Day 3 – Touching Wayanad

Date: 27-Dec-15

Our final day of the year-end trip was reserved for a brief exploration of Wayanad. Since our guest house was located near the Karnataka – Kerala border, we planned to visit two of Wayanad’s popular attractions: Thirunelli Temple and Banasura Sagar Dam. Kerala has always been one of my favorite destinations, so I was especially looking forward to the day.

We checked out of Coorg Guest House at 9 AM and bid farewell to the warm and hospitable staff who had made our stay memorable. Our first destination was Iruppu Falls, located just 6 km away.

Iruppu Falls

• Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
• Entry fee: 50 Rs/person
• Parking fee: 10 Rs (for car)

The drive to the falls was as scenic as the rest of our Coorg journey, with coffee estates lining both sides of the road. We reached the parking area at around 9:20 AM, collected our tickets, and began the short walk through the Brahmagiri forest range. Since it was still early in the morning, the trail was relatively quiet, making the nature walk especially enjoyable.

We had expected the waterfall to carry only a small amount of water, but were pleasantly surprised. The cascade was flowing well and looked magnificent against the backdrop of the dense green forest. The setting felt almost magical, and we spent more than an hour enjoying the surroundings and photographing the falls.

The peaceful forest trail and the sight of the waterfall hidden within the Brahmagiri hills made Iruppu Falls one of the most refreshing experiences of the trip. The combination of greenery, flowing water, and the absence of large crowds created a serene atmosphere that was difficult to leave behind.

Thirunelli Temple (Wayanad, Kerala)

• Timings: 5.30 AM to 12 PM and 5.30 PM to 8 PM

After visiting Iruppu Falls, we crossed into Kerala and continued towards Thirunelli Temple in Wayanad district.

The drive from Iruppu to Thirunelli was spectacular. The route passed through coffee estates before gradually transforming into a forest-lined road as we entered Wayanad. The winding roads, dense greenery, and light traffic made this one of the most beautiful drives of the trip. It took us about an hour to reach the temple.

Thirunelli Temple is dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu and is believed to be more than 1,000 years old. According to local belief, the idol was installed by Lord Brahma himself. The nearby Papanashini River is considered sacred, and many pilgrims visit the area to perform rituals for their ancestors.

The temple’s ancient architecture blends beautifully with its natural surroundings. Surrounded by mountains and forests, the entire area has a peaceful and timeless atmosphere. After spending some time at the temple and browsing the nearby shops selling traditional Kerala souvenirs, we left around 12:30 PM.

Earlier in the day, we had noticed a beautiful KTDC property, Tamarind Thirunelli, and had planned to have lunch there after the temple visit. Unfortunately, lunch service had not yet begun when we arrived, so we continued towards Banasura Sagar Dam and decided to find a place to eat along the way.

The drive to Thirunelli was every bit as memorable as the temple itself. The combination of ancient heritage, lush forests, and the tranquil setting gave the place a unique charm that stood out even among the many beautiful locations we had visited during the trip.

Banasura Sagar Dam (Wayanad, Kerala)

• Timings: 8.30 AM to 5.45 PM
• Entry fee: 20 Rs/person, 25 Rs for camera
• Parking fee: 40 Rs (for car) (Price is hiked for these three days)

The drive from Thirunelli to Banasura was equally scenic. We passed through several Kerala villages and enjoyed the greenery that surrounded us throughout the route. Although the weather was quite sunny, the landscape made the journey pleasant.

We reached near Banasura around 1:45 PM and immediately began searching for lunch. Most restaurants were crowded with tourists, and finding a vegetarian meal proved difficult. Fortunately, we found a Malabar restaurant that was still relatively empty. We enjoyed a traditional Kerala vegetarian meal before heading to the dam.

Banasura Sagar Dam is the largest earth dam in India and the second largest in Asia. Located at the foothills of the Banasura Hills, it has become one of Wayanad’s most popular tourist attractions. After collecting our tickets, we walked about a kilometer from the entrance to the dam. Visitors can also take jeeps that shuttle between the entrance and the reservoir area, but we preferred to walk.

As we approached the reservoir, we were greeted by a breathtaking panorama. The layered Banasura Hills formed a dramatic backdrop, while the vast reservoir stretched across the landscape. The submerged terrain has created several small islands, adding to the beauty of the setting. Boating and speedboat rides are also available for visitors.

Banasura Sagar Dam provided a perfect finale to our trip. The expansive reservoir, the layered hills, and the peaceful surroundings created one of the most picturesque landscapes we had seen during the three days. It was the ideal place to pause, reflect, and enjoy the final moments of the journey before heading home.

Journey back to Bangalore

We started our return journey towards Bangalore at around 4 PM. We planned to visit Nanjangud Temple if time permitted. Soon after leaving, the GPS led us through some unexpectedly poor roads near Kalpetta. Although the route passed through beautiful countryside, the roads were narrow and filled with potholes. Eventually, we reached Sultan Bathery, after which the road conditions improved significantly.

About 20 km beyond Sultan Bathery, we entered the Berambadi State Forest region on the way to Gundlupet. The forest drive was delightful, and we were fortunate enough to spot an elephant along the way. Deer and elephants are commonly seen in this stretch, making careful driving essential.

We stopped for evening snacks at Gundlupet and then continued towards Nanjangud. However, a long road-construction stretch near Nanjangud delayed us considerably. As a result, we decided to skip the temple visit and continue towards Mysore. From Mysore, we joined NH275 and headed towards Bangalore. After dinner at a hotel in Mandya, we completed the final leg of the journey and reached home at around 12:30 AM.

Travel snapshot

Our final day combined everything we love about travel, waterfalls, ancient temples, scenic drives, forests, mountains, and a touch of Kerala’s unique charm. From the peaceful trails of Iruppu Falls to the serene atmosphere of Thirunelli and the grand landscapes of Banasura Sagar Dam, every destination offered a different experience.

The drives through coffee estates, forests, and village roads were equally memorable. Although our time in Wayanad was brief, it gave us a wonderful glimpse of the region’s beauty. As we drove back home, we felt grateful for the experiences, landscapes, and moments that had made this trip such a memorable way to conclude 2015.

• Route Travelled: Onward: Coorg Guest House > Iruppu Falls > Thirunelli Temple > Banasura Sagar Dam
  Return: Banasura Sagar Dam > Kalpetta > Sultan Batheri > Gundlupet > Nanjanagudu > Mysore > BTM Layout (via Mysore Road)

See also:

• Coorg and a Glimpse of Wayanad
• Day 1 – On the Way to Coorg
• Day 2 – A Well Spent Day in Coorg

Route Map