WAYANAD
HILL STATION
Luxuriant
plantations of coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber stretch over the hills
of Wayanad as far as the eye can see, With the fast-flowing rivers- Panamaram,
Mananthavady and kabini- cutting across the undulating panorama and lending
picture-postcard look to the whole region. The north eastern tip of Kerala.
Its pretty image notwithstanding, perhaps what the visitor finds most endearing
abnout this quaint little hill station is ilts large tribal population and their
fascinating lilferstuyles.
Including revered monarchs of barely fifty -strong tribes. An in -vogue barter
system. And ancient rituals. Not surprisingly, based on evidences still found
ofn these hills, historians contend that civilization existed in these parts
at least a thousand years before Christ.
Sidelights:
Edakkal Caves: The two rock vaves at Ambukuthy Hills, 12 kms south of
Sultan's Battery (travel time: 20 min), contain ancient carvings and pictorial
writhings with human and animal figurs in puculiar headdressesss along with
geometric from and symbols.They speak of ahighly civilized people at an early
centre of human habitation.
Thirunelly:
At just 32 kms from Mananthavady (travel time; 1 hour ), the eye-catching backdrop
of Brahma -giri hills lend an idyllic charm to Thirunelly where the Vishnu Temlple
touched by the soothing streams of Papanasini provides eternal bliss to the
searching pilgrim.
Pookot Lake: With its own dream-like serenity, this natural fresh water
lake surrounkded by meadows and trees on all sides is a haven for peace-seeking
travellers. You'll find it on your way from Calicut half an hour ahead of kalpetta.
Kalpetta: A stronghold of the jains in the past Two historic jain temples-one
of which, through a network of mirrors bedazzle the visitor with a thousand
inkages of the icon-are found here.
Mananthavady: Historicallly important as the last resting place of Pazhassirajah
who fought a guerilla war against the British.
Getting there: An enjoyable climlb of about 1100 metres through a distance
of 90kms ( time taken: 2 hours) from Calicut brings you to the cool comforts
of Wayanad.
