Wayanad - Reconnecting You with Nature

Nestled in the Western Ghats, Wayanad is the least populous district in Kerala and is known for its mist-laden mountains, lush forests and green paddy fields stretching up to the horizon. With an altitude ranging from 700 to 2100m, the climate of  Wayanad is  pleasant  throughout the year. If there is a place in Kerala where we can experience the ultimate charm and the extraordinary creativity  of nature, its the one and only Wayanad.

This was a unplanned trip, until last minute no one were interested. Finally, my friend wanted to visit  Wayanad from long time and it was dropping due to unforeseen circumstances. Me and my friend were all set on our bikes to explore Wayanad. Riding through green forests of  Nagarhole  and waters of  Kabini, we reach Wayanad in the evening. Lodging in a home stay, we went to the nearby Banasura Sagar Dam.

Banasura Sagar Dam across the Karamanathodu River, a tributary of  River Kabini, is considered to be the largest earth dam in India and second largest in Asia. The dam is ideally placed in the foothills of  Banasura hills, which got its name from 'Banasura' , the son of King Mahabali, the famous ruler of Kerala. The dam is built of massive stacks of stones and boulders. One of the beautiful sights here is the set of islands in the dam's reservoir, which was formed when the reservoir submerged the areas during monsoon season. These islands with the Banasura hills in the background are a visual treat.

After a good night's rest, we are out in the morning to reach Makkiyad Meenmutty Waterfalls. Meenmutty is a combination of Malayalam words Meen(fish) and Mutty (blocked). The falls is surrounded by Lush green tea plantations making the hike to the falls a memorable experience. Time to explore history, we are at Edakkal Caves. Set high on hills of Ambukutty,  the cave looks like a huge boulder wedged between two bigger stones. The caves were the habitat of the Neolithic People ( New Stone Age). Though the trek is quite difficult, the cool and serene ambience of the place, as well as the breathtaking view of the scenic Wayanad hills and the surrounding peaks, leave us dumbfounded.

Edakkal cave is the only place in India where you can find Stone Age Carvings which includes figures of human beings, animals, ancient weapons, ancient stone scripts and other symbols. Riding down the hills and through the tea plantations of Vythri, we are now at the Kanthanpara Waterfalls. It is a quaint little waterfall in Wayanad, famous for its secluded and serene vibe. The cool, sparking waters at this lesser known environment is sure to soothe all who wish to rejuvenate in a silent environment. Surrounded by beautiful greenery on all sides , it is worth spending your time in the calming embrace of nature.

Riding to the southern edge of Wayanad , is the Lakkidi View point. Often referred as the 'Gateway of Wayanad', there are nine hairpin curves from downhill to Lakkidi  through steep mountains and a journey through the serpentine ghat pass was an amazing experience. The view point offers dazzling views of the surrounding cliffs and valleys and the sneaking ghat road known as the  'Thamarassery Churam' that connect Wayanad with Calicut.

Riding back to the Hotel was quite thrilling and exciting owing to the hairpin curves in the snake like roads. Next day morning, riding back to home along the forests of Bandipur was a pleasing experience. The silent jungle, i was expecting to see a few animals, but none appeared. I was thinking about are we in nature deficit, does our daily routine gives us any experiences of nature. Perhaps we don't have the time to notice the birds calling, the bees buzzing and to enjoy the colors of changing seasons in a local park, even in our street. Pressures of daily life mean we're increasingly detached from nature even though nature in many forms is there for us. Yes, like love, nature is all around and it's free.

Even watching wildlife programmes online or on the TV costs - but it's still no substitute for experiencing nature direct. Dramatic landscapes fire our imagination, fill our hearts and put our lives into perspective. But everyday experiences of nature gives us a boost too. It's like having our very own free Natural Health Service.

"All Good things are Wild and Free"