Sacred places in Wayanad

The Jain Temple at Sultan Bathery is believed to have been built in 13th century AD. The temple has an interesting history. It first served as a shrine, and then became an important centre of commercial activity. Later in 18th century, it became a dumping ground of ammunitions by Tipu Sultan. After Tipu’s vandalism, the temple was deserted for about 150 years. Later the Archaeological Survey of India took over the maintenance and declared it a monument of national importance.

The architecture of the temple has strong influences of the then Vijayanagar architectural style. The main structure has a mukhamandapa followed by mahamandapa and the sanctum. The sanctum has few small statues of Jain Tirthankaras, but the main seat of the sanctum is empty and no poojas are performed here. The doorways of sanctum and mahamandapa have sacred Jain figures. The lower portion of the doorway has beautiful floral motifs. The pillars have various designs such as sarpabandha, floral designs, Thirthankara, Goose, etc. The main deity’s idol is currently in the Ananthanath Temple at Kalpetta. Once a year during Mahavir Jayanthi, the idol is brought here. The temple festival falls on that day. The temple is open to the Jains for worship during the festival.

Pallikkunnu Church

Pallikkunnu Church is a famous pilgrim centre of north Kerala. This Latin Catholic church in the name of ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’, was built by a French priest Fr. Jefreno in 1908 at Meenangadi , about 14 km from Kalpetta. The church has a romantic green surrounding and the calmness and serenity of the surroundings coupled with its peculiar architecture adds to its charm. The major festival of the church falls in the month of February. Another peculiarity of the church is that several rituals and practices of the church resemble that of Hindu temples.

Thirunelli Temple

Near the mesmerizing Brahmagiri hills in Wayanad in Kerala is situated an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This Mahavishnu temple, also known as ”Sahyamala Kshetram” and ”Kashi of the South”, is one of the major destinations for pilgrims across South India. The temple displays the traditional architectural style of Kerala, and the Chera king Kulasekharan is popularly considered to be the builder of this temple.

It houses a stone aqueduct that ensures uninterrupted water supply to the temple from the forests. Its channels are supported by pillars with interesting murals carved on them. Even today, cold mountain water gushes out of these channels. A cave temple called Gunnika dedicated to Lord Shiva is also present near the main temple complex. Thirunelli Temple is also famous as a place where devotees perform ancestral rites. The rituals are performed on the banks of the Papanasini, which flows down the Brahmagiri hills.

Varambetta Mosque

Varambetta Mosque is located around 15 km away from the Kalpetta town. This mosque stands near to Padinjarathara. The mosque is more than 300 years old and is one of the first mosques to be built in the Wayanad district. In spite of being an Islamic worship, Varambetta Mosque is open to all tourists without any restriction based on caste, creed and religion. The Varambetta Mosque is one of the main tourist attractions of Wayanad district. The annual festival is observed with grandeur in the month of March in Varambetta Mosque. Varambetta Mosque, situated about 15 km away from Kalpetta in Wayanad. It is just near to Padinjrathara. This mosque is 300 years old and the first mosque built in the Wayanad district. Despite being a Muslim religious site, all tourists are allowed to visit this mosque, ignoring their caste and religion. The Varamvetta Mosque is one of the main attractions of Kalpetta. Every year in March, annual festival is celebrated with grandeur in this mosque.