About Mananthavady
Mananthavady is a town in the district of Wayanad in Kerala. It is administered by a Municipality. The town is situated on the Mananthavady Puzha River Banks which is a tributary of River Kabini. During ancient times, Mananthavady was known as ‘Hosenkadi’. The name was derived from the words ‘Mane Eytha Vady’ i.e. the place where the deer was shot by an arrow. Ambukuthy, a place near Mananthavady town strengthens the name.
A brief history of Mananthavady
The town was under the reign of Pazhassi dynasty. Pazhassi Raja’s tomb situated at the centre of the city is a major heritage centre. The town also served as army camp for the Britishers in their campaign against Pazhassi. The tourists can still see the remains of the British reign such as canteen, barracks, club, cemetery, rest house, etc near Mananthavady. The town also served as headquarters for Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha. The town also has a District Hospital which serves tribal communities as well as less privileged sections of the district of Wayanad.
Geography of Mananthavady
Mananthavady is situated at 11o48’ N 76o0’E and has an elevation of 760 m (2490 feet) above the sea level. The town is situated 28 Km to the north east of Kalpetta, the district headquarters, 92 Kms to the north east of Kozhikode and 80 Km to the east of Thalassery. The Thalassery-Bavali Road which passes through Mananthavady connects the town with Mysore as well as Kodagu.
Climate of Mananthavady
Mananthavady also experiences a tropical climate. The town gets significant rainfall throughout the year. Koppen and Geiger have classified the climate of Mananthavady as Am. The annual average temperature of Mananthavady is 23.2oC and the average rainfall is 3010 mm. April is the warmest month and December is the coldest month.
Administration of Mananthavady
Mananthavady is administered by a Municipal Office.
Tourism in Mananthavady
Mananthavady is also a popular tourist destination. Let’s see here some of the tourists attractions of the town.
Pazhassi Kudeeram
This is the tomb of Pazhassi Raja who fought against the British.
Valliyoorkkavu
The presiding deity of the temple is Mother Goddess who is worshipped in the form of Jala Durga, Vana Durga and Bhadrakali. For tribal communities, this is a major pilgrimage centre. A 15 days annual festival is held during March-April in the temple and slave trade takes place during this festival. Till date, it is the major congregation of all tribal communities in Wayanad.
Thazhe Kavu Thirunelli Temple
This is a popular pilgrim centre which is situated 36 Km away from Mananthavady. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is situated on the foothills of Brahmagiri hills on Karnataka Border. This place is also ideal for trekking.
Mata Amirtanandamayi Math & Brahmasthana Temple
This is situated 1.5 Kms from the Mananthavady town.
Malakkari Temple & Paalamandhapam Devi Temple
This is situated 12 Kms away from Mananthavady town and 6 Kms away from Panamaram town.
Latin Church
It is located at the centre of the town and reminds the tourists of the British colonial period.
Mananthavady Park
This park is located on the banks of River Mananthavady Puzha and is 1 Km away from the Panchayat bus stand. The park is also renowned for the colony of bats. Environmental activists are against the attempts to remove the bat colony by the government authorities.
Kuruvadweep
The total area of the river delta system is 950 acre and this is protected by Kerala Forest Department. This island consists of evergreen forest and is home to several orchids, birds, herbs, etc. Many streams surround the island and Kerala Tourism department operates rafts as well as fiber boats through which the river could be accessed.
Boys town
This is situated 15 Kms to the north of Mananthavady and was set up by Wayanad Social Service Society as well as Gene Park, the Indo Danish project for promoting herbal gardening. Nature care centre, Herbal garden, perma-culture centre, sericulture unit, etc are situated here.
Tholpetty Wild Life Sanctuary
This wildlife sanctuary is situated 24 Kms away from Mananthavady on the way to Coorg.
Pallikkal Juma Masjid
It is one of the oldest mosques of Kerala located at the centre of Pallikkal Angadi.
Periya
It is situated 25 Km away from Mananthavady on the road to Thalassery.
Chandanathode
This is the only pine forest found in Wayanad and a must see destination.
Wayanad Wild Life Sanctuary
The sanctuary came into existence in the year 1973. This wildlife sanctuary is also a protected area and rich in flora as well as fauna. This sanctuary has been established with a view to preserving the region’s biological heritage.
Services and Utilities in Mananthavady
Let’s see here some of the public utility services that are available in Mananthavady town.
Electricity Services in Mananthavady
The Kerala State Electricity Board which functions from 1957 provides the electricity supply in Mallappally town. The address of Mallappally electricity office is:
Kerala State Electricity Board
Mananthavady
Wayanad – 670 645
Tel: 04935-240289
Website: www.kseboard.in
Water Services in Mananthavady
Water supply in Kerala is regulated by the Kerala Water Authority who also manages the sewage water. The head office is located at:
‘Jalbhavan’,
Vellayambalam,
Thiruvananthapuram 695 033
The KWA was found in the year 1984 and it serves as an autonomous body of Kerala State Government. The official website of Kerala Water Authority is www.kwa.kerala.gov.in.
Banking Services in Mananthavady
Several private and public banks operate in Mananthavady town. Let’s see here some of them.
State Bank of India
Kellur 5th Mile
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-227052, 227050
Syndicate Bank
No 3 Parrakal Building, Valliyoorkavu Road
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-240291
Website: www.syndicatebank.in
South Indian Bank
No Mp 6/801 D, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 Ward No 6
Sanjos Shopping Complex, St Joseph Hospital Road
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-242260
Website: www.southindianbank.com
The Federal Bank Ltd
Onattuthottathil Building
Kozhikode Road, Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-246444, 244244
Website: www.federalbank.co.in
Canara Bank
P B No 9, M P VI/1 Pjn Building
Valliyurkavu Road
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-240352
Website: www.canarabank.com
Punjab National Bank
KPV Complex, Jose Theatre Road
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-241183
State Bank of India
783A Latin Church Building, Mission Hospital Road
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-241133
Website: www.sbi.co.in
State Bank of Travancore
P B No 2, Highrange Building
Mysore Road
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-240211, 240109
Catholic Syrian Bank
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 7935645003
Wayanad District Cooperative Bank
Kartikulam
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-250119
Fire Services in Mananthavady
The address of Mananthavady Fire Station is:
Mananthavady Fire Station
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-245052
Postal and Courier Services in Mananthavady
The address of Mananthavady Post Office is:
Mananthavady Post Office
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-240320
Website: www.indiapost.gov.in
Some of the courier services available in Mananthavady are
Haritha Communication
Bus Stand Area, Opp Panchayath Bus Stand
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-243197, 9447297495
DTDC Courier & Cargo Ltd
Maliyakkal Building, Opp Panchayat Bus Stand
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 9387617046
Website: www.dtdc.in
APS Parcel Service
Clubukunnu, Townhall Road
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-241920, 9446006159
Telecom and Broadband Services in Mananthavady
The address of the BSNL office in Mananthavady is
BSNL Exchange
Peruvaka Road
Mananthavady
Wayanad 670 645
Tel: 04935-242500, 240 298
Fax: 04935-243200
Private telecom companies also operate in Mananthavady.
How to Reach Mananthavady
Mananthavady is well connected by road to other cities of Kerala state. KSRTC buses and private buses operate here. Mananthavady does not have a railway station and the nearest railway station is Vadakara which is situated 65 Kms away from Mananthavady. The nearest airport is Kozhikode International Airport which is situated at 120 Kms. Once the Kannur International Airport is completed, it will become the nearest airport as it is situated 58 Kms away from Mananthavady. From the railway station and airport, the tourist can hire a taxi or travel by bus to reach Mananthavady.
Quick Facts about Mananthavady
Government - Municipal Office
Population as per the 2001 census- 37,836
Time zone - IST
Postal Index Number - 670 645
STD Code - 04935
Official Languages - Malayalam & English