WAYANAD

Wayanad District, in the north-east of Kerala, India, was formed on November 1 , 1980 as the 12th district, carved out of Kozhikode and Kannur districts. The etymology of the word Wayanad is Vayal (paddy) Naad (land); 'Land of Paddy Fields'. There are many indigeneous tribals in this area. It is set lofty on the majestic Western Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 Metres above mean sea level.

District of Wayanad is on the southern tip of the Deccan plateau. On it’s North, South and West lie the districts of Kannur, Malappuram and Kozhikode (Calicut). To it’s North and East, it borders the Karnataka districts of Coorg and Mysore. Further to the southeast lies the Nilgiri district of Tamilnadu

MAIN TOWNS Kalpetta is the District Headquarters. Sultan Bathery and Mananthavady are the other towns.	CLIMATE The district enjoys uniformly pleasant climate throughout the year. The period between Dec. and Feb. is  rather chilly (avg. 150C ).
MAIN CROPS Cardamom, Coffee, Pepper, Tea, and Vanilla.	ANNUAL RAINFALL Average over 2300 mm. Wayanad, like the rest of Kerala gets two Monsoons: the SW (Jun. - Sept.) and  the NE (Oct. - Nov.). Lakkidi, the place which gets the highest rainfall in the state is in Wayanad.
CLOTHING Light summer clothes for most of the year. However between Dec. and Feb. it is advisable to carry warm  clothes.	LANGUAGE While Malayalam is the local language, English and Hindi are widely spoken and understood. Kannada and  Tamil are also understood towards border regions.

Major Tourist spots in wayanad

Pookot Lake

This perennial fresh water lake, nestled among wooded hills, is the only one of its kind in Kerala. A fresh water aquarium with large variety of fish is an added attraction. Tourists can also avail of boating facilities, children’s park, and a shopping centre for handicrafts and spices.

Edakkal Caves

The two caves are located at a height of 1000 metre on Ambukutty Hill near Ambalavayal. The New Stone Age pictorial writings on the walls of these natural caves at Edakkal are evidence of the civilisation that existed in Wayanad in prehistoric times. The caves can be accessed only by a 1 km trekking trial from Edakkal.

Lakkidi

Lakkidi is the gateway to Wayanad. It is situated 700 metre above mean sea level, at the crest of the Thamarassery Ghat pass. Luxuriant forests, lofty peaks, gurgling streams and a good number of monkeys on both sides give thrill to the journey up the winding roads to this hill station. The 12 kilometre long journey through ghat road with nine hairpin bends amidst thick forests is a challenging experience.

Pakshipathalam

Rare species of birds can be sighted from the watch tower of this bird’s sanctuary. This place can be accessed only by trekking.

Kuruva Dweep (island)

The Kuruva island is a 950 acre of ever green forest lying on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabani. It is an ideal picnic spot, far away from the disturbance of city life. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are found here.

Pazhassi Raja's Tomb

King Pazhassi, known as the “Lion of Kerala”, who organised guerrilla type warfare against British East India Company, was cremated in Mananthavady in 1805.

Thirunelli Temple

Thirunelli is situated north-east of Mananthavady under the Brahmagiri hills in the reserve forests. The Temple is a marvel of temple architecture. The shrine is shielded with 30 granite columns and the ground is paved with huge square pieces of granite. The crystal clear waters of the Papanasini river running downhill add to the enchantment of the place. Pakshipathalam, an interesting trekking centre, is 7 kms. away from the temple.

Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary

Thick forests covering an area of 345 sq. kms form the Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary – the biggest aboad of wild animals in north Kerala. Elephant, spotted deer, bison, tiger, cheetah, wild bear, etc. are found in this sanctuary. The forest department has facilities for providing elephant rides to tourists. Muthanga, which is 16 kms east of Sulthan Bathery, is located very near to the Karnataka boarder.

Chembra Peak

At 2100 metre above mean sea level, Chembra is the highest peak in Wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking. Climbing this peak is a challenging endeavour and would take a full day.

Soochippara Waterfalls

The waterfall at Soochippara near Meppadi is really a treasure of nature. The stretch of waterfalls ranging at places from 100 to 300 feet height is a treat to the eyes. The pool below provides for water rafting, swimming, bathing etc.

Banasura Sagar Dam

This is the largest earth dam in India. The topography here is such that many islands will be formed in the upstream of the dam when the dam is full. These islands with the background of the Banasura hill will provide an enchanting sight to tourists. Boating facilities are available here.