Sultan Bathery, also spelled Sulthan Bathery and previously known as Sultan's Battery, is a town of 27,000 people (2011) in the mountainous Wayanad region of Kerala. The place is famous for its Jain temple.
Understand
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The town used to serve as a military post of Tipu Sultan and the Sultan had a battery placed here, hence the name Sultan Battery. The town used to be called Hennaradu Peedike (Twelve Shops). The town is at an altitude of 930 m.
Sultan Bathery is almost exactly halfway between Mysore and Kozhikode.
Get in
[edit]The nearest airports are at Kozhikode and Bangalore. The nearest railway stations are at Kozhikode and Mysore. You can drive to Sultan Battery from Mysore, Ooty and Kozhikode.
From Mysore and Kozhikode, Sultan Bathery is reachable by bus in around 3-4 hours.
Sultan Bathery is the biggest transport hub of Wayanad district. It is located near the border with the Karnataka state. There is a major Kerala Transport Depot in Sultan Battery. Most of the long distance buses to Kozhikode, Ooty and Bangalore start from this depot. The town also has two smaller bus stations for local travellers.
Main routes
[edit]- Bangalore-Mysore-Gundalpet-MuthangaForest-Sultanbattery.256 km (The best roads are in this route)
- Sultan Battery-Kolagappara-Kakkavayal-Muttil-Kalpetta-Chundale-Vythiri. 35 km (Main Wayanad Road)
- Ooty-Gudalur-Devarshola-Sultan Battery. 92 km
- Kozhikode-Thamarassery-Vythiri-Kalpetta. 70 km.
- Malappuram-Nilambur-Vazhikkadavu-Gudalur-Sultanbattery. 120 km
Get around
[edit]Autorikshaws charge ₹15 per km and buses are even cheaper at ₹7 for three km.
Taxis can be hired. Jeeps or any four-wheel drive vehicles would be good to negotiate the tough terrain.
Cars can be rented for as cheap as ₹1800 a day with a driver. The rate is even cheaper if you rent without a driver.
See
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- 1 Jain Temple, Sulthan Bathery (Chandranatha Swamy). The temple is believed to be built in the 13th century was a place of commerce and worship until Tipu Sultan made it his military hangout where he placed a battery and hence the name Sultan Battery. Also known as Tippu's Fort.
- 2 Battery Jumaa Masjid (near the Sultan Battery town bus stand). This is the biggest jumaa masjid in the town and it can hold more than 1000 worshippers.
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- 3 Edakkal Caves. 9AM-4PM (last entry). This must-see location of breathtaking beauty in the Ambukuthy Mountain is not a cave in the real sense. As stated in the India Antiquary, it is only a cleft about 96 ft long and 22 ft wide in the rock. The name Edakkal (Eda+kal) means "middle of the rock". It is a fissure made by a corner of rock splitting off from the main Entrance to Edakkal Caves due to some natural causes. The depth of the cleft and the fissure is 30 ft. What makes it a cave to the ordinary observer is the fact that in the other portion of the large cleft, an enormous rock, weighing several tonnes, has fallen forming a roof over a large part of it.
The rock wall contains some interesting carvings, which represent human and animal figures and objects of human use and symbols. These carvings, dating to the Neolithic age (6000 BC), speak of a highly civilized people of pre-historic age and inspires the archaeologists and historians to rewrite the history of Wayanad and Kerala as a whole. Specifically, look out for the carvings interpreted as the woman with the jug, the sun, the chieftain, the animal, and the peacock. The caves were discovered in 1894 by an English police superintendent named Fred Fawcett. The story goes that he discovered a hunting axe, which eventually led to the discovery of the caves. However, the caves were taken over by Archeological Survey of India only in 1984, so some vandalism can also be spotted on the walls. A vertical cleft near one of the corners offers a rare view of Wayanad.
These caves are said to have been frequented by Jain monks at a later age. The guard at the caves may be ready to help out with information. The caves are accessible now with steep but strong steps. There are excellent views of Wayanad on the way up, and there are a separate set of steps leading down as a faster route ₹30. - 4 Phantom Rock. It is a natural metamorphic rock formation resembling a human skull, and thus is known as Phantom Rock
Do
[edit]- Walk up Edakkal caves and Ambukuthi Mala (12 km from Sultan Battery). These three caves are at a height of 1,000 m (3,281 ft) on Ambukuthi mala near Ambalavayal. From Edakkal, you have to walk 1 km to reach Edakkal Caves. One can see the new stone age pictorial writings on the walls of these natural caves.
- Bus-tour through tea estates. KSRTC operates a low floor non-AC all Wayanad round trip from Sultan Bathery. The bus starts by 7AM from Sultan Bathery and goes by Chulliyod, Ambala Vayal, Vaduvanchal, Meppadi, WIMS Hospital, Chundale and reaches Vythiri. The return trip is through the highway via Kalpetta, Meenangadi and finally reaches back at Sultan Bathery.
- Thovarimala (5 km from Sultan Battery). You can trek 400 m to reach Thovarimala Ezhuthupara where you can see stone age pictorial writings on a rock.
- Pulpally Road. The road from Sultan Bathery to Pulpally town goes through the very middle of dense forest and tribal settlements. The road is dark even at noon, because of very good tree cover. Buses are available every one hour on this route.
- Cheengeri Hills, Ambalavayal, ☏ +91 9947147496. Local bus services are available for transportation between Ambalavayal and Cheengeri.
Kaduvakuzhi view point is very scenic.
Eat
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Kerala food is available in restaurants. European food is available in resorts and home stays only.
Bamboo rice (called Mulayari by locals) can be found in Wayanad. These are seeds of the Bamboo plant, richer in protein than rice and wheat, but tasting like rice. Bamboo rice payasam stalls can be spotted near Edakkal caves walkway. Bamboo is said to yield seeds after a long span, so it is said that harvesting bamboo rice is a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience.
Home-made chocolates and local Wayanad tea and coffee are also sold in many places. Shops near Edakkal caves offer many options such as spiced versions.
- Bamboo Mess Restaurant, near private bus station signal, Sulthan Bathery. Delicious kappa biriyani. ☏ +91 04936 220748
- Indian Coffee House, Main Road. Comfortable Non-vegetarian section is available.
- Jubilee Restaurant, Main Road. Good place for Biriyani and chicken dishes.
Buy
[edit]The place is known for spices, tea and condiments and for the local handicrafts.
Sleep
[edit]- PWD Rest House Government Lodge, ☏ 7594975321Country code missing.
Budget
[edit]- Aradhana Tourist Home, Police Station Road, ☏ +91 4936-220044.
- Asma Lodge, Near Gandhi Square, ☏ +91 4936-220611. ₹250 for single room.
- Dwaraka Tourist Home, ☏ +91 4936-220358.
- Hiliya Resort, Kenichira, ☏ +91 4936211575.
- Karapuzha Lakeshore Resorts In Wayanad, Nathamkuni po,puttad,Waynad (23 km from Kalpetta and Sultan Battery), ☏ +91 9388950853, [email protected]. Located in between Ambalavayal and Meppadi. ₹2000.
- MistyMount Homestays (Wayanad Resorts), Payyampally, Kartikulam, [email protected]. ₹1495.
- The Resort, ☏ +91 4936-220512.
- SunBird Garden Resort, Kolagappara, ☏ +91 4936-314621, +91 9946405089. From this ‘Sunbird’s Nest’ you can enjoy the view of the spice garden and also the view of the rock, which is particularly beautiful at sunsets. Tree house, Ayurveda rejuvenation, conference hall, restaurant, outdoor and indoor games, swimming pool, camp fire, fishing, trekking, cultural programs
- WayanadHome Budget Resorts (Wayanad Budget Resorts), WayanadHome, ChettiMoola, ☏ +91 4936-212065, +91 9388448374, [email protected].
- Tapovan Farm House, +91 9444-015977. A pleasant and luxurious stay on a coffee estate. Separate dining, conference hall and campfire place.
- Bus Dormitory, KSRTC Bus Stations. Beds are arranged inside an old bus. ₹160 per night.
Mid-range
[edit]- Raindrops Resorts (Nambikolli, Sultan Bathery Road, Wayanad - near to Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary), ☏ +91 83019 57119, [email protected]. ₹5,200-10,500.
- Eddakal Hermitage (near Eddakal Caves, can be reached on the way to Eddakal Caves), ☏ +91 4936 221860, +91 4936 260123, [email protected]. ₹3,500-4,000.
- Green Leaves Habitat (opposite st Marys College), ☏ +91 944647635. A lovely home stay with all felicities and committed to the principles of responsible tourism. ₹2,500.
- Indian Coffee Hotel. Good place run by a cooperative society. Gives Udupi style of food like dosa, idli and vada. Mostly vegetarian food is available here but eggs are available in roasted or bull's eye varieties.
- KTDC Hotel, Manichira, ☏ +91 4936-221900, [email protected]. ₹1,700+.
- LakeRose Serviced Villa (LakeRose Home Stay), Near Karapuzha dam, Vazhavatta (5 km from Kakkavayal on Calicut- Kollegal Highway (NH212)), ☏ +91 98956 55937, +91 96564 10977. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 11AM. Beside Karapuzha dam. Good view of the lake from the property. Eco-friendly, amidst full greenery, kids' play area, Shuttle badminton court, large garden at the back yard. From ₹3,000 (1 room) to ₹9000 (all 3 rooms).
- Pepper Green Resorts (Wayanad Resort), Near Kuruva Island, Palvelicham, Kartikulam Mananthavady, ☏ +91 4935 251 110. 8 eco-friendly cottages built in bamboo. An undisturbed hamlet in the lap of nature. ₹3,000-5,000.
- Woodrose Resort, Near Ayyappa temple, Kozhikode road (3 km).
Stay safe
[edit]- The eastern hills of Kerala are vulnerable to attacks from an Indian communist group called Maoists. They once attacked the ticket counter of Silent Valley National Park, Mukkali. As the Maoists are armed and dangerous, be careful when you trek in lonely areas.[1]
- Leeches are common in the hills. Carry some table salt to dislodge the leeches.
- Monkeys can be a nuisance, especially at places like Lakkidi viewpoint. Be careful and keep your car windows closed, and food items hidden.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Gudalur
- Kalpetta
- Kozhikode
- Mananthavady
- Meppadi
- Mysore
- Ooty
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary – 16 km to the east, home to large population of elephants, and other wildlife, including some tigers