Hill Stations
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.
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