Wayanad, the green paradise, is nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats, the border world of the greener part of Kerala. Clean and ancient, enchanting, and mesmerizing, this land is full of history and culture. Located at a distance of 76 km.
Off the coast of Kozhikode, this veranda hill station is full of plantations, forests, and wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandipur in Karnataka, thus creating a vast terrain for wildlife to visit their most natural habitat.
Regarding the geographical location, Wayanad district is situated on the southern apex of the Deccan Plateau and its main glory is the majestic Western Ghats which is surrounded by rugged and rugged terrain with dense forests, tangled turtles, and deep valleys. Major tourist centers of South India like Ooty, Mysore, Bangalore, Coorg, and Kannur are located around the region as the place also attains a strategic location.
Covering an area of 2132 km, with a population density of 369 people/km area within a population of 780,619 people (2001 census), Wayanad consists of 3 talukas – Mantavadhyadi, Sultan Bathery, and Vithiri. The district headquarters is located in Kalpetta municipality with a population of 29,602 as per the 2001 census.
Wayanad enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year. The average mean rainfall in this district is 2322 m.m. Lakkidi, Vyathiri, and Mappadi are high rainfall areas in the Wayanad. The annual rainfall in these high rainfall areas varies from 3,000 to 4,000m.m. High-velocity winds are common during the southwest monsoon and dry winds in March – April. High altitude areas experience severe cold. In Ambalavayal of Wayanad, tribes in the Wayanadamian maximum and minimum temperatures for the past five years were 29oC and 18oC respectively.
This place experiences a high relative humidity that increases to 95 percent during the southwest monsoon period. Generally, the year is classified into four seasons, namely, cold season (December – February), warm-season (March-May), southwest monsoon (June – September), and northeast monsoon (October – November). ). Nestled among the hills of Vythiri taluk, Lalkidi receives the highest average rainfall in Kerala.
A misty environment of Wayanad offers a wide range of trekking opportunities, tree planting trips, and wildlife tours.
It was on Manthavadi (35 km N) that Lord Arthur Wellesley fought a guerrilla war with 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 a part of Kannur district was connected to Calicut district. Wayanad region was separated from Kannur and Kozhikode districts in 1980 and consisted of three taluks Mananathavady, Sultan Bathery, and Vythriy.
Kalpetta, the district headquarters (15 km N) of the region, used to be a major Jain center. Elephant Crossing Roadlakidi, its gateway city, is popular for its plantation houses. The famous ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, who opposed the British, built a fort in Sultan Bathery, 10 km away in the 18th century.
Established in 1973, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is embedded in the protected area network in the north-east of Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu in the south-east. Rich in biodiversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, established with the specific objective of preserving the region’s biological heritage. Consisting of a fully notified reserve, the sanctuary is very rich in fauna and flora. The management of the sanctuary emphasizes scientific preservation with due consideration for the general lifestyle of the tribals and others living on the edge of the forest.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala and contains rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. It is surrounded by the protected areas of Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu as well as Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka. Established in the year 1973, the wildlife sanctuary is an integral part of the Eucalyptus Biosphere Reserve, which was the first of 14 biospheres present in India. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 345 sq km and consists of two parts like Upper Wayanad and Lower Wayanad. Eucalyptus, as well as bamboo trees, are grown in this region.
Chembra peak
Near Meppady and just 8 km south of Kalpetta, Wayanad Hill Range has the highest peak – Chambra Peak at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. The Kembara peak is not only the entire Wayanad district but a large part of the Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Nilgiri districts. The summit, the lush greenery surrounding it, and the famous heart-shaped lake, make it a paradise for travelers.
Sochipara Falls (Sentinel Rock Falls)
Sentinel Rock Falls, the Sochipara Falls is a three-tier waterfall in Velenarmala, Wayanad. Surrounded by deciduous, evergreen, and montane forests, this waterfall is considered one of the best waterfalls. The drive from Meppadi to the Sentinel Rock Falls provides visitors with a beautiful view of some of the finest tea estates in Wayanad.
This enchanting waterfall is 200 meters high which is also ideal for rock climbing. Also, since the water falling from the waterfall forms a large pool, swimming and bathing can be enjoyed in it. The water falling from Soochipara later merges into the Chulika River aka Chaliyar River after the hills of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Edakkal Caves
Famous for its exquisite rock and wall carvings, the pre-historic Edakkal caves are two naturally occurring alcoves located in the Wayanad district of Kerala. The caves measure 96 and 22 feet in length and breadth respectively and lie 1200 meters above sea level. Due to its precarious space, one needs to trek for another half hour (about 4000 feet) to hit the entrance to the cave, and 45 minutes to reach the mouth of the cave. The size of the stone in the inner part of the cave is believed to be old from 5000 BCE to 1000 BCE.
Edikkal literally means ‘a stone in the middle’ and an appropriate description of its construction. A small rock has been dropped between 2 large ones to form a natural cave. In the most difficult sense of the word, it is not a cave, but a natural fissure in the rock, with a heavy boulder on top. Thus the cave has 2 levels. The first level of the cave can be traced through a small opening. Just opposite it is a passage leading to another opening, this time into the roof. Here you come to another level which is very big in size.
Visitors have to find uneven boulders, an iron staircase, and rock walls covered with fungus to explore the caves. The walls are covered with carvings of animal and human figures, some of which are blurred but for the most part clear. The clarity of the carvings is even more amazing as they have survived.
Banasura Dam
The picturesque Banasura Sagar Dam is situated in the lap of the Banasura hills in Wayanad district. The Banasur dam is the largest in the country and the second-largest dam in Asia. The view of the huge reservoir from above the dam is breathtaking. Thrills like speed boating are easily available, and a stream up to Banasur Peak is filled with streams, diverse flora, fauna, lush tropical greens, and majestic springs. An earthen dam, also known as an earthen dam, is made of clay, sand, rock, or earthen mounds. The view of Banasura Lake from the top of the hill is mesmerizing.
Chain tree
Chain tree is a popular focus, with many myths associated with it. According to a legend, the road was built by a foreign engineer, but the route was given to him by a local tribal youth who was shot and killed by the engineer.
His soul was said to have clung to the tree, causing many accidents on the hairpin curve. Another story says that when the British first came to Wayanad, the tribal Mahavat took them to the top of the mountains. Since the Portuguese were behind them, they did not want the Mahavat to go back and get the Portuguese. So they killed the mahout, whose soul lived in the area that caused the accidents. A local priest later gripped the spirit with a chained tree.
Also read, 15 Beautiful Reasons Why You should visit Thailand at least Once in Your Lifetime
Pookode Lake
Pookode Lake is a natural freshwater lake located about 2 km from Vythiri, which is situated in evergreen forests and wood slopes. One of the most beautiful lakes in Wayanad, Pookode Lake. The lake, accessible via a motor-worthy road, is an excellent location for a walk, especially with family and loved ones. Apart from the scenic view, people enjoy boating, freshwater aquariums, shopping for handicrafts, and just walking around.
The Panamaram River, which is one of the main branches of the Kabini River, originates from Pukot Lake and then joins the Panamaram Valley. Pukode Lake goes back from Lakkidih towards Vayathiri. It is located at a distance of 3 km from the visual area of the valley and 2 km from Vythiri. The lake is easily accessible by hiring a car, bus, auto-rickshaw, or taxi.
Poopoli Wayanad Flower Show
The Poopoli National Agrifest and Wayanad Flower Show at Ambalavayal in Kerala are held in January every year and the new year begins. It is the largest flower show in Kerala and a place to showcase and discover the latest trends and techniques in horticulture and floriculture. The Wayanad Flower Show is a beautiful exhibition of stunning flowers, with more than 100 stalls a year. The vertical gardens and a variety of flowers are the main attraction of this festival, and in addition, the flower show is an occasion for adventure games and cuisines.
Sita Devi Temple
Situated at Pulpalli in Wayanad district of Kerala, Sita Devi Temple is unique as it is the only temple in the state that worships the children of Sita, Lava, and Khushi. The main deity of the temple is the goddess Sita, and the legends of the Ramayana are closely related to the temple and its shrine. The temple’s pond is the largest, and according to legend, it is also the place where Sita disappeared into the earth.
Sri Pazhassi Raja built the temple in the 18th century. The temple was later managed by the Kuppathode family and the Nair family of Wayanad. To this day, one member of the family is the trustee of the temple. Tipu Sultan tried to destroy the temple but withdrew due to excessive darkness in the afternoon, believed to be a miracle of the goddess.
If you enjoyed this post, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend or sharing it on Instagram Twitter, Facebook. Thank you!
Also read,
1 Comment
Pingback: Amsterdam - 6 Enchanting Reasons Why Should you Visit the Venice of North - TheUnblog