Sunday, October 10, 2010

Kerala tourism destinations - Wayanad


Chembra Peak:
The hills, rocks and valleys which contribute to the very unique character of Wayanad provide a lot for adventure tourism. Trekking to the Chembra peak is a risky mountaineering endeavour. Chembra peak, the highest hill in Wayanad, is near Meppady town. 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, canvases, huts and trekking implements on hire. The scenic beauty of Wayanad, which is visible from the top of Chambra, is very exhilerating.
Edakkal Cave: 
This location of breathtaking beauty is three kilometres from Ambalavayal which is 25 kilometres from Kalpetta. The Edakkal cave in the Ambukuthy mountain, is not a cave in the real sense. As stated in the India Antiquary (Vol.XXX, page - 410) and quoted in the District Gazette, Kozhikode, it is only'a cleft about 96ft. long and 22ft wide in the rock'. It is a fissure made by a corner of rock splitting off from the main body due to some natural causes. The depth of both the cleft and the fissure is 30 ft. What makes it a cave to the ordinary observer is the fact that in the other portion of the large cleft, an enormous rock, weighing several tonnes, has fallen forming a roof over a large part of it. The rock wall contains some interesting carvings, which represent human and animal figures and objects of human use and symbols. These carvings speak of a highly civilized people of pre-historic age and inspires the archaeologists and historians to rewrite the history of Wayanad and Kerala as a whole.
Kuruva Island: 
The Kuruva island, 950 acres of ever green forest on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabani, is an ideal picnic spot, far away from the disturbances of city life. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom. It is 17 Kms. east of Mananthavady and 40 kms. north west of Sulthan Bathery.
Lakkidi: 
One of the highest locations in Wayanad, Lakkidi also commands a picturesque scenery. It is about 58 kms. north east of Kozhikode and five kms. south of Vythiri. Lakkidi, the gate way of Wayanad, lies atop Thamarassery, a ghat pass at an elevation of 700 m. above sea level. The lofty mountain peaks, the gurging stream, luxuriant vegetation and the bird's eye view of the deep valley on the south, with its winding roads, are breath taking. The 12 kms.long journey from Adivaram to Lakkidi through ghat road with nine hairpin bends amidst thick forests is a fascinating experience.
Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary: 
Muthanga, Which is 16 kms. east of Sulthan Bathery, is located very near to the Karnataka border. Wild forests covering an area of 345 sq.kms form the Muthanga wild life sanctuary; the biggest abode of wild animals in Malabar. Elephant, spotted deer, bison, tiger, cheeta, wild bear, etc. are found in this sanctuary. The forest Department has facilities for providing safaris  to tourists, here.

Pakshipathalam: 
Pakshipathalam in the Brahmagiri hills at Thirunelli, is a challenging tourist spot for any adventure seeking tourist. To reach Pakshipathalam seventeen kilometres 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, are the abode of various birds and wild beasts. Special permission has to be obtained from Forest Department to go to Pakshipathalam.
Pazhassi Raja Tomb: 
Pazhassi Tourist Resort at Mananthavady is a good picnic centre in north Wayanad. There is a good aquarium here. Coin-operated toys for children and boating facilities for tourists are available here. Pazhassi Raja, the Lion of Kerala, who organised guerilla type warfare against British East India Company, was cremated here in 1805.
Pookot Lake:
It is a natural fresh water lake, brimmed with ever green mountains. The weather here is salacious; the scenic beauty, hypnotising and the nature, unspoiled. Pookot lake tourist resort in Vythiri is the most sought after tourist spot of Wayanad. There is an aquarium and a green house here. Boating facilities are also available. Spices and handicraft items are also arranged for sale at Pookot. The lake has an area of 8.5ha. and the maximum water depth is 6.5mtrs. This lake is three kms.south of Vythiri.
Sentinel Rock Waterfalls: 
This waterfall is at Vellarimala village near Chooralmala in Meppadi panchayat. It is a picnic spot as well as a trekking centre. The sentinel rock, a rock of more than 200 m.in height, is ideal for rock climbing
Kanthanpara Waterfalls: 
Relatively smaller than Sentinal Rock Waterfall and rather less frequented, Kanthanpara and its surroundings are nonetheless very pleasant. An easy hike away from the main road, it is perfect for picnic
Soochippara Waterfalls: 
The waterfalls at Soochippara near Meppadi is really a treasure of nature, yet to be discovered. The stretches of waterfalls ranging at places from 100 to 300 feet height is a treat to the eyes. The pool below, provides for water rafting, swimming, bathing,etc. The tree top huts at Soochippara give an unique view of the valleys of the Western Ghats and the glimmering shallow waters of the surrounding springs
Banasura sagar Dam: This is the largest earth dam in India. The topography here is such that many islands will be formed in the upstream of the dam when the dam is full. These islands with the background of the Banasura hill will provide a hypnotising sight to tourists

Thirunelli Temple:
A temple, where we do poojas for the well being of the dead, where if we do the bali karma the soul of the dead will get a direct entry to the heaven according to the hindu mythology and beliefs. Here we could also find the papanashini pond where, if we take a bath all our papam will be cleared off and we could take a new birth and start living again. Over all the temple and the premises give you a peace of mind.
Tholpetty Wild Life Sanctuary:
This WLS gives you an ample view of the raw forest. The forest deoartment is providing Jeep safaris and day treks from here. Elephants, Wild gaurs, sambar deer and  spotted deer are seen in plenty.

Meen Mutty water falls:
The wonderful view you can see after a long and treacherous down hill trek of 4 km is magnificent. The Eco tourism people will guide you once you reach there. The up hill journey is more hard and time consuming. You must be extra careful and walk carefully. It is better not to take small kids with you. The path is too narrow and need extra skill to climb on the rocks. A wonderful destination for adventure lovers.

Sun Rise Valley:
A beautiful view point to watch the sun rising.

Phantom Rock:
                   A rock cut by the nature which resembles the head of the character Phantom.
Valliyoorkavu Temple
The temple, dedicated to Mother Goddess is manifested in three different forms – Vana Durga, Bhadrakali and Jala Durga. The temple is widely visited by tribal communities of Wayanad. A 15 day festival is held every year during March/April. The temple is 24 Kms. away from Kalpetta, 31 Kms. away from Sulthan Bathery. 
Pallikkunnu Church
Established in the year 1905 by a French Missionary Fr. Jeffrine, this is one of the unique churches in Kerala. The interesting aspect is that it follows some rituals that are similar to those prevalent in Hindu temples. The annual two week "Perunnal" festival celebrated in the month of February draws large visitors from different parts of the state. The temple is 19 kms. away from Kalpetta, 38 Kms. away from Sulthan Bathery. 
Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple

The Jain temple at Sulthan Bathery is believed to have been built in the 13th century. Sulthan Bathery served as a Hindu shrine, a centre for commercial activity and as a Battery (ammunition store) for Tipu Sultan’s marching armies. Few other Jain temples in Kalpetta (district head quarter town) testify strong Jain presence of in this region. The temple is 24 kms from Kalpetta and 12 kms away from Sulthan Bathery. 


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Kerala tourism destinations - Kasargode

Kasargode
BAKEL FORT:
A fort built by Tipu Sulthan. Has a great view to the sea shore. The “uyire Uyire “song from Manirathinam movie Bombay was shot here.
ADOOR  
45 KMs east of Kasargod town. Famous for its ancient Siva Temple belonged to have been founded by Arjuna. The place where the Kiratha Yuddham battle between Arjuna and Lord Siva took place according to legend. The adjacent forest not frequented by men is considered the abode of Lord Siva and his divine consort. The stream below the valley is nature bounty.
ANDASHRAM & NITYANANDASRAMAM 
These are the two notable asramams in Kanhangad.
Anandashramam, situated about five kms. east of the Kanhangad Railway Station, was founded in 1939 by Swami Ramadas, a great Vaishnava saint of modern times. The main asramam and other buildings have a beautiful setting in the midst of shady mango, coconut and other groves. There is a hill to the east of the asramam, to which the devotees retire for quiet meditation and from its west, the surrounding extensive landscape can be seen in its natural grandeur. The spot at the highest point of the hill is so fascinating that the devotees, who go up the hill and sit silently, are blessed with deep peace and tranquility.

The Nityanandasramam, which is situated on the hillock about half a km. south of the Hosdurg taluk office, was founded bySwami Nityananda. The spot was at first part of a forest area. Here Swami Nityananda constructed 45 guhas (caves) in a mountain slope. There is a temple built in 1963, after the style and design of the famous Somanatha Temple in Gujarat. A full size statue of Swami Nityananda in sitting posture made of panchaloha is one of the attractions of the asramam.
ANANTHAPURA LAKE TEMPLE 
The only lake temple in Kerala and the Moolasthanam (original seat) of Ananthapadmanabha Swami (Sri Padmanbha Swami Temple) Thiruvananthapuram. is 5 km. from Kumbla. Local belief is that Ananthapadmanabha had settled down here originally. The industrial park of KINFRA is situated here.
BELA CHURCH 
Our Lady of Sorrows Church - oldest in the district constructed in 1890 AD. 15 KM north of Kasargod. This Gothic style Roman Catholic church which is under the Manglore Diocese, has celebrated its centenary recently and also renovated.
BELLIKOTH 
Another centre in Ajanoor village renowned as the birth place
of Poet P.Kunhiraman Nair, veteran freedom fighter and playright Vidwan P.Kelu Nair and Rasika siromani Kanan Nair. A cultural centre of the district.

CHANDRAGIRI FORT 


Chandragiri lies three kms. south of Kasargod town. It has a large square situated high above the Chandragiri river on its southern bank. The fort it said to have been built in the 17th century by Sivappa Nayak of Bednore, who established his authority over the area and built a chain of forts. The Chandragiri river, on the bank of which it rises, marked the traditional boundary between Kerala and the Tuluva Kingdom. There is a beautiful bridge over the Chandragiri river at Thekkil, five miles from Chandragiri. A mosque is situated nearby and the view of the bridge with the mosque in the background is one of the most attractive sights on a drive along the NH 17 from Kannur to Kasargod. A longest railway tunnel in Kerala  passes through Chandragiri Hills. A boat club has been recently started here.
CHERUVATHUR  
The place of illustrious poets and scholars of Kuttamath Kunniyur family. The Veeramala hills at this place has the ruins of a Dutch fort built in the 18th century, is a picnic spot.
EDNEER MUTT 
It is 10 Km. North East of Kasargod. This Mutt belongs to the Sankaracharya tradition, presently renowned as a seat of art and learning.
GOVINDA PAI MEMORIAL  
 In Manjeswar, is the native place of M.Govinda Pai (1883-1963), one of the greatest Kannada poets of modern time. He was conferred the title of "Poet Laureate" by the erstwhile Government of Madras. He is known as Rashtra Kavi Govinda Pai.
HOSDURG  FORT  

The fort with its round bastion looks imposing from a distance. Somashekara Nayak of Ikkeri dynasty built the fort. The place made well known by the Nithyanandasram with 45 caves.
KAMMATAM KAVU  
evergreen forest of about 50-60 acres with a perenial stream is a centre of worship connected with Kammadam Bhagavathi Temple.

KANJAN JUNGA 
16 KMs east of Kasargod is an artist village, established by Artist P.S.Pununchithaya, the renowned artist of the west coast.
KANJAN JUNGA

3 Km. north of Manjeshwar, has a large swimming pool lake, and a beach of 4 Km. length. The swimming pool is formed by sea water in the neat vast beach is one of the gifts of nature.
KARIANGODE RIVER  
Running through the hills and dales of Hosdurg Taluk. Immorlised as Tejaswini by great novelist Niranjana laps on its shore. The famous village of Kayyur - the cradle of agrarian revolutions where the farmers and farm workers staged a historic battle against feudalism and the British imperialism.
KOTTANCHERI HILLS  
The rain forest near Konnakkad 30 KM north- east of Kanhangad. Beautiful  centre and ideal for trekking. Thalakkaveri in the Brahmagiri mountain of Coorg is near this hills. Reflection of genetic beauty of Kodaikkanal.
KOTTAPPURAM 
Mud fort build by the Nileshwar Rajas and later annexed by Bednore Nayaks in the 18th century. A Juma masjid and a Hindu shrine stand close by.
KUDLU 
Kasargod suburb - 4Km. towards north, where famous eight day discourse between Madhavacharya, the great Dwaita Philosopher and Trivikrama Pandit, the famous Adwaita Scholar took place, in the presence of King Jayasimha of Kumbla ended in the victory of Madhavacharya and the acceptance of Dwaita philosophy by Trivikrama Pandit. The 75 year old CPCRI - the premier plantation crop research institute is located here.
KUMBALA 
13 Km. north of Kasargod. The ancient seat of Rajas of Kumbala. The town stands on a bold peninsula in a lagoon seperated from the sea by a sand spit and connected to it by a narrow channel. Parthi Subbha, father of Yakshagana was born here in the 18th century. Famous Gopalakrishna temple situated here.
MADHUR 
8 KMs north east of Kasargod. Famous Srimad Anantheswara Vinayaka temple is situated here.
The rich architecture, imposing structure of the temple, with its turrests and gables and the copper plate roofing rises majestically against the beautiful land scape of hills paddy fields and gardens with the river Madhuvahini flowing leisurely in front of it.

The Madhur Temple is a Siva temple with Srimad Anantheswara as its presiding deity. But importance is given to the deity Maha Ganapathi. The Sivalingam of the temple is said to have been found by a harijan woman, Madharu.

The special festival of the temple is Moodappa Seva, which is covering the large figure of Maha Ganapathi with appam made of ghee and rice. The festival is conducted only periodically in view of the huge expenditure involved. It was celebrated in April 1962, after a lapse of about 160 years, and recently in April 1992.

Namaskara Mandapam of the temple has been decorated with beautiful figures of puranic heroes in wood. A closer examination of the wood carvings would disclose the various episodes of the Ramayana, beginning with the Seethga Swayamvaram. The Mantapam in the interior of the temple building as well as the outside facade of  the  second and third storey of the main building are also profuse with attractive and exquisite wood carvings.

It is said that the temple was attacked by Tippu Sultan of Mysore during his invasion and he felt thirsty and drunk the water from the temple well, which changed his mind and left the temple without damaging it. There is a mask on the temple which is said to be made by Tippu with his sword.
MALIK DINAR MOSQUE 
Over the years, Kasargod acquired the considerable importance as a centre of  Islam on the west coast. It is the site of one of the mosques believed to have been founded by Malik Ibn Dinar. The mosque, Juma Masjid, which is one of the best kept and most attractive in the district, is located at Thalangara.  It contains the grave of Malik Ibn Mohammed, one of the descendants of Malik Ibn Dinar and the place is sacred to  Muslims.   Another notable mosque, in Kasaragod is the Theruvath Mosque which is in the centre of the town.  An important local celebration takes place every year in commemoration of the arrival of Malik Ibn Dinar.  The Uroos attract pilgrims from all over India.
MAIPADY PALACE 
Eight Km. east of Kasargod on the Kasargod-Perla road. There are ancient palaces of Kumbala Rajas.
MALLIKARJUNA TEMPLE 
Situated in the heart of the Kasargod town is one of the famous temple in Kasargod district. The temple festival and yakshagana are most attractive.

MANJESWAR 
in the northern most extremity of Kerala and a place of historical and religious importance. For a long time it was the seat of a flourishing community Gowda Saraswatha or Konkini Brahmins. Famous for the two old Jaina Bastis at Bangra Manjeswar. Manjula Kshethra Mahathmya a legend which deals with the history of this place. The birth place of Rashtra Kavi Govinda Pai.

NILESHWAR 
Abbreviated form of Nilakanta Iswar. Formerly seat of Nileshwar Rajas who belonged to the Kolathiri family. The place witnessed the battle between Bednore Nayaks and Nileshwar Rajas. The cultural centre of the District. In and around there are several Kavus where nature, God and man commune serene silence. Major among them is Mannan purathu Kavu, where the grand finale of the annual temple festival of the region takes place. Porattu of Anjoottambalam Veerarkavu draws large crowds. Porattu is the satrical representation of everyday life presented in pageantry during the Poram.
PERNE 
Out of the 28 Muchilottu Bhagavathi temples, Perne in the northern most and the only one north of Chandragiri seema situated in the vicinity of Ananthapuram. The mass marriage at the time of Pooram festival in the month of Meenam is a unique feature of this temple.
POSADIGUMPE  
An ideal picnic centre and tourist resort located on a hillock 487.68 metres above sea level in Dharmathadka 30 KM north-east of Kasargod. From the hill top one can see the Arabian Sea, Manglore, Kudremukh, etc.
POVVAL FORT 
An old fashioned fort on the Kasargod-Mulleria route about 10 KMs from Kasargod.
RANIPURAM  
Formerly known as Madathumala. About 48 KMs east of Kanhangad.  Lying 780 meters above sea level. In beauty and boundary of nature comparable to Ooty. An ideal place for trekking. Tourist cottages are available here.



TRIKKANAD & PANDYAN KALLU 
A famous temple on the sea shore near the Bekal fort, dedicated to Lord Siva. Also known as Dhakshina Kashi. Pandyan Kallu, a rock rising in the sea about 2 KM from Trikkannad is an ideal place for adventurous swimmers. It has the legend that ship of one of the Pandya King who attacked the Trikkannad temple was converted into a rock by Lord Siva. Palakkunnu Bhagavathi Kshethram, one KM north of Trikkannad is famous for annual Bharani festival, which attracts thousands.
TULUR VANAM 
Also known as Kekulom (the eastern place). Near Panathur Temple here is consecrated to Kshethrapalan and Bhagavathy. Eight day annual festival attracts large crowd from all over the district as well as from Coorg.
VALIYAPARAMBA 
5 KMs south west of Cheruvathur separated from the mainland by back waters. One of the main tourist spots of the District. This is an island in the Arabian Sea. An ideal place for picnic also a fishing centre. 
VEERAMALA HILLS  
Situated at Cheruvathur. Hill top with ruins of a Dutch fort built in the 18th century. A picnic spot from where the natural beauty of Kariangode river and surroundings can be enjoyed.

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