Lakkidi
LUXURIOUS LAKKIDI
Lakkidi is the entrance to the Wayanad district. It is recorded as one of the highest locations in Wayanad. Lakkidi is a famous hill station in north of Kerala. It is located 700 metres above the sea level. Amazingly Lakkidi gets the second highest degree of annual rainfall in the world. So if you are planning to go to Lakkidi in the monsoon season, then you can enjoy the lovely rain. Vythiri is the nearest town to Lakkidi.
Lakkidi as a Hill Station
Lakkidi is at the crown of the Thamarasheri Ghat Pass. Encrusted with steep mountains, rolling hills, rambling valleys, towering apexes which stand shrouded in mist, blooming greenery, twisty roads and murmuring brooks, Lakkidi is truly a nirvana.
The Gushing Lake
Pookot Lake is one of Wayanad’s top visitor destinations. It is a fresh water lake which is wide and deep. The organizers have developed as a recreational centre having boating facilities, children’s park, a nursery selling potted plants and flower buds, shops for souvenirs and spices, a fresh water aquarium and hill produces things like spices, tea and honey which are sold on the sides of the paths. Supplied with a café and restaurant, this is a good planning for day outings with family. The atmosphere in this place is mellow and romantic, the setting is ‘picture perfect’. There is a pathway, one and half kilometre long winding around the lake on which horses and horse-carts trot up and down.
The Sentinel Rock Cascade
This Sentinel Rock Falls or Sochipara waterfall is one of the most captivating falls in the district. A curvy road from Vythiri passes through the grassy tea garden and then after it is through walking that we reach this place. In the middle of dense forest, the three-spiking falls hit the sharp point of granite at the base and hence it got its name ‘Soochipara’ (needle rock). As it is very difficult to climb these rocks near the falls, a suitable platform is made some distance away from the falls, so that the visitors could see this adorable sight. It seems as if a beautiful enchantress is uncurling her long golden hair.
A Tree with a Chain
The local story says when a British engineer was futile in his efforts to find a passage through the dense forests of Wayanad; a young Adivasi youth named Karinthandan guided the Engineer through the difficult mountain terrain into Wayanad. The Engineer was unwilling to share the glory for the discovery, so he killed the poor Adivasi youth. Soon, Karinthandan’s spirit started haunting the travellers who passed through this route. A priest was assigned with the task of pacifying the revengeful soul; he chained the spirit to a tree. Then only the trouble ceased. Even now, after these many years, we can find a heavy chain fixed to the ground and branch of the tree. It’s really horrifying!
Killikkurissimangalam in Lakkidi is the birth place of Kerala’s famous satirist poet Kunjan Nambiar, the originator of the traditional solo folk dance form ‘Ottanthullal’.
The Edakkal Caves with astounding carvings and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are other attractions near Lakkidi.