My Travel

**Perfection** · 10-17-2009, 02:40 AM

Birds of Takazhi

Takazhi is on the Ambalapuzha-Edathua road after Karumadi (Takazhi Shiva Shankara pillai memmorial is near Rail way crossing). The area is scenic with paddy fields and migratory birds. Karumadi is 3 km from Ambalapuzha and is famous for the Karumadikuttan Buddha statue behind the Kavil Bhadrakali temple.

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**Perfection** · 10-17-2009, 02:41 AM

Common Butterflies and birds of Kerala

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**Perfection** · 10-17-2009, 02:43 AM

The road passes via. Ambalapuzha, Purakkad, Thottappally, Karuvatta and Harippad. Mannarasala Nagaraja temple is 3 km from Harippad. Ayilam festival is on 9 Nov 2009. It is the only temple with a woman as chief priest. There are a number of 'kavus' with a number of serpent god statues. Offerings in the temple are Noorum palum Rs 150, Payasam -Rs 30. Pulluvan pattu (serpent pleasing song using a string instrument - pulluvan kudam) is another offering.

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**Perfection** · 10-17-2009, 03:02 AM

The Buddha statue is located 3 km east of Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna temple on Thiruvalla road.

**Perfection** · 11-17-2009, 02:29 PM

Wayanad, the Spice land : Tea, coffee, Pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, honey, ginger, Rubber, Coco are cultivated.

Chembra peak is the highest peak in Wayanad at 2100 m, a popular trekking spot.

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Where to Stay & Eat

New Form Restaurant, Kalpetta. Ph : 9446295613.
Megha Lodge, Kalpetta Ph : 202584.
The Woodlands, Kalpetta Ph : 202547.
Hotel Pankaj
Hotel Prince
Jubilee Restaurant

Lakkidi (55 km from Kozhikode, 5 km from Vythiri) : Located at 700 m ASL at the top of the Thamarassery ghat pass. It is a scenic hill station. Legendary chain tree is near the temple. The famous 100 ft high tree houses are at Vythiri. These eco friendly house has attched bathrooms to double bed rooms !.

Pookot lake : This scenic perennial lake is located 400 m from NH 212, in between Lakkidi and Vythiri. Entry Rs 10, Still camera Rs 10, Video Rs 100. There is boating facility in the lake up to 5 pm. A small aquarium (Rs 2) and handicrafts and spices shops are near by. It is 15 km from Kalpetta.

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After visiting the Pookot lake, I reached Vaduvanchal via Chundel-Meppady by bus. Had breakfast from Hotel Santhosh near Megha Lodge. Luckly got a bus going to the falls. Falls is 2 km walk from Gudallur road.

**Perfection** · 11-17-2009, 02:30 PM

Meenumutty falls : The most spectacular waterfall of Wayanad, 5 km from Vaduvanchal. From Gudallur road, 1 km is jeepable road and the rest 1 km is trekking via forested route. Forest check post charges Rs 300 for a group of 10 persons. Rs 30 for extra person. It is a guided trek on the periphery of the forest to see the two waterfalls. There is plenty of ropes to help the climb.

During this 2 hour climb, first we visited the 2nd waterfall, we get a side view. Then we proceed to 1st warerfall, it was quiet impressive. We reached the base of the falls with the help of fixed rope over slippery rocks. During this stretch of the trek we climb down all the way. Now from there 1st waterfall, there is a steep climb (short cut) to the forest checkpost.

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There is a day guided trek to Nilambur via forests of Wayanad. One has to get permission from Forest office, Meppady. The Approx cost of the guided trek is around Rs 2000 for a group of eight persons. Contact : Mr. Joy, 9947692146.

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Sunrise valley at Kadassei is a nice place to visit from Vaduvanchal.

Ooty is 90 km away via Gudallur. Muthumalai wildlife sanctuary and Masinagudi are 20 km from Gudallur. There is a Gudallur bus from Kozhikode reaching Vaduvanchal at 11.15 am daily. Jeep services to Tamil Nadu border village.

Chundale tea plantation

**Perfection** · 11-17-2009, 02:32 PM

Wayanad Heritage Museum, Ambalavayal : It houses artefacts and belongings of the tirbes of Wayanad. Rs 10 for Entry, Rs 100 for Video. Open from 9 am to 5 pm. 11 km from Vaduvanchal.

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Phantom rock : A special shaped rock in a metal quary, 2 km from Wayanad Heritage Museum via Ayiramkolli junction.

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Edakkal Caves : This prehistoric cave having New stone age pictorial writing is at a height of 1000 m on Ambukuthy Mala. Accessible by a 1.2 km trek from Ambalawayal-Bathery road. Rs 10 for Entry, Rs 25 Still camera, Rs 100 for Video. Open from 9 am to 5 pm. It is 15 km from Vaduvanchal and 12 km from Bathery. Edakkal Hermittage, Edakkal Ph : 221860.

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After visiting the Edakkal caves, I reached Kalpetta via. Sulthan Bathery by bus.

Where to Stay & Eat

Keerthy Tourist Home, Sulthan Bathery
Sagar Family Restaurant, Sulthan Bathery
Issac's The Resort, Sulthan Bathery

**Perfection** · 12-13-2009, 06:06 AM

Krishnanattam is a temple art in Kerala, India. It is a Kathakali-like dance drama and presents the story of in a series of eight plays. It survives in its glory at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple (Thrissur District, Kerala State, India). The performance is based on the Sanskrit poem Krishnagiti. The actors conform themselves to a set of facial expressions, movements and gestures.

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**Perfection** · 12-23-2009, 02:14 PM

Sabarimala pilgrimmage

**Perfection** · 11-17-2009, 02:58 PM

Tholpetty sanctuary , Wayanad

On 12th Oct 09, I have travelled from Kozhikode to Manathavady by LS Ordinary bus. It took 3.5 hour (fare was Rs 59). Mysore is 107 km and Thalassery is 81 km from Manathavady. I stayed at Ciba Tourist Home, near the Gandhi square. Ph : 540107. I enjoyed the homely supper from Winner's Restaurant on Mysore road. On the next day, I reached the Gandhi sqaure at 5.30 am for catching the Kutta bus. Kutta is a small town in Karnataka and has frequent Ordinary State buses.

Famous hill staion with coffee plantations, Madikeri, can also be accessed from here. There was a 5.50 am bus to Tirunelli temple (30 km) and another to Mysore via HD Kote (107 km). At 6 am, I boarded the Kutta bus and took a ticket to Tholpetty (Rs 13, 20 km). I enjoyed the travel as there was mist and a cool weather. The route was via Kattikulam (where the Mysore road bifurcates from Kutta road, Kuruva island is 6 km away), and Begur (Tirunelli road bifurcation, 13 km). The travel through the forests of Begur wildlife sanctuary was a thrilling experience.

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Spotting of wildlife is a matter of luck. I was lucky to see more than a hundred deers, a varierty of birds, monkeys and two peacocks on the way. I reached Tholpetty sanctuary at around 6.45 am, 3 km before Kutta. The sanctuary opens from 7 to 9 am and 3 to 5 pm daily. The first trip (morning) visitors will be lucky to view maximum animals. There was no tourists to visit the sanctuary on that day. Entry fee Rs 10 per adult, Video Rs 150, Still camera Rs 25, Vehicle Entry fee Rs 50, Guide fee Rs 100, 8 seater jeep rent Rs 300. Thus for the travel, I have to pay Rs 610 with a Video camera. In Muthanga sanctuary, I was able to spot only 5 to7 deers a week ago. So I cancelled the plan to visit the sanctuary.

Tholpetty sanctuary phone : 04935 250853, 270100. DFO Mananthwady : 04935 240233. DTPC Ph: 04936 202134.

Tholpetty sanctuary is less frequeanted as it is remote compared to the Muthanga sanctuary. So it has more chance to spot wildlife viz Elephants, tiger, bison, bear, peacocks and ofcource deer. The Nagarhole Wildlife sanctuary is 12 km away in Karnataka.

There is sanctuary trek at Rs 800 for 5 persons with advance booking. I opt to trek back to Begur through the forest road. It was around 8 am and I strated the walk. There is a resort and a small mess house nearby. On the way, few deers, birds and a peacock were sighted. I reached the Tirunelli junction after walking a 7 km jungle road. At around 9.30 am I get a bus to Tirunelli temple (13 km). The route to the temple was zigzag and the location is scenic.

Where to Stay & Eat at Manathawady

Deluxe Tourist Home, ASME Lodge, Hotel Riviera
Indian Coffee House, Mysore road
Udupi the Veg, Gandhi square
Regal Bakery
Aryas Bakery
Century Restaurant