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Wayanad
Wayanad is situated in an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in Western Ghats. It lies between north latitude 11degree 26’28’’ and 11degree 48’22’’ and east longitude 75 degree 46’38’’ and 76 degree 26’11’’.
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. This is Wayanad - the green paradise - the border world of greener part of Kerala. Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotising 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.
The name Wayanad has been derived from the expression 'Vayal nadu' - the village of paddy fields.
In the ancient times this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe. In later times, Wayanad came under the rule of Pazhassi Rajahs of Kottayam royal dynasty. When Hyder Ali became the ruler of Mysore, he invaded Wayanad and brought it under his way. In the days of Tipu, Wayanad was restored to the Kottayam royal dynasty. But Tipu handled entire Malabar to the British after the Sreerandapattam truce that he made with them. This was followed by fierce encounters between the British and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Rajah of Kottayam. Even when the Rajah was driven to the wilderness of Wayanad he waged several battles with his Nair and Kurichia-Kuruma tribal soliders against the British troops and defeated the latter several times through guerilla type encounters. The British could get only the dead body of the Rajah who killed himself somewhere in the interior forest. Thus Wayanad fell into the hands of British, and with it began a new turn in the history of this area. The Britishers opened up the Plateau for cultivation of tea and other cash crops. Roads were laid across the dangerous slopes of Wayanad from Calicut and Telicherry. These roads were extended to the city of Mysore and to Ooty through Gudalur. Roads facilities provided opportunities for the people of outside Wayanad to flow and settle to these jungle regions.
When the state of Kerala was formed in 1956, Wayanad was part of Kannur district. Later South Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district and then on November 1, 1980 North and South Wayanad joined together to form the present Wayanad district.
The natural scenic beauty of Wayanad and its rich natural resources offer several opportunities for adventure tourism. The hills rocks and valley which make the very unique character of Wayanad provide a lot for catering to the ever increasing demand for adventure tourist.
Places To See
Chembra peak
Trekking to the Chembra peak is one of the risky tourist endeavours. Chembra peak is the highest peak in Wayanad at 2100m. above mean sea level. It is14 kms. west of Kalpetta. Trekking to the top of this peak takes almost a day. Tourists can also stay one or two days at the top of the peak in temporary camps. District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides, sleeping bags, canvass huts trekking implements on hire charges to the tourists. The scenic beauty of Wayanad which is visible from the top of Chembra is very challenging and thrilling. The blue eyed water in the lake at the top of the hill never dries up even in the peak of summer. All along the steep and slippery way to the top of the hill, the whispering of the flowing spring which sprouts from the top of the hill accompanies the tourist. If he is fortunate enough, on his way he may come across a passing wild beast, may be a leopard who may instantly hide behind the bushes. Camping in the night with camp fire and sleeping bags at the top of the peak in shivering cold is everlasting experience.
Pakshipathalam
Pakshipathalam in Bramha Giri hills at Thirunelly is a challenging tourist spot. It is 7 kms. north-east of Thirunelly temple and is situated 1740m. above mean sea level. To reach 'Pakshipathalam', 17 kms. have to be covered through wild forest. The deep rock caves formed among the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri is the abode of various birds and wild beasts. To go to 'Pakshipathalam' special permission has to be obtained from forest department. DTPC (District Tourism Promotion Council) arranges vehicle, guides, camping apparatus etc. to the tourists on hire charges.
Meenmutty Water Falls
12 kms. east of Meppadi. Water falls to a depth of more than 500m. in 3 steps.
Cultural
Historically and culturally the importance of Wayanad lies very closely linked with its temples. Thirunelly temple, Jain temples at Sulthan Bahery and Panamaram and Valliyoorkav at Mananthavady historically date back from 12th to 16th centuries and the temples show that Wayanad was a habitat of mankind and place of civilization even in very old times. These temples are the living testimony of the cultural heritage of Wayanad. D.T.P.C arranges conducted tour to these centres.
Thirunelly Temple
It is known as 'Thekkan Kasi', of Kerala. It is believed, that a dip in the river Papanasini, running crystal clear down hill, wipes one off all sins. Thirunelly is 30 kms. north-east of Manathavady.
Valliyoorkav Temple
It is 3 kms. east of Mananthavady. The 10 day festival during the month of March-April is very famous.
Puliyar Mala Jain Temple
It is 5 kms noth of Kalpetta. This temple is devoted for Anantha natha Swami, one of the saints of Jaina faith.
Pallikunnu Church
It is 12 kms. north of Kalpetta. The famous festival is in the month of January.
Varambetta Mosque
It is the oldest mosque in Wayanad (300 years old), situated 15 kms. south-east of Kalpetta, near Padinjarathara.
The vast stretches of mist - capped mountains green meadows of valleys, white water springs, blue water lakes and wild forest fabricate the splendid natural beauty of Wayanad. Taking advantage of this natural endowments, recreational facilities in Wayanad can be widened very much.
Pookot Lake Tourist Resort
This resort in Vythiri is the most sought - after tourist spot of Wayanad. Boating facilities are arranged to the very vast natural lake which lies in the lap of surrounding mountains. Thicks bushes and tall trees along the path round the lake gives a calm spiritual atmosphere. A fresh-water aquarium with wide varieties of fishes is managed by Fisheries Department. Children's park and shopping centre for handicrafts and spices of Wayanad are arranged by DTPC .
Sentinal Rock Water Falls
at Soochipara near Meppadi 22 kms. south of Kalpetta. A three step water fall of more than 200m inheight with a fantastic scenary provides for white water rafting, swimming, bathing, etc., The tree top huts at Soochipara will give unique view of the valleys of Western Ghats. It is also an ideal place for rock climbing.
Kanthan Para Water Falls
a beautiful water fall of about 30m. in height, 8 km east of Meppadi and 12 kms. south-east of Kalpetta.
Kuruva Dweep
950 acres of evergreen forest surrounded by east flowing river, Kabani. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are sovereigns of this supernatural kingdom. It is 17kms. east of Mananthavady and 45 kms. north-west of Sulthan Bathery.
Banasura Dam
The largest earth dam in India, 15 kms north-west of Kalpetta. This large expanse of water bounded except on one side with magnificant hills has heavenly charm.
Pazhassi Tourist Resort
The DTPC has organised a park at Kabani river side, 1 km. south of Mananthavady. Boating in Kabani River Children's park, children's traffic park and sales counter for handicrafts and spices are arranged here.
Lakkidi Ghat Pass
It is the Gate Way of Wayanad above the Thamarassery Ghat Pass of western ghat, at an elevation of 700m above mean sea level. Deep valley to the south with winding roads through thick forest attract many. It is 55 kms. east of Kozhikode and 5 kms. south of
Vythiri.
Edakkal Caves
The Edakkal Caves are at Ambukutty Mala. It is a pre-historic rock shelter formed naturally out of a strange disposition of three huge boulders making one to rest on the other two with its bottom jutting out in between and serving as the roof. Edakkal literally means a stone in between.
The discovery of the cave and its identification as a prehistoric site were quite accidental by F. Fawcett, the then superintendent of police. An enthusiast in pre-history, Fawcett went around exploring the Wayanad high ranges which eventually led to the discovery of the Edakkal rock-shelter in 1894. He identified the site as a habitat of neolithic people on the basis of the nature of representations on the cave walls, which appeared to him as engravings made of neolithics celts.
Edakkal rock engravings stand out distinct among the magnitude of prehistoric visual archives of paintings and graphic signs all over the world. It is the world's richest pictographic gallery of its kind.
Pazhassi Memorial
The body of Veera Pazhassi, the Lion of Kerala who organised a guerilla war against the British East Indian Company is buried at Mananthavady, which is 32 km north east of Kalpetta.
Jain Temples at Panamaram
These ruined Jain Temples are situated within 5 kms. North-east of Panamaram.
Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple
It is generally known as Tippu's Fort and situated at Sulthan Bathery town. Tippu used this temple as the Battery of his army.
Wayanad and her tribal sons
Wayanad, the panoramic hill of malabar in the northern Kerala, situated above the sea level ranges between 700 meters to 2100 meters, is a homeland of various tribal communities.
Prominent among them are
Paniyas Adiyas Kattunayakans Kurichiyans Uraali Kurumas
The Paniyas
A vast majority of tribes in Kerala state hail from the Paniya tribal sect. Paniyas inhabit in the regions of Wayanad and the neighboring parts of Kannur and Malappuram.
As bond labourers, the Paniyas were once sold along with plantations by the landlords. They were also employed as professional coffee thieves by higher castes. The name 'Paniyaan' means 'worker' as they were supposed to have been the workers of non - tribes.
Monogamy appears to be the general rule among the Paniyas. In marriage bride price is practiced like many other tribal communities. Widow remarriage is allowed. They do not practice pre-puberty marriage.They have only a crude idea of religion. Their major deity, is called 'Kali'. They also worship Banyan tree. They hesitate to cut such trees and if anyone attempts to cut such trees, they fall sick.
Due to the various tribal welfare programmes by the government, a change has set in the lives of Paniyas.
The Adiyas
The Adiyas are known as 'Ravulayar' traditionally. The Adiya, like the Paniya, is one of the slave sects in Kerala. In the nuclear Adiya tribal family the husband is the head of the house. Bride price is given to the parents of the bride by the groom. Divorce, widow marriage etc., are permitted. Polygamy is also practiced.
No punitive measure (like ostracizing of the sex offender, as one can see among Kurichias) is prevalent among the Adiyas for sex offences. Even if their woman commits such offences they are allowed to undergo purificatory ceremony known as 'Kalachu Veypu' to join their community back.
The Kattunayakan
The Kattunayakan community is found in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. They are also called Cholanaickan, in the interior forests of Nilambur area of Malappuram, and Pathinaickans, in the plains of Malappuram districts.
As their name denote, the Kattunayakan were the kings of the jungle regions engaged in the collection and gathering of forest produces. They are known as Ten Kurumar since they collect honey from the forest. They have all the physical features of a hilltribe. Their language is a mixture of all Dravidian languages.
They worship animals, birds, trees, rock hillocks and snakes. They are firm believers in black magic and sorcery. They also worship their ancestors, along with worshipping Hindu deities.
The Kurichiyans
The Kurichiyans are an agricultural tribal community. Up to some decades ago untouchability had been fairly and widely practiced by these tribals.
They have clean food habits and keep their houses, premises and dress always clean. They are matrilineal and live in joint families, under the control of their chieftain called 'Pittan'. The members of the extended family work together and put their earnings in the same purse. The Kurichiyans prefer cross-cousin marriage to any other marriage alliances. They do not practice polyandry.
Their social control mechanism was most efficient, offenders being excommunicated. Many of the excommunicated Kurichians are now educationally and economically better compared to the traditional Kurichians.
The Uraali Kurumas
Uralikuruma, the most versatile and colourful tribal people, is one of the rarest artisan tribes in Kerala. They are mostly found in the Wayan region. Uralikuruma is one of the three subdivisions of 'Kurumba' and the two others being 'Mulla' & ' Jen Kuruma' tribals.
Uralikurumas herald themselves as the followers of ancient 'Kurumba' or 'Pallava' which were once so powerful through southern India. Uralikurumas are also called Bet Kurumas. While Bet Kurumas, found now in the Mysore district of Karnataka speak Kannada, these tribals in Wayanad speak a mixture of Kanada and Malayalam languages. Amongst the Kuruma tribals in Wayanad The Mulla Kurumas consider themselves superior to the other Kuruma sects.
The Uralikurumas choose their life partners from their tribe itself. When a person dies they believe that the soul of the good become gods and that of the bad become devils. They worship deities as 'Bettu Chikkamma' and 'Bamadu' and also demons and ancestral spirits.
They play the flute and drum during their festival occasions festivals. The "Uch-alkali" is played in the month of February. Some men dance while some beat the drums and read the flute. An old man in the group performs rites to their deity 'Bettu Chikkamma'. Woman are not allowed to participate in theses ceremonies.They are also skilled potters with their women folk chiefly involved in this task. Baskets and mats of various types with reeds and bamboo and hand made pots are manufactured by them. But it has been seen that the younger generation now prefer working for non tribal landlords in plantation and paddy fields for an earning without much discomfort.
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