Jungle jeep safari Wayanad - Muthanga

Also known as Wayanad National Park, Muthanga National Park is located 16 kilometers east of Sulthaan  Bathery. It was set aside as a sanctuary in 1973. The sanctuary borders on the parks of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast.

Occupying an area of 345 sq km, Muthanga National Park boasts a fine selection of wildlife and is an excellent specimen of Project Elephant.

There can be few experiences so gratifying as to take a tour to Muthanga National Park, where you can spot tigers very frequently. The sanctuary has one of the largest populations of elephants in India.

The Muthanga National Park also provides sanctuaries to various species of deer, monkeys and birds. The flora of sanctuary includes deciduous and evergreen forests. One of the best ways to explore the sanctuary is an elephant ride, which can be arranged by the Forest Department.

Wildlife in Muthanga National Park
Popularly known as the Wyanad National Park, the Muthanga National Park is a popular wildlife sanctuary located on the Kerala hills and offers a natural habitat to a large number of wild animals.

The Muthanga National Park is located over an area of 344 square kilometers and is home to wildlife such as Gaur, sloth bears, sambhar, elephants, reptiles, tigers, spotted deer, monkeys, panthers, jungle cats, civet cats, wild dogs, bison, lizards, bears, wild pigs, leopards and other animals.

Muthanga in Kerala, South India is a special Project Elephant site and you are bound to see herds of elephants frolicking near the water holes as you course the wildlife trails within this lush wildlife sanctuary.

Sit on elephant back and follow the nature trails at the Muthanga National Park located in Kerala, South India and discover a beautiful green world. As you go on wildlife tours to the Muthanga Wildlife sanctuary you will notice tiny colorful butterflies flitting on sweet flowers and pretty shrubs.

The perfect time to go on wildlife tours to the flourishing Muthanga National Park in Kerala, South India is during the months of June to October. 

India Wildlife Tours offers online booking for wildlife tours to the Muthanga National Park in Kerala, South India. For more details please enter your query in the form provided below.

Birds in Muthanga National Park
Birds at the Muthanga National Park promise to enchant you and keep you thoroughly entertained as you course the nature trails and look to spot wildlife on your holiday tours to this part of Kerala, South India.

Among the commonly spotted birds at the Muthanga national Park in Kerala, South India some which deserve a special mention are the Malabar Grey Hornbill, peacocks, owls, woodpeckers, cuckoos, jungle fowl, babblers, herons, egrets, water ducks, bulbuls, peafowl, shrikes, eagles, cormorants, wagtails, rollers, pheasants, snipes and a large variety of other birds.

Be amazed at the colorful assembly of good-looking birds at the Muthanga National Park in Kerala, South India and enjoy the singing of these birds as you spot and identify them to your delight with the help of a bird watching guide.

India Wildlife Tours special tour packages that give you an opportunity to travel to this lush green land exclusively for spotting a wide variety of birds, both indigenous and migratory.

India Wildlife Tours offers online booking for wildlife tours to the Muthanga National Park in Kerala, South India. For more details please enter your query in the form provided below.

Vegetation in Muthanga National Park
The vegetation at the Muthanga National Park in Kerala, South India is simply exotic. A profusion of herbal and medicinal vegetation grows wild all over the Muthanga national Park that is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

The entire area is covered with dense rainforests with moist deciduous vegetation and a large variety of exotic flora and stretches of tea and coffee plantations that spread there aromatic scent all over the Wayanad hills.

The vegetation at Muthanga differs from tropical evergreen vegetation to rolling stretches of grasslands and mesmerizing meadows.

The scenic vegetation at the Muthanga National Park in Kerala, South India offers a natural habitat to a wide variety of wildlife. India Wildlife Tours invites you to come and experience the all pervading peace and tranquility that envelops the Muthanga National Park. Spot different species of vegetation, birds and wildlife and have a memorable wildlife tour.

India Wildlife Tours offers online booking for wildlife tours to the Muthanga National Park in Kerala, South India. For more please enter your query in the form provided below.

Best Time to Visit
October to February

Park Timings

6 to 9 AM and 3 to 6 PM

Park Charges (in Indian Rupees)

                         Indian Foreigners
Entry Fees 10.00 100.00
Camera         150.00 150.00
Guide         100.00 100.00
Jeep          250.00 250.00
(Rates are subject to change)

How to Get There

By Air
The nearest airport is at Kozhikode, located at a distance of 120 kilometers from the sanctuary.

By Rail
The nearest railway station is also at Kozhikode, at a distance of 97 kilometers from this place.

By Road
Reaching this sanctuary by road is very easy as Wayanad is well connected to the rest of Kerala through a wide network of roads.

Distances from Major Cities
Sulthan Bathery : 15 km
Kalpetta : 22 km
Kozhikode : 125 km
Mysore : 94 km


Tips & Important Information
Confrontations between man and wildlife is not uncommon, so observe the rules of the park strictly for your own safety.

Wear dull colored clothes, follow the instructions of your guide and never get off your vehicle, especially in the presence of animals.

Ambalavayal Tour - Wayanad

Ambalavayal is a small village in Wayanad District. 


In Ambalavayal having 4 major tourist places which is Edakkal Cave, Ambalavayal  Heritage
museum, Regional Agricultural Research Station and phantom rock


The Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal:
The Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal was established in 1946 as a part of the Wayanad Colonisation Scheme, under the Madras presidency. It was brought under the Department of Agriculture with the formation of Kerala State in 1956. Considering the importance of horticulture in the tract, this station was elevated to the status of Central Horticultural Research Station in 1966 and subsequently it was transferred to Kerala Agricultural University in 1972. In 1983, with the implementation of NARP, the station was upgraded as Regional Agricultural Research Station with Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara as its satellite station. A Krishi Vigyan Kendra with a target group of tribal farmers started functioning in the station in 1982.


Phantom Rock
Phantom Rock locally called ‘Thalappara’ one of the tourism spot on the hills of Cheengery Hills near Ambalavayal in the district, is facing a threat from the granite quarries functioning nearby.


Phantom Rock, as the name suggests, is blocks of huge rocks in the shape of a human skull. During the season, a lot of visitors, including foreigners, reach here to see this wonder of nature. As many as 50 granite quarries near the rock are posing serious threats to this exquisite formation.


Phantom Rock is formed out of huge metamorphic rocks. The vibrations owing to the incessant explosions from the nearby quarries will adversely affect the rock, George Mathew, an environmental enthusiast at Ambalavayal said.


A beautiful cave under Phantom Rock is also facing the same threat, Mr. Mathew said. This year alone, two new granite quarries have been permitted near the rock, he added. More over, a sand making unit is also functioning near to the rock. This site is situated nearly 2,500 feet above the sea level on the Cheengery Hills and can be developed as a major picnic spot in the tourism map of the district. More over, it is easily accessible by car and the beautiful view from the site will attract more tourists.


The unscientific and uncontrollable mining in this area are posing a threat to the nearby Edakkal caves too, Mr. Mathew said. At present, this area is under the possession of the Revenue department and if it is handed over to the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), we can develop it as a major tourism destination in the district, K.V. Biju, secretary, DTPC Wayanad district said.


Keywords: Phantom Rock, Thalappara, Cheengery Hills, granite quarries, metamorphic rocks, vibrations, threat


Edakkal caves

The fascinating prehistoric rock etchings found on the walls of these caves have drawn the serious attention of archeologists and historians worldwide.


With at least three distinct sets of petroglyphs, the earliest thought to date back over 5000 years, it is assumed that the Edakkal caves had been inhabited at various stages in history.


The name “Edakkal” literally means “a stone in between”, and this describes how the cave is formed by a heavy boulder straddling a fissure in the rock. Inside the cave is on two levels, the lower chamber measures about 18 feet long by 12 feet wide and 10 feet high and can be entered through an opening of 5 x 4 feet. A passage opposite the entrance leads upward to a small aperture in the roof through which one climbs up to the next storey whose interior is about 96 feet long, 22 feet wide, and 18 feet high. Light enters the cave through a big gap at the right-hand corner of the roof where the boulder does not touch the facing wall.


Legends of the Caves
The name Ambukuthimala is ascribed to the local legend which has it that the caves were formed by arrows fired by Lava and Kusha, the sons of Sri Rama, legendary hero of the Ramayana.Even today there are many who believe that Lord Rama killed Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana, in the narrow fissure at the southern end of Edakkal cave.


A local legend associates Kutti Chatan (the little devil of Malabar) with the goddess Mudiampilli, and until recently local people undertook an annual pilgrimage to the peak of the hill to perform a puja (ritual offering) in her honour.


The Colonial Discovery of the Caves
On a hunting trip to Wayanad in 1890, Fred- Fawcett, the then superintendent of police of the Malabar District, happened to see a Neolithic Celt (stone axe or chisel) recovered from the coffee estate of Colin Mackenzie. An enthusiast in prehistory, Fawcett made local enquiries and went round exploring the Wayanad high ranges. In the course of his rambles he was shown the Edakkal rock-shelter situated on the western side of Edakkalmala. He identified the site as a habitat of Neolithic (i.e. late Stone Age, c4000BC to c1700BC) people on the basis of the nature of representations on the cave walls, which appeared to him as engravings made of Neolithic Celts. It was an exciting discovery, as these were the first specimens of abraded drawings found in India.


Tribal Peoples & the Caves
Fawcett suggested the possibility that the carvings might have been the handiwork of Kurumbars (a tribal people of the Wayanad). He writes, "The curious reluctance of the Kurumbars to approach the Cave, combined with the simultaneous want of reverence for it both on the part of the Paniyas and the local Hindus, who are very small in numbers and not Iong resident in the Wayanad, might tempt one to hazard the theory as to the carvings being the handiwork of Kurumbars of a bygone day". Nevertheless he utters a word of caution as follows. "It should, however, be remembered that the Paniya is a particularly fearless individual while the Kurumbar is the reverse. The mere existence of the mysterious carvings in the silent, unfrequented cave would suffice to inspire the Kurumbar with a kind of awe and make him terrified to have anything to do with it” 








The Edakkal caves in media
The Edakkal caves, situated about 4,000 feet above sea level in the Ambukuthi hillock in Wayanad district of Kerala, have yielded a hitherto unnoticed inscription engraved in the early Brahmi characters.


A former professor of Epigraphy, Calicut University, Dr M R Raghava Varier, who discovered the inscription, recently read this record as ‘Sri Vazhumi’.


While all the records reported earlier at Edakkal are at a distance from the rock, carvings without any reference to them, the newly discovered one appears to be a label attached to a human figure, he said.


The inscription seems to be engraved exactly in the Edakkal style of drawing—a human figure, which is shown as having a huge phallus. It probably denotes the idea of fertility, and suggests Brahma, the Hindu God of creation, Varier said in an email interview. The term ‘Vazhumi’ could be the Tamil rendering of the Sanskrit name Brahma and the sound ‘zhu’ in the name of the figure is written in the Tamil Brahmi script, he said. Rest of the letters take the forms of the northern variety of the alphabet, Varier, now the editor of ‘Kerala Archaeological Series’, a publication of the Department of Archaeology, said.


Further, the cursive letter ‘zha’ represents a later stage of evolution. The text as a whole denotes a merger of the Sanskrit and the Dravidian language and script, he said. 


“The latest discovery is important in many ways”, Varier said adding, “Firstly, the label provides us with a link to suggest some connection between the rock art tradition of Edakkal and the Brahmi writing in South India, thereby suggesting a continuity of a long heritage.” Secondly, it contains the name of deity, while other writings at the site contain names of rulers and heroes.


Thirdly, the text as a whole denoted a merger of the Sanskrit and the Dravidian lanugages and scripts as well as religious ideas and lastly and more importantly, this record with reference to its period can function as a specific horizon to interpret many a carving on the walls of the Edakkal cave, he said. An estampage (an impression of the incription made on inked paper) was prepared by Krishnaraj, designer in the Kerala State Department of Archaeology. 


Edakkal caves, famous for its rich rock art and inscriptions, and the Tamil Brahmi inscriptions of Edakal was first reported in 1901 in ‘Indian Antiquary’, a government of India publication, by F Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police of the erstwhile Malabar district





The Wayanad Heritage Museum, under the District Tourism Promotion Council, at Ambalavayal in the district attracts a lot of tourists. The objet d'arts dated back to between the Neolithic ages and the 16th century has been neatly showcased at the Museum. The rare and exquisite collections from various parts of the district have been exhibited at four blocks of the Museum, namely, Veerasmruthi, Gothrasmruthi, Devasmruthi and Jeevanasmruthi.


The first block Veerasmruthi, showcases different types of Hero stones locally called ‘veerakkallu’ showing tiger hunts and primitive wars dating back to 14th -16th century A.D. The hero stones were erected on the tombs of a warrior or a hero in memory of his heroic deeds.


The Gothrasmruthi block provides a chance to see different articles associated with tribal life in the district. Articles such as ploughs, fish collecting bags and cow bells used by the tribal people are displayed here.


Devasmruthi is a treasure-house for scholars and students as the artefacts displayed in this section belong to the period between the Neolithic age and 17th century A.D. The terracotta figurines collected from a recent excavation at Kuppakolly near Edakkal cave in the district have been displayed here.


Apart from this, nearly 20 stone idols dating back between 12th and 16th centuries have also been showcased here. Jeevanasmruthi showcases various types of hunting traps, bangles, ear ornaments, necklaces and musical instruments used by the tribal people in Wayanad. A writing stone and Neolithic Celts from the district are also displayed.


A multi media theatre, adjacent to the Museum, offers a 50 minute CD show for tourists on the details of the district. Nearly 500 visitors reach here most of the days with an increased number during holidays, K.T. Johny, a Museum staff said.

How to reach wayanad from Cochin

By train
You can reach by train up to Calicut and from Calicut to Wayanad just 2 Hrs journey by road.
KSRTC buses or private buses available from Calicut Bus station ( Mavoor  Road Bus station - called Private bus stand )


You will take total 8 hrs to reach Wayanad from Kochi.


By by car   may take 6 hrs


Better time travel at night

Wayanad map

View Larger Map

How to reach wayanad from bangalore by road

There are lots of buses owned by both Kerala and Karanataka plying from Bangalore to Wayanad
 Karnataka’sRajahamsa service is far better when compared to the Kerala super-fast/express services. It’s worth paying extra for the Rajahamsa ticket as it is a long journey.
You will get lot of buses from Mysore to Wayanad also

The main thing you have to keep in mind is that   Wayanad is not a town ora city. It is the name of a large district with more than half a dozentowns. In all probability, you would be heading to one of its three major towns , Sulthan Bathery, Kalpetta or Mananthavadi.and you have to book your ticket to any of these towns as per your destination
If you are driving all the way from Banglore to wayanad
There are two routes mainly, one reaching Sulthan batghery  ( Bangalore - Mysore - Gundulpet - Munthanga - Sulthan Battery )
another one reaching mananthavady ( Bangalore - Mysore - Hunsur- Nagarhole - Kutta - Mananthavadi)
Ifyou are a guest to Green leaves habitat ,and traveling by car,what I strongly suggest is come by the first route mentioned and return to Banglore thruogh the second route

Since route1 and rout 2  are located at the two ends of Wayanad's tourist arc' By selecting this option you start at one end of the arc, sweep your way through and leave at the other end.and thus you are saving your timeand travel cost by avoiding too many up and down travels withinWayanad. We will arrange your itinerary smartly so that you can start at one endof Wayanad as you enter by one route and by the time you complete your tour of Wayanad, you are already near the exit route you've chosen.
and enjoying the bonus experience of seeing two different wildlifesanctuaries ( Muthanga & Tholpetty) as you go in and out of Wayanad.plus the third one in Karanataka The ' Nagarhole National park '


The route to Sulthan bathery


Either through Mysore city or by the ring road - if you are skipping the city –you should take the road towards Gundulpet,(NH212).
Youcan easily get to NH 212 from the city center(palace area). The right branch of the ring road (as it crosses SH 17when you drive from Bangalore) merges into NH 212, just at the base of Chamundi Hill


 Mysorecity to Nanjangud is about 23 km. Traffic is usually moderate it is a two lane and in reasonably good shape. The speed of 60 to 70 KM per hris reasonably safe

 
After Nanjangud town. Signboards are pretty clear and reasonably frequent. You will not make a wrong turn and neither will you have to ask for directions.

From here up to Gundlupet, traffic slightly thins down, road is good and generally one  can compensate  the lost time, .

Nanjangudto Gundlupet is about 35km. In short, Mysore - Gundlupet distance youcan cover in about 1 ½hours, including a bit of city traffic delays. Ifwe take a tally so far, Bangalore - Myosre - Gundlupet stretch takes 5hours, including a lunch and tea break in between.


Gundlupet is a small town with a few eateries facing the highway. As you drive through the town, the high way makes a right turn as its exits the town.
The straight road at this junction goes towards Gopalaswamy Betta , Bandipur, Mudumalai, Theppekaddu, Masinagudi, Ooty etc.
You should take the right turn that heads towards the Kerala border.


Gundlupet to Sultan Bathery distance is about 50km, mostly through the forest.
In about 15 minutes from Gundlupet, you'll enter the forest.Then there's a check post. Traffic is reasonably high, though not very heavy.Apart from the many private cars, this is a busy route with the interstate bus services and truck traffic.


It takes anything up to an hour till you cross the forest.
Watchout for wildlife crossing the road. Inside the forest, the rules arealways the same - no parking, no picnic, no horn etc .


A small river and a short bridge across it mark theKarnataka-Kerala border in the middle of the forest. In a stroke,signboards give way to Malayalam. It seems Kerala is in a self imposed competition with other states who own the largest number of check posts.
There is Forest Department check post, commercial tax check post, RTO check post and even a police check post.
And finally Wayanad arrives in style.

Trekking Places Wayanad

Chembra peak 
Chembra peak is another major spot in trekking Wayanad. Chembra peak has hills, rocks and valleys, and presents lots of adventure. It is the highest hill in Wayanad and is located close to Meppady town. At Chembra peak, trekking involves almost a day. Some tourists prefer to camp one or two days at the peak top. From the top of Chembra peak, the scenic view is really exhilarating.

Trekking Wayanad is the most suitable for nature lovers who like to explore a lot. Other famous tourist spots that need to be explored during Wayanad trekking are Pazhazzi and Pookot Lake. These places also have picturesque locations. Nature lovers are sure to enjoy the entire trekking Wayanad experience since they have a lot of adventure and entertainment in store. Upavan takes much pleasure in arranging enjoyable trekking experience for our privileged guests. Be sure carry your camera and video equipments while trekking so that you can capture those wonderful moments for your cherished memories. At Upavan, Wayanad trekking is a safe experience since we always arrange for experienced guides to accompany you throughout the trekking trail.

Jungle walk - Meenmutty to Nilabur
Wayanad trekking also presents stretches with different densities of wildlife. The major attractions while trekking in rainforests areas are the streams and waterfalls. Wayanad trekking from Meenmutty to Nilambur involves a day long trek through the rainforests and is recommended only for experienced trekkers.

Jungle walk - Kollari Estate  to Pachakkad.


Jungle walk in wayanad ( Thazhe Arrapetta via Eratrapuzha to Nilabur

Papanasini Wayanad

Papanasini 
It is a wild stream that originates from the Brahmagiri Hills which later joins River Kalindi. It is almost 400 mtrs away from the temple, on its

western side. Literally it means, extinguisher of sins. It is believed that River Ganga and River Saraswathi join in Papanasini. Therefore Papanasini is called the Southern Kashi. A ritual dip in Papanasini is believed to wash one away, of all worldly sins committed in a life time. If we immerse the ashes of the dead in Papanasini, it is equivalent to that of doing Karmas(Rituals ) in Gaya. At Papanasini there is a sacred rock called Pinnappara where ritual offerings to the spirits of the departed are made (known as bali). People believe that Parasurama, the famous incarnation of Lord Vishnu visited Thirunelli and performed last rites at the death of his father sage Jamadagni. He also took immersion in the Papanasini to wipe away sins committed owing to the annihilation of Kshatriyas. The ashes of Rajiv Gandhi was immersed in Papanasini in 1991. Papanasini (destroyer of sins) has an interesting story to reveal. When Brahma was consecrating Vishnu’s idol Garuda (the carrier of Vishnu) reached over the sky, above the installation venue with the Amrit Kumbha (pot of nectar). During Garuda’s circling over, a drop of Amrit fell on the stream, which provided purifying power to the water in the stream. After that incident the stream came to be called Papanasini. Papanasini later joins in River Kalindi which is a tributary of River Kabani which later joins in River Kaveri.

Pinnappara 
This rock is supposed to be the bone of an asuran (demon) named Pazhana-bhedi, who was killed by Vishnu. At the time
of his death he prayed to Vishnu that his body be converted into a rock extending from Thirunelli to Gaya and divided into three parts fit for the performance of offerings for the departed, at (1)Thiurnelli representing his foot, (2)Godavari representing the middle part, and (3)Gaya representing the head. Offerings at any of these three places are supposed to have special benefits in producing happiness and in the propitiation of the spirits. In Thirunelli ritual offerings to the spirits are made at Pinnappara, especially on the New Moon days of the Malayalam months Karkkidakom, Thulam and Kumbham.

Panchatheertham 
The steps at the back of the temple actually leads to the tank Panchteertham. It is believed that Panchteertham, at one point of time was a meeting point of five rivers. Hence its sacred importance was immense. But today most of the water has dried up and the only remaining attraction is the footsteps of Vishnu, Vishnupad. It is the image of a footprint on a boulder in the middle of the tank. It is believed that Sri Rama and his brother Lakshmana performed the ‘pithrukarma’ of their father King Dasaratha, standing on this rock.  

Gunnika Temple 
As you walk from Thirunelly temple to Papanasini along the riverbank , somewhere midway on your left, a small bridge appears. Cross this to go to a cave temple called Gunnika temple dedicated to lord Siva. Legend is that a fruit ( again Nelli fruit ) plucked by a pilgrim was turned into a Phallus (Shiva linga), as he was finishing bath in the Papanashini.

Thrissilery Shiva Temple Wayanad

Thrissilery Shiva Temple Wayanad is one of the famous shrines in Kerala. This temple is built in an excellent manner and involves fabulous architecture. Lord Shiva is a Hindu deity worshipped very ardently by Indians and Hindus around the world. Thrissilery Shiva Temple is situated at Thrissilery which is place neighboring to Sulthan Bathery. Wayanad Tourists should visit this Shiva temple and enjoy the excellent architecture and serenity of this temple.


The principal deity of this Temple is Lord Shiva. There is an interesting fact about this Thrissilery Shiva Temple Wayanad. Devotees of this temple sternly believe that paying one's contributions to Thrissilery Shiva Temple Wayanad is comparable to completing the ancestral rites at the Vishnu Temple in Thirunelli. Nearby this temple is another famous temple called Jala Durga temple installed by the mythological creator of Kerala by name Parashuram.


The idols and carvings in this temple exhibit exemplary art work. The principal deity Lord Shiva is also very enchanting in his looks. Thrissilery Shiva Temple is situated close to Kalpetta and Mananthavady. For tourists who travel by Air, the nearest airport is the Calicut airport. And the nearest railway station to reach Thrissilery Shiva Temple is Kozhikode Railway Station. Devotees who visit this temple can offer flowers, Banana, and coconut as offering to Lord Shiva. You can experience serenity and peace once inside this temple. This temple is open for all visitors without any religious restrictions. Upavan sightseeing trip itinerary includes this beautifully carved temple.

Thirunelli Temple Wayanad

Thirunelli Temple is the only temple in the world where the devotees can perform all the rituals related to one’s life, starting from birth to death and life after death.

It is one of the most ancient temples in Kerala. It is believed that here the prathishta of Lord Vishnu was performed by Lord Brahma. It is also known as ''Sahyamala Kshetram'' and ''Kashi of the South''.

Thirunelli Temple draws pilgrims from allover, primarily for ancestral rites. The rituals are performed on the banks of the stream Papanasini which flows down from Mount Brahmagiri. It is believed that this stream has divine power to dissolve sins of all the mortals. Another major attraction of the temple is the holy rock where people pray for their forefathers.

On the western side of the temple is the cave temple Gunnika, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thus Thirunelli becomes blessed by the unique presence of all the members of the trinity.

The beautiful Brahmagiri hills and the surrounding lush green forests have made the temple premises a valley of tranquility. So everybody feels completely relaxed after sitting in the sanctum of the temple. The temple is an embodiment of ancient temple architecture. Its ''Koothambalam'', is having one of the best and the rarest paintings of the state. The aquaduct that brings water to the temple is also a witness to hundreds of years of history.

Wayanad in Film

This song from popular movie ' Thirakkatha' 

Location Chembra Peak and Banasura Sagar Dam

You can see one bungalow in the fist short of the song, this bungalow situated in Chembra.
On the way to watch tower, and where vehicles parking in Chembra.

Tea estate which is on the way to Chembra peak..

Get the fee of ' PALAPOOVITHANLIL '

Temple Wyanad

Thirunelli‑Mahavishnu‑

Now festival season started in Wayanad

Wayanad Festivals and culture

Wayanad Festivals
Valliyoorkavu Festival: Located high in the Wayanad Hills at Valliyoorkkavu, 3 km from Mananthavady town, the temple is dedicated to goddess Bhagavathy. The idol of the temple is believed to be self- manifested and the annual festival is held in March.
Thirunelli Festival: Thirunelli Festival is a two-day festival celebrated on Vishu day and its eve, in the Malayalam month of Medam (April) is the annual festival of Sree Thirunelli Devaswom at Thirunelli in Wayanad.

Wayanad Culture
The local people here speak Malayalam, which is also the official language of Kerala, whereas the second language is Tamil. T-Shirts, Woolen cloths are ideal dress codes to wear in Wayanad.

Wayanad Religious Places
Ananthanatha Swami Temple: The temple is at Puliyarmala A beautiful Jain temple, devoted to Ananthanatha Swami, one of the saints of the Jaina faith, is located six kilometres from Kalpetta.
The Glass temple at Koottamunda: Located on the slope of Vellarimala, this temple dedicated to Parswanatha Swami, the Third Thirthankara of the Jain faith, is an exquisitely beautiful family temple.
The icons of Paraswanatha Swami and Padmavathi Devi: This is the set in the sanctum of this temple have thousand reflections in beautiful patterns on the mirrors placed on the inner side of the temple walls. It is 20 km from Kalpetta.
Maha Ganapathi Temple: The temple is at Sulthan Bathery. This temple is believed to have been built eight centuries ago. In the past, it was under the control of the Kottayam royal dynasty. Before the conquest by Tipu Sulthan, Sulthan Bathery was known as Ganapathivattam. The temple is devoted to Ganapathi.
Ponkili Temple: This is an ancient temple associated with the myth of Sita Devi. It is located on the Karnataka border.
Santhinatha Temple: The temple is at Venniyode This is another Jain temple devoted to Saint Santhinatha Swami and is situated 20 km away from Kalpetta.
The Chandranatha Swami Temple: The temple is at Puthanangadi, Vrishabhadeva Swami Temple at Mananthavady and Parawanatha Swami temple at Palkunnu are the other important Jain temples in the district.
Sita Devi Temple: The temple is at Pulpally. This is centuries old temple, dedicated to Sita Devi. The icons of Leva and Kusa are also installed here.
Thirunelli Temple: The temple is located in a valley beneath a hill called Brahmagiri in the reserve forest. This temple is often referred to as the 'Kasi of the South'. The temple is dedicated by Brahma to Vishnu in the form of Chaturbhuja. A little away from this temple is the mountain spring called Papanasini, which literally means destroyer of all sins.
Paallikkunnu Church: It is situated 12 km north of Kalpetta Kallianathum.
St. Peter's Church: It is at Meenangadi. This is an important church of Jacobite Syrian Christians.
Pallickal Mosque: It is situated 10 km southwest of Mananthavady.

Thaze Arrapetta Sree Maariyamman temple festival start March

About Wayanad

Wayanad is a northern district of Kerala (Southernmost state of India), was formed on 1 Nov 1980 as the 12th district. Wayanad, the land of spices lies between North 11˚ 27΄ and 15˚ 58΄ and east 75˚ 47΄ and 70˚ 27΄ at an altitude of 700-2100 meters above MSL, with Karnataka and Tamilnadu states as its borders. Wayanad, blessed with beautiful landscapes, lake, waterfalls, historic places, wildlife and picturesque mountains, is on the Western Ghats in north Kerala. The district HQ of Wayanad is Kalpetta, which is 80 km away from Calicut city. Other major towns are Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavady.


About Wayanad
The name Wayanad is believed to be derived from ‘Vayal nadu’, which means ‘Paddy Fields’. Wayanad was ruled by Vedar Rajas in the ancient days and later it came under the rule of ‘Pazhassi Raja’ of Kottayam Royal Dynasty. Wayanad came into being on 01 Nov 1980 by merging North Wayanad, then a part of Cannanore district and South Wayanad, which was a part of Calicut district.


One of the indigenous characteristics of Wayanad is the adivasi population of Paniyas, Kurumas, Adiyars, Kurichyas, Ooralis, Kattunaikkans etc. Wayanad has the first position among the districts of Kerala, in terms of percentage of Adivasi population. Among the total inhabits of this beautiful land a major chunk is settlers came from different parts of Kerala and some parts of Karnataka. There is a fair representation of Hindu, Christian and Muslim religions, while there is a good percentage of Jain community as well.