Ha! Woh lamhey, Woh bathey…

On Friday the 30th July 2010, soon after work with a team of enthusiastic, energetic, and eager, ex colleagues, set out to Wayanad, on the southern most part of the Deccan Plateau, to explore the Exotic legends, rich heritage, aborigine tribes, tree houses….in ‘God’s own Land’.

We left Kakkanad by 10 pm, Chakramuttu cut his birthday cake, and all of us sang ‘Happy Birthday to you’, searching for the three alphabets, remembered Maria, on grabbing Mansion House. Then began Martin’s Nadan Pattu, Praseed’s parady pattu, Kavitha by Satheesh, Achamma and Shivaji from other side echoing to the tune, which paved way to Anthakshari, Hindi, English, Malayalam songs..rocking, thrilling, melody..Shyam was there with an apt knowledge of the lines from every song. Then as suggested by Aneesh, the hot seat, helped us know the team members even more. The sleeping manager, Sanal was woken up. The secret behind Fredric’s health, Tressa Elssas Success, Aneesh & Sabithas marriage, love and life, Shyam’s future plans, Sivas gift for his family, and to add to the glory, we had Arun.

At around 2.30 am, we stopped to answer the call of nature, had from Thattukadda light food from Azad who also served us tea. It reminded me of people talking about child labour, and then shouting, ‘Chootu 2 chay lana’. By 4.30, we were through Thamaraserry churam, having nine hairpin curves within a distance of 16 kms.to Ghat Road view point, for a great view of steep, misty mountains and a glimpse of distant horizon in the Arabian Sea.

From then began the exploration of Wayanad:
MUTHANGA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: Since the entry into the wild life sanctuary begins only at 7.00 am, and we reached by 6.30 am, we had our morning walk in the Mist’n’Sun, the sunny rays of the morning sun percolating through the wooded natural landscape. The team was running through the grasses to capture pictures of dear, elephants and monkeys. And then at 7.00 am we entered the Sanctuary.
We reached our place of stay, with lovely view, after refreshing, we had breakfast from Hotel Sagar, and it was Satheesh Piranal.

EDAKKAL CAVES: An interesting trek up the Ambukuthi Hill near Ambalavayal town takes you to the Rock carvings found on the walls of Edakkal caves speak of the Neolithic Civilization. It is about ten thousand years old.


The cave was formed in the crevice of a broken rock, thatched by another massive rock. Climbing the rocks was indeed an uphill task, but worth the adventure. Coming down was not so very difficult.

SOOCHIPPARA WATERFALLS: For reaching the waterfalls, you have to walk miles, but location is scenic, and there is the music of the water flow all around you, making you wonder, how many waterfalls would be there, and it would be on which side. The water flows in a narrow line through rocks and gorge joins the river Chaliyar which ends in the Arabian Sea.


It was quite enthralling to see a group of 4-5, young families each having children in between age group of 1-4, climbing the rocks with ease and vigor. Kudose to those men, who walked with the children on their shoulders. But for the help from Aneesh, I would not have been able to do it all alone.
On you way to and from, Tea plantations on the hill slopes will definitely fascinate you. There are plantations owned by TATA, Harrison Malayalam, and even by many locals.


You can buy some mementos, and don’t forget to eat gooseberries dipped in honey, its yummy…We picked the dinner and had it in our room. Thank God, Whether on both the days were favorable for our trip.

Day 2 @ Wayanad: Happy Friendship day!!!

How better this could be cherished!! Ormyude talukalil oru kochu mayilpeeli tandu pole sukshichu vekan, kochu kochu paribhavangalum thamashakalum niranjaee nirmalamaya sauhradam ennum nilanilkate!

Having vacated the stay home, after breakfast, we thought we would just have a glimpse of phantom rock and go to the museum.

PHANTOM ROCK: This is a human shaped rock, a magnum opus of Mother Nature. This rare work of art from nature is at Cheengery near Ambalavayal.


Thanks to Martin, we dared to climb it and view exquisite locations around and take the pictures. ‘Bogoolathinte spandhanam anubhavapettu. ‘

We were so engrossed in it, did not realize the time fleeting. Had to drop the plan of visiting the museum.

KARAPUZHA DAM: Enroute to Banasura Sagar, our Annie chettan dropped us at one end of the Karapuzha dam, and we walked over to the other end, enjoying and viewing the flow of water from the dam. It indeed is a great place for picnic.
A green pasture in the lap of nature! Surrounded by the unfathomable beauty of the hills and the ripples of the lakes , a spot enough to make anyone a kid.

BANASURA SAGAR: India’s longest earth dam, is situated at the northern boundary of Wayanad. The Island is in the backdrop of Banasura hills. It offers a spectacular green beauty. You can do boating here touching 25 small Islands spread over the dam. In consequence of the topography, islands are formed in the upstream of the dam after the rainy season. Manikkunnu, Chembra Peak, Thariyode, Suganthagiri and Brahmagiri hills can be seen from here.



Tranquility at its extreme! Enjoyed the ambience of hills, lakes and valleys. No wonder if you loose the sense of time immersing in the serenity of its locale.

POOKKODE LAKE: The lake is a rare gift of nature to Wayanad. Walking around it, a full round, gives you a rare feeling, enjoying the nature, plants, and monkeys. To set free your mind and talk to water lilly, hear the music of water-fowl. Childrens park, an aquarium and a shop for spices, handicrafts and honey also function here.



Did not want to return, but had to..Stopped at the Chain tree, and again on the peak of the Ghat, to capture lasting memories and praying that we all come again soon. Had dinner at night 10 pm, from near Calicut University. Fredric, Martin, Shyam rocked with their dances, during the return trip. Space was not a constraint.

Had a feeling of eternal bliss, Mesmerizing mother nature at her best. I wished I could be absorbed by her. Thanks to the wonderful team to…Indeed success is the ability to organize a productive endeavor, and the tour was indeed a great success! Kudose to the organiser, manager, and wonderful team. Thank God for the opportunity, and for providing apt whether.

Thanks to the photographers, you do not know who get the best shot, and there were so many varity to, for and by Aneesh...Lovely, perfect picnic it was!

Some attractions that we missed, because of lack of time, and wishing to catch up soon:
• A days trekking on the paradise Chembra Peak, in the west of Kalpetta.
• Picturesque view of Pakshipathalam, the caves, home for wide variety of birds, animals and distinctive species of plants.
• The sunrise valley, with an offshoot of challiyar river meandering along.
• Kurva Island, said to be the main attraction, with 950 acres of evergreen forest, on one of the tributes of river Kabani.
• The Panoramic view of Meenmutty waterfalls, the biggest in wayanad about 100 mtrs. From above. The walk catching through the ropes, would be real fun.

Splendid mesmerizing nature, indeed a great boon to the sight.