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Most of us have been living a corporate life for ages. Hence, even a sight of greenery is rare. Ever thought of spending a few moments of your life with the wildest beauty of nature, a peaceful stay with your friends amidst all the hectic life? Then, Wayanad will just serve you right. No matter what your plans are, this is the destination of heaven and your dreams coming together. You can spot the beauty of mother nature at its best. Located at God’s own country, Wayanad will give you an experience of lifetime and memories of eternity.
Let’s jump to admire the green paradise.
Overview
Among the mountains of the Western Ghats, Wayanad is nestled to form the border world of the greener part of Kerala. With utmost cleanliness and breathtaking beauty, Wayanad is occupied with history and culture. This destination has a splendid uniqueness with an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in the Western Ghats.
Brief History
- Ever thought what the term “Wayanad” really meant? This has been derived from the expression ‘Vayal Nadu’, which means the village of paddy fields.
- This land was majorly ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe. Sometimes later, Wayanad came under the rule of Pazhassi Rajas of Kottayam royal dynasty.
- As time passed, this land was ruled by various kings, right from Tipu Sultan to the raja of Mysore.
- By the time rulers of Wayanad fell apart, Wayanad fell into the hands of British. Hence with it began a new turn in the history of this area.
- Kerala was formed in 1956 and Wayanad was part of Kannur district. On November 1, 1980 North and South Wayanad joined together to form the present Wayanad district.
State/District/Capital
With Kalpetta as the district capital of Wayanad, this place also stands as a gateway to the trails of lofty Chembra Peak and to Neelimala Viewpoint, which overlooks waterfalls and forested valleys.
Connectivity
Kozhikode is the prime location for us to reach Wayanad through any means of transport.
By Air
Kozhikode airport is the one of the nearest airport of this location, at a distance of about 25 km from the centre of the city.
Kozhikode is well connected by air to major places like Mumbai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Goa, Madurai and Chennai.
By Rail
Located south of the Manachira Square, the Kozhikode railway station is the nearest via railways.
The city is well connected by train to important places like Mangalore, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Coimbatore, Goa and Mumbai.
By Road
Also, Kozhikode is well-linked with various destinations in Kerala and beyond.
National Highway 17 (NH-17) links Kozhikode with the rest of the cities in Kerala and neighbouring states.
When to visit Wayanad?
The temperature in Wayanad remains more or less constant throughout the year, but the best time to visit Wayanad is between October to February. These months covers the winter and therefore the beginning of the summer season.
During the monsoons, Capitol Hill station receives the proper amount of rainfall and therefore the wet and humid weather won’t be something tourists would be crazy for. So it is not always recommended apart from those that would not mind the rains only to be amidst the gorgeous hill station covered with a green carpet of dense trees.
Population
Wayanad majorly consists of 3 taluks – Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery and Vythiri.
According to reports of 2011, Wayanad has a population of around 8.17 lakhs.
Language
Language called Chetti is an unclassified Southern Dravidian language of India which is widely spoken by the Wayanadan Chetti community in the Wayanad district of Kerala.
Weather
March to May is the time for summer in this region and this season has a very hot weather condition.
Monsoon season lasts from June to September. Due to Southwest Monsoon this place has an extreme humid condition for this time of the year.
Landslides and thunderstorms, accompanied with heavy rainfall are a common sight in the month of October and November. This is because of the Northwest monsoon.
Fair & Festivals in Wayanad
Thirunelli Festival
This is one of the vibrant festivals in Wayanad. You can spot almost all the people celebrating Thirunelli festival. A two-day festival celebrated on the day of Vishu is marked as an important ritual. This festival comes in the month of Medam, name of a Malayalam month (April). Also, this is the annual festival of Sree Thirunelli Devaswom at Thirunelli in Wayanad.
Ashtami Rohini
The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great excitement and fervour in the state. Generally, it is celebrated in the month of Chingam (August- September).
Devotees visit the Krishna temples to offer Pooja and prayers. Various cultural programmes are also held in parts of Wayanad to mark the occasion.
Stay to prefer in Wayanad
With a place of captivating tales of the olden times and civilization, Wayanad is a must to stay place.
Looking for one of the most significant excursions from Wayanad? Then Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is the one, attracting all the wild-life lovers. Unfortunately, mid-range hotels are hardly found in this district. But you can also stay in cottages and 3-star hotels with ample facilities and as well as with a home-like feel.
Top places to visit in Wayanad
Edakkal Caves
As old as something set in 6000 BC, this Edakkal caves are picture-perfect with pictorial depictions of cave art. To admire the beauty of the hollows, one needs to trek through the Ambukutty Mala for around 45 minutes. This time includes all the adventure and fun like climbing the hill and trekking. The fun fact is, one can never get perplexed in the outing to these historical caves. Also, it is one of the famous places to see in Wayanad.      Â
In the interior of the caves, one can get to see two chambers. A lower chamber and an upper chamber. Most common figures carved in the caves are animal diagrams and objects used by humans.
These caves have drawn an amazing amount of attention from archaeologists and students of history around the world.
Kuruva Island
Longing for peace and adventure at one single spot? Then Kuruva island is your place! With an ideal blend of various natural colours, Kuruva Island’s vibration is enough to spark everyone’s day. it’s one among the simplest places to go to in Wayanad. With a variety of islands over the centre of Kabini River, it also protects the river delta of this region.
This island is rich in flora and fauna. The island covers a neighbourhood of 950 acres with a dense population alongside some rich and rare species of flora and fauna. It protects the evergreen forest ranges which give a special ambience and thus making it a perfect choice for tourism. There are bridges made from bamboo trees and lots of plants which we’ve not even heard of.
Natural lovers and adventure enthusiasts will find Kuruva Island the foremost suitable space for spending a top quality time with their beloved ones or maybe alone.
Chembra Peak
Looking for a weekend getaway, then head bent Wayanad and visit the famous Chembra Peak. The foremost elevated top in Wayanad. it is at eight kilometres south of Kalpetta, on the brink of the town of Meppady. it is one among the gorgeous places to ascertain in Wayanad.
This place may be a perfect goal for trekking exercises. Climb up the rough landscapes of the Chembra Peak found 2,100 meters above ocean level on the southern piece of Wayanad. Chembra is that the tallest peak in Wayanad and maybe a perfect zone for trekking.
There is a heart moulded lake while in transit to the very best point of the top, which is accepted to possess never become scarce, maybe a noteworthy resort area here. With authorization from the Forest Department, one-day treks and two-day natural life treks are conceivable.
Neelimala View Point
If you are trying to find some fun-filled Wayanad tourist places then the famous Neelima Viewpoint may be a must-visit for you. an area for thrill-seekers, Neelimala Viewpoint are often reached by means of trekking at an equivalent time offering a couple of astonishing trek trails. the attitude of the valley from the simplest is actually captivating alongside a gorgeous vision of Meenmutty Falls and it’s one among the simplest Wayanad places to ascertain. From the purpose, vacationers can see the graceful white streams spouting through the walk, advancing towards the waterway.
One should walk plenty to realize the place, individuals with joint and leg agony should take legitimate care of themselves. Limited and uneven pathways from the closest motorable street will take voyagers to the attitude with the mountain folds of the Western Ghats towards its left and a sloping incline loaded with grass alongside stones on the privilege.
This magnificent sight in Wayanad are some things that one can always remember during life. Fog and fragrance around making such a spell, to the purpose that one are going to be lost in its magnificence for a drawn-out stretch of your time.
Banasura Sagar Dam
One of the main tourist places to go to in Wayanad is Banasura Sagar Dam that impounds the famous Karamanathodu tributary of the east-flowing river in Kerala that’s Kabini River. The dam is encircled amidst a gorgeous nature with tons of options to try to trekking and similar adventure activities.
Hundreds of tourists reach the dam to enjoy its beauty and take photographs. it is a neighbourhood of the Indian Banasura Sagar Project consisting of a dam and a canal project.
Bamboo Forests
What might be a far better treatment to your eyes than a huge greenery with a line of bamboos? All sounds amazing, right? The Nilgiri Biosphere Region additionally reaches bent an in-depth extent of teak timberlands, bamboo trenches and overwhelms. an ideal safari area, deer, buffalo, cheetah and wild bears are among the spotted creatures here.
The Bamboo woods are an easy access to alternate places to ascertain in Wayanad, for instance, Begur, Bandipur, Mudumalai and Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuaries. The connection between the backwoods and therefore the sightseers in Muthanga has years of oldness.
Soak within the amazing great thing about the region while you head bent this place. you will find a number of the Wayanad’s homestays within the forest region which can cause you to amused about the luxurious greenery and wonder of the place.
Soochipara waterfall
Soochipara waterfall may be a three-layered waterfall at Vellarimala in Wayanad. This waterfall, encompassed by thick green woodland, is otherwise called Sentinel Rock Waterfall.
A 20-minute drive from Meppadi in Wayanad will take you to the present awe-inspiring waterfall & it is one among the simplest Wayanad places to ascertain.
The name Soochipara derived from the words “soochi” and “para” signifies “rock” and ‘needle’. The name given is in a position as should be obvious needle moulded shake here. you would like to walk around 2 km to realize the waterfall, where vehicles can’t move further.
The dilute here falls from a stature of 100 to 200 ft and this waterfall may be a perfect place for trekking and hiking. You’ll locate a pool underneath this falls and here you’ll choose swimming and washing. A visit to the present places should definitely be included in your Wayanad tour to form it a lifetime remembering the experience.
Phantom Rock
Another fascinating Wayanad tourist places which may be a must-see attraction for you is that the Phantom Rock. Phantom Rock (Cheengeri Mala) may be a prestigious place that’s together of a sort as its names. It’s an archaeological ponder which will be not really seen anyplace else on the earth.
The stone is normally thrown in the state of the apparition skull and henceforth is well known by the name of Phantom Rock everywhere throughout the world. The beautiful place is 26 km far away from Kalpetta and maybe come to by trekking on the tight paths.
Like different spots of Wayanad, Cheengeri Mala is likewise one among the foremost loved spots for trekkers and explorers. The pleasant rock is standing tall at an increase of 2600 m over the ocean level and is encompassed by the rich greenery; it is a picture-perfect place for those who are looking for peace and solitude.
Thirunelli Temple
An ancient temple which is legendary everywhere Kerala and other states of India is Thirunelli Temple located in Wayanad on the side of Brahmagiri hills. It is dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu. One of the main features of the temple is its location at an altitude of around 900 meters during a valley completely bounded by mountains and forest ranges.
But it is one among the foremost visited pilgrim centre in Wayanad and a crucial religious place for the bulk of population in South India. The name Thirunelli comes from the words nelli which is given to the tree of gooseberry.
There is also a belief that there are Puranas in which the temple is mentioned. There are tons of legends existing associated with this temple which are coming from the traditional mythology texts of Hindus.
Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
If someone makes an inventory of all the places to go to in Wayanad, Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary would always be a certainty thereon list. Located in the lap of Wayanad and the Western Ghats, this region is famed for the variety of wildlife that one can experience here.
You can absorb the views of several animals living in their natural habitats, like Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, Bears, deer, monkeys, and reptiles, fishes and bird species.
Things to do in Wayanad
Wayanad has an array of activities to undertake and tourists are just hovering to the pleasant place to uncover its beauty to its core. Among the God’s own country, Kerala, Wayanad features an entire amount of exciting and fun things to undertake.
With graceful waterfalls, mesmerising caves, resorts, and homestays, this prominent town is widely known for its zest estates and natural life. Strolling through the sprawling flavour estates, taking that trek into the pre-memorable buckles and encountering a resort occasion is one of the varied belongings you’ll do to experience Wayanad.
Generally speaking, a flawless end of the week thought from urban areas of South India, this destination tempt you to travel with your soulmate in Kerala.
Top activities to do in Wayanad
Top fun and loving activities to do are:
- Night Camping With Campfire
- Visit the Edakkal Caves.
- Trekking, Cycling and Camping Tour
- Trek to Neelimala View Point.
- Cave Camping
- Bamboo Rafting in Kuruva Island.
- Trek to Chembra Peak.
- Wildlife Safari at Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary.
Cuisine to taste in Wayanad
Similar to most of the South Indian cities, the people of Wayanad are also fond of rice and it is their staple food.
This includes mostly, Rasam, Sambhar, Moru koottan and Poricha koottu. They are the most delicious dishes when taken along with rice. For those only vegan preferring eaters, there is Pulissery, Stew, Avial and Thoran
Souvenir to buy in Wayanad
Looking for the most memorable take away? Then check this out.
Easwaran Nanmboodiri
This market is known to everyone and also features a mecca for paper items and books. Come here if you would like to buy for stationery and books. This is often an excellent place to urge your kids excited about the new academic year, you will even buy some nice books and stationery for them here before the new term begins!
Santhi Pappadam
It is located on Market Road and offers guests paper and book items also as other big products usually found in malls.
Some of the opposite things to shop for in Wayanad include spices, coffee, tea, bamboo articles, native craft, honey, and herbal plants. The handicraft and handloom products are very beautiful as are the clothes, textiles, and furniture that are available within the markets of Wayanad. Whatever you shop put your bargaining skills to use, and obtain good deals for your family! Whatever you choose up are going to be an enduring memory for your spouse and youngsters.
Trident Arcade
This is one among the foremost shopping locations in and must show abreast of your things to try to to in Wayanad itinerary. it’s located in Sulthan Bathery and offers you products like crockery, bags, and fancy gifting items.
Dubai shopping mall
Located at Assumption Junction, this is often an out-and-out shopping mall. Almost everything you would like are often found here. it is located within the Sulthan Bathery area of Capitol Hill station. you will enjoy walking around the complex, as there are always various things on offer here.
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