Wayanad
The Green Paradise of Kerala
Wayanad
Location: Kerala
Best Time: November - February
Railway Station: Kozhikode
Airport: Kozhikode
Located on the western ghats, Wayanad is a beautiful mountainous district in the Malabar region of Kerala. The majority of the land area covered with forests and is sparsely populated. The district superabounds with hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, dams, tea estates, temples, heritage locations, and a lot of trekking spots. The district spreads over 2,132 square kilometers and it lies at an elevation of 700 meters from sea level.
Wayanad is famous for its large amount of camping and trekking trails, breathtaking waterfalls, caves, birdwatching sites, flora, fauna, and an overall plethora of magnificent sights. This area has been a tourist favorite over the years. People are especially delighted by the range of exotic products including spices, coffee, tea, bamboo products, honey, and herbal plants available here.
Wayanad district is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, and Kannur to the northwest, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, Kozhikode to the southwest, Malappuram to the south. The district has neither an airport nor railway lines, so the only way to get in is by road. The nearest airport and railway stations are located in Kozhikode. Bangalore and Mysore are the other two nearby cities with airports. Bangalore is the more realistic option as there are fewer flights to Mysore.
Some of the renowned tourist destinations in Wayanad are BANASURA SAGAR DAM, CHEMBRA PEAK, KURUVA ISLAND, POOKODE LAKE, MUTHANGA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, EDAKKAL CAVE, and THIRUNELLI TEMPLE.
Travel Tips
- Avoid the monsoon season
- 4 - 5 days is enough to cover most of the attractions
- The climate is hot and humid from March to May (25-35°C)
Traveler's Experience
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Detailed Information
Wayanad gets its name from Vayal Naadu, or "The land of the paddy fields". It shares much of its history with Karnataka, having been a possession of many of the dynasties that ruled that state, including the Kadambas, the Chalukyas, and the Hoysalas. This history accounts for the existence of Jain temples in this region, though Jainism has a negligible presence in modern Kerala.
Wayanad is famous for the unique freedom fight against the British and martyrdom of Pazhasshi Raja with the help of the Kurichya sect of the tribal community in alliance with Hindus and Muslims of the Malabar region.
The only Lava- Kusha temple in Kerala is at Pulpally in Wayanad and the only Mirror Temple in Kerala which is a Jain temple is at Vythiri. Varambetta Mosque is the oldest Muslim mosque in Wayanad. The mosque is more than 300 years old and is one of the first mosques to be built in the Wayanad district. Despite being Islamic worship, Varambetta Mosque is open to all tourists without any restriction based on caste, creed, and religion. The Varambetta Mosque is one of the main tourist attractions of the Wayanad district. Ambukuthi Mala (Hill) is a beautiful mountain located in the Wayanad district. People who plan a trip to the Edakkal Caves can also visit this spot since those caves are situated in this hill range. The edicts and caves of Ambukuthi Mala and other evidence states that the place is as old as the beginning of the New Age Civilization.
Kanthanpara Waterfalls lure tourists from all over the world. Apart from these splendid falls, Wayanad calls you to experience the astonishing beauty of Karapuzha Dam, Pookode, and Karlad Lake. If you are adventurous, then Cheengari Rock Adventure Center is a must-visit place. Another must-visit place in Wayanad is the Edakkal Caves. The caves are two natural rock formations that are believed to have been formed by a large fissure in an enormous rock. The carvings inside are extremely beautiful.