Friday 24 February 2012

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



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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.