Wayanad - An Escape to the Greenery

Wayanad, situated in an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in Western Ghats, is the epicenters of agricultural and industrial activities. It is a quiet place where scenic beauty wild life and traditional matter, simplicity is a virtue and beauty still blossoms from the mountainous horizon and from the green glaze of alluring vegetation. The name Wayanad has been derived from the expression 'Vayal nadu' - the village of paddy fields.

Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotising this land has a history and mystery, culture and social epistemology yet to be discovered. Located at a distance about 76 km. from the sea shores of Calicut in the Western Ghats, this station is full of plantations, forests and wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumala in Tamil Nadu and Bandhipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast land mass for the wild life to move about in its most natural abode. This mountain district is in many ways the most picturesque in the state, with its rolling hills covered with tropical rainforest. Wayanad also contributes richly to its fortunes, thanks to the flourishing cultivation of many spices, as well as Tea, Coffee and Cocoa. Wayanad is situated at a height of 700 to 2100m above sea level and is home to many species of animal and plant life. Temperatures range from 12 to 25 degrees centigrade. This district also has the added advantage of linking Kerala with the golden triangle of South India : Bangalore, Mysore and Ooty. This high altitude district is characterised by the cultivation of perennial plantation crops and spices. The major plantation crops include coffee, tea, pepper, cardamom and rubber. Coffee based farming system is a notable feature of Wayanad.

Apart from these Wayanad is also an upcoming tourist spot of Kerala. Some of the Kerala Tour Packages include Wayanad in their itinerary. The state government is trying best to promote this unexplored part of kerala as a major tourist spot. Wayanad has lot to offer to the nature lovers seeking a romantic escape to greenery. The hills, rocks and valleys of the Chembra peak contribute to the very unique character of Wayanad provide a lot of scope for adventure tourism. The Edakkal Cave, located three kilometres from Ambalavayal is not a cave in the real sense. It is a fissure made by a corner of rock splitting off from the main body due to some natural causes. The rock wall contains some interesting carvings, which represent human and animal figures and objects of human use and symbols that speak of a pre-historic age civilization and inspires many archaeologists and historians to rewrite the history of Wayanad and Kerala as a whole. Pakshipathalam in the Brahmagiri hills at Thirunelli, is a challenging tourist spot for any adventure seeking tourist. 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. Special permissions are required to visit this place.

The uninhibited Kuruva island is a 950 acres of ever green forest on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabani. It is an ideal picnic spotfor people to escape from the disturbances of city life. Some rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are found here. It is 17 Kms. east of Mananthavady and 40 kms. north west of Sulthan Bathery. Muthanga, Which is 16 kms. east of Sulthan Bathery, is located very near to the Karnadaka border. Wild forests covering an area of 345 sq.kms form the Muthanga wild life sanctuary; the biggest abode of wild animals in Malabar. Elephant, spotted deer, bison, tiger, cheeta, wild bear, etc. are found in this sanctuary.

Pookot Lake is a natural fresh water lake, brimmed with ever green mountains. The scenic beauty of this place is truly hypnotizing and the pace is a perfect example of unspoiled nature at its best. There is an aquarium and a green house here. Boating facilities are also available. Spices and handicraft items are also arranged for sale at Pookot. Wayanad is home to many beautiful waterfalls also. The Sentinel rock waterfall Vellarimala village is a picnic spot as well as a trekking centre. The sentinel rock, a rock of more than 200 m.in height, is ideal for rock climbing. Kanthanpara Waterfalls is relatively smaller than Sentinal Rock Waterfall and less frequented. With its pleasant surroundings this place offers a perfect spot for hiking and picnic. The waterfalls at Soochippara near Meppadi is really a nature’s wonder that is yet to be eplored. The 100 to 300 feet height stretches of waterfall is a treat to the eyes. The pool below, provides facilities for water rafting, swimming, bathing,etc. The tree top huts at Soochippara give a unique view of the valleys of the Western Ghats and the glimmering shallow waters of the surrounding springs. The Banasura Sagar Dam is the largest earth dam in India. The speciality of this place is that many islands will be formed in the upstream of the dam when the dam is full. These islands with the background of the Banasura hill provide a hypnotising sight to tourists.