Vythiri

Etymology

Administration

The Vythiri taluk consists of 18 villages, including Lakkidi, Vythiri, Chundale, Padinjarathara,Meppadi, Kalpetta, and Kaniyambetta. The village of Vythiri acts as the administrative centre of Vythiri Taluk.

Religion and worship

St. Mary's Orthodox Church, part of the Sultan Bathery Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is located in Vythiri.

Sree Mariyaman Temple, located in the center of Vythiri Town

Vythiri Jumma Masjid, Located in the center part of Vythiri Town,

St Joseph Church Catholic Church, part of the Archdiocese of Calicut situated in the town, this church considered as the first catholic church in Wayanad District

St Mary's Catholic Church part of the Eparchy of Mananthavady located in Vythiri

Tourism

The all season attractive weather, greenery and the terrain of this place makes Vythiri a major tourist destination in Kerala. Tourists from all parts of the world visits and stays in Vythiri to enjoy the beauty of Vythiri and other tourist destinations in Wayanad.

The Chain Tree Legend

According to the local legend, an English engineer built the Ghat road to Vythiri on the basis of the information given by a tribal youth. After getting the necessary guidance, the English people killed the tribal guide. The spirit of the tribal youth got angry and caused many accidents in the road. So a priest took the initiative to chain the spirit to a tree in Vythiri. This Chain Tree is seen even today at Lakkidi. Some of the passing motorists even pay homage to the tree for allowing a safe passage.

Altitude

Vythiri is 700 meters above the sea level and the weather is remarkably cooler than other parts of Wayanad. There are many resorts in Wayanad thanks to the salubrious climate here.

Education

There is a university here specializing in Veterinary science and there is a special college for catering management. Oriental school of hotel management.

Transportation

Vythiri is 66 km by road from Kozhikode railway station and this road includes nine hairpin bends. The nearest major airport is at Calicut. The road to the east connects to Mysore and Bangalore. Night journey is not allowed on this sector as it goes through Bandipur national forest.

Pookode Lake

Pookode Lake is a fresh water lake with boating facility. It is very popular with tourists coming with children. The lake is 8.5 hectares big and the maximum depth of the water is 6.5 meters.

Gallery

File:Madiyoor Mahavishnu Temple, Kalpetta.jpg|Madiyoor Mahavishnu Temple File:Marthomma School, Chundale.jpg|Marthomma School, Chundale File:Lakkidi School.jpg|Lakkidi School

Climate

| 27.2|28.8|30.3|30.1|29.3|25.8|24.4|25.0|26.0|26.6|26.6|26.7 | 16.9|18.0|19.7|20.8|20.9|19.8|19.4|19.5|19.3|19.5|18.7|17.3 | 4|10|20|101|226|764|1348|689|301|251|100|26

Landslides at Vythiri taluk in 2024

Main article: 2024 Wayanad landslides

Landslides occurred near the villages of Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala in July 2024 due to heavy rains that triggered the collapse of hillsides. The landslides marked one of the deadliest natural disasters in Kerala's history, with reports of at least 400 deaths.

References

Notes

References

1. "Wayanad Administration.Taluks and villages".
2. "Search for any cities or villages in India".
3. "St. Marys Orthodox Church - Vythiri". MOSC Publications.
4. https://www.calicutdiocese.org/st-josephs-church-vaythiri/
5. https://mananthavadydiocese.com/parish/Vythiri
6. "Vythiri climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Vythiri weather averages - Climate-Data.org".
7. "Wayanad: The scenic Indian villages devastated by deadly landslides".
8. (4 August 2024). "In Mundakkai, 16 of family swept away in landslide". The Times of India.