April 29, 2013

Vythiri- The Gateway to Wild Wayanad...!!



The title might not sound apt for people travelling from Bangalore or Mysore to Wayanad as Vythiri would be the last stoppage before going down the hills. But for travellers from Cochin, Kozhikode and other places from Kerala, Vythiri is the gateway to heavenly Wayanad. From the bustling roads of Kozhikode I rode past the small towns of Koduvally and Adivaram on an early morning in October to enter the Thamarassery ghats.

Mist, waterfalls, blue hills, lush green surroundings and bonnet macaques welcomed me as I rode into Vythiri. The black tarmac was splendid all the way with nine hair pin bends and the views from some of them were breathtaking. The lush green valley and distant hills looked surreal. With mist hovering over the roads, visibility was limited to a few meters only. It also made the ride a chilly one.

The misty green and dark thamarassery ghats

I had a break at the first hair pin bend, where there is a small shack which sells fruits like mango, pineapple, gooseberry dipped in salt water. The stall also serves hot tea, coffee, different varieties of eggs and many more. To have had a sip of coffee, a hot spicy duck omelet and some mangoes on that misty morning gaping at the scenic vistas was one of the memorable moments during the ride.

The first hair pin bend
The shack at the first hair pin bend
Soon I was back on the winding 14 km ghat road going past the loitering monkeys, honking vehicles, chirping birds and cicadas to be engulfed by the mist and to fill my lungs with fresh air. The green canopy is present during most of the distance and that gives the feel of a forest ride. The forest cover clears up only in some places giving way to mind blowing vistas. Small shacks also pop up in between with the views of the valley and they definitely are the best places to take a coffee break.

Misty ghat roads

A Bonnet Macaque
One of the nine hair pin bends

Vythiri view point is where the lovely ghats come to an end before entering Wayanad district. This view point blew me off my feet with its magnificent offerings. The first hairpin bend where I had my break was visible from the view point despite the heavy mist. The expansive valleys and the green canopy makes this place a captivating one. I was wonder struck for a long time gazing at the scenic beauty of the Thamarassery ghats.

The ghats
Misty view of the first hair pin bend
Vythiri does not offer a lot to the visitors besides the brilliant vistas and Pookote lake. However immediately after entering Wayanad district, keep an eye to your left. You will see a ficus tree by the road that has a chain wound around it. The chain tree holds a lot of significance in Wayanad's history. Legend says that the spirit of a tribal by the name Karinthandan has been chained to the tree after it started troubling travellers on this route. Supposedly the tribal helped a Britisher to reach Wayanad after crossing the treacherous forest hills. However to claim that he had discovered the place, the Britisher killed the tribal. The spirit of the tribal troubled people travelling on that route ever since till he was chained to the tree by a priest. It was a different experience to stop by and pay homage to Karinthandan.

Chain Tree
From the chained spirit, I rode to the famous Pookote lake, a couple of kilometers from Vythiri. It is a detour from the main road to the left and there are enough sign boards to guide you there. Pookote lake looked serene and placid with the beautiful green background and dark clouds. It was about to pour when I reached the lake. The lake is also known for its boating facilities and there is also a small park and a souvenir shop next to it. As it began to drizzle I rode further ahead and was welcomed by tea estates and forests into the wild Wayanad.

Pookote lake

For people travelling from Bangalore and Mysore, Vythiri would be the last stop on your Wayanad itinerary before hitting the ghats on your way down. There are numerous resorts and other stay options in Vythiri to make your stay comfortable.The vistas, the ghats and the Pookote lake makes Vythiri one of the best locations in Wayanad which you should not miss out on. Though it is misty and cold during the months from October to February, the best views are experienced during the summers when the mist clears and valley spreads out before your eyes.

Signing Note- Absolutely Captivating and Breathtakingly Beautiful...!!

Route- 

Kozhikode- Kunnamangalam- Koduvally- Thamarassery- Adivaram- Vythiri (65 Kms)

Bangalore- Mysore- Sulthan Bathery- Kalpeta- Vythiri (290 Kms)



42 comments:

  1. Wow! The road looks so clean and sophisticated! Is it really foggy?

    http://renuka-mytraveldiary.blogspot.in

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    1. Yeah, it is extremely foggy post the monsoons till January.

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  2. Lovely photos. Waynad is wild and fascinating.

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  3. I was at Vythri resorts some time back. Great place. Thanks for these shots.

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  4. Outstanding camera work!It is difficult to choose a favourite but 'The misty green and dark thamarassery ghats' is a cracker of an image! The narrative is fascinating too, complete with spirits.

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  5. And the first pic is my favorite in this set but the last one is a close second :D

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  6. Road looks inviting!! Need to go to this place this monsoon!!

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  7. Beautiful images!!
    On my must visit list now!! :)

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  8. The mystery of the ghats breathtakingly captured and the roads look absolutely inviting!
    Bereft of words to describe nature's bounty!!!

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  9. beauty of Vythiri is captured very well.Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Vythiri is so beautiful. I do not know why my younger brother did not stop there, Earlier I learnt about the things beyond the Thamarassey pass but I never knew about what is in store on the way. You may have a look at this post:
    http://paliakara.blogspot.in/2010/09/wayanad-kerala-worth-visiting.html

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    1. Vythiri is absolutely gorgeous. Make sure to stop by next time you are in Wayanad. Shall definitely go through the link.

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  11. Stunning, stunning, shots Niranjan. Took me back to our days living on a plantation, but your photos are even nicer than my memories of Coonoor and Ooty! :-)

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    1. Thanks a lot Madhu. Glad that it rekindled your memories. Hope you are heading there soon.

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  12. My friend spent her honeymoon in Vythiri Resort and I've heard a lot about it from her. Your pictures are great! The ones covered with mist along the road are just brilliant...Now that makes me to go on a compulsive holiday there

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  13. Wayanad is a never ending experience . Loved your pictures .

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  14. why people say u gotta die to go to heaven..
    I say heaven is right here :)

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  15. Beautiful place and you have captured all the details

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  16. Love, love, love these images, although they kinda make me homesick. :)Another great ride, eh?!
    Those tea stalls have uppil-itta-nellikka also? Mmmm ... ;)

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    1. Thanks Divya. It was an awesome ride! Yeah, they have uppilitta nellikka, manga and lots more. Just irresistible.

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  17. Pictures are too tooo tooo good...

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  18. Amazing post RND . One of your best.

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  19. excellent Niranjan... Wayanad after rains is pure magic!

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  20. Interesting post with clean road pictures!

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