Tholpetty

So much so that despite the legendary status of neighbouring Thirunelly and its own enlistment into the protective crescent of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, it has managed to remain undiscovered unspoilt. The fact that the following waters of the Papanashini River also cleanse your sins is a bonus.

Thirunelly Temple

The Thirunelly Temple wears the Brahmagiri backdrop like a giant clock. Its scenic beauty has made it a major attraction on the pilgrim circuit, minus the trappings of a pilgrim town. The shrine is shielded by 30 granite columns and faces east.

The structure is incomplete the result of an unresolved dispute between the Malabar king of Kottayam and the Maharaja of Mysore. An ancient aqueduct flows along the side commissioned by a Brahmin woman to top in to the Papanashini. At the new year’s celebration in mid-april the festivities feature a Panchavadyam ( a percussion ensemble ) performance besides Kathakali and Ottantullal ( dance ) while the town square hosts mythological dramas.

Male devotees can only enter bare-chested. Time your visit right for a helping of the delicious payasam, gratis. You can buy a small tub for RS 20 at the takeaway counter. To get to Thirunelly from Tholpetty drive 7 km to Thaettu Road junction than turn keft onto the narrow tar road leading to Thirunelly 13 km away.

Pakshipathalam

Garuda the vehicle of Vishnu and the King of Birds, stands guard over his subjects at Pakshipathalam an avian paradise. Karimala is 7 km north-west of the Thirunelly Temple. Karimala. Pakshipathalam and Brahmagiri are in a contiguous range.

Pakshipathalam meaning birds in the nether regions is a natural rock cave at northern end of the Brahmagiri Hills. The 6-km trek from Thirunelly takes you through dense jungle. There’s no accommodation, so most people do a day tripand return. If you are an avid bird-watcher, carry your own camping equipment and take a guide along for a prolonged stay. There’s watchtower on the banks of the papanashini a 40 – min walk from the temple that offers a good perch. There are a few private guides at Thirunelly to take you up to Pakshipathalam. The watchman from the forest Department will also shoow the way. There’s no fixed fee for guide services which must be negotiated. The usual fee is RS 200 – 250.

You’ll need permission from the District Forest Officer at mananthavady to roost at Pakshipathalam it’s best to write in ahead foe permission council at Kalpetta who can organsi guides to take you into Pakshipathalam and stay with you, and also rent you equipment. They charges RS 500 as guide fee for two days with a maximum stipulation of 10 people in a single group. A 4-beddemtemt is RS 350 sleeping bag Rs50,food 120. per head.. you cannot as yet camp inside Tholpetty though this is an the cards.

Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary

The park with its floating population of 900- odd elephants seems at first a natural extension of Nagarhole. As a matter of fact it forms a contiguous arc with the lesser half of the Wayanad Sanctuaary, Muthanga Indeed, your chances of finding yourself within shaking distance of a trunk are better here than at the more developed and frequented Nagarhole.

While the Sanctuary remains in awe of its Karnataka cousin, take advantage of the barely – there entry rates to buy yourself a DIY experience in wildlife tourism. Just drive your own wheels in the direction you choose for the stipulated 20 km allotted to all comers. If you are chary of getting lost in the deep dark places tribal guides will take you around for RS 100 per group of Indians and double per group of foreigners. You can take your own car into the sanctuary, but it had better be sturdy due to road conditions. Tholpetty is just 5 km across the Karnataka border from Kutta, 20 km before taluk HQ Mananthavady via Thaettu junction.
Entry fee. RS 5, Foreigners RS 10,

Vehicle entry RS 10, mini bus RS 25,Timings – 7-30 am to 9-30 am, 3-30 pm to 6 pm.
Timing – 7 am to 7 pm.

Where to stay and eat

Inspection Bungalow

Tariff : RS 450.

The Panchatirtha Rest House

Telephone No : 04935 – 210290.

Tariff : RS 125 – 500