The Green Paradise WAYANAD

                                                 GOD'S OWN LAND WAYANAD               

Comprising an area of 2,132 sq. kilometres, Wayanad has a powerful history. Historians are of the view that organised human life existed in these parts, at least ten centuries before Christ. Countless evidences about New Stone Age civilisation can be seen on the hills of Wayanad. The two caves of Ampukuthimala located between Sulthan Bathery and Ambalavayal, with pictures on their walls and pictorial writings,  speak volumes of the bygone era and civilisation. 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.

              FIND PEACE FROM THE NATURE AND BEAUTY OF WAYANAD

Chembra peak

Chembra peak is one of the major tourist attractions in Wayanad Kalpetta. Chembra Peak, the uppermost spot in Wayanad is situated at 6,900 feet above the sea level. Chembra is situated adjacent to the town of Meppady. Generally, permission from Meppady forest office is essential for carrying out trekking activity to Chembra peak.  Services of guide can be availed which might be very useful. It takes close to three hours to reach the top of the Chembra peak. On the way to the top of Chembra peak, there is a heart shaped lake called “hridayathadakam’”. This heart shaped lake is a popular tourist attraction for Chembra peak. The lake is believed to have never dried up. During the rule of Britishers, there was camp office. On seeing the lake you will feel that this is the “manasasarovar” of South India. And the clouds and mist which is touching the  peak, make you feel that you are in heaven.  The cool atmosphere makes your mind cool and refresh.

From the top of Chembra peak you can view almost the whole of Wayanad. You can also view of Kozhikkode, Malappuram, and Nilgiri districts. Climbing Chembra peak is a really a trekking experience. For nature lovers it may take a whole day to enjoy the beauty of this peak and reach the top. For photographers, Chembra peak is a paradise. If you camp on the peak you are sure to have a treasured experience.

Edakkal caves

Till date, these adventurous caves are a mystery in the history to archeologists and historians and will continue to puzzle them for generations to come. These are two natural caves, but technically they cannot be called as caves as they resemble more or less rifts or clefts. Edakkal Caves are located at Edakkal, which lies at approximately, 25 kms from Kalpetta. Here, you can catch a glimpse of the carvings on the caves that gives a deeper insight into the lives led by our ancestors which means this has to be one among those few places where earliest human inhabitations existed. Now that’s fascinating!

Banasura Sagar Dam:

Brace yourselves! How can you miss the beauty of the largest dam in India and the one considered to be the second largest of its kind in the entire Asia. It is part of the great Banasura Sagar Project started in the year 1979, and you would be surprised to know that this dam is made up of massive stacks of stones and boulders. It is located amidst the Western Ghats at a distance of 21 kms from Kalpetta. The dam gets its name from the Banasura Hills, at the foot of which the dam lies. One of the serenic wonders of nature’s work can be found in the picturesque view of the mountain folds that lies in the backdrop of the dam. The dam holds in a reservoir which is a chain of tiny islands. What else do you need?

Soochipara Falls:

Soochipara Waterfalls also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, and lies in the Vellarimala of Wayanad. The Waterfalls is about 200 metres and unveils a Cliff face that is ideal for rock climbing just as the name “soochipara” suggests. The water from the waterfalls joins the Chaliyar river surrounding the Vellarimala hills and hits Tamil Nadu. This is one of God’s awesome creations that you cannot miss!

Meenmutty :

Meenmutty is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Wayanad. It derives its name from the Malayalam words “Meen” (fish) and “Mutty”(blocked) which means fish gets blocked. It is located at 2 kms from the Ooty Road and is a three tiered waterfall at a height of 300 metres. It is at a distance of 29kms from Kalpetta. Do not miss the splendidness that the water currents carry here.

Kurava Dweep

Kuruva Island (Kuruvadweep) is a 950-acre (3.8 km2) around 17 km to the east of Mananthavady protected river situated on the tributaries of the river Kabini and is a fabulous picnic spot  in the Wayanad district, Kerala. This island of dense and evergreen forest is uninhabited and hence a home to rare kinds of flora and fauna: uncommon species of birds, orchids and herbs . Its peaceful silence and wide expanse of the evergreen forest leaves you astonishing. This island is isolated but an array of uncommon species of birds, herbs and orchids are the royal family of Kuruva Island. 

The Kuruva Island is the fertile land of rich greenery between the two tributaries of Kabini river. Its 950 acres of area is home to various species of rare birds, orchids, butterflies and herbs. Facilities for cycling to reach the place are available. But if you prefer to be a pedestrian in reaching the place walk through the forest. Kabini River flowing aside can refresh you well. This place is a great attraction for movie makers also.

Kuruva Island is very far from the turbulence of city life making it an exotic place for visitors to relax and enjoy the beauty of the nature. It is closed during monsoon (June to September)

Kuruva Island is an island of thick and evergreen forest is abandoned and hence a home to rare kinds of flora and fauna: uncommon species of birds, orchids and herbs namely. Its unique environmental characteristics make it a place where not only the leaves but also silence is evergreen being away from cities and thus it has become a place of attraction. Most recently, it has been identified as the most visited place in the district by tourists drawn from all over the globe.

The island surrounded by streams and river can be accessed using rafts or fiber boats run by Kerala Tourism Department. Entrance to the island is restricted and monitored by Vana Samrakshana Samiti, a Dept of Forest of Kerala initiative to protect forest, and at times of heavy rain and frequency of elephants and other animals to the island a pass obtained prior to the visit of spot from Dept of Forest is mandatory.