WAYANAD - PAKSHIPATHALAM (FROM KALPETTA)

At a distance of 6 km from Ambalavalayal, 14 km from Sulthan Bathery, and 28 km from Kalpetta, Edakkal Caves are two natural caves located on top of Ambukutty Mala near Ambalavalayal in Wayanad. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Kerala, and among the must-include places in Wayanad tour.

Situated at an altitude of 4000 feet, Edakkal Caves were discovered by Fred Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police of the Malabar district in 1890, during his hunting trip to Wayanad. The name 'Edakkal' literally means 'a stone in between'. Here one can see a cave formed by a heavy boulder straddling a fissure in the rock. This heritage site is considered one of the prime Wayanad places to visit, especially for history buffs.

Many legends are there behind the formation of Edakkal caves. According to one, .....

At a distance of 16 km from Kalpetta & 4 km from Pookote Lake, Lakkidi is small hill station situated at the highest point in the Wayanad district. Located at an altitude of about 700 m, Lakkidi gets about 600 cm rainfall annually, making it one of the highest rainfall regions in Kerala and also one of the prime Wayanad tourist places to visit.

Often referred as 'the gateway of Wayanad', Lakkidi is located at the crest of the serpentine Thamarassery ghat pass, which features over 9 hairpin curves that start at Adivaram (downhill). The 12 km long ghat road from Adivaram to Lakkidi passing through thick forest leaves a wonderful experience. The lush green hills, gorges and streams on both sides of the passage up the hill are breathtaking sights to the visitors.

This beautiful hill town has a number of scenic locations and enchanting viewpoints. Lakkidi Viewpoint .....

At a distance of 21 km from Mananthavady, 22 km from Kalpetta, 46 km from Sulthan Bathery, Banasura Sagar Dam is an earthen dam situated in the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is one of the most popular Wayanad tourist places.

Banasura Sagar Dam was built across the Karamanathodu River, a tributary of River Kabini. Ideally placed in the foothills of Banasura hills, it is the largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in Asia. The dam got its name from Banasura, the son of King Mahabali, the famous ruler of Kerala. It is said that Banasura undertook severe penance on the top of the hills. Banasura hill is the third largest peak in the Western Ghats.

The dam was built in 1979 under the Indian Banasura Sagar Project that was started to support the Kakkayam Hydro Electric Power Project. This project also aimed at contributing to the drinking water and irrigation requirements of the locals during .....

At a distance of 22 km from Mananthavady, 28 km from Irupu Falls & 45 km from Kalpetta, Thirunelly Temple is an ancient temple located in a beautiful valley beneath Brahmagiri hill range close to Kerala - Karnataka border (near Kutta). It is one of the most ancient places of pilgrimage in Kerala, and among the most popular religious places to visit as part of Wayanad packages.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu. Situated at an altitude of about 900 m, the temple is surrounded by mountains and beautiful forests. History depicts Chera king Kulasekharan as the founder of this temple. There exists documentary proof that Thirunelly at the time of Tamil Chera king Bhaskara Ravi Varma I (962-1019 CE) was an important town and pilgrim center in South India. In the dense jungles surrounding the temple, the ruins of two ancient villages can be found.

The name Thirunelli derives .....

At a distance of 7 km from Thirunelly Temple, 29 km from Mananthavady, 35 km from Irupu Falls & 52 km from Kalpetta, Pakshipathalam is an eco-tourist spot situated in the Brahmagiri hills of Wayanad district. Situated at an altitude of 1740 m, Pakshipathalam is one of the popular Wayanad tourist places and also one of the best places for trekking in Wayanad.

Pakshipathalam is the abode of large population of several species of birds. It is an ornithologist's paradise. 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. The hill station of Pakshipathalam was once the meditating area for countless rishis or saints of ancient India. There is also a cave called Munikal Cave, where birds take shelter during night and early morning. The cave is also famous for the endangered species of birds known as 'Edible Nest Swift' which makes its .....