Wayanad

Wayanad is relatively less touristy, unexplored and unexploited area of Kerala. This lies high in the Western Ghats, and is home to a few wildlife sanctuaries, tall hills and tea estates. Kalpetta is the largest town and district headquarters of Wayanad. There are many places to see and activities to do. Directions and tourist information is easily available once you reach there, so don't worry much about the homework and just arrive here to explore more.

Wayanad (also called as Wynad, Wayanadu, Wyanad, Vayanad, Vayandu, Vynad etc.) is one of the districts in Kerala that have been able to retain its pristine nature. This green paradise is nestled among the mountains of western ghat and is located at a distance of 76 km from the nearest seashore of Kozhikode. The leading tourist centres of South India like Ooty, Mysore, Bangalore, Coorg and Kannur are around this region.

Wayanad District, in the northeast 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.

Wayanad lies at an altitude varying from 700 to 2100 metres above the sea level. The district has the highest number of tribal settlements in Kerala. The hill ranges of Vythiri Taluk (Taluk is a sub division of a district), through which the road from Kozhikode ascends the Wayanad plateau over the mind boggling bends and ridges, are the highest locations of Wayanad district.

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Rich in bio diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary is very rich in flora and fauna. The management lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration for the general lifestyle of the tribals and others who live in and around the forest region.

Wayanad district in Kerala, with its lush green landscape mostly covered with virgin forests and mist clad mountains forms a special part of 'God's own country'. The perennial streams and lakes are unique of Wayanad. The Lakkidi lake, Old Jain Temple, Wild Life Sanctuary etc. are important centers of tourists attraction.

Wayanad History

History Banglore-Kozhilode NH212 According to archaeological evidence, the Wayanad(Vayal+nadu(Tamil/Malayalam)) forests have been inhabited for more than three thousand years. Wayanad has a powerful history. Historians are of the view that organised human life existed in these parts, at least ten centuries before Christ. Countless evidences about New Stone Age civilisation can be seen on the hills of Wayanad. The two caves of Ampukuthimala located between Sulthan Bathery and Ambalavayal, with pictures on their walls and pictorial writings, speak volumes of the bygone era and civilisation. Recorded history of this district is available from the 18th century. In ancient times, this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe.

In later days, Wayanad came under the rule of the Pazhassi Rajahs of Kottayam royal dynasty. When Hyder Ali becames the ruler of Mysore, he invaded Wayanad and brought it under his sway. In the days of Tipu, Wayanad was restored to the Kottayam royal dynasty. But Tipu handed over the entire Malabar region to the British, after the Sreerangapattanam truce, he made with them. This was followed by fierce and internecine encounters between the British and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Rajah of Kottayam. When the Rajah was driven to the wilderness of Wayanad, he organised the war-like Kurichiya tribals into a sort of people's militia and engaged the British in several guerrilla type encounters. In the end, the British could get only the dead body of the Rajah, who killed himself somewhere in the interior of the forest. Thus, Wayanad fell into the hands of the British and with it came a new turn in the Home of this area.

The British authorities opened up the plateau for cultivation of tea and other cash crops. Roads were laid across the dangerous slopes of Wayanad, from Kozhikode and Thalassery. These roads were extended to the cities of Mysore and Ooty through Gudalur. Through the roads poured in settlers from all parts of Kerala and the virgin forest lands proved a veritable goldmine with incredible yields of cash crops.

When the State of Kerala came into being in November 1956, Wayanad was part of Kannur district. Later, south Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district. In order to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Wayanad for development, north Wayanad and South Wayanad were carved out and joined together to form the present district of Wayanad. This district came into being on November 1, 1980 as the 12 district of Kerala comprising three taluks; Vythiri, Mananthavady, and Sulthan Bathery.