[laluks]

Day 03
24th December 2012
Sultan Battery - Pulpally - Kuruva Island - Thrissilery temple - Mananthavady - Boys Town - Nedumpoil - Periya - Mananthavady - Panamaram - Nadavayal - Sultan Battery

We walked towards the opening in the island where we could get into the water. The pathway did not have anyone around. I was thinking in my mind, may be I could be wrong with my calculation of numbers, may be the place is big enough to accommodate all these crowd.

The path was empty


We enjoyed the many boards they have kept








The occasional hide and seek of the river was beautiful










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[laluks]

Day 03
24th December 2012
Sultan Battery - Pulpally - Kuruva Island - Thrissilery temple - Mananthavady - Boys Town - Nedumpoil - Periya - Mananthavady - Panamaram - Nadavayal - Sultan Battery

My thoughts were true, the place was filled with people


Every possible path was used to cross across


I was curious as to what was on the other side, but it was impossible to cross across safely in the crowd


A brave couple crossed with much difficulty avoiding the crowds and slippery rocks


We could have crossed the river, but with a heavy flow of "me first crowd", I did not want to risk PPGs falling down and bruising themselves.



To add to the already unholy mess, there was a shooting going on


They were shooting this! As if they had no other place to take a bath


I was told that they were shooting for a mallu film called Red Wine



He was absolutely enjoying the fun oblivious of what was around him


His baby sister too joins the fun


We decided to wet our legs and start back, may be we will visit another time to see what lies ahead!



How much he would have wished that these homo sapiens to get lost and reclaim his territory!!



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[laluks]

Day 03
24th December 2012
Sultan Battery - Pulpally - Kuruva Island - Thrissilery temple - Mananthavady - Boys Town - Nedumpoil - Periya - Mananthavady - Panamaram - Nadavayal - Sultan Battery

We reached the other shore by 12:15 PM and straight away went to some of those hotels there for some fish curry rice. We got some beautiful fried fish too. Since we were tired and frustrated with the crowd, we killed our frustration by hogging on to some great fish fries, By 13:30 hours it was time for us to move on. We were thinking that we would spend here a day splashing in the water, but it was not to be. More destinations to be looked at, and with me it was never a problem

Before leaving Kuruva, clicked some cranes






Our direction was towards Mananthavady for now




We decided to visit Thrissilery Temple


All Wild Life Sanctuaries were ruled out in this trip. Begur was nearby


We reached the temple by 14:30 hours.

Some information at the temple


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[laluks]

Day 03
24th December 2012
Sultan Battery - Pulpally - Kuruva Island - Thrissilery temple - Mananthavady - Boys Town - Nedumpoil - Periya - Mananthavady - Panamaram - Nadavayal - Sultan Battery


Thrissilery Shiva Temple

Thrissilery Shiva Temple Wayanad is one of the famous shrines in Kerala. This temple is built in an excellent manner and involves fabulous architecture. Lord Shiva is a Hindu deity worshipped very ardently by Indians and Hindus around the world. Thrissilery Shiva Temple is situated at Thrissilery which is place neighboring to Sulthan Bathery. Wayanad Tourists should visit this Shiva temple and enjoy the excellent architecture and serenity of this temple.

The principal deity of this Temple is Lord Shiva. There is an interesting fact about this Thrissilery Shiva Temple Wayanad. Devotees of this temple sternly believe that paying one’s contributions to Thrissilery Shiva Temple Wayanad is comparable to completing the ancestral rites at the Vishnu Temple in Thirunelli. Nearby this temple is another famous temple called Jala Durga temple installed by the mythological creator of Kerala by name Parashuram.

The idols and carvings in this temple exhibit exemplary art work. The principal deity Lord Shiva is also very enchanting in his looks. Thrissilery Shiva Temple is situated close to Kalpetta and Mananthavady. Devotees who visit this temple can offer flowers, Banana, and coconut as offering to Lord Shiva. You can experience serenity and peace once inside this temple. This temple is open for all visitors without any religious restrictions.

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[laluks]

Day 03
24th December 2012
Sultan Battery - Pulpally - Kuruva Island - Thrissilery temple - Mananthavady - Boys Town - Nedumpoil - Periya - Mananthavady - Panamaram - Nadavayal - Sultan Battery

We reached the deviation towards Boys Town


Boys Town










Unfortunately the Botanical Museum was closed


No, it was worse. It seemed not to function anymore


I saw a new road in the making


Had a bit of a dust raising drive!




Civvy got covered with dust in no time!


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[laluks]

Day 03
24th December 2012
Sultan Battery - Pulpally - Kuruva Island - Thrissilery temple - Mananthavady - Boys Town - Nedumpoil - Periya - Mananthavady - Panamaram - Nadavayal - Sultan Battery

We saw a board to the place we were searching for


Unfortunately this venture too seems to have died a natural death


What remains of a good venture is this now


Jr. PPG was unhappy that she gets nothing to learn!


A few plants still exist with name tags around it, badly in need of attention


Atleast we get to see Kerala's famous flower for Onam! Thumbappoo


Jr. PPG amidst the tea garden there


Some one was hidden in the tea garden!


We get an appearance!


It was almost 15:45 by now and we decided to take a loop road via the Kottiyoor Hill Highway for fun.


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[laluks]

Day 03
24th December 2012
Sultan Battery - Pulpally - Kuruva Island - Thrissilery temple - Mananthavady - Boys Town - Nedumpoil - Periya - Mananthavady - Panamaram - Nadavayal - Sultan Battery

The route was fun, with some steep slope for the descend with some stunning views of the valley. This route was more interesting than the Thamarassery or the Nadugany for sure. But the roads were patchy and bad at many places.

The loop we took from Boys Town to Boys Town


View of the hills


We stopped by a hairpin and relaxed for a while


Saw a giant Ladies Finger


We followed Vegetable Express


The loop is around 60+ kilometers and we reached Boys Town back by around 18:30 hours. We then drove towards Manathavady and then took Panamaram, Nadavayal route to Sultan Battery fighting through the mad traffic. It was around 50+ KMs back to Sultan Battery from Mananthavady.

The loop from Mananathavady


We reached our hotel by 20:30 hours, 200KMs done!

Disappointed at the sorry state of affairs. Kuruva island is sucked high and dry in the name of tourism. At this rate it's anybody's guess that it's unsustainable. Hope good sense prevails and visitor numbers are restricted! Further the good initiatives at Boys town seems to have died a natural death. Apathy was quite evident! Feeling very sorry about Wayanad and where it is heading to!

Ordered our dinner to the room and relaxed. After Dinner was over, around 21:30 the Hotel manager visited us with a Christmas cake and wished us Merry Christmas. Yes, it was Christmas eve and we were quite happy at the thoughtful gesture. These small thoughtful actions really makes this place special. I cannot imagine this even at some hifi resorts who charges me at least 5 times this rate for a night!

With a happy note we retired for the day.

[laluks]

Day 04
25th December 2012
Christmas Day
Sultan Battery - Pallikkunnu Church - Banasura Sagar Dam - Karald Lake - Pookode Lake - Chain Tree - Vythiri - Soochippara Falls - Sunrise Valley - Sultan Battery

It was Christmas day. Today we wanted to start our drive by visiting Pallikkunnu Church. Then we had Banasura Sagar Dam and Pookode Lake in the list. But then we ended up doing Karald lake, Soochippara Falls and Sunrise Valley before reaching back to our Hotel.

The Drive Plan for Day 04


Sultan Battery - Pallikkunnu Church around 30KMs
Pallikkunnu Church - Banasura Sagar Dam around 22KMS
Banasura Sagar Dam - Karald Lake around 10KMs
Karald Lake - Pookode Lake around 21KMs
Pookode Lake - Chain Tree(Lakkidi) around 9KMs
Chain Tree(Lakkidi) - Vythiri around 5KMs
Vythiri - Soochippara Falls around 28KMs
Soochippara Falls - Sunrise Valley around 27KMs
Sunrise Valley - Ambalavayal - Sultan Battery around 26KMS


It was again a fun filled day with another loop totaling 180KMs of drive . Man Wayanad is really vast!!

And I thought all these places were nearby


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[laluks]

Day 04
25th December 2012
Christmas Day
Sultan Battery - Pallikkunnu Church - Banasura Sagar Dam - Karald Lake - Pookode Lake - Chain Tree - Vythiri - Soochippara Falls - Sunrise Valley - Sultan Battery

Christmas Day!

Yet another Christmas away from home. Last year in 2011 we were at Rajasthan. Since last year somehow we are out for Christmas. It was like that in the beginning part of 2000s, 2003 Christmas was at Switzerland, 2004 Christmas was at Rome and 2005 at London, all mega travels of over 15 days. Well that was the advantage of being in Europe for many years. Once we reached India we were getting to our life and settling down and travel was completely out of our mind till the Ooty trip in our Esteem in 2006. But Christmas was always at home.

I enjoy Christmas back in the confines of my home, but then with the kids growing up fast, Christmas becomes the time when all are free and are ready to explore. Well this Christmas was no different, we are out exploring the beauty of Wayanad!

I got up and checked the route plan for the day


Secret revealed!



By 09:00AM we were ready to roll.

A customary picture in front of Isaac Hotel Resort


Civvy always get the best treatment wherever we go, see how Civvy is protected and barricaded


There was a nice crib made for Christmas.




By 09:15AM we rolled out of the hotel towards Pallikkunnu Church

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[laluks]

Day 04
25th December 2012
Christmas Day
Sultan Battery - Pallikkunnu Church - Banasura Sagar Dam - Karald Lake - Pookode Lake - Chain Tree - Vythiri - Soochippara Falls - Sunrise Valley - Sultan Battery

We reached Pallikkunnu Church Campus by 10:00AM






The entrance had some construction going on


Tall flag staff


Crowned with a star


Note the timings


The Christmas tree was interesting




We parked Civvy near the church


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[laluks]

Day 04
25th December 2012
Christmas Day
Sultan Battery - Pallikkunnu Church - Banasura Sagar Dam - Karald Lake - Pookode Lake - Chain Tree - Vythiri - Soochippara Falls - Sunrise Valley - Sultan Battery

Pallikkunnu Church













Interiors of the church






Jr. PPG offered her prayers

Dedicated to the Lourdes Matha, Pallikkunnu Church was established in 1905 at the initiative of a French Missionary Fr. Jeffrine. An interesting aspect of this church is that it has several rituals and practices similar to those prevalent in Hindu temples. The annual two week 'Perunnal' festival in early February draws large number of devotees from other parts of Kerala, as well as outside. The temple is 19 Kms. away from Kalpetta, 30 Kms. away from Sulthan Bathery and 23 Kms. away from Mananthavady.

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[laluks]

Day 04
25th December 2012
Sultan Battery - Pallikkunnu Church - Banasura Sagar Dam - Karald Lake - Pookode Lake - Chain Tree - Vythiri - Soochippara Falls - Sunrise Valley - Sultan Battery


We drove through some interior roads






Soon we reached the deviation to Banasura Sagar Dam


We saw the Dam


We reached the Ticket Counter by 11:15AM


The rates for entry


This is Asia's second largest Earth Dam


More information


You can do Elephant Safari if you wish here




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[laluks]

Day 04
25th December 2012
Sultan Battery - Pallikkunnu Church - Banasura Sagar Dam - Karald Lake - Pookode Lake - Chain Tree - Vythiri - Soochippara Falls - Sunrise Valley - Sultan Battery

Elephant was ready for the safari


But we preferred the steps


The first view of the reservoir






The reservoir had speed boating too




One picture for the Album


The reservoir amidst the Banasura Hills looked beautiful

Banasura Sagar Dam, which impounds the Karamanathodu tributary of the Kabini River, is part of the Indian Banasurasagar Project consisting of a dam and a canal project started in 1979. The goal of the project is to support the Kakkayam Hydro electric power project and satisfy the demand for irrigation and drinking water in a region known to have water shortages in seasonal dry periods.

In the dam's reservoir there is a set of islands that were formed when the reservoir submerged the surrounding areas. The islands with the Banasura hills in the background provide a spectacular view. It is the largest earth dam in India and the second largest of its kind in Asia. The dam is made up of massive stacks of stones and boulders.

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[laluks]

Day 04
25th December 2012
Sultan Battery - Pallikkunnu Church - Banasura Sagar Dam - Karald Lake - Pookode Lake - Chain Tree - Vythiri - Soochippara Falls - Sunrise Valley - Sultan Battery

There were a few people opting for the speed boat


Information for you


The crowd was lean probably due to the harsh sun


We watched a few taking the speed boat ride






We sat down in the shade for a while before returning


That's how the earth dam was built




One for the album


It was hot and we wanted to return fast. the place has a charm, and we decided some day we will come back in the evenings to enjoy the setting sun and cool breeze here. But as for now, it 12:00 and we were hungry.

We came out and had a light lunch at a road side hotel and moved on.

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[laluks]

Day 04
25th December 2012
Sultan Battery - Pallikkunnu Church - Banasura Sagar Dam - Karald Lake - Pookode Lake - Chain Tree - Vythiri - Soochippara Falls - Sunrise Valley - Sultan Battery

After lunch we visited Karald Lake


It was quite unimpressive








By 14:00PM we reached Pookode Lake


There was boating option at Pookode Lake


Jr. PPG was quite uninterested


Some pictures of Pookode lake










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