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Wayanad lies across the lofty Western Ghats and has been recognized as a bio-diverse region. It is located on the southern tip of the Deccan Plateau, at an altitude ranging from 700 to 2,100 m above sea level, Wayanad encompasses sub-tropical savannah, thickly wooded hills and evergreen forests. While verdant spice plantations cover the hills, the valleys in the area consist of gently rolling paddy fields. A land where rain, rocks and trees reign supreme, Wayanad’s history is as striking as its terrain |
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Historians believe that the Mesolithic culture first began in Kerala. The caves and rock carvings of Ambukuthimala provide proof of this. Roads winding up rugged hillsides, a legacy of the British, are the only mode of transport in the region. Pepper, cardamom and ginger grow extensively surrounded by vast plantations of tea and coffee. |
VYITHRI |
Vythiri stands as a gateway to Wayanad, to the realm of gurgling streams, hills and valleys. Lakes, gorges and ravines, verdant hills that nudge distant clouds, dreamy dawns and misty evenings are standard fare. This region offers a true taste of Wayanad. The charming Pookot Lake is only a kilometer away, towards Lakkidi. The tallest summit in the district, Chembra peak, 6,890 ft above sea level, is nearest from Vythiri. Waterfalls, at Kanthampara and Sentinel Rock, lie to the south. |
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| A number of resorts, nestled in sylvan surroundings, add to the attraction of the destination. |
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SIGHTS |
LAKKIDI'S CHAIN TREE |
Apart from the stunning views of the surrounding plains, Lakkidi’s other claim to fame is the chain tree. Local lore has it that when a British engineer was unsuccessful in his efforts to find a passage through the dense forests of Wayanad, a young tribal called Karinthandan guided him. Unwilling to share credit for the discovery, the engineer killed the native. Soon, Karinthandan’s troubled spirit began haunting travellers on the new route. To pacify the vengeful soul, a priest chained the spirit t a tree.Only then did the haunting cease. A heavy chain anchored to the ground and placed around the stout branches seems to lend credence to the story. |
POOKOT LAKE |
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This large lake is fringed by low wooded hills. Horse and horse carts trot along the 1.5-km pathway, passing around the lake. One can buy the bamboo and wooden artifacts and hill produce such as spices, tea and honey at the curio shop which is nearby. There is the boat club where pedal and rowboats await visitors. |
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SOOCHIPARA AND KANTHAMPARA FALLS |
From Vythiri, the drive to these falls is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the district. A winding road through verdant tea country, and then a narrow trail through rugged terrain lead to the falls in a dense forest. The three-pronged water hit the sharp spikes of granite at the base, hence the name,’Soochipara’, or ‘needle rocks’ |
MEENMUTTY FALLS |
| Meenmutty Falls , a 300-m long cascade of water, is the largest and most spectacular waterfall in the whole of Wayanad. The drive from Vythiri itself is charming-all woods, verdant hillides and rolling plantations. It will also take you to the past charming villages such as Chundel, Meppadi and Vadvanchal. |
SULTHAN BATHERY
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Pre-historic caves, luxuriant vegetation, undulating hills, meandering rivers, and jungle trails invite you to explore the peaceful hill town of Sulthan Bathery . ‘Bathery’ is a corruption of the word, ‘battery’, and the name has stuck ever since Tipu Sultan, the town’s one-time ruler, dumped his ammunition in the old Jain temple here. Known as ‘Ganapathi-vattam’ until then, the Sultan left another enduring legacy of his exploits in the town of Sulthan Bathery . |
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SIGHTS |
JAIN TEMPLE |
This temple is built in the architectural style of the reigning Vijayanagar dynasty. It served as a shrine, then as a centre of commercial trade, and finally, as the ammunition store or battery for Tippu Sultan’s army. |
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EDAKKAL CAVES |
Located 12 km from Sulthan Bathery, these prehistoric shelters are made of natural rock formations. The discovery of the caves is attributed to one Fred Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police, who had come on a hunting trip to Wayanad in 1890. |
WAYANAD HERITAGE MUSEUM |
Innumerable artifacts and stone relics discovered by anthropologists in the region around Bathery, Ambalavayal and the forests of Wayanad are housed in the Wayanad Heritage Museum . |
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