Besides, the centuries old stone canal that brings water from mountain streams also caught our curiosity owing to the down to earth technology adopted. The night at Thirunelli was a memorable one. The closeness of a throbbing forest announces its presence by several animal sounds and we felt being a part of the nature itself.
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Chembra Peak
At 2,100 m, this peak is the highest in Wayanad. The summit offers spectacular views of the surrounding hills, rocks and valleys. Despite a tricky ascent, the peak draws trekking enthusiasts in hordes. Note: Trekkers can hire tents, sleeping bags and other gear from the District Tourism promotion Council (DTPC).
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Edakkal Caves
Located 12 km from Sulthan Bathery, these prehistoric shelters are made of natural rock formations. The discovery of the caves is attributed to one Fred Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police, who had come on a hunting trip to Wayanad in 1890.
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Jain Temple
This 13th century temple, built in the architectural style of the reigning Vijayanagar dynasty, has had a rather chequered past -it served as a shrine, then as a centre of commercial trade, and finally, as the ammunition store or battery for Tipu Sultan's army.
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Karalad Lake
A huge lake, spread across 7 acres and surrounded by dense bamboo groves, it is ideal for a peaceful, quiet break. Adjoining hills provide great trekking options. The Banasura Sagar Dam is only about 3 km to the north from the Karalad Lake. location: In Thariode, 16 km from Kaipetta. Boating timings: 9 am to 6 pm. filianthvady
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Kerala Kalamandalam
The famous poet, Vallathol Narayana Menon, is credited with the setting up of this premier institute in 1930 to nurture the growth of Kerala's traditional dance forms. Initially located within the stately home of a feudal lord, it later shifted to the banks of the Nila at Cheruthuruthy. In addition to Kathakali, other dance forms such as mohiniattam, koodiyattam and thullal are also taught here.
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Kuruva Dweep
Two streams, the Panamaram, originating from Iakkidi, and the Mananthavady rivulet, originating from the Thondaramudi peak, wind around a 950-acre wooded island nestled amidst sylvan surroundings called Karuva Dweep. DTPC operates bamboo-raft rides from Pulpally. The heavily wooded environs provide a home to a variety of birds and butterflies.
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Lakkidi's Chain Tree
Apart from the stunning views of the surrounding plains, Lakkidi's other claim to fame is the chain tree. Local lore has it that when a British engineer was unsuccessful in his efforts to find a passage through the dense forests of Wayanad, a young tribal called Karinthandan guided him. Unwilling to share credit for the discovery, the engineer killed the native. Soon, Karinthandan's troubled spirit began haunting travellers on the new route. To pacify the vengeful soul, a priest chained the spirit to a tree. Only then did the haunting cease. A heavy chain anchored to the ground and placed around the stout branches seems to lend credence to the story.
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Mahe, the colonial hangover
We drove to ‘Mayyazhi’ or Mahe, in the early morning. Even though Mahe is part and parcel of Kerala it has a unique geo-political existence. After liberated from the French dominion in 1962 it was appended with Pondicherry, a union territory. Many people in Mahe still maintain the French connection and many even draw pension from France and cast ballot in the French electio. We visited the church of ‘Mayyazhi Mathavu’ (St.Theressa’s Shrine), a famous pilgrim centre and then drove to the Nehru park in beach from where we could watch Velliyankallu distant in the sea. The legend is that the souls of dead people in Mayyazhi are reborn as dragon flies in Velliyankallu.
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Meenmutty Falls
Meenmutty Falls, a 300-m long cascade of water, is the largest and most spectacular waterfall in the whole of Wayanad. The drive from Vythiri itself is charming - all woods, verdant hillsides and rolling plantations. It will also take you past charming villages such as Chundel, Meppadi and Vaduvanchal.
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Muthanga, the jungle of secrets
It’s outer body, constituted by large trees, network of creepers, murmuring bushes and the winding paths have scared us a bit but the enchantment lured us. The ride to Muthanga to Mysore amidst the jungle was a marvellous experience. The travel beneath the dense forest canopy unfolds the vitality and variety of jungle life. We watched roaming elephat herds, peacocks, deer etc. several times. Muthanga is an ideal place to see these wild animals at close range. But we were not lucky enough to see any leopard, bear or tiger even though we had been warned by teh forest officials. However, we had the privilege of an elephat ride deep in to the jungle with the help of the forest officials
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Pakshipathalam
During their wanderings, saints and god men are believed to have taken shelter in the numerous caves and rocky hillocks strewn across this area. However, todaj Pakshipathalam is the haven for a large avian colony - mainly around the natural rock caves. It draws avid trekkers and birdwatchers during the summer months.
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Pazhassi Museum
When Tipu Sultan ceded Malabar to the British, the Pazhassi Raja, scion of the Kottayam royal family, was the first tc revolt. Forced to flee into the jungles o' Wayanad, he engaged the British ir guerrilla warfare. Finally defeated in th< jungles of Mavilamthode near Pulpally, i tomb marks the spot where he wai cremated. The small structure nearb; houses a collection of memorabilia.
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Pookot Lake
This large lake is fringed by low wooded hills. Horses and horse carts trot along the 1.5-km pathway, passing around the lake. A curio shop next to the ticket counter sells bamboo and wooden artefacts and hill produce such as spices, tea and honey. Then there is the boat club where pedal and rowboats await visitors. Note: it is 3 km from Vythiri and 15 km from Kalpetta
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River Nila
The River Nila has its source in the humble Thrimurthy hills in Tamil Nadii. Flowing west through central Kerala, this mighty river empties itself into the Arabian Sea at Ponnsni. On the way, it flows through three districts - Palakkad, Thrissurand Malappuram. The river also has an extensive catchment area and a web of tributaries that range from minor streams to gushing rivers.
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Soochipara and Kanthampara Falls
From Vythiri, the drive to these falls, considered one of the most beautiful in the district, is delightful. A winding road through verdant tea country, and then a narrow trail through rugged terrain lead to the falls in a dense forest. The three-pronged waters hit the sharp spikes of granite at the base, hence the name, 'Soochipara', or 'needle rocks'. Note: It is about 20 km from Vythiri, and 23 km from Kalpetta,
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The tree of Karimthandan
This ficus tree at teh gateway of wayand district still make the locals sleepless. The story regarding Chain Tree has its strong roots in history but some fictious cocoons too. The story is about the wandering soul of Karimthandan, an Adivasi youth who was slaughtered by a British engineer to claim the discovery of a new forest path. As per the myth the ghost of Karimthandan haunted the forest paths for a long time. Later a priest chained the arduous spirit onto this tree and hence the name the Chain Tree came. Travellers used to offer coins at the foot of this ghost so as to avoid any accidents or break downs on the way.
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Thirunelly Temple
Thirunelly Temple, literally, 'the temple with the sacred gooseberry (nelli) tree', is located in a valley surrounded by the south Bramhagiri peaks. Myth relates this shrine to the Hindu gods, Brahma and Vishnu. The surrounding peaks are a trekker's delight.
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Thrissiteri Temple
This architecturally pleasing Shiva Temple, with its antiquity shrouded in the distant past, is so inextricably linked to the Thirunelly Temple that the performance of rites at the latter shrine remains incomplete until it is followed by offerings at Thrissileri.
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Wayanad Heritage Museum
Innumerable artefacts and stone relics discovered by anthropologists in the region around Bathery, Ambalavayal and the forests of Wayanad are housed in the Wayanad Heritage Museum.
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Places to Visit |
Thiruvananthapuram |
Aakulam Tourist Complex, Agasthayarkoodam, Anjengo Fort, Ammachiplavu, Ananthapuri, Beemapalli, Kanyakumari, Kerala State Science and Technology Museum, Kovalam Beach, Maruthwamala, Napier Museum, Neyyar, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Priyadarshini Planetarium, Puthen Malika, Shankhumugham Beach, Sree Chithra Art Gallery, Sree Chithra Enclave, Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Sucheendram temple, The Zoo and Museum Complex, Thriparappu waterfalls, Varkala, Vattakkotta, Veli, Vivekanandappara, Vyloppilly Sanskrithi Bhavan, |
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Pathanamthitta |
Aranmula boat race, Ashtamudi Backwaters, Kakki Reservoir, Kaviyoor, Konni, Mannadi, Maramon, Perumthenaruvi Falls, Sabarimala, Thiruvalla, Vastu Vidya Gurukulam, Vijnana Kala vedi Cultural Centre, |
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Alappuzha |
Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Bhagavathi Temple, Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathi Temple, Chavara Bhavan, Karumadi Kuttan, Krishnapuram Palace Museum, Kuttanad, Mannarassala Snake Temple, Pathiramanal Island, R Block,, St George Orthodox Syrian Church, St Mary's Church, Champakulam, Subrahmanya Temple. |
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Idukki |
Blossom international Park, Cheriyapalli, CSl Church (St George's Church), Devikulam Lake, Eagle Rock or Parunthumpara, Idukki Arch Dam, Kalvary Mount, Kolukkumalai, Kundala, Kurisumala Ashram, Kurisumala, Malanadu Development Society (MDS), Mampara Grasslands, Mangaladevi Temple, Marayoor, Mattupetty, Mount Carmel Church, Munnar, Murugan Para, Nelliyampathy, Orange and Vegetable Farm,Panchalimedu, Peermede, Pine Forests, Pothundy, Rajamalai, Seetharkundu,Summer Palace, Tea Museum, Thekkady, Thommankuthu, Thrisangu Hills, Top Station, Vagamon, Viewpoints, Waterfalls of Munnar, |
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Kottayam |
Ayyampara hills, Cheriyapalli, Erumely, Ganapathiyar Kovil, Good Shepherd Church, Ilaveezhapoonchira, Kanjirapally, Kayyoor Temple, Krishnapuram Palace Museum, Malanadu Development Society (MDS), Pala, Poonjar Palace, Shrine of our Lady of immaculate Conception, St Dominic's Cathedral, St George Church, St Mary's Church, St Mary's Church Bharananganam, St Mary's Forane Church, St Thomas Benedictine Abbey, Thirunakkara Temple, Vagamon, Valiyapalli, Kumarakom, Driftwood Museum, Bird Sanctuary, Midlands. |
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Ernakulam |
Antique Shops in Jew Street, Bhoothathankettu, Bishop's House/indo-Portuguese Museum, Broadway, Cherai Beach, Chottanikkara Temple, Clock tower, Dutch Cemetery, Fort Kochi Beach, Hill Palace Museum, Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi, Kochi, Kumbalangi, M.G.Road, Marine Drive, Maritime Museum, Museum of Kerala History, Pardesi Synagogue, Santa Cruz Basilica, Shiva Temple, SNC Maritime Museum, Spice Market, St Francis Church, Thirumala Devaswom Temple, Willingdon Island, Chendamangalam. |
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Thrissur |
Athirappally and Vazhachal water falls, Ayyappa and Edathedathu Kavil Bhagavathy, Basilica of Our Lady of Dolores, Cheraman Perumal Juma Masjid, Cheruthuruthy, The land of Arts, Guruvayur, Irinjalakkuda, The land of Bharatha, Juma Masjid,Kodungallur, Koodalmanik, Yam Temple, Irinjalakuda, Kurumba Bhagavathi Temple, Lourdes Cathedral,Mar Thoma Pontifical Shrine, Martha Mariyam Chaldean Church, Palayur Church,Punnathoor Kotta, Sakthan Thampuran Palace, Shiva Temple,Sree Rama Temple, Thriprayar,The Cheraman Perumal who embraced Islam, The State Museum and Zoo,The Swaraj Roudn the heart of Thrissur,Vadakkumnathan Temple, |
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Malappuram |
Kadalundi Nagaram, Kondotty, Kottakkal(Centre of Ayurveda), Kottapadi, Malappuram, Manjeri, Nilambur(Forest area), Perinthalmanna, Perumpadappu, Ponnani, Tanur, Teak Museum,Tirur,Tirurangadi, |
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Kozhikode |
Beypore and its ‘Urus’, Beach Road, CSI Church, Kallai, Lokanarkavu of Vadakkanpattu, Mananchira Square, Mishkal Mosque, Mother of God Cathedral, Muchundipalli, Pazhassiraja Museum and Art Gallery, Planetarium and Science Centre, Tali Temple,Valayanadu Devi Kshetram, |
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Wayanad |
Mananthavady, Brahamagiri, Chembra Peak, Edakkal Caves,Jain Temple, Karalad Lake, Kerala Kalamandalam, Kuruva Dweep, Lakkidi's Chain Tree, Mahe, Meenmutty Falls,Muthanga,The jungle of secrets, Pakshipathalam,Pazhassi Museum,Pookot Lake,River Nila,Soochipara and Kanthampara Falls, The tree of Karimthandan,Thirunelly Temple,Thrissiteri Temple,Wayanad Heritage Museum, |
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Kannur |
Alluring Beaches, Cheruvathur Kota Palli, Delightful Backwaters, Ezhimalai, Fort St Angelo,Kanhirode weaving Co-operative, Kerala Folklore Academy, Kottiyoor Shiva Temple, Mahalingeshwara Temple, Nileswaram, Parassini Kadavu Temple, Payyambalam Beach,Rajarajeshwara Temple,Thalassery,The tree of Karimthandan,Ummichipoyil and Varikulam,Valiyaparamba Backwaters, |
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Kasargode |
Anandashram, Ananthapura Temple, Bekal Fort, Chandragiri Fort, Kanhangad Hosdurg Fort,Kanwatheertha Beach, Kappil Beach, Kodagu, Kottanchery, Malik Ibn Dinar Mosque, Possadi Gumpe, Ranipuram. |
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