Wayanad district
ESCAPE tO tHE hEART oF nATUREWayanad District CLOSE TO NATURE is a district in the north-east of Kerala state, India with headquarters at the town of Kalpetta. The district was formed on 1 November 1980 as the 12th district in Kerala by carving out areas from Kozhikode and Kannur districts. The district is 3.79% urbanised, with three municipal towns Kalpetta, Mananthavady and Sulthan Bathery.
Wayanad district is in the southern tip of the Deccan Plateau. Part of the Western Ghats is in the district. In the centre of the district hills are lower in height while the northern area has high hills.[citation needed] The eastern area is flat and open.
The region was known as Mayakshetra (Maya's land) in the earliest records. Mayakshetra evolved into Mayanad and finally to Wayanad. The Folk etymology of the word says it is a combination of Vayal (paddy field) and Naad (land), making it 'The Land of Paddy Fields'. There are many indigenous tribals in this area.
It is set high on the Western Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 m.
It is the least populous district in Kerala.
Unlike all other 13 districts of Kerala, in Wayanad district, there is no town or village named same as the district (i.e., there is no "Wayanad town").
According to archaeological evidence, the Wayanad forests have been inhabited for more than 3,000 years. Historians are of the view that human settlement existed in these parts for at least ten centuries before Christ. Much evidence of New Stone Age civilisation can be seen in the hills throughout the present day Wayanad district. Recorded history of this district is available from the 18th century. In ancient times, this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe. In later days, Wayanad came under the rule of the Pazhassi Rajahs of Kottayam royal dynasty. When Hyder Ali becames the ruler of Mysore, he invaded Wayanad and brought it under his sway. In the days of Tipu, Wayanad was restored to the Kottayam royal dynasty. But Tipu handed over the entire Malabar region to the British, after the Sreerangapattanam truce, he made with them. This was followed by fierce and internecine encounters between the British and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Rajah of Kottayam. When the Rajah was driven to the wilderness of Wayanad, he organised the war-like Kurichiya tribals into a sort of people's militia and engaged the British in several guerrilla type encounters. In the end, the British could get only the dead body of the Rajah, who killed himself somewhere in the interior of the forest. Thus, Wayanad fell into the hands of the British and with it came a new turn in the Home of this area. The British authorities opened up the plateau for cultivation of tea and other cash crops. Roads were laid across the dangerous slopes of Wayanad, from Kozhikode and Thalassery. These roads were extended to the cities of Mysore and Ooty through Gudalur. Through the roads poured in settlers from all parts of Kerala and the virgin forest lands proved a veritable goldmine with incredible yields of cash crops. When the State of Kerala came into being in November 1956, Wayanad was part of Kannur district. Later, south Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district. In order to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Wayanad for development, north Wayanad and South Wayanad were carved out and joined together to form the present district of Wayanad. This district came into being on November 1, 1980 as the 12 district of Kerala
AND SO SOME IMPORTANT PLACES THAT YOU ALL SHOULD VISIT AT WAYANAD.
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary
Elephants roam freely here and tigers are sighted occasionally. Various species of deer, monkeys, birds etc also live here. The Reserve is also home to a small population of tigers, a profusion of birds, butterflies and insects. The trees and plants in the sanctuary are typical of the south Indian moist deciduous forests and west coast semi evergreen forests. A drive along the road to Muthanga and further, offers chances to watch these roaming animals. Elephant rides are arranged by the Forest Department.
Pookode Lake
Pookode Lake is a scenic freshwater lake in the Wayanad district in Kerala, South India. Pookode is a natural fresh water lake nestling amid evergreen forests and mountain slopes at an altitude of 770 meters above sea level. It is 15 km away from Kalpetta.
Panamaram, the rivulet which ultimately becomes Kabani River, originates from the Pookode lake. It is spread across an area of 8.5 hectares and with a maximum depth of 6.5 metres. Lying 3 km south of Vythiri town, the lake is one of the most popular tourist spots in Wayanad.
The lake has the shape of India's map. This perennial fresh water lake, nestled among wooded hills, is only one of its kinds in Kerala. Pethia pookodensis, is a species of cyprinid fish known to occur only in Pookode Lake. The lake has abundance of blue lotus and fresh water fishes. The forests surrounding the lake hold many wild animals, birds and flies.There are groups of Blue water lily flowers scattered here and there in the lake.
The lake is under the South Wayanad forest division and run by District Tourism promotion council. Boating facilities, children's park, handicrafts and spices emporium and fresh water aquarium are among the tourist attractions here.
PAKSHI PATHALAM
Pakshi Pathalam Cave is a must-visit for those of you who are bird lovers – the birds that live on trees, we mean! The ideal spot for an ornithologist, Pakshi Pathalam Cave literally means ‘home of birds’. Located 1740 meters above sea level, this bird-watchers’ paradise nestles cozily in the Brahmagiri hills at Thirunelli in Kerala. Of course, as the name suggests, Pakshi Pathalam Cave, the caves here are famous for rare birds such as the ‘edible nest swift’ that make saliva nests. The forests here are also natural habitats for elephants and deers.
Pakshi Pathalam Cave is 16 kilometers (to and fro) and the route goes through enchanting wild forest. The deep rock caves, formed among the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri, are the abode of various birds and wild beasts.
Pakshi Pathalam Cave proves to be a challenging spot for any adventure hungry tourist. Trekkers will find several trekking trails. Permission has to be sought from the Forest Department and they provide the necessary facilities for trekkers.
Pakshi Pathalam Cave is a huge black granite hill which makes it a major attraction for tourists. The unusual species of birds found here is another reason why this place attracts visitors from all over.
BANASURA DAM
Another tourist attraction of Kalpetta is Banasura Sagar dam. It is the largest earth dam in India and the second largest of its kind in Asia. The dam is made up of massive stacks of stones and boulders.
Situated about 15 km from Kalpetta, the dam holds a large expanse of water and its picturesque beauty is enhanced by the chain of mountains seen on the backdrop. It is constructed in the Banasura Lake and the nearby mountains are known as Banasura Hills. Legends say that the Asura king of Banasura, (the son of King Mahabali, who is believed to visit Kerala during every Onam festival) undertook a severe penance on the top of these hills and thus it was named after him. The scenic mountains beckon adventure tourists and the dam site is an ideal starting point for trekking.
During monsoon, visitors may also be able to see small islands in the dam’s reservoir. They are formed while the flooded reservoir submerges the surrounding areas too. The vast expanse of the crystal clear water of the dam dotted with small islands is a photographer’s delight.
ഒരു അണക്കെട്ടും കനാൽ അടങ്ങുന്ന ബാണാസുര സാഗർ ഡാം ഇന്ത്യൻ ബാണാസുര സാഗർ പദ്ധതിയുടെ ഭാഗമായി ഓപ്പറേറ്റിങ് തുടങ്ങി. . ജല ദൌർലഭ്യം ഉണ്ടെങ്കിൽ അത് കക്കയം ജലവൈദ്യുത പദ്ധതി പിന്തുണച്ചപ്പോൾ ജലസേചനത്തിനായി സംഭാവന വേനൽക്കാലത്ത് ജനങ്ങളുടെ വെള്ളം ആവശ്യകതകൾ കുടിവെള്ള ലക്ഷ്യം
SOOJIPARA WATERFALLS
Soojipara is one of the beautiful places in Wayanad. The water falls from 100ft to 300ft heights is the uniqueness. To reach the waterfall, one has to trek down 2 km approximately over steep rocks. Another attraction of the place is the tree top huts which will give a unique view of the valley of the western ghats. Largely un-noticed and secluded in location, Sojjipara waterfalls form a spectacular attraction near Meppady. The flowing water forms 3 tiers during its course and pours down in the form of Meenmutty, Kanthanpara and Sojjipara falls. These falls cascade from a height of 100 to 300 ft. and lead to the formation of a pool which feeds into the mouth of Chaliyar River. Sojjipara refers to Needle Rocks and the falls are called so because they fall from a narrow opening. Tourists must trek downhill for a distance of 2 km and must cross vast tea plantation areas to reach the falls. Water rafting, swimming and viewing from tree-top huts are common activities amongst visitors at Sojjipara waterfalls.
EDACAL CAVE
WikiMiniAtlas
are two natural caves at a remote location at Edakkal, 25 km from Kalpetta in the Wayanad district of Kerala in India's Western Ghats. They lie 1,200 metres above sea level on Ambukutty Mala, beside an ancient trade route connecting the high mountains of Mysore to the ports of the Malabar coast. Inside the caves are pictorial writings believed to date to at least 6,000 BC, from the Neolithic man, indicating the presence of a prehistoric civilization or settlement in this region. The Stone Age carvings of Edakkal are rare and are the only known examples from south India. The popular kannada movie edakallu guddada mele was set in the backdrop of this location
The petroglyphs inside the cave are of at least three types. The oldest may date back to over 8,000 years. Evidences suggest that the Edakkal caves were inhabited several times at different points in history.
The caves were discovered by Fred Fawcett, a police official of the erstwhile Malabar state in 1890 who immediately recognised their anthropological and historical importance. He wrote an article about them, attracting the attention of scholars.
THIRUNELLI TEMPLE
ITS REALLY MIND REFRESHING FACT WHILE VISITING THERE , SUCH A FABOLUS PLACE .
No proper records of the exact dates of establishment of temple exist, though it is beyond dispute, that Thirunelli was once an important town and pilgrim center in the middle of an inaccessible jungle valley surrounded by mountains on four sides . There exists documentary proof that Thirunelli at the time of Tamil Chera king Bhaskara Ravi Varma I (962–1019 CE) was an important town and pilgrim center in South India. In the dense jungles surrounding temple, the ruins of two ancient villages can be found. Noted historian V. R. Parameswaran Pillai in his book Thirunelli Documents states that this temple was once an integral part of the early recorded history of Kerala.
The name Thirunelli derives from the nelli, the Tamil/Malayalam word for Indian gooseberry of the Amla tree. Veda vyasa wrote the 18 existing Puranas. The Matsya Purana, Skanda Purana, Narasimha Purana, Padma Purana, and many other Puranas and Hindu texts mention the beautiful Vishnu temple as being built by Lord Brahma, located in the picturesque Sahya valley, deep in the middle of forest of unmatchable beauty, and in these texts, it is referred to as "Sahyamalaka Kshetra."[1] According to tradition, Lord Brahma was traveling round the Universe on his hamsa, when he became attracted by the beauty of the area now known as Brahmagiri Hill. Descending on that spot, Brahma noticed an idol, set in an Amla tree. Brahma recognized the idol as Lord Vishnu Himself and the place as Vaikuntha (Vishnuloka) itself. With the help of the Devas, Brahma installed the idol and called it Sahyamalak Kshetra. At Brahma’s request Vishnu promised that the waters of the area would wash away all sins. (Thus, the spring and river near the temple is called Papanasini: “washes away all sins”).
CHEMBRA PEAK
Chembra peak is situated near Meppady town and it is about 17 km from Kalpetta. It is the tallest peak in the region and a trek to the 6890 ft (2100 m above MSL ) peak is a challenge that is difficult to resist for an adventure tourist.
Journey and the Ambience
Prior permission from Forest Range Office at Meppadi is needed for the trek as it is part of the Meppadi Forest Range. A drive from Meppadi to the foothill of the peak is breathtaking and you can feel the cool wind and the lush greenery of tea estates on both sides of the road rejuvenating your spirits. You can see a three-storied forest watch tower on the foothill of the peak and a three kilometre trek from the foothill is at the same time tiring and exciting.
A heart-shaped crystal perennial lake fed by natural springs can be seen at the middle of your journey. Even if it is scorching summer, the lake brims with water and helps you quench your thirst.
It is said that during the British era, British planters came here to play golf in the evenings and they constructed a stable for their horses and a rest house in the area. The relics of the rest house can be seen here even now.
View from Chembra Peak
Once you reach the top of Chembra peak, you will be astounded by the view that the place offers. With the varying shades of the virgin shola forests on both sides, you may feel a heavenly bliss that only the pristine nature can bestow upon human beings. From this vantage point, the tourists can observe the mist clad peaks of Nilgiri ranges which include the Nilambur forests of Malappuram district. Apart from this, the town of Kalpetta and most parts of Wayanad district too are visible. The varying topography of the district which includes hills, rocks and valleys can be enjoyed the most from Chembra peak and you can also observe the silver linings of streams among the thick greenery. There is also a picturesque lake atop the hills which is another tourist attraction.
Govt initiatives
An ecotourism project is on the anvil for this area and the District tourism Promotion Council organises treks to this area. Trekking to the top of the hill takes almost a day and the DTPC arranges such trekking packages. Guides, trekking and camping apparatus etc. will be provided by DTPC and their packages also include one or two-day stay at temporary camps at Chembra.
Here its all about the wayanad district of kerala which fully refresh our minds , like this a travel through these will be really a great fell for our busy life . and one more thing while saying about wayanad we cannot forget WAYANAD CHURAM.
Cool :-)
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