Mayyanad to Wayanad
Mayyanad
Sangamam organized a trip to Wayanad during November 10-12, 2017. The journey was by train and by bus. So we took the 6 am
Sathabdi Express from TVM, which reached Kannur at noon. From there a hired travel
agency bus picked us from the station and went to our place of stay arranged at
Hotel Horizon Avenue at Ambalavayal.
After
refreshment we visited Banasura Sagar Dam. The Dam is considered to be India's
largest and Asia's second largest Earth dam. An earth dam is a dam built with
highly compacted earth. The weight of the dam as a whole creates a tight seal
which secures the bottom and sides of the dam, and the pressure of the water
behind the dam can also act to seal the dam in place. The Banasura dam is a
kilometer long mud structure.
Banasura
Sagar dam – Image courtesy Wiki-
In
addition to the Hydro electricity project, the floating solar panels platform
raised on the waters of the reservoir by the Kerala State Electricity Board
(KSEB) is said to generate 500 KW at its peak.
The solar panels floating on the waters of the reservoir-Image courtesy
wiki-
Apart from this the KSEB has
erected Solar panels at Padinjarethara near the reservoir in the eastern part
of the dam. The
goal of the project is to support the Kakkayam Hydro electric power project and
satisfy the demand for irrigation and drinking water in a region known to have
water shortages in seasonal dry periods.
Our
members walking out of solar panel construction
Due
to the tight schedule of the trip our members could not go on a boat trip on the waters of the reservoir and explore the surrounding hills and small islands formed on
the lake. Spread over 1700 hectares, 19 islands dot the reservoir.
Next
we went to see Pazhassi tomb, a memorial for Veera
Pazhassi Rajah, who organized guerrilla warfare against the British East India
Company.
It
was getting dark and we decided to go back to the hotel and relax for the next
day. Early next morning we went to
Tirunelli. It is 32 km away from Manathavadi at an altitude of about 900 m in
north Wayanad on the side of Brahmagiri Hill surrounded by dense jungle. Tirunelli Temple is an
ancient temple dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu. Considered as the Dakshina Kashi, devotees come here especially
for performing ancestral rites on the holy waters flowing from Brahmatheertham.
From here we went back to the
hotel for a quick rest and lunch. After a sumptuous Kozhikodan biriyani, we headed
to Lakkidi view point from where one can see panoramic views of the valley. While
moving from Adivaram (downhill) to Lakkidi through steep mountains and a
serpentine Thammarassery Ghat pass, one can see visuals beyond imagination
and words. The lush greenery of the hills, gorges and the streams seen on both
sides of the passage of the hill are unforgettable.
Lakkidi
views
The ride through Soochipara, Kanthenpara and Meenmutty waterfalls... and trekking through the path to Neelimala View point...were an awesome experience.
Nature walks are the best way to
explore the place and see deer and other wild animals near the waterfalls.
Kanthenpara is easily accessible by road with the waterfalls a mere 100 m
away from the car park. Both the falls and the greenery are at their scenic
best in the monsoon season. And we made the trip when the monsoon was gaining
strength. Meenmutty Falls can be reached thorough a 2 km trek through the
jungle. The trekking can be strenuous, but our members seem to have taken in
their stride to get the maximum fun.
The ride through Soochipara, Kanthenpara and Meenmutty waterfalls... and trekking through the path to Neelimala View point...were an awesome experience.
Nature walks are the best way to
explore the place and see deer and other wild animals near the waterfalls.
Kanthenpara is easily accessible by road with the waterfalls a mere 100 m
away from the car park. Both the falls and the greenery are at their scenic
best in the monsoon season. And we made the trip when the monsoon was gaining
strength. Meenmutty Falls can be reached thorough a 2 km trek through the
jungle. The trekking can be strenuous, but our members seem to have taken in
their stride to get the maximum fun.
It
was time to wind up the journey as on the next day there was the train to catch
and reach home.
Back to Ambalavayal Hotel and time to say goodbye to a journey that went smooth, thanks to the organizer, our very own Vice President Prof. Rajan K. Ramesh, who took all the initiative to make it a success. In fact, Wayanad District is a very familiar place to the Professor, as he had been a lecturer in Botany at the MES College in the area for over 30 years. His knowledge of the geography of the area in fact helped to make the journey safe and enjoyable.
Back to Ambalavayal Hotel and time to say goodbye to a journey that went smooth, thanks to the organizer, our very own Vice President Prof. Rajan K. Ramesh, who took all the initiative to make it a success. In fact, Wayanad District is a very familiar place to the Professor, as he had been a lecturer in Botany at the MES College in the area for over 30 years. His knowledge of the geography of the area in fact helped to make the journey safe and enjoyable.
In
this journey from Mayyanad to Wayanad there is an interesting information that
needs to be shared.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, in its page on the topic relating to Wayanad District writes thus:
“The region was known as Mayakshetra (Maya's land) in the earliest records. Mayakshetra evolved into Mayanad and finally to Mayyanad.”
According to archaeological evidences the Wayanad forests have been inhabited for more than 3,000 years. So who are Mayyanad inhabitants? Check out.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, in its page on the topic relating to Wayanad District writes thus:
“The region was known as Mayakshetra (Maya's land) in the earliest records. Mayakshetra evolved into Mayanad and finally to Mayyanad.”
According to archaeological evidences the Wayanad forests have been inhabited for more than 3,000 years. So who are Mayyanad inhabitants? Check out.
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