Mananthavady

Mananthavady
—  town  —
Mananthavady Location of Mananthavady in Kerala and India
Coordinates	11°48′N 76°00′E / 11.8°N 76.0°E / 11.8; 76.0Coordinates: 11°48′N 76°00′E / 11.8°N 76.0°E / 11.8; 76.0
Country	India
State	Kerala
District(s)	Wayanad
Population • Density	37,836 (2001[update]) • 472 /km2 (1,222 /sq mi)
Sex ratio	983 ♂/♀
Literacy • Male • Female	85.77%  • 88.89% • 82.79%
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Codes • Pincode • 670645 • Telephone • +04935

Mananthavady (Malayalam: മാനന്തവാടി ) is a small town on the banks of Mananthavady Puzha a tributary of the Kabini River in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India. This area was once ruled by the Pazhassi dynasty and the tomb of Pazhassi Raja is an important heritage site located in the heart of the town. This is also the headquarters of the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha. The Adivasi Autonomous Council, which led to tribal rights movement under C. K. Janu, was formed in a small hamlet called Panavalli near Mananthavady. The District Hospital in Mananthavady is the only major treatment facility for the service of the tribal communities and other less privileged sections of Wayanad. It is the third biggest town in Wayanad District, after Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta. Mananthavadi is located 35 km north-east of the district headquartes Kalpetta, 80km east of Thalassery and 110km north-east of Kozhikkode. Thalassery-Bavali Road is the major road passing through Mananthavadi, which is well connected with both Mysore and Kodagu. Mananthavady is well connected with Mysore(110km away), via Kartikulam, Bavali and H D Kote, through Nagarhole National Park. This road is parallel to Kabini River and closed during the night time to protect wild animals. Another road goes to Gonikoppal(60km away) in Kodagu, via Kartikulam, Tholpetty forest, Kutta and Ponnampet.

Places of interest

Pazhassi Kudeeram in Mananthavadi, Wayanad, Kerala

Pazhassi kudeeram: Tomb of Pazhassi Raja (who fought the British to his death).

Valliyoorkkavu (3 km from the town): This Temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess and is worshipped in three principal forms of Vana Durga, Bhadrakali and Jala Durga It is the most important place of worship for the tribal communities. The annual 15 day festival is in March/April and is the most grand of all festivals in the district. Slave trade used to take place here during the festival. It is still the largest congregation of all tribals of Wayanad.

Thazhe kavu

Thirunelli Temple: This is a famous pilgrim centre 36 km from Mananthavady.

Mananthavady Park : It is situated on the banks of the Mananthavady puzha (1 km from the Panchayath Bus Stand). The park is also known for its bat colony. The attempts by the authorities to get rid of the bats lead to protests by environmental activists.

Brahmasthana Temple & Mata Amritanandamayi Math (1.5 km from the Town).

Paalamandhapam Devi Temple & Malakkari Temple Koolivayal(12 km from Mananthavady, 6 km from Panamaram town)

Latin Church : Situated at the heart of the town. It is a reminder of the towns colonial past.

Gandhi Park : It is a junction where political meetings are held.

Kuruvadweep (17 km east of Mananthavady ): 950-acre (3.8 km²) protected river delta system.

Boys town (15 km north of Mananthavady): 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) are situated here.

Tholpetty Wild Life Sanctuary : It is 24 km on the way to Coorg.

Pallikkal Juma Masjid (Kalyanathum Pallikkal): One of the oldest mosques in kerala situated in the heart of pallikkal angadi.

Periya: About 25 km from Mananthavady town on Thalasserry road.

Chandanathode: The only pine forest in Wayand.

Public Libraries

Pazhassi Smaraka Granthalayam, Solidarity Library, Anjukunnu Pothujana Grandhalayam

Villages

• Vellamunda
• Peruvaka
• Ambukuthy
• Nalloornad
• Cherukattoor
• Payyampally
• Koilery
• Puthiyidam
• Aarattuthara
• Thavinjal
• ozhakkody
• Vimalanager
• Thalapuzha
• Anjukunnu
• Panamaram
• Tharuvana
• Ellumannam
• Kallody
• Oorpally
• Valat
• Trissilery

Ghat Roads

Mainly 5 Ghat roads are used for reaching Mananthavadi from coastal towns & lower hilly towns of Kerala :
1. From Thalassery : Nedumpoil-Periya Ghat road, which connects Kasargod, Kannur, Thalassery & Kuthuparamba with Wayanad
2. From Kozhikkode: Thamarassery-Lakkidi Ghat road, part of NH 212, which connects Kozhikkode and the rest of Kerala, south of Kozhikkode with Wayanad
3. From Vadakara : Kuttiady-Pakramthalam Ghat road, which connects Thalassery, Vadakara, Nadapuram, Kuttiady and Thottilpalam with Wayanad
4. From Iritty : Kottiyoor-Ambayathode-Palchuram-Boys Town Ghat road, which connects lower hilly towns and villages of Kannur and Kasargod districts with Wayanad. The towns are : Panathur, Udayagiri, Cherupuzha, Alakode, Sreekandapuram, Payyavoor, Iritty, Peravoor, Kelakam, Kottiyoor, etc.
5. From Nilambur : Vazhikkadavu-Nadukani Ghat road, which connects Nilambur, Palakkad, Thrissur and Perinthalmanna, with Wayanad.

Getting there

• Rail- Nearest railway station is at Thalassery, 80km away .
• Road- Thalassery-80km, Kozhikode-110km, Mysore-110km. Frequent buses are available to Thalassery, Kozhikode, Kodagu & Mysore
• Air-Nearest airport is Kozhikode International Airport-136km. Kannur International Airport(under construction at Mattannur) is at a distance of 70km.

References