Imagine a land blessed by the golden hand of history, shrouded in the timeless mists of mystery, and flawlessly Wayanad adorned in nature’s everlasting splendor. Wayanad, with her enchanting vistas and captivating Way beyond… secrets, is a land without equal. And in her embrace you will discover something way beyond anything you have ever encountered. 02 03 INDEX Over the hills and far away…....... 06 Footprints in the sands of time… 12 Two eyes on the horizon…........... 44 Untamed and untouched…........... 64 The land and its people…............. 76 04 05 OVER THE ayanad is a district located in the north- east of the Indian state of Kerala, in the southernmost tip of the WDeccan Plateau. The literal translation of “Wayanad” is HILLS AND “Wayal-nad” or “The Land of Paddy Fields”. It is well known for its dense virgin forests, majestic hills, flourishing plantations and a long standing spice trade. Wayanad’s cool highland climate is often accompanied by sudden outbursts of torrential rain and rousing mists that blanket the landscape. It is set high on the majestic Western Ghats with altitudes FAR AWAY… ranging from 700 to 2100 m. Lakkidi View Point 06 07 Wayanad also played a prominent role district and North Wayanad remained The primary access to Wayanad is the Thamarassery Churam (Ghat Pass) in the history of the subcontinent. It with Kannur. By amalgamating North infamous Thamarassery Churam, which is often called the spice garden of the Wayanad and South Wayanad, the is a formidable experience in itself. The south, the land of paddy fields, and present Wayanad district came into official name of this highland passage is the home of the monsoons. Wayanad being on the 1st November 1980. NH 212, but it is the folk name that has is also known for its indigenous tribal Wayanad is landlocked by the Calicut, stood the test of time. The drive includes population. The tribes of Wayanad have Mallapuram and Kannur districts 9 hairpin bends, sandwiched between a inhabited its forests for thousands of of Kerala, the Kodagu, Mysore and scenic mix of highland forests, misty years, and some of their traditions live Chamarajanagar districts of Karnataka, peaks, streams and waterfalls. The road on to this day. and the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. leads us directly to Lakkidi, the Gateway The district is centered upon three to Wayanad, and one of the highest When the state of Kerala came into major towns: Mananthavady, Sulthan locations in the district. being in 1956, Wayanad was a part Bathery and the district headquarters, of the Kannur district. Later in 1957, Kalpetta. South Wayanad was added to Kozhikode District of Wayanad and its borders 08 09 WAYAL-NAD The land of paddy fields Paddy is cultivated in Wayanad’s plains where the soil and climate is perfect for its growth. Paddy fields are called “Wayals” in Malayalam, and thus the name Wayal-nad. 10 11 FOOTPRINTS ayanad’s rich history stretches back to the Neolithic Age, with the Edakkal Caves being one of the earliest Wsigns of human settlement to be discovered. There IN THE SANDS are signs of an organized human civilization here that existed centuries before the coming of Christ. Even though very little is known about these ancient settlers, the cave paintings at Edakkal, the burial sites discovered around the caves, and the ancient earthenware found within are a definite proof of their OF TIME… existence. Edakkal Caves, Ambalavayal 12 13 he region is home to some of the oldest temples in India, and has been influenced by many cultures and Treligions. Wayanad also played a pivotal role in the worldwide spice trade. In fact it was the legendary spice gardens of Wayanad that prompted the European powers to establish direct sea routes to India. Many a war has been fought for dominion over this lucrative trade. Even now the best pepper in the world comes from Wayanad’s green slopes. Wayanad was one of the first regions to actively rise up in defiance against the East India Company. Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, called the Lion of Kerala, was one of the earliest freedom fighters of India. He rallied the local lords and tribes against the British, and engaged them in a guerilla war in the forests of Wayanad. Even though he was ultimately killed by the British in 1805, he is still revered for his bravery and ingenuity in battle. Pazhassi Raja Memorial, Maavilanthodu 14 15 ROCK SHELTERS AND ANCIENT SECRETS… ocated at about 1200 ft above the sea level, the Edakkal Caves are among the oldest human settlements ever discovered. Inside the Lcaves are pictorial drawings and engravings that indicate the presence of ancient human settlements in the region. Despite their name, the Edakkal Caves are not precisely caves. They are part of a pre historic rock shelter, formed naturally when one huge boulder got wedged between two bigger ones. The name Edakkal itself means “a stone in between”. The Edakkal cave paintings are remarkable in their sheer scale and complexity, but their origins are shrouded in mystery. Ever since their discovery in 1895, they have been a source of awe and wonder for tourists and historians alike. Ancient carvings at Edakkal Caves, Ambalavayal 16 17 Muniyaras or ancient burial sites he engravings are abundant and of The oldest among them date back to 6000 great variety. Human figures, animals, B.C, to the age of Stone Age man. tools, vehicles, day to day occurrences T The engravings are not the only attractions and even five different language scripts at Edakkal. The Muniyaras, or ancient burial have been discovered. But no one is really sites that have been discovered in these sure who was responsible for them or hills have yielded a rich collection of ancient what exactly they were trying to convey. earthenware and pottery. Most of the The diversity of the engravings suggests FACT: The Edakkal Caves were discovered artifacts discovered here are now housed in that the Edakkal Caves were inhabited the Wayanad Heritage Museum. in 1895 by the then Superintendent of several times at different points in history. Police of Malabar District, Fred Fawcett. He was on a hunting trip when he happened to find a Neolithic stone axe, which led to the discovery of Edakkal. Engravings (symbols and languages), Edakkal Caves 18 19 VINES THAT movED NATIONS… n its day, the spice trade was the world’s biggest industry: it established and destroyed empires, led Ito the discovery of new continents, and in many ways helped lay the foundation for the modern world. From the Indian perspective, it brought in traders and invaders alike – century after century. 20 21 Misty mornings at tea estates Cardamom Plantations Wayanad’s cool climate and its double by telling fantastic tales about fighting off more valuable than the gold. But it was not monsoons were perfect for spices like fierce winged creatures to reach spices to last for long and by the 1580s, Venice was pepper, cardamom and ginger. These growing high on cliff walls. increasing its pepper imports rapidly at the spices were usually traded from the nearby expense of Portugal. By the 17th century, After Vasco da Gama successfully discovered ports controlled by the Zamorin of Calicut. the trade came into the hands of the Dutch, the route to India via the Cape of Good Hope Between the 7th and 15th centuries, Arab who held it zealously till the British took in 1498, Portugal gained a monopoly on merchants supplied Indian spices to the over. The struggle between the Western the spice trade that served it wonderfully West, but took care to keep their source a European powers of France, Spain, Portugal, for some time. During the 16th century, closely guarded secret. They would create a Great Britain and Holland for control over the over half of the revenues of the Portuguese sense of mystery by withholding the origins spice trade endured over three centuries. government came from Western African of their wares, and would ensure high prices gold and Indian spices, with the spices being Assorted Spices 22 23 RELICS AND HEIRLOOMS… he Heritage Museum at Ambalavayal houses one of the richest collections of historic artifacts in TWayanad. The museum is one of the best and most well maintained in Kerala, with exhibits that were sourced almost exclusively from Wayanad. It explores Wayanad’s ancient history and culture, as well as its tribal population and their customs. 24 25 The museum houses several galleries, each spears and other primitive weapons. The portraying significant slices of Wayanad’s men who proved their valour by killing the rich history. The first section called the animals were forever immortalised with Veerasmruthi or “The Hero’s Tribute” is a a hero stone, on which their names and collection of what is called Heroes Stones or physical likenesses were engraved. This Veerakallu that were found in the forests of was considered to be a huge honour and a Wayanad. They are the remnants of a deadly symbol of social standing in those times. and heroic tradition of tiger and leopard Devasmruthi is dedicated to the gods and hunting that existed in Wayanad almost a deities of Wayanad’s past. The sculptures thousand years ago. are mostly of Hindu and Jain origin. Some The fearsome beasts were first isolated of them show influences from the powerful and then engaged in direct combat using Vijayanagara Empire, particularly a 14th century idol of Lord Sree Rama, which was recovered from a pond. Once worshipped and glorified, these sculptures now sit unadorned in these halls, their faithful Artefacts from Devasmriti Section Hero Stones or Veerakallu devotees now just a memory.