Destination Kerala - Wynad
Wynad with its peculiar and unique geographical position is blessed with mist clad mountains and sylvan Valleys. It is situated at a height of 700 to 2100 metres above sea level, bounded on the east by the Nilgris in Tamil Nadu and Mysore in Karnataka,on the north by Coorg district of Karnataka, on the South by Malappuram district and on the west by Calicut and Cannanore districts.
In ancient days, this area was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe and later came under the control of Pazhassi Rajas of Kottayam Royal dynasty, Tippu Sultan of Mysore and the British. The present district of Wynad came into being in 1980. Wynad has the highest concentration of tribals in Kerala.
Kalpetta
Kalpetta is the headquarters of Wynad district. The
famous Anathanathaswami Jain Temple situates at Puliyarmala, 6 Km. away from Kalpetta.
Tourist Office : District Tourist Promotion Council (Ph:0493-602134,602712). has a tourist information counter at Pookot lake.
Places of interest
Pookot Lake : This is a beautiful natural fresh water lake surrounded by evergreen forest and wooded hills. Boating facilities, Children's Park and shopping centre for handicrafts and spices of Wynad are arranged by District Tourism
Promotion Council. A fresh-water aquarium with wide varieties of fishes is managed by Fisheries Department.
Chembra Peak : This is the highest peak in Wynad at 2100m. above sea level and is ideal for trekking. It is 14 kms. west of Kalpetta.
Lakkidi: It is a place of great scenic beauty with picturesque hills, streams and luxuriant vegetation. It is one of the highest locations in Wynad and has registered the second highest degree of rain fall in the world. The natural fresh water lake at Pookote is one of the rare perienial water reservoirs.
Mananthavady
Mananthavady lies on the western ghats of Kerala, south east of Cannanore, at a height of about 500 mts. above sea level. Forests of Mananthavady are one of the most noted scenic beauties of Kerala. This place has a historic importance since this is the last resting place of the Great Pazhassi Raja who fought against the British.
Wild Life Tour
Tourist Desk Cochin (Ph : 0484-2371761) organises 3 days wild life tour from Cochin and Mysore. Accomodation is arranged in a 50 year old heritage home, very close to the nearby sancuatry, near Mananthavady.
Places of Interest
Thirunelly Temple : This Vishnu temple is often referred to as ‘Kasi of the South’. The location of the temple has an enchanting natural beauty and it is situated 32 Km. away from Mananthavady. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Brahma himself installed the idol of Lord Vishnu in this temple. A little away from this temple is the mountain spring called ‘Papanasini’ which is believed to provide eternal bliss to the visitors. Puthari, Chuttuvilakku, Navarathri, Sivarathri and Sreekrishna Jayanthi are the festivals celebrated in this temple.
Accommodation is available at the Temple rest house, (Ph : 0493 - 510290) Double room - Rs.105 and dormitory Rs. 10 per person.
Valliyurkavu Bhagavathi temple : This temple is located about 8 Km. east of Mananthavady town and it is devoted to Goddess Durga. Every year a festival which lasts for 2 weeks is celebrated in February/March. Tribals from all over the district attend this festival.
Pakshipathalam : This place located 10 Km. away from Thirunelli is an important bird watching centre. Rare species of birds can be seen from the watch tower. Trekking is the only mode to reach this place. There is also a cave believed to be used by saints for meditation.
Kuruva Island : 16 Km. from Mananthavady, situated on the river Kabani, these islands are gaining more importance day by day due to ecological relevance. This tiny delta is an abundant resource for herbal plants, orchids and rare species of flowers; and home for different types of animals and birds.
The Tomb of Pazhassi Raja : The abode of eternal bliss of the Great Pazhassi Raja is situated here. There is also a park built in memory of Pazhassi Raja.
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary : This sanctuary is situated about 15 Km. away from Mananthavady. The sanctuary provides home for a diversity of animals like elephant, bear, deer, wild pig, etc. Accommodation facilitiy is available at Forest Guest House. Tariff Rs.250 for double occupancy.
Nagarhole wild life Sanctuary : The wild life Sanctuary of Nagarhole of Karnataka State is 40 Km. away from Mananthavady. (For more details refer the wild life sanctuaries of Karnataka)
Begur Wild Life Sanctuary : It is 20 kms. east of Mananthavady and has a wide varieties of animals.
Transport
From Cannanore, Tellicherry and Calicut there are
frequent buses to Mananthavady. From Mananthavadi there are buses to Mysore and Ooty.
Sulthan Battery
About 98 Km. from Calicut, in the high ranges, Sulthan Battery is the nearest town on the border of the Karnataka State. This place was formerly known as Ganapathivattom, the fields of Lord Ganapathi’. The place derives its present name from Tippu Sulthan of Mysore who built a fort here in the 18th century.
Places of Interest
Edakkal Caves : There are two caves on the Ambukuthi Hills, lying between Sulthan Battery and Ambalavayal. The walls of the caves are decorated by many pictorial writings of the New Stone Age Civilization. The caves have became famous all over the world as one of the earliest centres of human habitate.
The cave can be reached only by a short trekking from Edakkal, which is 16 Kms from Sulthan Battery. The entry to the cave is only upto 5 p.m. and the best time to visit is during morning hours.
Chethalayam Water fall : There is a beautiful water fall at Chethalayam about 12 Km from Sulthan Battery on the Pulpally main road. The waterfalls can be reached by trekking 4 Km. from Chethalayam.
Panamaram : The remnants of the historic fort of the Valiant Pazhassi Raja can be seen at Panamaram, 29 Km. from Sultan Battery.
Festivals of Wynad
Major festivals in Wynad district are Valliyurkavu (March-14-28), Thirunelly (August), Seethadevi Temple, Pulpally (January first week), Pallikkunnu Church (Februray 2nd week), Nadavayal St. Thomas church (January 1st week), Varambatta mosque (March last week) and Maidani mosque, Kalpetta (March - April)
Arts
The major tribal arts performed in the district are "Vattakkali" and "Kooliyattam" using Thudi and Kuzhal by Paniyas; Gadhika by Adiyas, "Kolkkali" by Kurumas and "Nellukuthu pattu" by Kurichias.
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