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
