Tourism > India > Kerala > Districts > Wayanad > Sultan Bathery

Sultan Bathery

Sultan Bathery is a small town in Wayanad, that derives its present name from the famous ruler Tipu Sultan of Mysore. He built a fort over here in the 18th century. It is also known as Sultan Battery of Wayanad district. Though the fort does not remain any more, the place is worth the visit for the famous Jain temple. The place was previously known by the name of Ganapathivattom.

The primary occupation of the town people is agriculture. Though the place has a rural background, it has developed tremendously since the 1980's. Sultan Battery is known for its educational institutions like St. Mary's College, St. Joseph's English Medium school and Sarvajana School to name a few. Sultan Battery is a very famous tourist center. The place is also famous for its pepper plantations among other spice plantations. The location of Sultan Bathery is what gives it a very favourable climate throughout the year. The place is located hardly a few hundred meters above sea level. The place has scenic hills that lend a mystical touch to the horizon. The population is as diverse as the geographical features. The place has a huge population of tribals (Adivasis). The place is worth the visit if you are looking for some peaceful time to spend amidst calm surroundings.

Edakkal Caves

Edakkal caves are 12 km from Sulthan Bathery. 3 caves are located at a height of 1000 m on Ambukuthi mala near Ambalavayal. The new stone age pictorial writings on the walls of these natural caves at Edakkal are the evidence of the civilizations that existed here in the pre-historic times. The caves can be accessed only by a trekking trail from Edakkal. Morning hours are the best time to visit these caves. Entry is permitted only up to 1700 h. An interesting trek up of the Ambukuthi Hill near Ambalavayal town takes you to this fascinating neolithic cave site. Etchings found on the walls of these caves have drawn the serious attention of archaeologists and historians worldwide. With at least three distinct sets of petroglyphs, the earliest thought to date back over 3000 years, it is assumed that the Edakkal caves had been inhabited at various stages in history.

Chethalayam Falls

Chethalayam falls is one of Wayanad's smaller waterfalls, 12 km from Sulthan Bathery. Its surroundings offer a number of vantage points for bird-watching. It is also popular with trekking enthusiasts.

Muniyaras

Excavations at various points around the foot of the Ambukuthi Hill (11 km from Sulthan Bathery) have unearthed a distinctive series of ancient burial vaults commonly called Muniyaras. Remnants of Stone age tools and pottery found within these cellars are displayed at the Wayanad heritage museum.

Wayanad wildlife sanctuary

Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, Muthanga was established in 1973, and is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the north-east and Muthumalai of Tamil Nadu on south-east. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. The management lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration for the general lifestyles of tribals and others who live in and around the forest.

Maha Ganapathi Temple, Sulthan Bathery

This temple devoted to Ganapathi is believed to have been built eight centuries ago. In the past, it was under the control of the Kottayam royal dynasty. Before the conquest by Tipu Sulthan, Sulthan Bathery was known as Ganapathivattam.

Kuruvadweep Islands

Dweep refers to island in Malayalam. Kuruva Dweep is a group of three uninhabited islands located 17 km east of Mananthavady and 58 km northwest of Sultan Bathery. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom. This place is an ideal picnic spot. It is full of small streams and thick forest. It is 950 acres stretched land and it’s bound with Kabini river. Kabini river originates from Wayanad district joins Kaveri river in Karnataka and flows to Bay of Bengal. Kabini is one of the 3 rivers which flow towards the east in Kerala. Kuruvadweep is 106 km from Kozhikode city.