Mananthavady

Scenic paddy fields, river.

Memorial of the Lion of Kerala Veera Pazhassi Raja, who organized a guerrilla warfare against the British East India Company.

Jain temple.

If you are not spiritually inclined, the scenic surroundings will be sufficient for a spiritual lifting.

Famous Hindu pilgrim centre on the river side inside dense forest.

Tholpetty wildlife reserve forest is another UNESCO international biosphere reserve apart from Muthanga, part of Nilgiris reserve. Two entry batches are permitted.

This temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess and is worshipped in three principal forms of Vana Durga, Bhadrakali and Jala Durga. It is the most important place of worship for the tribal communities. The annual 15-day festival is in March/April and is the grandest of all festivals in the district. Slave trade used to take place here during the festival. It is still the largest congregation of all tribals of Wayanad.

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. This was the first UNESCO international biosphere to be declared in India. The sanctuary is very rich in flora and fauna including elephants, three types of deer, wild goat, jungle fowl, black bear, leopard, boar, jackal, monitor lizard, python, viper, porcupine, vultures, mongoose, long-tailed drongo, etc. Flora such as crocodile bark and the invasive species of Senna are omnipresent.

There is a herbal garden, nature care centre, sericulture unit, perma-culture centre, etc., established by the Wayanad Social Service Society and Gene Park (the Indo-Danish project for promoting herbal gardening) here. You can also find a church and orphanage. The locals call this place '42' denoting the distance in miles to Kannur.

Take the 6:10AM bus to Kutta or the 6:15AM bus to Thirunelly Temple. Both buses goes through dense forests. You can choose a window seat and enjoy the scenes.

Mananthavady town has a very confusing maze-like layout. It is only 6-km² area but the little town is extremely confusing even to those who have visited the place several times. In the evening traffic it is very unpleasant to walk as sidewalks are extremely crowded and the maze doesn't give a clue. But early morning walk can show you that the town is built in the shape of an enormous digit '8'. The bigger circle of the digit eight encircles the Latin Church Hill and the smaller circle encircles the Government Offices Hill. There is a Gandhi statue on the meeting point of the two circles in the digit '8'.

Get into any going to Kuttiady or Kallody. Get down at Pandikkadavu. Have a walk in the scenic bridge.

The Valliyoorkkavu Temple area is ideal for unpacking your picnic basket as the whole locality looks like a lush green lawn. There are two ancient temples, one orthodox church, foot bridge and river in this place in addition to an expanse of greenery.

Spectacular St. Alphonsa Church, scenic surroundings. Juses Christ and chariot statue. Ask for Nalam Mile bus stop.

Mosque, playground, arecanut plantations.

Direct buses are available from Mananthavady. Last bus returns by 6PM.