Mananthavady

Understand

Mananthavady is the third biggest town in the Wayanad district. The town is built around an ancient Latin church. The church is on a beautiful hillock and the whole city traffic flows around the hill. Mananthavady is the gateway to the Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai sanctuaries.

Getting there

Mananthavady is accessible by bus from Mysore, Kozhikode, Kannur and Ooty. There is no rail link. The nearest airports are Kannur,Kozhikode and Bangalore.

Main routes Kannur-Iritty-Kottiyoor-Boystown-Mananthavady.94 km (Very steep and risky climb) Thalassery-Kuthuparamba-Nedumpoyil-Periya-Boystown-Mananthavady. 82 km Vadakara-Kuttiady-Niravilpuzha-Kanhirangad-Kallody-Mananthvady. 67 km Mananthavady-Kutta-Gonikupa-Virajpet-Madikeri.115 km Mysore-HDKote-Bavali-Mananthavady.112 km Mananthavady-Nalammile-Panamaram-Kambalakkad-Kalpetta. 37 km

Getting around

Getting around is easy because of ubiquitous autorikshaws. Autorikshaws charge ₹30 per km and buses are even cheaper at only ₹7 for three km. Air-conditioned Volvo bus is available to Kalpetta for ₹67 (8:35AM, 10:55AM and 2:55PM)

Cars can be rented for as cheap as ₹1800 a day with a driver. The rate is even cheaper if you rent without a driver.

See

Bavaly Dargah, Mysore Road.2 (18 km). (updated May 2015) 1 Changadakkadavu Bridge (3 km). Scenic place with school and mosque. (updated Jan 2002) 2 Chettappalam Village (3 km). Church, river, bridge, scenic paddy fields. (updated May 2015) Hodangadi Basadi. Jain temple. 3 Kuruva Dweep (Kuruva islands) (17 km east of Mananathavady), ☏ +91 4936 203428. 950 acres of ever-green forest on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabini, is an ideal picnic spot, far away from the disturbances of city life. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids, and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom. As a precaution do not stay on this island after dusk. The island is sometimes closed for entry depending on whether the water level is dangerously close to flooding. Hence, in the rainy season, it is best to call up the authorities beforehand to enquire whether it is open. (updated Dec 2022) 4 Latin Church. This church is on a hilltop in the exact middle of Mananthavady town. Unfortunately the ancient church is now 'renovated' into a concrete building. Free. Mananthavady Park (on the banks of the Mananthavady puzha, 1 km from the Panchayath Bus Stand). The park is known for its bat colony. The attempts by the authorities to get rid of the bats lead to protests by environmental activists. 5 Ondayangadi Village (4 km). Durgah, church, scenic spot. (updated May 2015) 6 Panamaram Bridge (10 km). Scenic paddy fields, river. (updated Jan 2002) Pazhassi Museum and Garden, Near Bus Station (walkable distance). Tu-Su 9AM-1PM and 2-5PM. Memorial of the Lion of Kerala Veera Pazhassi Raja, who organized a guerrilla warfare against the British East India Company. ₹5. (updated Oct 2017) Puthiyadam Adeeshwara Swamy temple. Jain temple. Thavinchal Dargah, Thalappuzha Road (5 km). If you are not spiritually inclined, the scenic surroundings will be sufficient for a spiritual lifting. (updated May 2015) Thirunelli Temple (36 km from Mananthavady). Famous Hindu pilgri

Do

1 Boys Town '42', Thalappuzha (15 km). There is a herbal garden, nature care centre, sericulture unit, perma-culture centre, etc., established by the Wayanad Social Service Society and Gene Park (the Indo-Danish project for promoting herbal gardening) here. You can also find a church and orphanage. The locals call this place '42' denoting the distance in miles to Kannur.

Forest Ride. Take the 6:10AM bus to Kutta or the 6:15AM bus to Thirunelly Temple. Both buses goes through dense forests. You can choose a window seat and enjoy the scenes. (updated May 2015) Maze Walking. Mananthavady town has a very confusing maze-like layout. It is only 6-km² area but the little town is extremely confusing even to those who have visited the place several times. In the evening traffic it is very unpleasant to walk as sidewalks are extremely crowded and the maze doesn't give a clue. But early morning walk can show you that the town is built in the shape of an enormous digit '8'. The bigger circle of the digit eight encircles the Latin Church Hill and the smaller circle encircles the Government Offices Hill. There is a Gandhi statue on the meeting point of the two circles in the digit '8'. (updated May 2015) Neeravil River walk, Pandikkadavu Bridge, Post Office Road (3 km). Get into any going to Kuttiady or Kallody. Get down at Pandikkadavu. Have a walk in the scenic bridge. (updated Jan 2002) Picnic @ V.C.Road (3 km). The Valliyoorkkavu Temple area is ideal for unpacking your picnic basket as the whole locality looks like a lush green lawn. There are two ancient temples, one orthodox church, foot bridge and river in this place in addition to an expanse of greenery. (updated May 2015) 2 Visit Dwaraka village (6 km). Spectacular St. Alphonsa Church, scenic surroundings. Juses Christ and chariot statue. Ask for Nalam Mile bus stop. (updated Jan 2002) Visit the Aaram Mile village (9 km). Mosque, playground, arecanut plantations. (updated Jan 2002) Tibetan Settlement, Kushalnagar

Buy

You can buy handbags and souvenirs made by tribal people at very reasonable rates.

Kannur Bakery, Thalashery Road (1 km). (updated May 2015) Marina Supermarket, Kannur Road (1 km). (updated May 2015) Thriveni Supermarket, Coffee House building (1 km). (updated May 2015)

Eat

Bismillah Restaurant, Near Post Office (1 km). Opens at 6:30AM. (updated May 2015) Holiday Hill Restaurant, Kattikkulam (1 km). ₹50 for lunch. (updated May 2015) Grace Restaurant, Gandhi Park (1 km). Opens at 6AM. (updated May 2015) 1 Indian Coffee House, Kannur Road (1 km), ☏ +91 4935 241 968. The best economy restaurant of the city. Special non-economy section upstairs. (updated Apr 2016) Matha Restaurant, opp. bus station. Cheap and best meat and fish dishes and Biriyani. (updated Oct 2015) Riveria Udupi Vegetarian, Post Office Road (1 km), ☏ +91 4935240322. (updated Jan 2002) Ro