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Top Reasons to visit Wayanad

Top Reasons to visit Wayanad

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Perched at an altitude of 2100 m, Wayanad is one of the picturesque hill stations in Kerala, and among the top places to experience Kerala Tourism. Known for its tantalizing aroma of fresh spices, exotic wildlife, stunning waterfalls, placid lakes, rich history, amazing trekking spots, captivating caves, sacred temples, serene environment and luxurious resorts and homestays, Wayanad is a year-round destination that attracts millions of tourists from all around the world as part of Kerala tour packages. Along with the soothing vibe, the place also offers excellent Ayurvedic treatments, and plethora of activities one can do to relax and rejuvenate during your trip to Wayanad.

Here are some amazing reasons that would make the traveler to pay a visit to Wayanad.

Exotic Wildlife

Nestled in the Western Ghats, the Wayanad district in Kerala is a splendid wilderness area that is home to a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Approximately 45 species of mammals, over 330 species of birds, over 55 species of reptiles and amphibians, 170 species of butterflies, and a diversity of other flora and fauna have been recorded in Wayanad. To protect these species, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1973 and was brought under the Project Elephant in 1991–92. Occupies an area of 345 sq. km, it is the second-largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala, and among the popular places of wildlife near Bangalore. Jeep safaris are available for visitors to roam with the momentum of wild animals.

Rich History

Comprising an area of 2,132 sq. km, Wayanad has a powerful history. As per the historians, the organized human life existed in these parts, at least ten centuries before Christ. Countless evidences about the New Stone Age civilization can be seen on the hills of Wayanad, specially Edakkal Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At an altitude of 4000 feet, the history of the caves dates back to 5000 BC and are considered to be one of the popular places to visit in Wayanad. The walls of these pre-historic caves are adorned with intriguing carvings that will take your breath away, and archaeology enthusiasts will love the intricate designs and elements of this creation. The history of Wayanad and even the entirety of Kerala is said to have been covered in these beautiful carvings.

Stunning Waterfalls

Snuggled in the Western Ghats of Kerala, Wayanad is a charming hill station with full of scenic surprises like misty hills, hidden valleys, glittering lakes, and expansive tea & spice plantations. Besides these, this pristine hill district is also home to some spectacular waterfalls of Kerala. One can hear their rushing water plummeting through the hills, or even feel their soothing mist on your face. Soochipara Falls, Kanthanpara Falls, Meenmutty Falls, Palchuram Falls, etc., are some of the amazing waterfalls to visit in Wayanad. Known for its narrow paths, rough terrains, and rocky slopes, some of the waterfalls are reached only through trekking which gives you a memorable experience.

Amazing Trekking Spots

Rolling grasslands, mystifying hills, dense forests, blue skies, and the rugged trail, Wayanad has it all that makes heaven for trekkers. Offering a whole spectrum of difficulty levels with different ranges of mountains to climb on, Wayanad trekking gives trekkers a treat to witness the unusual contrast of thrill and tranquility. Chembra Peak Trek, Banasura Hills Trek, Eddakal Caves Trek, Brahmagiri Peak Trek, Soochipara Falls Trek, Tusharagiri Trek etc. are some of the popular trekking trails in Wayanad. Regarded as one of the popular places of trekking near Bangalore, Chembra Peak, with an altitude of 2100 m, is the highest peak in Wayanad & third highest peak in South India.

Placid Lakes

Wayanad is blessed with a number of naturally beautiful lakes which are encircled by dense green forests. The banks of these fresh water sources are unique sightseeing locations and have been attracting a number of tourists. Since these lakes are in the midst of dense forests, boating in the placid waters of these lakes will be a memorable experience that one mustn’t miss. Pookode Lake, Karalad Lake, Heart Lake, Papanasini etc. are some of the important lakes to visit as part of Wayanad tour packages.

Serene Environment

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Wayanad is a picturesque plateau situated at an altitude ranging between 700 to 2100 m in the mountains of the Western Ghats in Kerala. It is one of the best hill stations near Bangalore, and Mysore. The pristine hill station is full of natural forest as well as man-made tea plantation greenery all around. Due to this, Wayanad has a pleasant climate throughout the year but the best time to visit the place is from September till March. Heavy rains in the monsoon make this hill station more inviting with lush greenery and cascading waterfalls. Winter, which spans from December to February, is the suitable time for tourists with a peasant climate.

Sacred Temples

Apart from its natural beauty, Wayanad is also home to some of the mystic temples. Dates back to the 12th to 16th centuries, these temples are a living testimony of the cultural heritage of Wayanad. Seetha Devi Temple, Anantnath Swami Temple, Thirunelli Temple, Valliyoorkavu Temple, Ganapathi Vattam Temple, etc. are some of the sacred temples in Wayanad. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the 300 years old Thirunelli temple is the famous pilgrimage center in Wayanad. This temple is a fine specimen of classical Kerala temple architecture.

Luxurious Stay

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Due to the pressure of modern-days, people will look to the lap of nature to revitalize their senses and nourish the souls. Wayanad offers several luxurious stays for tourists to stay while they visit Wayanad for best and luxury comfort. Windflower Luxury Resort, Vythiri Resorts, Arayal Resorts, The Woods Resorts, Banasura Hill Resorts, etc. are some of the popular luxurious stays that one should try for relaxation during your Wayanad Tour. Wayanad can be visited along with Mysore tour packages.

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Places to visit on the way to Ooty from Bangalore

Places to visit on the way to Ooty from Bangalore

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Ooty is an enchanting hill station situated at an altitude of 7,440 feet in the Nilgiris of Tamilnadu state. Often referred to as ‘Queen of Hills’, it is one of the most popular hill stations in India, and among must include places in Tamilnadu tour packages. Dotted with lofty meadows, dense forest, serene waterfalls, soothing environment, pleasant weather, sprawling grasslands, and charming colonial architecture, Ooty is an ideal destination for family vacationers, backpackers, and honeymooners. The toy train, known as Nilgiri Mountain Railway that runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides, there are several places to visit on the way to Ooty from Bangalore which provides scenic vistas that will soothe your eyes and gives you an unforgettable experience.

Srirangapatna

Home to the famous Ranganathaswamy temple, Srirangapatna or Srirangapattana is a historical town located in the Mandya district of Karnataka. Known for its cultural, religious and historic importance, it is one of the popular places of heritage in Karnakata, and among the top places to visit near Mysore. Also, the monuments on the island town have been nominated as a UNESCO world heritage site. Besides Ranganathaswamy temple, Daria Daulat (Palace of Tippu Sultan), Gumbaz (Mausoleum of Tippu Sultan), Nimishamba Temple, Sangama, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary etc., are some of the important places to visit in Srirangapatna.

Mysore

Popularly known as the ‘City of Palaces’, Mysore is one of the most famous tourist places in South India and among the must-visit places to experience Karnataka Tourism. Known for its heritage structures and palaces, the main highlight of the city is the majestic Mysore Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chamundi Hills, Jaganmohana Palace, Mysore Zoo, Brindavan Gardens, Karanji Lake, etc. are some of the must-include places in Mysore tour packages. Besides, the city is also world famous for its Mysore Dasara which is celebrated 10 days every year with much fervor in the month of September or October that lures millions of tourists from all over the globe.

Nanjangud Temple

Situated on the banks of River Kapila, Shreekanteshwara Temple is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Karnataka, and among the top places to visit on the way to Ooty from Bangalore. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple erected in Dravidian style architecture, has 125 feet tall Gopura along with the 7 gold kalashas . Also, the temple complex has minor shrines of Narayana with consorts, Chandikeswara, Parvathi, Natya Ganapathi and others. One of the best religious places to visit near Mysore, the temple is known for its “Dodda Jaathre”, a 3-day festival held every year by the end of March that draws thousands of tourists and devotees alike.

Gopalswamy Betta

Perched at an altitude of 1,450 m, Gopalaswamy Betta is a majestic and lofty hill lying in the core area of the Bandipur National Park, among the best places of wildlife near Bangalore. Also called as Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, it is the highest peak in the Bandipur National Park. Built by King Chola Ballala in 1315 AD, the hill is famous for the Gopalaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Surrounded by hills, the place offers spectacular views of the sunrises and sunsets from the top of the hill that draws huge number of tourists. Also, it is one of the best places of trekking in Karnataka. The annual Car festival is the main event celebrated here for 7 days in the month of March / April every year.

Bandipur National Park

Located on the Mysore-Ooty highway, Bandipur national park is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka. It was once the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore and later established as a reserve in 1974 under Project Tiger. It is now a part of India’s biggest biosphere reserve called the ‘Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve’ together with Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala and Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka. Covered an area of around 874 sq.km, the park is home to around 70 tigers, and over 3000 Asian elephants, as well as other animals like leopards, dhole, gaur, sloth bears, and a variety of birdlife. A jeep safari is one of the best things to do to witness the wildlife here as part of Bandipur tour packages.

Mudumalai Wildife Sanctuary

Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in Tamilnadu, and among the best places to visit on the way to Ooty from Bangalore. It is situaited on Karnataka-Kerala border adjacent to Bandipur National Park of Karnataka and Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala. Established in 1940, it is the first sanctuary in South India and was declared as a National Park in 1990. Later, the Tamil Nadu state government declared Mudumalai to be a tiger reserve in April 2007. It is home to 21 species of amphibians, 50 species of fishes, 200 species of birds, 34 species of reptiles, and 50 species of mammals. It is one of the best places to visit as part of Ooty tour packages.

Santhi is an avid traveler and primary contributor to the blogs at Trawell.in. She has explored most of the states in India and gained vast knowledge on tourist destinations in India and abroad. She also contributes content to other travel websites.

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5 Popular Temples in & around Mysore

5 Popular Temples in & around Mysore

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Acknowledged for its rich history, cultural heritage, and picturesque surroundings, Mysore is one of the most famous tourist destinations in South India, and among the must include places in Karnataka tour packages. Often called as ‘Cultural Capital of Karnataka’, Mysore was the capital of the Wodeyar dynasty and also the home of the famous Tipu Sultan. Given its royal past, the city houses magnificent palaces, gardens, ancient temples, and monuments. However, one of the most beautiful aspects of this palace city is its varied list of exquisitely built temples including the ancient as well as more recent ones, each temple around Mysore is unique in its own way.

Here is the list of some famous temples in and around Mysore.

Chamundeshwari Temple

Perched atop the Chamundi Hill, Chamundi Hill Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Chamundeswari, an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi who took this form to destroy Mahishasura. It is one of the major places of pilgrimage in Karnataka, and one of the oldest temples in the palace city of Mysore. Also known as Krouncha Pitham, Chamundi Temple was built in the 12th century CE, and is one among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas representing the hair of Sati Devi. The temple is one of the must-visit places as part of Mysore tour packages. The most striking feature of the Chamundeshwari temple is its intricate and ornate architectural style and carvings, reflecting the profoundly artistic culture of Mysore.

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangapatna

About 19 km from Mysore, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the most important Vaishnavite temples in South India. The temple is considered as one of the Pancharanga Kshetras, the other four being Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple of Srirangam, Sarangapani Temple of Kumbakonam, Appakudathan Temple of Trichy, and the Parimala Ranganathaswamy Temple of Mayiladuthurai. Located inside the Srirangapatna Fort on the banks of the Kaveri River, it is one of the largest temples in Karnataka, among the most popular places to visit in Srirangapatna. With a blend of Hoysala and Viyanagara architectures, it consists of a Mahadwara with a huge tower followed by a mukha mandapa, maha mandapa, and Garbhagriha.  Also known as Aadi Rangam, the idol of Vishnu in the sanctum is reclining on the seven hooded Adishesha with his consort Lakshmi at his feet. This shrine is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance.

Melukote Temples

Melukote is a historical town located at a distance of 50 km from Mysore and 133 km from Bangalore. Also known as Thirunarayanapuram, it is one of the popular pilgrimage places in Karnataka and also one of the best places to visit near Mysore. The town is home to two popular temples, one is Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple and the other one is Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu known as Thirunarayana or Cheluvaraya. The temple has been under the patronage of the Mysore royal family and is endowed with valuable jewellery given to the lord by the Wodeyars. The Vairamudi festival held in March – April is the main festival of Sri Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple and is attended by more than 400,000 people.

Built on a hillock, Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple is another major temple in Melukote and is dedicated to Lord Narasimha. The main deity is in a seated posture with the Yogapatta. It is believed that the idol of Lord Yoganarasimha was installed in the temple by Prahlada. The temple is considered to be one of the seven holy centers devoted to the worship of Narasimha, and among the major places to visit on the way to Mysore from Bangalore. There is a Sanskrit Pathashala inside the temple that dates back to 1853. One has to climb nearly 400 steps to reach the temple from the foothills.

Shreekanteshwara Temple, Nanjangud

Situated on the banks of River Kapila, Nanjundeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is known as Nanjundeshwara or Srikanteshwara here. Built-in the Dravidian style, it is one of the popular religious places to visit near Mysore. The temple was constructed during the reign of the Ganga dynasty while the renovations were also done by the Hoysalas. That time the deity was called ‘Hakim Nanjunda’ that was being suggested by Tipu Sultan when his elephant got cured through the prayers offered to the deity. It houses three main deities, Lord Nanjundeshwara, Goddess Parvathi, and Lord Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi. It is one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites near Bangalore. The temple witnesses maximum footfall during the “Dodda Jaathre”, a 3-day chariot festival held every year by the end of March.

Talakadu Temples

Talakadu is a historical place situated on the banks of the Kaveri River in Karnataka. About 49 km from Mysore, and 139 km from Bangalore, it is one of the popular Mysore tourist places, and among the famous weekend getaways from Bangalore. Talakadu had over 30 temples, most of them are buried in the sand today. Some of these temples have been excavated and are open to the public. Dates back to the times of the Ganga and Woedyar dynasty, these ancient Hindu places of worship have been constructed by different South Indian rulers and dynasties. There are five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva – Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara, Vaideeshwara, and Mallikarjuneshwara Temple. The Keerthinarayana temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is a beautiful site with wonderful carvings. A famous festival called Pancha Linga Darshana is celebrated here once in 12 years. It is held on new moon day in the month of Karthika when two stars conjoin, the stars of Khuha Yoga and Vishaka.

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