Wayanad

[sherlyk]

Wayanad, the green paradise is nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats, forming the border world of the greener part of Kerala. Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotizing, this land is filled with history and culture. Located at a distance of 76 km. From the sea shores of Kozhikode, this verdant hill station is full of plantations, forests and wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandhipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast land mass for the wild life to move about in their most natural abode. Regarding geographical location, Wayanad district stands on the southern top of the Deccan plateau and its chief glory is the majestic Western Ghats with lofty ridges and rugged terrain interspersed with dense forest, tangled jungles and deep valleys. The place also enjoys a strategic location as the leading tourist centres of South India like Ooty, Mysore, Bangalore, Coorg and Kannur are situated around this region.

Covering an area of 2132 km ², with a density of population at 369 people/km² within a population of 780,619 people (2001 census), Wayanad consists of 3 taluks – Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery and Vythiri. The district headquarters is located at Kalpetta municipality with a population of 29,602 as per 2001 census.



Phantom roack, Ambalavayal




Wayanad enjoys a salubrious climate throughout the year. The mean average rain fall in this district is 2322 m. Lakkidi, Vythiri and Meppadi are the high rainfall areas in Wayanad. Annual rain fall in these high rain fall areas ranges from 3,000 to 4,000 m. High velocity winds are common during the south west monsoon and dry winds blow in March-April. High altitude regions experience severe cold. At Ambalavayal in Wayanad, the mean maximum and minimum temperature for the last five years were 29oC and 18oC respectively. This place experiences a high relative humidity which goes even up to 95 percent during the south west monsoon period. Generally, the year is classifed into four seasons, namely, cold weather (December-February), hot weather (March-May), south west monsoon (June-September) and north east monsoon(October-November). The dale Lakkidi, nestled among the hills of Vythiri taluk, has the highest average rainfall in Kerala. The misty environs of Wayanad offer a wide range of trekking opportunities, plantation visits and wildlife tours.

It was at Mananthavady (35 km N) that Lord Arthur Wellesley fought a guerilla war with the Pazhassi Raja and British supremacy marked the region for two centuries. When the state of Kerala was created in 1956; the southern region of Wayanad which was part of Cannannoor district was attached to Calicut district. In 1980 the Wayanad region was amalgamated out of the districts of Kannur and Kozhikode and comprised the three taluks of Mananthavady, Sultan Bathery and Vythiry. Kalpetta, the region’s district headquarters (15 km N), used to be a major Jain centre. Lakkidi, its gateway town, is popular for its plantation homestays. Tipu Sultan, the legendary ruler of Mysore who valiantly opposed the British, built a fort at Sultan Bathery 10 km away, in the 18th century.

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the north-east and Mudimalai of Tamil Nadu on the south-east. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Which has been established with the specific objective of conservating the biological heritage of the region. Consisting entirely of notified reserve, the sanctuary is very rich in fauna and flora. The management of the sanctuary lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration to the general lifestyle of the tribals and others who live on the fringes of the forest.



History of Wayanad

Wayanad, One of the fourteen districts in Kerala (India) is situated in an elevatedpicturesque mountainous plateau in Western Ghats. It lies between north latitude 11degree 26’28’’ and 11degree 48’22’’ and east longitude 75 degree 46’38’’ and 76 degree 26’11’’.

There is a land not far from Calicut, the city of Zamorins, yet a world apart from Kerala’s agricultural and industrial epicentres. It is a quiet place where scenic beauty wild life andtraditional matter, simplicity is a virtue and beauty still blossoms from the mountainous horizon and from the green glaze of alluring vegetation. This is Wayanad – the green paradise – the border world of greener part of Kerala. Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotising this land has a history and mystery, culture and social epistemology yet to be discovered. Located at a distance about 76 km from the sea shores of Calicut in the Western Ghats, this station is full of plantations, forests and wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumala in Tamil Nadu and Bandhipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast land mass for the wild life to move about in its most natural abode. The name Wayanad has been derived from the expression ‘Vayal nadu’ – the village of paddy fields.



In the ancient times this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe. In later times, Wayanad came under the rule of Pazhassi Rajas of Kottayam royal dynasty. When Hyder Ali became the ruler of Mysore, he invaded Wayanad and brought it under his way. In the days of Tipu, Wayanad was restored to the Kottayam royal dynasty. But Tipu handled entire Malabar to the British after the Sreerandapattam truce that he made with them. This was followed by fierce encounters between the British and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja of Kottayam. Even when the Rajah was driven to the wilderness of Wayanad he waged several battles with his Nair and Kurichia-Kuruma tribal soliders against the British troops and defeated the latter several times through guerilla type encounters. The British could get only the dead body of the Rajah who killed himself somewhere in the interior forest. Thus Wayanad fell into the hands of British, and with it began a new turn in the history of this area. The Britishers opened up the Plateau for cultivation of tea and other cash crops. Roads were laid across the dangerous slopes of Wayanad from Calicut and Telicherry. These roads were extended to the city of Mysore and to Ooty through Gudalur. Roads facilities provided opportunities for the people of outside Wayanad to flow and settle to these jungle regions.

Keywords: Wayanad, the green paradise,Clean and pristine, enchanting , hypnotizing, plantations, forests and wildlife,Wayanad hills,the Deccan plateau,dense forest, tangled jungles, deep valleys,Ooty, Mysore, Bangalore, Coorg and Kannur,maximum ,minimum temperature

[sherlyk]

Adventure in Wayanad

The natural scenic beauty of Wayanad and its rich natural resources offer several opportunities for adventure tourism. The hills rocks and valley which make the very unique character of Wayanad provide a lot for catering to the ever increasing demand for adventure tourist.

Chembra peak

Trekking to the Chembra peak is one of the risky tourist endeavours. Chembra peak is the highest peak in Wayanad at 2100 m. above mean sea level. It is14 km west of Kalpetta. Trekking to the top of this peak takes almost a day. Tourists can also stay one or two days at the top of the peak in temporary camps. District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides, sleeping bags, canvass huts trekking implements on hire charges to the tourists. The scenic beauty of Wayanad which is visible from the top of Chembra is very challenging and thrilling. The blue eyed water in the lake at the top of the hill never dries up even in the peak of summer. All along the steep and slippery way to the top of the hill, the whispering of the flowing spring which sprouts from the top of the hill accompanies the tourist. If he is fortunate enough, on his way he may come across a passing wild beast, may be a leopard who may instantly hide behind the bushes. Camping in the night with camp fire and sleeping bags at the top of the peak in shivering cold is everlasting experience.

Pakshipathalam

Pakshipathalam in Bramhagiri hills at Thirunelly is a challenging tourist spot. It is 7 km north-east of Thirunelly temple and is situated 1740 m. above mean sea level. To reach ‘Pakshipathalam’, 17 km have to be covered through wild forest. The deep rock caves formed among the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri is the abode of various birds and wild beasts. To go to ‘Pakshipathalam’ special permission has to be obtained from forest department. DTPC (District Tourism Promotion Council) arranges vehicle, guides, camping apparatus etc. to the tourists on hire charges.

Thirunelly temple



Meenmutty Waterfalls

12 km east of Meppadi. Waterfalls to a depth of more than 500 m in 3 steps. Trekking equipments are available at Tourist Information Centre, Kalpetta. Rivers: Kabani river, one of the three east flowing rivers of Kerala, is an important tributary of the river Cauvery. Kabani and its tributaries constitute a powerful river system in the land scape of Wayanad. Panamaram rivulet takes its origin from the perennial lake called, ‘Pookode lake’. It flows swiftly through mountain gorges and joined by other streams, tumbles down into Panamaram valley. Six kilometres further from Panamaram, this river joins with the Mananthavady rivulet, originating from the lower regions of the peak ‘Thondarmudi’. From this confluence onwards, the river is known as Kabani, a mighty, perennial river which after entering Karnataka State, joins with the river Cauvery. Almost entire Wayanad is drained by the Kabani river and its tributaries, namely, Panamaram river, Mananthavady river and Thirunelli river.

Pookot Lake Tourist Resort

This resort in Vythiri is the most sought – after tourist spot of Wayanad. Boating facilities are arranged to the very vast natural lake which lies in the lap of surrounding mountains. Thicks bushes and tall trees along the path round the lake gives a calm spiritual atmosphere. A fresh-water aquarium with wide varieties of fishes is managed by Fisheries Department. Children’s park and shopping centre for handicrafts and spices of Wayanad are arranged by DTPC .


Sentinal Rock Waterfalls



at Soochipara near Meppadi 22 km south of Kalpetta. A three step water fall of more than 200 m in height with a fantastic scenary provides for white water rafting, swimming, bathing, etc., The tree top huts at Soochipara will give unique view of the valleys of Western Ghats. It is also an ideal place for rock climbing.

Kanthan Para Waterfalls

a beautiful water fall of about 30 m in height, 8 km east of Meppadi and 12 km south-east of Kalpetta.

Kuruva Dweep

950 acres of evergreen forest surrounded by east flowing river, Kabani. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are sovereigns of this supernatural kingdom. It is 17 km east of Mananthavady and 45 km north-west of Sulthan Bathery.

Banasura Dam



The largest earth dam in India, 15 km north-west of Kalpetta. This large expanse of water bounded except on one side with magnificent hills has heavenly charm.

Pazhassi Tourist Resort

The DTPC has organised a park at Kabani river side, 1 km south of Mananthavady. Boating in Kabani River Children’s park, children’s traffic park and sales counter for handicrafts and spices are arranged here.

Lakkidi Ghat Pass

It is the Gate Way of Wayanad above the Thamarassery Ghat Pass of western ghat, at an elevation of 700 m above mean sea level. Deep valley to the south with winding roads through thick forest attract many. It is 55 km east of Kozhikode and 5 km south of Vythiri.

Historical in Wayanad

Edakkal Caves

The Edakkal Caves are at Ambukutty Mala. It is a pre-historic rock shelter formed naturally out of a strange disposition of three huge boulders making one to rest on the other two with its bottom jutting out in between and serving as the roof. Edakkal literally means a stone in between.

The discovery of the cave and its identification as a prehistoric site were quite accidental by F. Fawcett, the then superintendent of police. An enthusiast in pre-history, Fawcett went around exploring the Wayanad high ranges which eventually led to the discovery of the Edakkal rock-shelter in 1894. He identified the site as a habitat of neolithic people on the basis of the nature of representations on the cave walls, which appeared to him as engravings made of neolithics celts..

Edakkal rock engravings stand out distinct among the magnitude of prehistoric visual archives of paintings and graphic signs all over the world. It is the world’s richest pictographic gallery of its kind.

Pazhassi Memorial

The body of Veera Pazhassi, the Lion of Kerala who organised a guerilla war against the British East Indian Company is buried at Mananthavady, which is 32 km north east of Kalpetta.

Jain Temples at Panamaram

These ruined Jain Temples are situated within 5 km North-east of Panamaram.

Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple

It is generally known as Tippu’s Fort and situated at Sulthan Bathery town. Tippu used this temple as the Battery of his army.

Keywords: Wayanad, the green paradise,Clean and pristine, enchanting , hypnotizing, plantations, forests and wildlife,Wayanad hills,the Deccan plateau,dense forest, tangled jungles, deep valleys,Ooty, Mysore, Bangalore, Coorg and Kannur,maximum ,minimum temperature