Wayanad - Gateway to getaways

When I decided that I wanted to be surrounded by history and heritage, I knew I had to visit Wayanad. Situated majestically on top of the Deccan plateau, Wayanad is characterised by dense forests and deep valleys, not to forget the intoxicating smell of spices. I had to fight my way through at least a dozen hairpin bends to reach Wayanad and when I did, I was at a loss of words. The breathtaking scenery and the mind-blowing weather had me stunned.

I first decided to visit Soochipara Falls. A number of rocks, covered with moss, led me to the foot of the falls, where I heard the gushing sound of water from a majestic height of 300 feet. I had to be careful while getting down to the pool as one wrong step could have left me with bruises for a souvenir. The Kuruva Island is probably one place which thoroughly exhausted me, but also left me wanting for more. Spread across a sprawling 950 acres, this island is a perfect retreat for those who want to have some time to themselves.

Script found in Edakkal Caves

View from our bus

The Soojipara waterfalls, though there's very little water falling in this hot summer!

A closer view of the waterfall

Enroute Edakkal Caves

Enroute Edakkal Caves

Part of the resort where I stayed...

Inscriptions in Edakkal Caves. These writings date back to 1000 BC, suggesting possible links to the Indus Valley Civilisation

One of the many hair-pin bends

Yet another carving found in the caves

For history buffs, the Edakkal caves is a must visit. A small cleft in the terrains of the plateau, Edakkal has some interesting carvings on the wall. I had the pleasure of visiting other interesting places in Wayanad — Chembra Peak, Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary, Pookot Lake, Banasura Sagar Dam and the tomb of Pazhassi Raja.

But my trip wasn’t complete without a visit to the Fringe Ford. With towering trees and entangled vines, I got more than what I asked for— solitude, peace of mind and the impression that I was actually walking into the valley of God. And I knew I had made the correct choice — to spend a cosy week in this lovers’ paradise.


HOW TO GET THERE:
Wayanad is well connected to Tamil Nadu by road. However, it’s advisable to take the train. You wouldn’t want to miss the greenery en route. The nearest railway station and airport is Kozhikode. From Kozhikode, I hitched a bus ride till Wayanad.


ACCOMMODATION:
Thanks to the scenic cottages and resorts, my stay there was more than comfortable. The minimum cost for a cottage is Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,200 for a hotel room. Some of the best resorts are the Green Gates Hotel, Haritagiri Resort, Edakkal Hermitage and the Fringe Ford bungalow. 



TRAVEL TIPS

It’s a tough climb to the Edakkal caves and we do not recommend it for the weak-limbed or spatially challenged.

It’s the best place to buy spices and eucalyptus grandis.

Language might prove to be a problem, but it’s not too hard to understand Malayalam


* As appeared in Chennai Times in May 2009



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