About: Wayanad District, in the north-east of Kerala, India, was formed on November 1, 1980 as the 12th district by carving out areas from Kozhikode and Kannur districts. The region was known as Mayakshetra (Maya's land) in the earliest records. Mayakshetra evolved into Mayanad and finally to Wayanad. But the Folk etymology of the word says it is a combination of Vayal (paddy) and Naad (land), making it 'The Land of Paddy Fields'. There are many indigenous tribals in this area. It is set high on the majestic Western Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 m
History: According to archaelogical evidence, the Wayanad forests were inhabitant more than 3milleniums. In ancient times the land was ruled by the Vedar Rajas. Kurumbranadu Royal Dynasty of Kannur held rights to the land in early 18th century. It briefly came under the rule of the Kingdom of Mysore as it campaigned in the Malabar coast. Pazhassi Raja of Kurumbranadu helped the British in their fight against Tipu Sultan. Following Mysore's withdrawal the Raja and the British parted their ways. And in 1799, after the fall of Tipu, the British took over Wayanad. Pazhassi Rajah engaged in a prolonged guerrilla war with the British until he was killed in 1805. When the state of Kerala came into being in 1956, Wayanad was a part of Kannur district; later in 1957 south Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district and north Wayanad remained with Kannur district. By amalgamating the north Wayanad and south Wayanad, the present Wayanad district came into being on the 1st November 1980 comprising of three taluks; Vythiry, Mananthavady, and Sulthan Bathery
Geography: Wayanad district stands on the southern top of the Deccan plateau and its chief glory is the majestic Western ghats with lofty ridges interspersed with dense forest, tangled jungles and deep valleys, the terrain is rugged. Quite a large area of the district is covered by forest but the continued and indiscriminate exploitation of the natural resources point towards an imminent environmental crisis.
Climate: The distance from the mean sea level and forest cover creates a salubrious climate in the region. Generally the year is divided into four seasons; cold weather (December to February) hot weather (March to May) South West monsoon (June to September) and North East monsoon (October to November). During the hot weather the temperature goes up to a maximum of 35 °C (95 °F) and during the cold weather the temperature goes down to 10 °C (50 °F). The more perceived temperature variation in the last 5–6 years is in the range of 18 °C (64 °F) to 28 °C (82 °F). The average rainfall is 2,500 millimetres (98 in) per year.
Economy: Wayanad is 3.79% urbanised. Agriculture, is the main stay of the economy. Coffee, tea, cocoa, pepper, plantain and vanilla are the main crops. Besides these cash crops, the most important crop in the district is rice. Dams and aqueducts have been constructed to take water to the otherwise dry areas in the district.Price of land is going up even though Agrarian crisis.
Places
There are various places of touristic, ecological, religious, and historic importance in the district. Thirunelli Temple is a very old temple on the foothills of Brahmagiri. Edakkal Caves, 32 km from Kalpetta near Ambalavayal, is famous for its pre-historic carvings and paintings. Muthanga is a wildlife sanctuary. It is on the way from Mysore to Sulthan Bathery. Wild animals such as bison, elephant, deer, and tiger has been spotted. There are also quite a few wild birds in the sanctuary. The Jain Temple near Koottamunda and the Ananthanatha Swami Temple. Pallikunnu Church, 14 km from Kalpetta is a famous Pilgrim centre in north Kerala. Varambatta Mosque is one of the oldest mosque in wayanad and it's famous for varambata nercha. Mazhuvannur Siva Temple is an ancient Shiva temple near Tharuvana. Karat Siva Temple is a very old temple near Kommayad. Sulthan Bathery is famous for its fort, which was built by Tipu Sultan. The tomb of the chieftain Pazhassi Raja, who fought the British with the help of Kurichiya warriors, is in Mananthavady. Valliyoorkav is a temple of historic and social significance. Lakkidi, the entry-point to Wayanad on the road from Kozhikode, receives one of the highest rainfalls in India. Pookode lake is a famous tourist centre near Lakkidi. For the adventurous the Chembra peak and Banasura, both over 2000 m high, provide tough challenges. Kuruva Dweep (10 km from Mananthavady) is a unique and fragile delta system on the Kabini River. An important and unusual pilgrim centre for sociologists and educationists is Kanavu a centre for alternative education which help the adivasis (tribals) to adapt to the challenges without losing their cultural moorings. Ananthanatha Swami Temple, {also known as ParswanathaSwamy Jain Temple at Puliyarmala) is a beautiful Jain temple located at Puliyarmala, 6 km from Kalpetta. Pakshipathalam is a very popular trekking spot on the Kerala-Karnataka border. Soochipara, Kanthapara, and Meenmutty are waterfalls in the Meppadi-Ambalavayal region.
Ambalavayal Heritage Museum: Ambalavayal Heritage Museum is 12kms south of Sultan Bathery. The exhibits include rare 2nd century artifacts such as clay sculptures, ancient hunting equipments like bows and arrows, stone weapons and other curios.
Chembra Peak: Chembra peak is the highest peak in Wayanad at an altitude of 2100 m above sea level. It is located 14 kms west of Kalpetta. Trekking to the Chembra peak is one of the risky tourist endeavors. There are temporary camps on the top of this peak. District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides, sleeping bags, canvass huts trekking implements on hire charges to the tourists. The Scenic beauty of Wayanad district is visible from the top of this peak. The lake at the top of the hill never dries up. All along the steep and slippery way to the top of the hill, the whispering of the flowing spring, which sprouts from the top of the hill, accompanies the tourist.
Lakkidi Ghat Pass: At an elevation of 700m above mean sea level, Lakkidi Ghat Pass is the Gate Way of Wayanad above the Thamarassery Ghat Pass of western ghats. Deep valley to the south with winding roads through thick forest is the major attraction of the pass. It is 55 kms east of Kozhikode and 5 kms south of Vythiri.
Muthanga wildlife sanctuary: Muthanga wildlife sanctuary is located 16 km east of Sultan Battery.
Chethalayam Waterfalls: Chethalayam Waterfalls is located 12kms from Sultan Bathery. One has to trek around 4kms from Chethalayam for having a glimpse of this lovely waterfall.
Kuruva Island: Kuruva Island is around 950 acres of evergreen forest on the banks of River Themkabani. It is 17 kms east of Mananthavadi. The island is a repository of rare species of birds, animals, orchids and herbs.
Pakshipathalam: Pakshipathalam in Bramha Giri hills is situated 7kms north east of Thirunelly. This picturesque bird watching centre is located at a formidable height of 1740 m above sea level. One has to trek 17 kms through wild forest to reach 'Pakshipathalam'. The deep rock caves at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri is the habitat of a number of rare species of birds.
Edakkal Caves: Situated 12kms south of Sultan Bathery, The Edakkal Caves at Ambukutty Mala is a pre-historic rock shelter formed naturally out of a strange disposition of three huge boulders making one to rest on the other two with its bottom jutting out in between and serving as the roof. The discovery of the cave and its identification as a prehistoric site were quite accidental by F. Fawcett, the then superintendent of police. They speak of a highly civilized people at an early centre of human habitation. Edakkal rock engravings stand out distinct among the magnitude of prehistoric visual archives of paintings and graphic signs all over the world. It is the world's richest pictographic gallery of its kind. Edakkal literally means a "stone in between".
Kanthanpara Waterfalls: This waterfall is about 30 m in height and gives a panoramic view. It is located 12 kms southeast of Kalpetta
Meenmutty Waterfalls: Meenmutty Waterfalls has a cascading waterfall in three tiers, from a height of 500 metres. It is located 12kms east of Meppadi
Sentinal Rock Water Fall: Sentinal Rock Water Fall is 22kms at Soochipara near Meppadi, south of Kalpetta. A three step water fall of more than 200m in height with a fantastic scenery provides for white water rafting, swimming, bathing, etc., The tree top huts at Soochipara will give unique view of the valleys of Western Ghats. It is also an ideal place for rock climbing.
Soochipara Waterfalls: 
Soochipara Waterfalls is located 22 kms from Hotel Green Gates. One can reach the waterfalls only after a 2-km walk into the dense equatorial forest of Wayanad.
Pakshipathalam: Pakshipathalam in Bramha Giri hills is situated 7kms north east of Thirunelly. This picturesque bird watching centre is located at a formidable height of 1740 m above sea level. One has to trek 17 kms through wild forest to reach 'Pakshipathalam'. The deep rock caves at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri is the habitat of a number of rare species of birds.
Tusharagiri: Famous for its trekking tracks, Tusharagiri is located near Vythiri in Wayanad.
Banasura Dam: The largest earth dam in India, Banasura Dam is 15 kms northwest of Kalpetta. This large expanse of water is bounded on one side with magnificent hills of heavenly charm.
Pookot Lake: Pookot Lake is located in between Wayanad and Kozhikode (Calicut) half an hour travel from Kalpetta. Meadows and trees on all sides surround this natural fresh water lake. Its serenity is a heaven for peace loving travelers.
