Located just 277 km from Bangalore, in the state of Kerala is the magnificent district of Wayanad. Cuddled amidst an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in the Western Ghats, Wayanad is a treat for those who want to quench their thirst for dense green landscapes. The windy salubrious weather, vast stretches of tea plantations, mist-capped mountains, beautiful green valleys, wild forests, cold blue-green lakes and waterfalls make Wayanad a place of splendid beauty.Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandhipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast land mass for the wildlife to move about in their most natural abode.While driving down from Bangalore, you could enjoy the experience of travelling through the sanctuary and engulf the beautiful natural habitat of diverse flora and fauna. Wayanad enjoys tourists throughout the year since it is close to tourist places like Ooty, Mysore, Coorg and Kannur situated around this region. The terrain of Wayanad also gives an opportunity for many treks. Wayanad has three taluks – Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery and Vythiri.The district headquarters is located at Kalpetta.One of the many things about Wayanad is the local cuisine. One should not miss out on the sumptuous curries made with coarse grated coconut and local spices served with parboiled rice.The restaurants are basic without any frills. Don’t be surprised if the food is served on a banana leaf. The cuisine offers fresh seafood. The vegetarians have a plethora of vegetable preparations to choose from as well. The thali is very popular. As opposed to the standard meal which is available in many restaurants in Bangalore, the thali offers unlimited rice, with a dry vegetable, vegetable curry and sambhar being common. The non-vegetarians get fish curry while the vegetarians get to savour a traditional coconut mixed vegetable curry.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.Tourist attractions in and aroundWayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Chethalayam Waterfall, Sri Mahaganapathy Temple at Thiruvangoor, Pazhassi Raja Museum, Pookote Lake and Edakkal Caves are the prime tourist attractions of Wayanad.Beisdes, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Tholpetty, Karappuzha Dam, Jain Temple at Sultan Bathery, Tiger Valley, Meenmutty Falls, Soochippara Waterfalls, Chembra Hills, Bird Sanctuary in north Wayanad, Thirunelly Temple and Kuruva Islands are the other nearby tourist destinations in and around Wayanad.Getting thereBy air: Kozhikode airport is located at a distance of about 25 km from the centre of the city. Kozhikode is well connected by air to Mumbai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Goa, Madurai and Chennai.By rail: The Kozhikode railway station is located south of the Manachira Square.The city is well connected by train to important places like Mangalore, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Coimbatore, Goa and Mumbai.By road: There are KSRTC buses from Bangalore to Kalpetta or Sulthan Bathery (both are towns in Wayanad). One could also book a cab and drive down to the towns.Where to stay Home-stays are the best option since they are located near many tourist destinations.Most of them are located amid forests and tea plantation. Other than that, the host provides information about places that are of importance, how to get there and what to see.Wayanad Homestays Dreams Homestay, Meenmuty Homestay, Better Homestay, Chembra Homestay, Green Villa Homestay, Mountain Mist Homestay are the ones recommended.
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