Wayanad Information
About Wayanad
Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous
to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka
on the north-east and Mudimalai of Tamil Nadu on the south-east.
Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Which has been established with the
specific objective of conservating the biological heritage of the
region. Interestingly, it was from here that Pazhassi Raja fought
valiantly against the British.Consisting entirely of notified
reserve, the sanctuary is very rich in fauna and flora. The
management of the sanctuary lays emphasis on scientific conservation
with due consideration to the general lifestyle of the Tribals and
others who live on the frings of the forest .
Wayanad, one of the fourteen districts in Kerala
(India) is situated in an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau
in Western Ghats.There is a land not far from Calicut, the city of
Zamorins, yet a world apart from Kerala's agricultural and
industrial epicentres. It is a quiet place where scenic beauty wild
life and traditional matter, simplicity is a virtue and beauty still
blossoms from the mountainous horizon and from the green glaze of
alluring vegetation. The border world of greener part of Kerala.
Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotizing this land has a
history and mystery, culture and social epistemology yet to be
discovered.
Located at a distance about 76 km. from the sea shores of Calicut
in the Western Ghats, this station is full of plantations, forests
and wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumala in Tamil Nadu
and Bandhipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast land mass for the
wild life to move about in its most natural abode.
Getting There
By Air
Kozhikode airport is located at a distance of about 25 km from the
centre of the city. Kozhikode is well connected by air to Mumbai,
Bangalore, Coimbatore, Goa, Madurai and Chennai.
By Rail
The Kozhikode railway station is located south of the Manachira
Square. The city is well connected by train with important places
like Mangalore, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Coimbatore,
Goa and Mumbai.
By Road
Calicut is well linked with various destinations in Kerala and
beyond. National Highway 17 links Calicut-Kozhikode with rest of the
cities in Kerala and neighboring states
Tourist Attractions
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary:
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located 16 kilometers east of
Sulthaan Bathery. Here one can find freely roaming elephants and
tigers. The best time to visit is between June and October.
Established in 1973, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous with
the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on
the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Muthanga
Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad. This sanctuary spread over 345 sq km is
rich with fauna and flora, and comes under Project Elephant.
Elephants roam freely here and tigers are sighted frequently.
Various species of deer, monkeys, birds etc also live here. The
trees and plants in the sanctuary are typical of the south Indian
moist deciduous forests and west coast semi evergreen forests. A
drive along the road to Muthanga and further, offers chances to
watch these roaming beasts. Elephant rides are arranged by the
Forest Department.
Chethalayam Waterfall:
One can get a glimpse of this lovely waterfall, one has to trek a
distance of around 4 km. from Chethalayam. Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary, also known as Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is another
tourist spot not to be missed. Here you can see elephants, spotted
deer, guar, sambhar and sloth bear.
About 15 km from Sultan's Bathery, the Wildlife Sanctuary covers
over 344 sq. km. and forms part of the area of Mudumalai Sanctuary
in Tamil Nadu and Bandipur Sanctuary in Karnataka.
Pazhassiraja Museum:
This archaeological museum in the city of Kozhikode displays
ancient mural paintings, antique bronzes, old coins, models of
temples, megalithic monuments like dolmonoid cysts, umbrella stones
etc.
Sri Mahaganapathy Temple At Thiruvangoor:
Thiruvangoor in Kozhikode district is famous for the Sree
Mahaganapathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganapathy. The annual
festival ‘Sivaratri Utsavam’ here lasts for two days.
Cultural and ritual art forms Kerala are performed all nights during
the festival. The ritual festival Theyyam is performed on the second
day. It is watched by a large gathering of devotees who in the end
receive ‘blessings in person’ from the ‘Theyyam’.
Edakkal Caves:
The two caves are located at a height of 1000 m on Ambukutty Mala
near Ambalavayal. The New Stone Age pictorial writings on the walls
of these natural caves at Edakkal are evidence of the civilization
that existed in these regions in prehistoric times.
Pookot Lake:
This perennial fresh water lake, nestled among the wooded hills, is
the only one of its kind in Kerala. The boating facilities,
children's park, handicrafts & spices emporium and fresh water
aquarium are some of the attractions of this place.
