WAYANAD - KERALA
(20 km east of Manarathavady, 13 km from Thirunelly on the Kodagu Road. Open 0600 - 0800 hrs, 1500 -1730 hrs) This sanctuary has a wide variety of animals, but visitors are restricted to the outer tourist zone. Permitting authority. Asst. Wildlife Warden, Tholpetty, Ph: 04935-250853
Korome Mosque:
(23 km from Mananthavady) Constructed in the traditional Kerala style, this 300-year-oldmosque is noted for its extensive wood carvings. Originally built by the Nair community, the mosque is seen asan excellent example of communal harmony. In fact, the annual Uroos Festival conducted here draws participants from all communities.
ValliyurkavuBhagavathyTemple:
(8 km east of Mananthavady) This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The two-week long festival in February/March is attended by hundreds of tribals.
Kuruvadweep:
(17 km east of Mananthavady, 145 km northt east of Sulthan Bathery) This 950 acre, uninhabited island on the eastward bound KabaniRiver is an ideal picnic spot. The wooded stretch of land is home to rare species of birds, orchids and herbs. Permitting authority. Divisional Forest Officer, South Wayanad, Kalpetta Ph: 0091-4936-203428
Boys Town:
(15 km north of Mananthavady) Herbal garden, nature care centre, sericulture unit, permaculture centre erc., established by the Wayanad Social Service Society and the Gene Park - an Indo-Danish project for promoting herbal gardening, are situated here.
Thirunelly Temple:
(32 km northeast of Manantbavady Surrounded by the Kambamala, Karimala and the VaradigaPeaks, the ThirunellyTemple embodies classical, traditional Kerala architecture. A famous pilgrim centre, the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu - the god who maintains life, attracts hordes of devotees especially for performing ancestral rites. The shrine is shielded with 30 granite columns and the ground is paved with huge square pieces of granite. Snuggled among mountains and forests, this riverside temple is close to the mountain spring Papanashini. A ritual dip in its crystal clear waters is believed to wash away one's worldly sins.
Pakshipathalam:
(8 kmfrom Tbirunelly) This natural rock cave at the northern end of the Brahmagiri Hills is home to a wide variety of rare birds, animals and distinctive species of plants. However, the place can be accessed only by a 7 km trek from Thirunelly through deep jungle that will take about three hours. Special permission has to be obtained from the Forest Department to visit or camp at Pakshipathalam which literally means birds in tbe netber region. DTPC arranges package tours, complete with guides and camping equipments.
Trissileri Temple:
(15 km from Tbirunelly) Open 0600 - 1300 hrs, 1700 - 2000 hrs) This architecturally pleasing Siva temple is so inextricably linked to the ThirunellyTemple that the performance of rites at the latter remain incomplete until it is followed by offerings at Trissilen, This shrine has recently been renovated and Mahasivarathri is celebrated here with much fanfare during March.
Pazhassi Tomb:
(32hm northeast of Kalpetta) The memorial of Veera PazhassiRaja,the Lion of Kerala, who organised guerilla warfare against the British EastIndia Company, is situated at Mananthavady. The Pulpally Cave is where Pazhassi took refuge until he was captured bl' the British. A small structure houses a collection of memorabilia belonging to I'azhassi.
Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary:
(40 km from Mananthavady. Open 0600 - 0800 hrs and 1500 :1730 hrs) This sanctuary in KarnatakaState bordering WaY3nadextends over an area of 643.39 sq. krn. The park houses diverse species of plant and animal life.
Chembra Peak:
(18 km west of Kalpetta) At 2100 m above mean sea level, Chembra is the tallest peak in Wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking. With prior permission from the Forest Department, one-day treks and two-day wildlife treks are possible. You will have group treks of up to ten people or hike on your own accompanied by a guide.
Banasura Sagar Dam, Padinjarethara:
(25km northeast of Kalpetta) Considered to be the largest earth dam in India, as well as the second largest in Asia, this is a mini hydel project. A sprawling sanctuary and park with ever flowering trees are major tourist attractions. Boating Facilities in the dam and trekking trails leading from here draw outdoor enthusiastx.
Meenmutty Waterfall:
(29 km from Kalpetta, on the Ooty main road) An interesting 2 krn jungle trek will lead to the largest and most spectacular waterfall in Wayanad.A unique feature of Meenmutty is that the water drops from nearly 1000 ft over three stages, presenting a triple-decker effect.
Sentinel Rock Waterfall:
(23 km from Kalpetta) Locally known as soochipara (needle rocks), the pool at the foot of the falls is ideal for a quick dip. The more restrained can have equally good fun just taking in the scenery. One of the most attractive falls in the district, the water hits the sharp spikes of granite at the base and hence the name.
Kanthanpara Waterfall:
(22.km from Kalpetta) Smaller than Sentinel Rock, the nearby Kanthanpara falls and its surroundings make for an ideal picnic spot.
Thrikkaipetta Village:
(7 km east of Kalpetta) This village has become noted for the bamboo processing training and design centre called Uravu set up in 1996.Today, the centre is a beehive of activity, maintaining a bamboo nursery, designing and developing new uses of bamboo and giving training in bamboo craft involving a variety of products. This NGO wing of the State Bamboo Mission functions asa non-profit mist working to help tribals by utilising the abundant bamboo found in Wayanad.
Bathery Jain Temple:
One of the most important among the many jam temples here, the Bathery Temple is believed to have been built during the 13th century, Its design is strongly influenced by the architectural style of the then reigning Vijayanagar Dynasty. Another unique feature is the rather checkered history of the temple which fil'st served asa shrine, next as a centre of commercial trade and finally, as the ammunition store or battery ofTipu Sulthan's army. The town derives its name from that use.
Ambalavayal Heritage Museum:
(10 km from SultbanBathery) One of the best heritage museums in Kerala, it houses artefacts and belongings of the various tribes of the land.
Edakkal Caves:
(12 km from Sulthan Bathery. Open 0900 - 1700 hrs) Accessible only by a kilometre's trek from Edakkal, the wall art Foundin these cavesthat have been inhabited at various stage in history has caught the attention of archaeologists worldwide. You can see three distinct sets of petroglyphs, the earliest dating back to over 3000 years.You will also come across the only cave restaurant in the country here. Morning hours are the best time to visit the caves.
Chethalayam Falls:
(12 km east of Sulthan Bathery) This is one of Wayanad's lesser known falls. Though it tends to dry up during summer, it is a lovely place to visit and trekking enthusiasts will have an enjoyable time climbing up the rocks to the waterfall.
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary:
(17 km from Sulthan Bathery) Established in 1973, the sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka Oil the northeast and Mudumalal of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.The management lays emphasis on scicnrific conservation with due consideration for the general Iirestyle of the rribals and others who live in and around the forest region. Permitting autboritv. Wildlife Warden, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Sulthan Bathery, Ph: 04936-271010
Lakkidi:
(55 km east of Kozhikode, 5 km south of Vythiri) The gateway to Wayanad, Lakkidi is situated 700m above mean sea level, at the crest of the Tharnarasseri Ghat Pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding mads to this hill station.
Pookot Lake:
(75 km away from Kalpetta) This perennial freshwater lake in Vythiri nestling among woodedhills is a popular picnic spot. Adjacent to the lake is a spice shop, a souvenir showroom and an aquarium. And for the kids, there is a children's park at the recreation centre here.
Karalad Lake:
(In Thariode, 8 km from vythiri) An unusually quiet retreat, facilities for angling and boating as well as a recreational park are provided here. The trek to this lake can also be quite exciting.
Begur Wildlife Sanctuary:
(20 km east of Manantbhavady) This sanctuary has a wide variety of animals.
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