WAYANAD
Wayanad District, in the north-east of Kerala , India , was formed on November 1 , 1980 as the 12th district, carved out of Kozhikode and Kannur districts. Kalpetta is the district headquarters as well as the only municipal town in the district.
Area: 2132 sq. km
Population: 671,195 (2001 census)
Altitude: 700 - 2100 m above sea level
District Constituencies : Mananthavady, Sulthanbathery and Kalpetta
HISTORY
Historians are of the view that organised human life existed in these parts, at least ten centuries before Christ. Countless evidences about New Stone Age civilisation can be seen on the hills of Wayanad. The two caves of Ampukuthimala located between Sulthan Bathery and Ambalavayal, with 
pictures on their walls and pictorial writings, speak volumes of the bygone era and civilisation. Recorded history of this district is available from the 18th century. In ancient times, this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe. In later days, Wayanad came under the rule of the Pazhassi Rajahs of Kottayam royal dynasty. When Hyder Ali becames the ruler of Mysore, he invaded Wayanad and brought it under his sway. In the days of Tipu, Wayanad was restored to the Kottayam royal dynasty. But Tipu handed over the entire Malabar region to the British, after the Sreerangapattanam truce, he made with them. This was followed by fierce and internecine encounters between the British and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Rajah 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 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 for cultivation of tea and other cash crops. Roads were laid across the dangerous slopes of Wayanad, from Kozhikode and Thalassery. 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 the 12 district of Kerala.
ACCESSIBILITY
Telephone access code: +91-4936
Air: Nearest airport: Kozhikode
Rail: Nearest railway station: Kozhikode
Major towns in the district and distance from the nearest railway station: Kalpetta: 72 km from Kozhikode, Mananthavady: 80 km from Thalassery & 106 km from Kozhikode, Sulthan Bathery: 97 km from Kozhikode, Vythiri: 60 km from Kozhikode.
Road: Well connected by roads from Kozhikode, Kannur, Ooty (175 km from Kalpetta) and Mysore (140 km from Kalpetta).
Tourist information offices:
District Tourism Promotion Council, Kalpetta Telefax: 202134 Pookot Ph: 255207 Email:
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www.dtpcwayanad.com
Tourist Information Centre, Collectorate Ph: 204441
Govt. Guest House, Sulthan Bathery Ph: 04936-220225
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Lakkidi: One of the highest locations in Wayanad, Lakkidi also commands a picturesque scenery. The entry-point to Wayanad on the road from Kozhikode, receives the highest rainfalls in India.
Edakkal Cave: 32 km from Kalpetta near Ambalavayal, is famous for its pre-historic carvings and paintings.Kuruva Island:
Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary: Muthanga, Which is 16 kms. east of Sulthan Bathery, is located very near to the Karnadaka border. Wild forests covering an area of 345 sq.kms form the Muthanga wild life sanctuary; the biggest abode of wild animals in Malabar.
Thirunelli Temple is a very old temple on the foothills of Brahmagiri.This temple is dedicated by Brahma to Vishnu in the form of Chatturbhuja.
Pakshipathalam: Pakshipathalam in the Brahmagiri hills at Thirunelli, is a challenging tourist spot for any adventure seeking tourist. To reach Pakshipathalam seventeen kilometres have to be covered through wild forest.
Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple : This Temple is one of the most important amongst a series of ruins spread across the state of Kerala that testify to a period of a strong Jain presence in this region. Believed to have been built in the 13th century, it served as a Hindu shrine, an important centre for commercial activity and eventually as a battery (ammunition store) for Tipu Sulthan's marching armies.
Sita Lava-Kusha Temple: This is the only known temple dedicated to Lava and Kusha, the sons of Lord Rama. Local legends connect this region with many important episodes from the Ramayana. As the favoured shrine of the Pazhassi Raja, this temple has traditionally permitted entry to devotees from all faiths. The temple is 50 Kms. away from Kalpetta, 25 Kms. away from Sulthan Bathery and 41 Kms. away from Mananthavady.
Pallikunnu Church, 14 km from Kalpetta is a famous Pilgrim centre in north Kerala.
Other tourist attractions are Pookot Lake, Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Soochippara Waterfalls, Banasura sagar Dam, Pazhassi Raja Tomb, Chembra Peak ETC
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