76-533: Vythiri is a village located in Wayanad district in the Indian state of Kerala . Along with Mananthavady and Sulthan Bathery , it is one of the three taluks in the district. The Vythiri taluk consists of 18 villages, including Lakkidi , Vythiri, Chundale , Meppadi , Kalpetta , and Kaniyambetta . The village of Vythiri acts as the administrative centre of Vythiri Taluk. St. Mary's Orthodox Church, part of
152-814: A continuation of the Mysore Plateau , the southern portion of the Deccan Plateau . It is set high in the Western Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2,100 meters. Vellari Mala, a 2,240 m (7,349 ft) high peak situated on the trijunction of Wayanad, Malappuram , and Kozhikode districts, is the highest point in Wayanad district. The district was formed on 1 November 1980 as the 12th district in Kerala, by carving out areas from Kozhikode and Kannur districts. An area of 885.92 km in
228-463: A continuation of the Mysore Plateau . During the British Raj , Wayanad was a taluk in the erstwhile Malabar District . The regions included in the taluks of Gudalur and Pandalur in the present-day Nilgiris district , also known as Southeast Wayanad, formed part of the erstwhile Wayanad taluk. Southeast Wayanad was part of Malabar District until 31 March 1877, when it was transferred to
304-552: A gross storage capacity of 76.50 M Cum and live storage capacity of 72.00 M Cum. The soil and climate of Wayanad are suitable for horticulture on a commercial basis. For promoting the cultivation of vegetables and establishing orchards, the Kerala Agricultural University is running a regional Agricultural Research Station at Ambalavayal. Elephant, bear and other wild animals from the neighbouring wild life sanctuaries of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, stray into
380-497: A portion of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve of rich biodiversity. Nilambur is located about 90 km (56 mi) west of Ooty and 48 km (30 mi) southwest of Gudalur town, and 27 km (17 mi) northeast of Manjeri , on Ooty - Gudalur -Nilambur- Calicut road. The 2,554 m (8,379 ft) m high Mukurthi peak, which is situated in the border of Nilambur Taluk and Ooty Taluk, and
456-529: A specialist in Edakkal cave inscriptions, stated that this would be a 'dangerous interpretation of the script'. Varier, who discovered the inscription read it as 'Sri Vazhumi' meaning 'Sri Brahma' in Tamil and dated it to 3rd–4th century CE, whereas Vedachalam, read it as 'Vazhumi' and dated it to 5th–6th century CE. The Mooshaka kings were considered descendants of Nannan. By the 14th century, Mooshaka Kingdom
532-457: Is Calicut International Airport at Karipur which is 44.50 km from Nilambur. Nilambur Taluk , also known as Eastern Eranad Taluk , comes under Perinthalmanna revenue division in Malappuram district of Kerala , India. Its headquarters is the town of Nilambur. Nilambur Taluk contains Nilambur Municipality and a few Gram panchayats . Most of the administrative offices are located in
608-413: Is a considerable Kannada speaking population and the reminiscence of centuries old Karnataka rule is omnipresent in Wayanad. Agriculture Cultivation started broadly after 1900 A.D onwards. 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
684-624: Is also the fifth-highest peak in South India as well as the third-highest in Kerala after Anamudi (2,696 m [8,845 ft]) and Meesapulimala (2,651 m [8,698 ft]), is the highest point of elevation in Malappuram district. It is also the highest peak in Kerala outside the Idukki district . The 2,383 m (7,818 ft) high Anginda peak , which is located closer to Malappuram - Palakkad - Nilgiris district border
760-979: Is among the shortest as well as picturesque broad gauge railway lines in India. The railway line is surrounded by teak trees. It was laid by the British in colonial era for the transportation of Nilambur Teak logs into United Kingdom through Kozhikode . Silent Valley National Park is located near Karuvarakundu in Nilambur Taluk. It is located in the rich biodiversity of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve . Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary , New Amarambalam Reserved Forest , and Nedumkayam Rainforest in Nilambur Taluk of Malappuram district , Attappadi Reserved Forest in Mannarkkad Taluk of Palakkad district, and Mukurthi National Park of Nilgiris district , are located around Silent Valley National Park. Mukurthi peak,
836-559: Is at Calicut . The road to the east connects to Mysore and Bangalore . Night journey is not allowed on this sector as it goes through Bandipur national forest. Pookode Lake is a fresh water lake with boating facility. It is very popular with tourists coming with children. The lake is 8.5 hectares big and the maximum depth of the water is 6.5 meters. Landslides occurred near the villages of Punjirimattom, Mundakkai , Chooralmala, and Vellarimala in July 2024 due to heavy rains that triggered
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#1732771783256912-404: Is believed that Manikyapuri was at the present day Manichira. The location of Ksheerapuri is not yet identified. Kalpathi may be Kalpetta, the present day Wayanad district headquarters, Anjukunnu was then Hanjugondu, etc. When Wayanad was under Hyder Ali 's rule, the ghat road from Vythiri to Thamarassery was constructed. Then the British rulers developed this route to Carter road. When Wayanad
988-481: Is bounded by Silent Valley National Park to south, Nilgiri mountain ranges and Pandalur , Gudalur , Ooty , and Kundah Taluks of Nilgiris district to east, Wayanad district and Thamarassery Taluk of Kozhikode district to north, and Eranad and Perinthalmanna Taluks to west. The villages included in the Taluk are: The oldest Teak plantation of the world is at Conolly's plot. The Nilambur–Shoranur line
1064-581: Is ideally placed in the foothills of Banasura hills, which got its name from 'Banasura', the son of King Mahabali, the famous ruler of Kerala. The dam here was constructed on behalf of the Banasurasagar project in 1979, to support the Kakkayam Hydroelectric power project and to meet the water demand for irrigation and drinking purposes. The dam, located around 21 km away from Kalpetta is a tourist destination in Wayanad. Banasura dam
1140-596: Is made up of massive stacks of stones and boulders. Karapuzha Dam is considered to be one of the biggest earth dams in India, which has been constructed on the Karapuzha River, a tributary of the Kabini River. Vazhavatta in Vythiri taluk of Wynad district for providing irrigation to an area of 5580 ha (CCA) say 5600 hectare in Vythiri and Sultan Bathery taluks of Wynad district of Kerala. The reservoir has
1216-650: Is maintained by the Kerala Forest Research Institute which was established for the memory of the oldest known Teak plantation in the world. The town is also famous for Nilambur Kovilakam , where the Nilambur Rajas resided and ruled the land. Nilambur Rajas were vassals to the Zamorins of Calicut , based at Nilambur. The Nilambur–Shoranur line is among the shortest as well as picturesque broad gauge railway lines in India. It
1292-406: Is ongoing here. There are also wide and good quality direct road towards Kakkadampoyil of Kozhikode district from here. There is a large fleet of government and private buses and other transports serving this town. There is a KSRTC sub depot which serves the area operating both interstate and intrastate Public bus transport. This town is also served by a railway station called Nilambur road which
1368-445: Is the first forest produce to get its own GI tag. Nilambur is well connected to other parts of the Kerala and other parts of the country by road and rail networks. Kozhikode-Nilambur-Gudalur ( SH 28 ) road which is a major interstate highway runs through the heart of Nilambur. Other State highways such as SH 39 (Perumbilavu - Nilambur Road) and SH 73 (Valanchery - Nilambur Road) also serves this town. Construction for Hill Highway
1444-415: Is the second-highest peak. Vavul Mala , a 2,339 m [7,674 ft] high peak situated on the trijunction of Nilambur Taluk of Malappuram, Wayanad , and Thamarassery Taluk of Kozhikode districts, is the third-highest point of elevation in the district. The Nilambur Taluk has several small and medium-sized tributaries of Chaliyar river. It is believed that Nilambur was derived from Nilambapuri,
1520-411: Is the terminus of Nilambur–Shoranur railway line . This railway station connects this town to other parts of India as it has regular trains which leads to shoranur junction which is the largest railway station of Kerala state. The Nilambur–Nanjangud line is a proposed railway line, which connects Nilambur with the districts of Wayanad , Nilgiris , and Mysore . The nearest International Airport
1596-651: The Badami Chalukyas under their founding emperor Pulakeshin I (reign c. 540-567 CE), claim to have defeated the Cheras and the Ezhil Malai rulers, which could be a Pandya dynasty reference, and also annexed the entire Malabar region to their empire. The Pandya , Chera and Chola powers strategised and combinedly attacked the Chalukyas as an alliance in order to avoid repeated reversals. However,
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#17327717832561672-624: The Malappuram district of the Indian state of Kerala . It is located close to the Nilgiris range of the Western Ghats on the banks of the Chaliyar River . This place is also known as 'Teak Town' because of the abundance of Nilambur teaks, which is a variety of a large, deciduous tree that occurs in mixed hardwood forests. Unlike many Municipalities of India; Nilambur is covered with large amounts of vegetation, making it very scenic. In
1748-444: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve . The Chaliyar river, which is the fourth longest river of Kerala, originates on the Wayanad plateau. The historically important Edakkal Caves are located in Wayanad district. Wayanad district is bordered by Karnataka ( Kodagu , Chamarajanagar and Mysore districts) to the north and north-east, Tamil Nadu ( Nilgiris district ) to the south-east (it is the only district that shares border with both
1824-583: The Sultan Bathery Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is located in Vythiri. The all season attractive weather, greenery and the terrain of this place makes Vythiri a major tourist destination in Kerala. Tourists from all parts of the world visits and stays in Vythiri to enjoy the beauty of Vythiri and other tourist destinations in Wayanad . According to the local legend, an English engineer built
1900-452: The natural resources point towards an imminent environmental crisis. There are a lot of trekking points in this district. Chembra Peak (2,100m) is the highest peak in the Wayanad district. Banasura Hill (2,079m) is also similar to height of Chembra Hill . Brahmagiri Hill is also another trekking point in Wayanad. Wayanad district is bounded by protected area network of different biological reserves such as Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary in
1976-729: The 16th century. In 1610 CE, Udaiyar Raja Wadiyar of Mysore drove out Vijayanagara General and became the ruler of Bayalnad and the Nilgiris. This Bayalnad is the native Kannada name from which Wayanad, its Malayali version, the present name of the district, is derived. Historian Sanu Kainikara states that with the end of the Sangam period , the 4th and 5th centuries brought trouble for the Cheras (who ruled entire Kerala and Kanyakumari District and adjoining areas), in that they lost control over some parts of Kerala which included Wayanad District due to
2052-528: The 1951 census of India found that 87.5% of the total population of Wayanad were native speakers of Malayalam at that time, while just 6.2% of the total population spoke Kannada . On 1 January 1957, the erstwhile Malabar District was divided into three: Kannur, Kozhikode, and Palakkad. On the same day Wayanad taluk was split up into North Wayanad and South Wayanad. Initially both of the taluks of Wayanad were included in newly formed Kannur district. However, two months later on 15 March 1957, South Wayanad taluk
2128-519: The Begur forest range and the forests around Muthanga, which is 20 kilometres away from the town of Sultan Bathery. Franky's narrow-mouthed frog was recently discovered in Wayanad district. The Wayanad laughingthrush is named after this region, but unlike other South Indian laughingthrushes, has a wide distribution through the Western Ghats. It is the least populous district in Kerala. Unlike
2204-480: The British records, Nilambur and its surroundings are collectively described as Nilambur Valley . The bank of river Chaliyar at Nilambur region is also known for natural Gold fields. Explorations done at the valley of the river Chaliyar in Nilambur has shown reserves of the order of 2.5 million cubic meters of placers with 0.1 gram per cubic meter of gold. The hilly forested area of Nilambur Taluk forms
2280-516: The East India Company by the treaty of 1792. Consequently, the British troops withdrew from Wayanad conceding to Tipu's rule. When Wayanad was under Hyder Ali 's rule, the ghat road from Vythiri to Thamarassery was invented. Then the British rulers developed this route to Carter road. After Hyder Ali, his son Tipu Sultan took control over the territory. Initially the British had to suffer local resistance against their rule under
2356-611: The Edakal Male (hill) caves, Kannada inscriptions belonging to Canarese chieftain Vishnu Varma of Kutumbiya (Kudumbiya) clan of Mysore dating to c. 5th century CE were discovered which read – Palapulitaanamtakaari (or Pala pulinânam ta-kâri ), Sri Vishnu Varma Kutumbiya Kulavardhanasya li..it..a.. As per Hultzch, a Chennai epigraphist, it speaks of the glorious descendant of Kutumbiya clan, Kannada chieftain, Vishnu Varma, as one who killed many tigers. The inscriptions of
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2432-575: The Ghat road to Vythiri on the basis of the information given by a tribal youth. After getting the necessary guidance, the English people killed the tribal guide. The spirit of the tribal youth got angry and caused many accidents in the road. So a priest took the initiative to chain the spirit to a tree in Vythiri. This Chain Tree is seen even today at Lakkidi. Some of the passing motorists even pay homage to
2508-606: The Iruvazhinadu Nambiars and were in possession of North Wayanad and the small Village of Thamarassery which formed the Eastern portion of the present Vadakara, Quilandy and Thamarassery taluks. Thamarassery pass which connects Wayanad with the city of Kozhikode was laid in the 18th century by Tipu Sultan , the ruler of Mysore . In 930 AD, emperor Erayappa of Ganga dynasty led his troops to south west of Mysore and after conquering, called it Bayalnad meaning
2584-573: The Mini-Civil Station at Nilambur. The position of Nilambur Taluk in Malappuram district is shown below: Nilambur Taluk is the largest Taluk in Kerala. It is composed of 21 villages. Since most of Nilambur is the jungle and hilly area, this Taluk has the least population density in the district. Several tributaries of Chaliyar River flow through Nilambur Taluk. Nilambur, Wandoor , Edakkara , Mambad , Kalikavu , and Karuvarakundu , are some major towns in Nilambur Taluk. Nilambur Taluk
2660-471: The Mysore inscriptions (alluding perhaps to the treacherous beauty of the country, which attracted the stranger and then laid him low with malaria) says "an adulteress with black waving curls, as adulteress with full-moon face, an adulteress with endless side-glances, an adulteress with adorned slim figure was this storeyed mansion, the double Bayalnad" . Kadamba Bayalnad rule emerged in the 11th century under
2736-465: The Raja of Kottayam set up a semi-independent principality of his own at the expense of Kolathiris. In the 10th century CE, the region comprised erstwhile Taluks of Kottayam, Wayanad and Gudallur was called Puraikizhanad and its feudal lord Puraikizhars . The Thirunelly inscriptions refer to the division of Puraikizhar family into two branches viz., Elder ( Muthukur ) and Younger ( Elamkur ) in
2812-728: The West, Mudumalai National Park in the South, Bandipur National Park in the East, Nagarhole National Park in the North East, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in the North and Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in North West which is linked with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary . The district has rich water resources. There are east flowing and west flowing rivers in the region. One of the major rivers in
2888-453: The Western Ghats fell under the Kannada speaking area as per the linguistic survey and history by Colonel Mark Wilks . Languages of Wayanad district (2011) At the time of the 2011 census, 90.64% of the population spoke Malayalam , 1.82% Paniya , 1.11% Tamil and 0.91% Kannada as their first language. Nilambur Nilambur is a major town, a municipality and a Taluk in
2964-426: The beginning of the 11th century. In the 17th century Kottayam-Malabar was the capital of Puraikizhanad (Puranattukara) Rajas. It was divided into three branches i.e., Eastern, Western and Southern under separate dignitaries known as Mootha, Elaya and Munnarkur Rajas. The Kottayam Rajas extended their influence up to the border of Kodagu . By the end of the 17th century, they shared the area of Thalassery taluk with
3040-555: The beginning of the New Age Civilisation. The name 'Wayanad' is derived from 'vayal nāḍŭ' ( Malayalam ) which translates to 'the land of paddy fields ' in English. Wayanad district lies in the Bayalu Seeme region (highland) of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve . Geographically it is similar to the neighbouring districts of Kodagu and Mysore of Karnataka , and Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu . Wayanad plateau forms
3116-456: The chief Raviyammarasa with Kirttipura, Punnad, as its capital. Kanthirava (1090 CE) was described as ruling Chagi-Bayalnad. Iravi-Challamma (1108 CE) was the ruler of Bira-Bayalnad. Under emperor Tailapa II (973–997 CE) many Jain Basthis were built in south India. The Jain centres and agricultural villages of Wayanad came in to existence during this time. There are many proofs, which justify
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3192-578: 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. To fulfil the aspirations of the people of Wayanad for development, North Wayanad and South Wayanad were carved out and joined to form
3268-530: The coastal belt wedged between Mangalore and Kozhikode was under Ezhimala kingdom with a headquarters at Ezhimala. Some linguists say that an inscription found in the Edakkal Caves in Wayanad, from the 3rd century CE (approximately 1,800 years old), is the oldest known inscription in Malayalam , as it contains two modern Malayalam words, Ee (this) and pazhama (old). Historian M. R. Raghava Varier ,
3344-429: The collapse of hillsides. The landslides marked one of the deadliest natural disasters in Kerala's history, with reports of at least 400 deaths. Wayanad district Wayanad ( Malayalam: [ʋɐjɐnaːɖɨ̆] ) is a district in the north-east of the Indian state of Kerala , with its administrative headquarters at the municipality of Kalpetta . It is the only plateau in Kerala. The Wayanad Plateau forms
3420-533: The confederacy was defeated and the Chera king was forced to pay a heavier price, in tribute and indemnity, than his two allies for their misadventure as the Chalukyas had gotten to know the identities of the persons responsible for forming the confederacy. The recorded history of the Wayanad district exists only from the 10th century onward. In 930 CE, emperor Erayappa of Ganga dynasty led his troops to south west of Mysore and after conquering, called it Bayalnad meaning
3496-505: 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. Agriculture Cultivation started broadly after 1900 A.D onwards. Wayanad eventually became part of Kerala despite its geographical delimitations and political descent in 1956 on State's reorganisation. Even now there
3572-484: The district is Kabini River , a tributary of River Kaveri ; it is also one of the only three east flowing rivers in Kerala. Kabani has many tributaries including Thirunelli River, Panamaram River and Mananthavady River. All these rivulets help form a rich water resource as well as a distinct landscape for the district. Various streams flow into the Panamaram rivulet while it passes through the mountain gorges and finally
3648-566: The district is forested. Wayanad has three municipal towns — Kalpetta , Mananthavady and Sulthan Bathery . There are many indigenous tribes in this area. The Kabini River , a tributary of the Kaveri River , originates at Wayanad. Wayanad district, along with the Chaliyar valley in the neighbouring Nilambur (Eastern Eranad region) in Malappuram district , is known for natural gold fields, which are also seen in other parts of
3724-483: The existence of Jainism in Wayanad. In 1104 CE Vishnuvardhana of Hoysala invaded Bayalnad and Nilgiris and annexed them followed by Vijayanagara dynasty in the 14th century. A Kadamba king, Mukkanna-Kadamba ruled Bayal-nad in and around 1138 CE. A feudatory chieftain of Sangama dynasty of Vijaynagar, Immadi Kadamba Raya Vodeyayya of Bayalnad Kadambas, is said to have ruled Bayalnad. In 1610 CE Udaiyar Raja Wadiyar of Mysore drove out Vijayanagara General and became
3800-668: The fifth-highest peak in South India, and Anginda peak are also located in its vicinity. Bhavani River , a tributary of Kaveri River , and Kunthipuzha River , a tributary of Bharathappuzha river, originate in the vicinity of Silent Valley. The Kadalundi River has also its origin in Silent Valley. The waterfalls like Keralamkundu are also located in Karuvarakundu . A Ghat road which connects Nilambur with Gudalur and Ooty of neighbouring Nilgiris district . It
3876-726: The growing Kadamba power and superiority. This is indicated by the Kadamba inscriptions in Edakal caves of Wayanad. A contemporary Buddhist work claims that the Kalabhra king Achuta Vikkanta defeated the 3 traditional southern dynasties – Pandya, Chera, and Chola, and even held all their three kings captive. For nearly five centuries, from 5th–10th century CE, the Cheras were reduced to the status of insignificant rulers due to their inability to avoid foreign invasions. They barely clung on to power with very minimal territory and had to survive at
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#17327717832563952-496: The headquarters of the new district. Historians believe that human settlements have existed in these parts from at least 1,000 BCE. Much evidence of New Stone Age civilisation can be seen in the hills throughout the present-day Wayanad district. The Edakkal Caves have 6000-year-old rock engravings from the Neolithic age. The recorded history of this district is available only from the 18th century. In ancient times, this land
4028-534: The help of the Kurichya tribe in association with Hindus and Muslims of the Malabar region launched a revolt against the British. Kaniyambetta and Muttil Panchayaths are the centrally located Panchayaths with the best access from all corners of Wayanad, while Tavinjal Panchayath is on the northeast border with Kannur district. The edicts found in the caves of Ambukuthi Mala are evidence that occupation dates from
4104-571: The inscription are Arepathra, Bennegodu, Palagondu, Hanneradubeedhi, Puthangadi (Muthangadi) and Hosangadi. The Arepathra Chaityalaya is not yet identified. It is believed that it was at the hilltop near to the Panamaram river. The other Kannada touch place names are identified with their present Malayalam version names as Venniyode, Palukunnu, Sultan Batheri, Puthangadi and Mananthavady respectively. Raghava Varriar says that there were seven Jain centres in Wayanad viz. Manikyapuri, Ksheerapuri, Kalpathi, Vennayode, Palagondu, Hosangadi and Hanneradubeedhi. It
4180-449: The land of swamps. After Erayappa, his sons Rachamalla and Battunga fought each other for the new kingdom of their father's legacy. Rachamalla was killed and Battunga became the undisputed ruler of Bayalnad. In the 11th century AD, Gangas were dethroned from Bayalnad by Kadamba dynasty of North Canara. Wayanad, called Bayalnad (Kannada) since beginning, was at that time divided into two portions – Bira Bayalnad and Chagi Bayalnad. One of
4256-403: The land of swamps. After Erayappa, his sons Rachamalla and Battunga fought each other for the new kingdom of their father's legacy. Rachamalla was killed and Battunga became the undisputed ruler of Bayalnad. In the 12th century CE, Gangas were dethroned from Bayalnad by Kadamba dynasty of North Canara. In 1104 CE, Vishnuvardhana of Hoysala invaded Bayalnad followed by Vijayanagara dynasty in
4332-566: The leadership of Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja , who had popular support in Thalassery -Wayanad region. In the end, the British could get only the dead body of the Rajah, who killed himself somewhere in the interior of the forest. Thus, Wayanad fell into the hands of the British and with it came a new turn in the home of this area. The British authorities opened up the plateau to the cultivation of tea and other cash crops by constructing roads across
4408-654: The mercy of their northern powerful imperial empires from Karnataka like the Kadambas , the Badami Chalukyas , the Rashtrakutas and the Kalyani Chalukyas , who invaded and moved through their realm as and when they pleased. The two caves of Ampukuthimala (Edakal Caves) in Sulthan Bathery , with pictures on their walls and pictorial writings, speak volumes of a bygone civilisation. At the foot of
4484-607: The neighbouring Nilgiris district due to the heavy population of Malabar and the small area of Nilgiris. Wayanad was a separate revenue division within the Malabar District until 1924. During the States Reorganisation of 1956 after the independence of India, the Mysore state (present-day Karnataka ) claimed Wayanad due to its historical and geographical peculiarities. However the linguistic survey of
4560-470: The neighbouring states of Kerala), Malappuram to the south, Kozhikode to the south-west and Kannur to the north-west. Pulpally in Wayanad boasts the only Lava - Kusha temple in Kerala and Vythiri has the only mirror temple in Kerala, which is a Jain temple. Varambetta mosque is the oldest Muslim mosque of Wayanad. Wayanad is famous for its role in the Cotiote War , where Pazhassi Raja with
4636-485: The old name of Nilambur Kingdom. The teaks for the construction of Uru , a kind of ships those were used for maritime trade through Beypore port, were usually taken from Nilambur Teak Forests. The oldest teak plantation of the world in the Conolly's plot is just two km (1.2 mi) from the town. It was named in memory of Henry Valentine Conolly , the then Malabar district collector. Teak Museum at Nilambur
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#17327717832564712-477: The other districts of Kerala, in Wayanad district, there is no town or village named same as the district (i.e., there is no "Wayanad town"). According to the 2018 Statistics Report , Wayanad district had a population of 846,637, roughly equal to the nation of Comoros . 2011 Census of India gives district a ranking of 482nd in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 397 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,030/sq mi). 3.86% of
4788-549: The outcome of internal dissensions. The Nileshwaram dynasty on the northernmost part of Kolathiri dominion, were relatives to both Kolathunadu as well as Zamorin of Calicut , in the early medieval period. The origin of Kottayam royal family (the Kottayam referred here is Kottayam-Malabar near Thalassery , not to be confused with Kottayam in Southern Kerala) is lost in obscurity. It has been stated that
4864-429: The population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 3.87% and 18.86% of the population respectively. This is the highest SC/ST percentage in all of Kerala. Paniyas , Uraali Kurumas, and Kurichiyans comprise the tribes in Wayanad. Badagas are present in 21 hamlets spread across Wayanad. The entire Wayanad plateau and all the hilly regions above the plains (above 500m MSL altitude) above
4940-408: The present district of Wayanad. This district came into being on 1 November 1980 as one of the twelve districts of Kerala, consisting of three taluks ; Vythiri , Mananthavady , and Sulthan Bathery . In 2024, landslides in Wayanad killed at least 336 people and 78 are missing. Many of the people killed were workers in the farms, or were members of their families. Wayanad district stands on
5016-585: The river falls down into Panamaram Valley. After flowing through the district for a certain distance, River Panamaram joins Mananthavady River, which originates from the lower regions of the peak called 'Thondarmudi'. Banasura Sagar Dam across the Karamanathodu River, a tributary of River Kabini, in Kalpetta, is considered to be the largest earth dam in India and the second largest in Asia. The dam
5092-507: The ruler of Bayalnad and the Nilgiris. Bayalnad is the present Wayanad. An inscription discovered from a Jain Basti at Varadur near Panamaram dated to Saka era 1606 which is 1684 CE, shows that Jainism was still very powerful even in the 17th century. The inscription which was noticed by noted epigraphist and historian M. R. Raghava Varriar, has reference about the earliest Jain settlements and temples in Wayanad. The copper plate inscription which
5168-403: The southern tip of the Deccan plateau and includes part of the Western Ghats . The western parts of the district bordering Kozhikode district consists of the Western Ghats covered with dense forest. The district forms a part of the south western Deccan plateau , and is sloped to the east. Quite a large area of the district is covered by forest but the continued and indiscriminate exploitation of
5244-512: The tree for allowing a safe passage. Vythiri is 700 meters above the sea level and the weather is remarkably cooler than other parts of Wayanad. There are many resorts in Wayanad thanks to the salubrious climate here. There is a university here specializing in Veterinary science and there is a special college for catering management. Oriental school of hotel management. Vythiri is 66 km by road from Kozhikode railway station and this road includes nine hairpin bends. The nearest major airport
5320-483: Was Nannan, whose kingdom extended up to Gudalur, Nilgiris and northern parts of Coimbatore . It is said that Nannan took refuge in the Wayanad hills in the 5th century CE when he was lost to Cheras , just before his death in battle, according to the Sangam works . Wayanad was part of the Karkanad, which included the eastern regions of the Ezhimala kingdom (Wayanad- Gudalur areas including part of Kodagu (Coorg)). Karkanad along with Poozhinadu, which contained much of
5396-639: Was known as Kolathirinad and its rulers as Kolathiris . The Kolathunad Kingdom at the peak of its power reportedly extended from the Netravati River (Mangalore) in the north to Korapuzha (Kozhikode) in the south with Arabian Sea on the west and Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in Arabian Sea. The Kolathiri Dominion emerged into independent 10 principalities i.e., Kadathanadu ( Vadakara ), Randathara or Poyanad ( Dharmadom ), Kottayam ( Thalassery ), Nileshwaram , Iruvazhinadu ( Panoor ), Kurumbranad etc., under separate royal chieftains due to
5472-559: Was laid by the British in colonial era for the transportation of Nilambur Teak logs into United Kingdom through Kozhikode . During British rule, Nilambur's chief importance laid in producing teaks. In the old administrative records of the Madras Presidency , it is recorded that the most remarkable plantation owned by Government in the erstwhile Madras Presidency was the Teak plantation at Nilambur planted in 1844. Nilambur Teak
5548-723: Was placed under a water fountain at Varadur Ananthanatha Swami temple deals with the grant of various ritual materials to the Jain Basathis of Wayanad by Lalithappa, the younger son of Bommarasa of the Karkala Aremane Basathi. The Kannada inscription dated Sakavarsha 1606 (i.e., 1684 CE) Rakthakshi Samvatsara Jeshtabahula Shukravara reads:Karkala aremane basthiya bommarasanu mommaga lalithappanu devapooje chinna belli thamra kanchu upakaranagalu madisi kotta bibara. The Jain Chaithyalayas or temples referred in
5624-726: Was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe. In the earliest part of the recorded history of Wayanad District, Kasaragod-Kannur-Wayanad-Kozhikode Districts in the northern part of present-day Kerala were ruled by the Nannans ( Mushika dynasty ) who later came to be known as the Kolathiris . Politically the area was part of the Ezhimala Kingdom, with its capital at Ezhimala in present-day Kannur district. The most famous king of Ezhimala
5700-515: Was transferred into Kozhikode district . The North Wayanad Taluk was transferred to Kozhikode district on 1 January 1979. Wayanad district was formed by incorporating the taluks of North Wayanad and South Wayanad on 1 November 1980 as the 12th district of Kerala . On the same date, North Wayanad Taluk was renamed as Mananthavady , and South Wayanad was split to form the taluks of Sultan Bathery and Vythiri . Kalpetta in Vythiri taluk became
5776-495: Was under Tipu Sultan's rule British invasion started. Tussle and turbulent times followed. The British claimed Wayanad under the 1792 treaty of Srirangapatna citing it was part of Malabar. Tipu Sultan went in appeal before the governor general . Considering his arguments, relying on the successive Karnataka rule for centuries in Wayanad and its geographical detachment from Malabar, in 1798, Governor General Lord Mornington declared by proclamation that Wayanad had not been ceded to
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