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Christmas generally is a quiet family affair, and with kids growing up fast it also means some time to go out for long holidays. The Christmas and New Year of 2012 was planned to be at Goa, but on the spurt of a moment we thought, why not drive to Goa via Wayanad

Well, I had only once driven through Wayanad before this, and that was in the year 2009, and it was midnight, which saw me driving through the periphery of forest which was devoid of roads via Tholpetty, Kutta, Gonikkoppal, Hunsur to Bangalore. I encountered wild elephants, got scared with absolutely no vehicles that night on that route with my Civvy, and thanked our lucky stars to have reached Hunsur safe. This kind of gave a strange attraction to the place! Made me always feel that Wayanad is a thick forest!

But as usual the other plans got priority and Wayanad went on being elusive till that strange evening in 2012 when we decided to drive to Goa via Wayanad! That was the evening when a good friend called for a meet at Wayanad, where all his fan club members would meet. No guesses for who the good friend is, he is our own HVK.

So the plan was set, we would drive out to Wayanad on 22.12.2012 and would be there till 29.12.2012, discover Wayanad and meet HVK and then continue on towards the New Year bash at Goa.

On researching about Wayanad, it was like a box full of surprise. There were many reserve forests around Wayanad, Wayanad had a few dams, Wayanad had a few lakes, Wayanad had a few mountains, Wayanad had tea estates, Wayanad had paddy fields, Wayanad had caves, Wayanad had rivers, Wayanad had an island! Well Wayanad details turned out to be so much exciting. Does this mean Wayanad is a mini Kerala in itself except for the back waters and beaches? Well that was what we set out to explore! And Wayanad being just 300KM from Bangalore added to the excitement!

Wayanad here we come!

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A few details about Wayanad before continuing with the log.

Wayanad District in the north-east of Kerala, India, was formed on November 1, 1980 as the 12th district by carving out areas from Kozhikode and Kannur districts. Kalpetta is the district headquarters as well as the only municipal town in the district. The region was known as Mayakshetra (Maya's land) in the earliest records. Mayakshetra evolved into Mayanad and finally to Wayanad. The Folk etymology of the word says it is a combination of Vayal (paddy field) and Naad (land), making it 'The Land of Paddy Fields'. There are many indigenous tribals in this area. It is set high on the Western Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 m.
It is the least populous district in Kerala.


History

According to archaeological evidence, the Wayanad forests have been inhabited for more than 3,000 years. Historians are of the view that human settlement existed in these parts for at least ten centuries before Christ. Much evidences of New Stone Age civilization can be seen in the hills throughout the present day Wayanad district. The two caves of Ampukuthimala, with pictures on their walls and pictorial writings, speak volumes of a bygone civilization.



The recorded history of this district exists only from the 18th century onward. Agriculture Cultivation started broadly after 1900 A.D onwards.In ancient times, this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda dynasty. In later days, Wayanad came under the rule of the Pazhassi Raja dynasty of ancient Kottayam. When Hyder Ali became the ruler of Mysore, he invaded Wayanad and brought it under his sway. In the days of Tipu Sultan, Wayanad was restored to the Kottayam royal dynasty. But Tipu handed over the entire region of northern Kerala to the British, signing the treaty of Srirangapatna with British army officer and colonial administrator Cornwallis.



This was followed by fierce and internecine encounters between the British and Pazhassi Raja of Kottayam. When the Rajah was driven to the wilderness of Wayanad, he organised the war-like Kurichiya tribals into a sort of people's militia and engaged the British in several guerrilla type encounters. In the end, the British could get only the dead body of the Rajah, who committed suicide in the forest. Thus, Wayanad fell into the hands of the British and with it came a new era.



The British authorities opened up the plateau to cultivation of tea and other cash crops by constructing roads across the dangerous slopes of Wayanad, to Kozhikode and Thalassery. Later, they extended these new roads to the cities of Mysore and Ooty through Gudalur. Settlers emigrated from all parts of Kerala and the fecund lands proved a veritable goldmine with incredible yields of cash crops.



When the State of Kerala came into being in November 1956, Wayanad was part of Kannur district. Later, south Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district. In order to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Wayanad for development, North Wayanad and South Wayanad were carved out and joined together to form the present district of Wayanad. This district came into being on November 1, 1980 as one the twelve districts of Kerala, consisting of three taluks; Vythiri, Mananthavady, and Sulthan Bathery.

(Source: Wikipedia)

That's an absolutely stunning history for the place. I have learned about Pazhassi Raja in school. We were taught that he was the Lion of Kerala.

Wayand has Pazhassi Kudeeram-a memorial for Pazhassi Raja at his burial spot in Mananthavadi

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What do you have in Wayanad to explore?
This is some from my list

Lakes

• Pookot Lake
• Karald Lake

Mountains

• Chembra Peak (2,100 metres (6,890 ft))
• Banasura Peak (2,073 metres (6,801 ft))
• Brahmagiri (1,608 metres (5,276 ft))

Rivers

• Kabini River (an important tributary of the Kaveri River) and its three tributaries, the

1. Panamaram
2. Mananthavady and
3. Kalindy rivers.

Dams

• Banasura Sagar Dam
• Karapuzha Dam

Island

• Kuruva Island

Waterfalls

• Soochippara
• Chethalayam
• Meenmutti
• Kanthanpara

Wild Life Sanctuaries

• Muthanga
• Tholpetty
• Begur
• Nagarahole is quite near

Caves

• Edakkal Caves
• Karadi Kuzhi

Trekking Options

• Chembra Peak
• Pakshi Pathalam

View Points

• Sunset Point
• Neelimala View Point

Temples, Mosques, Churches

• Thirunelly Temple
• Thrissilery Shiva temple
• Seetha Lava Kusha Temple
• Valliyoorkunnu Bhagavathy Temple
• Puliyanmala Jain Temple
• Varembetta Mosque
• Pallikkunnu Church

Other interesting places

• Heritage Museum
• Phantom Rock
• Pazhassi Tomb
• Chain Tree
• Lakkidi
• Regional Agricultural Research Station

Ghat Roads

• Nadugani Churam
• Thamarassery Churam

and the list goes on and on ...

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The Plan

Trip 1 : Christmas Drive

Day 01 : 22.12.2012 : Bangalore - Sargur - Kabini - Wayanad
Day 02 : 23.12.2012 : Wayanad
Day 03 : 24.12.2012 : Wayanad
Day 04 : 25.12.2012 : Wayanad
Day 05 : 26.12.2012 : Wayanad
Day 06 : 27.12.2012 : Wayanad
Day 07 : 28.12.2012 : Wayanad
Day 08 : 29.12.2012 : Wayanad - Mahe - Thalassery - Kannur - Mangalore - Karwar - Goa
Day 09 : 30.12.2012 : Goa
Day 10 : 31.12.2012 : Goa
Day 11 : 01.01.2013 : Goa
Day 12 : 02.01.2013 : Goa - Mollem - Dharwad - Bangalore

Goa Part of the trip can be read here

Drive Total - Approximately 3000KMS



After Trip 1, while we were discussing about what to do for our 15th anniversary, we thought of going back to Wayanad for a candle light dinner in a cave . Since the date of the actual anniversary had exams for PPGs, we preponed our anniversary drive to February and this was the plan!

Trip 2 : Anniversary Drive

Day 01 : 22.02.2013 : Bangalore - Gagan Chukki - Gundulpet - Muthanga - Wayanad
Day 02 : 23.02.2013 : Wayanad
Day 03 : 24.02.2013 : Wayanad - Kabini - Mysore - Bangalore

Drive Total - Approximately 950KMs


Anniversary Dinner

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Some teasers before I start with the log

I was happy to get my dose of Gossip


We saw a bullock cart after a long time


Who says rivers are blue only at the Himalayas?


We drove through such roads!


We relaxed in a tree house


We visited Thirunelly Temple


Thirunelly Temple


The crystal clear water at Papanashini stream


We visited Pazhassi Kudeeram


We stopped by to enjoy the vastness of nature


We thrilled ourselves on Nadugani Churam


continued...

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We had a nice time at Kozhippara


We enjoyed driving through Thamarassery Churam


We enjoyed a Sunset near Lakkidi


We were at the Gateway of Wayanad


We visited a Jain Temple


We drove through some awesome roads


We visited Seetha Lava Kusha Temple


We visited Thrissilery Shiva Temple


Thrissilery Shiva Temple


We visited Pallikkunnu Church


We offered our prayers


Christmas was round the corner


continued...

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PPGs and the guide on a trek to Chembra Peak


Sr. PPG with Chembra peak behind


We trekked on


Mid way we reached Hridaya Saras


Jr. PPG cooling off at Hridaya Saras


One for the album, at Hridaya Saras with Chembra peak behind us


Hridaya Saras - The heart shaped lake on Chembra Peak


Jr. PPG with the guide waiting for us to catch up


The last leg of climb to the peak, Jr.PPG leading us


Jr. PPG was the first to reach the peak


Clicking for posterity


We have done it


PPGs relaxing at the peak



Well this was the scene at the peak!


We trekked on!


continued...

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We visited Kuruva Island


We had to cross Kabini river to reach the island


Sr. PPG trying to cross over


PPGs find themselves a vantage position


Time to relax after the fun in water


What a great place to catch up with some reading!


We visited Karapuzha Reservoir


Karapuzha Dam


We visited Banasura Sagar Dam


PPGs at Banasura Dam


We did some Speed Boating


It was real fun!


The setting sun's rays behind Benasura Peak


continued...

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We visited Karald Lake


We then visited Pookote Lake


Somebody told me the lake has the shape of India


Everyone was enjoying their boat ride


We then visited Soochippara Falls


Also Kanthanpara Falls


We went in search of Karadi Kuzhi


I drove Civvy up here


We were at Karadi Kuzhi, no one dared to enter the cave


We could see Karapuzha Reservoir from there


We then visited Chain Tree


We stopped by to enjoy the beauty


We also visited Heritage Museum


continued...

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We went in search of Tea Gardens


And we found them


Quite a lot


This tea estate is towards Chembra Peak


We went to Phantom Rock too


Phantom Rock far away



Jr. PPG trekking towards Neelimala View Point


The trek towards Neelimala View Point


Sr. PPG capturing Meenmutty Falls from Neelimala View Point


Meen Mutty Falls


We visited Sunset Point


Wifey trying to capture the evening hues


continued...

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We visited Edakkal Caves


The cave was interesting


Some carvings from the cave










We saw a fight too


We visited a Tribal Museum


We were in a maze


We visited another Jain temple


We drove through some foggy roads


We were at Boy's town


We visited Varambetta Mosque too


continued...

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We went to Regional Agricultural Research Station


Jr. PPG was attracted to the elephant!


Jr. PPg checks out some saplings


Sr. PPG and Wifey were already collecting some


I love the simple lunch at the RARS canteen, fish curry meals with mathi fry


Bread Toast for breakfast at the hotel


Dosas too


Simple Kerala lunch at KTDC motel at Nilambur


Pomfret fry


Puttu and Kadala for breakfast


continued...

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This was our cottage




One for the album


PPGs did some performance too


We enjoyed the evening


100 plus candles lit cave


Anniversary Dinner


Catching up with some reading


Catching up


Jr. PPG in a relaxed mode


PPGs - one for the album


Inside our cottage


Wifey enjoying the views







It was time for us to leave Wayanad


continued...

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We drove via Mahe


Mahe Church


Mahe River




Jr. PPG and Wifey at Mahe


Thalassery Fort


Thalassery Light House


We enjoyed a nice evening at Muzhuppilangad Beach








We also saw a trickle of a fall at Gagan Chukki


We were the only ones there


We drove through lonely roads


And we have crunched quite a few miles behind us


continued...

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And of course the trigger for this entire drive was this,

HVK All India Meet 2012


Two Distinguished BHP ians on stage


Another two


The evening was perfect with a lot of like minded travel buffs all around!




I will continue with the detailed daily logs soon.