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Wayanad Travel Guide

wayanad, One of the fourteen districts in Kerala (India) is situated in an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in Western Ghats. Providing a panorama of undulating mist clad hills and dales, Wayanad is blessed with a unique geographical position. Luxuriant plantations of coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber are strewn all over the hills of Wayanad. Situated at a height of 700-2100 m above sea level, it is bound on the east by the Nilgiris and the Mysore districts of Tamilnadu and Karnataka respectively.

It shares the borders with Coorg district of Karnataka on the north, on the south with Malappuram district and on the west with Calicut and Cannanore districts. The natural scenic beauty of Wayanad and its rich natural resources offer several opportunities for adventure tourism.

Located at the northeastern tip of Kerala, Wayanad was earlier a part of Kannur district. Panorama, Manathavady and Kabini, the fast flowing rivers lend a unique beauty to the whole region

SIGHTSEEING PLACES OF Wayanad

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipore of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, 15 kms from Calicut is bisected by a tract of cultivated land into two distinct parts. One falls in the Kozhikode District and the other in the Kannur District. Wayanad literally means the 'land of swamps'.

Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the nilgiri biosphere reserve, which has been established with the chief objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region.

The sanctuary has excellent moist deciduous teak forests and marshes dominated by bamboo and other grasses. These forests are also said to be amongst the most extensively forested belts in the Indian Peninsula. Lakkidi Lakkidi, the gateway of Wayanad, is situated 700 m above mean sea level, at the crest of the Thamaraserri ghat pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads to this hill station. Lakkidi, the gateway of Wayanad, is situated 700 m above mean sea level, at the crest of the Thamaraserri ghat pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads to this hill station. Lakkidi is one of the highest locations in Wayanad, and registers the second highest degree of Rainfall in the world.

Killikkurissimangalam in Lakkidi is the birthplace of Kunjan Nambiar, Kerala's famous satirist poet, who is regarded as the progenitor of Ottanthullal, the traditional solo dance narration.

His songs combine satirical barbs with rib tickling laughter. Some of the famous lines are still quoted to lampoon contemporary social injustices. The poet's house is preserved as a monument by the Government of Kerala.

3 km from Lakkidi is the Pookot Lake, the natural fresh water Lake, very wide and deep, one of the rare reservoirs of water in Wayanad. Surrounded on all sides by meadows and hills, it has become a favorite picnic spot

Edakkal Caves(12Km.) Situated on Ambukuthi Hills, Edakkal caves are 10 kilometers from Sultanbathery, in Wayanad district Formed by a large split in a huge rock, the two natural rock formations represent the world's richest pictographic gallery of its kind.

The two caves located at a height of 1000m on Ambukutty Mala near Ambalavayal can be accessed only by a 1 km trek trail from Edakkal. Edakkal literally means 'a stone in between'. It is a prehistoric 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 rock engravings stand out distinct among the magnitude of prehistoric visual archives of paintings and graphic signs all over the world Pakshipathalam (7Km.) 7 kms north east of Thirunelli, this picturesque bird watching centre is located at a formidable height of 1740 m above sea level. With its steep hills, virgin forests and rivulets, it is the habitat of a number of rare species of birds.It also offers challenging avenues for those interested in trekking Pakshipathalam, located 7 kms north east of Thirunelli Temple in Brahma Giri Hills is a challenging tourist spot. A trekkers' paradise, this place is accessibe only by trekking.

Located at an altitude of 1740 m above sea level, this hill station offers great opportunities for bird watching. One has to trek 17 kms through the wild forests, to reach 'Pakshipathalam'.

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. One can watch rare species of birds from the watchtower of the Bird sanctuary located nearby.

One has to obtain special permission from forest department to go to Pakshipathalam. DTPC (District Tourism Promotion Council) arranges vehicle, guides, camping apparatus etc. to the tourists on hire.

Located 30 kms north west of Mananthavadi in the Wayanad district, Thirunelli Temple is known as the "Kashi of South". Tucked away in the Brahmagiri Hills, Thirunelli Temple is encircled by the gurgling River Papanasini.

Thirunelli Temple Located 30 kms north west of Mananthavadi in the Wayanad district, Thirunelli Temple is known as the "Kashi of South". Tucked away in the Brahmagiri Hills, Thirunelli Temple is encircled by the gurgling River Papanasini.

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is an architectural marvel with 30 granite pieces supporting the shrine and the floor paved with huge square granite blocks.

The 'Koothambalam' here is one of the best in the State and rare paintings adorn the temple walls. Papanasini, the holy mountain spring believed to have divine cleansing powers to absolve the soul of all its sins is situated nearby.

Kuruva Island 17 kms east of Mananthavadi, it stretches over 950 acres of evergreen forests on the banks of Themkabani River. The island is a repository of rare species of birds, animals, orchids and herbs.

Banasura Dam 15 kms north west of Kalpetta, Banasura Dam is the largest earth dam in India. A vast expanse of crystal clear water bounded by blue hills on all sides, except one. Its an ideal picnic spot.

Vythiri Vythiri is a picturesque place located in the sylvan Northern High Ranges of Kerala in Wayanad District. Exclusive, comfortable, refreshing, pollution free and inspiring.

Vythiri is a picturesque place located in the sylvan Northern High Ranges of Kerala in Wayanad District. Exclusive, comfortable, refreshing, pollution free and inspiring.

Acres and acres of lush green land interspersed with perennial streams and rolling hills, at Vythiri, an undertaking of Primeland Holdings Pvt. Ltd. situated near the Pookot Lake, in Wayanad District.

An area that breathes history and legend, Vythiri was the natural choice because of its accessibility beauty and pleasant climate. Rising 2600 ft. above sea level, Vythiri had been a retreat for English planters during colonial times.

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Alleppey Travel Guide

Alleppey Beach is one of the most popular spots in the district of Alleppey. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 140 years old. The beach is good and quite clean, on the southern side there is a park for children. On northern side the sea-view park with boating facilities is another place to visit and spend a relaxing time. There is also an old lighthouse which attracts its fair share of visitors.

Champakulam Church One of the oldest churches in Kerala, the St. Mary's Church is believed to be one of the seven established by St Thomas. For interests sake, the annual feast at this church falls on the 3rd Sunday of October every year and the feast of St Thomas is celebrated on March 19th.

Chavara Bhavan is the ancestral home of the blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara. It is now a holy shrine and spiritual resort where thousands of devotees gather for prayer, receive favours and feel amply gratified. Here, a 250 year old historically important beacon is preserved. 6km from Alappuzha, it is accessible only by boat.

Chettikulangara Bhagawathy Temple, Chettikulangara A distinctive feature of this temple, 5km from Kayamkulam, is the huge oil lamp called Kathuvilakku (made of granite) which accommodates more than a thousand wicks. The Bhadrakali deity is said to have miraculous power. The temple is abuzz with activity in the months of February and March on the occasion of Bharani and visiting during this period more interesting generally.

Coir Manufacturers An interesting trip while visiting this part of India is to take a tour through the coir factories. Manufactured from coconut husk into rope or coir yarn it makes for an interesting break from temples and the like.

Karaumadikuttan 3km east of Ambalapuzhan Many fascinating legends are associated with this 11th century statue of Lord Buddha worth stopping off at for a 'look see'.

Krishnapuram Palace located 47km from Alleppey, at Kayamkulam, on the way to Kollam, is a double storeyed palace containing one of the greatest Mural panels in Kerala. The 18th century palace with its gabled roofs, dormer windows, and narrow corridors, built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma, is a typical example of Kerala Architecture. The main attraction is a mural called the Gajendra Moksham, measuring some 14 feet by 11 feet (making it the largest in the region) and is at the western end of the ground floor, a short distance from the palace pool. Inside is also a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes.

Krishna Menon Museum has a section of artifacts in honour of the great Indian leader V.K.Krishna Menon, where the personal belongings and souveniers gifted by this world leader are exhibited.

Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala, because of her wealth of paddy crops, is at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad, with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of bananas, cassava and yams, which accompany the rice bowl as "side dishes". This is perhaps the only land in the world where farming is done below sea level. Inland waterways, which flow above land level, are an amazing feature of the unique landscape.

Mannarasala Temple Situated near Harippad 32km south of Alleppey, is a serpent shrine under the patronage of a Brahman family, headed by a priestess. Legend has it that the first priestess of Mannarasala gave birth to a five-headed snake, which is believed to reside in the ancestral house to safeguard the family. In Mannarasala barren women are believed to become blessed with children and a specific turmeric paste available at the shrine is credited with powers to cure ailments as bad as leprosy.

Punappra A short distance from Alappuzha (Alleppey), this village has been rendered famous by the heroic struggles between the communists and Travancore State Police.

Sree Krishna Temple, located in Ambalappuzha 14km south of Alleppey is where you can see this temple built in the typical Kerala architectural style, famous all over Kerala for Palpayasam, the daily offering of deliciously sweet milk porridge, which tastes like rice pudding. It is also in this temple that Pallipana is performed by Velans (sorcerers) once in twelve years. Human sacrifice was conducted here in ancient times (it was officially banned in 1949!). Luckily roosters have now replaced humans on the sacrificial altar. Paintings of the Dasavatharam are on display on the inner walls of the Chuttamabalam. Ottanbulla, a satiric art form originated by the poet Kunchan Nambiar, was first preformed on the premises of this temple.

St. Sebastian’s Church Located in Arthunkal 22km north of Alleppey is an important Christian pilgrim centre. The annual festival Arthunkal Perunnal, the feast of the patron saint is held here in January.

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