Jain Temple, Pallikkunnu Church and Ripon Tea Factory Wayanad

While a lot of you are searching for places to visit in Wayanad, let’s make this easier for you with our amazing list. Loaded with charming waterfalls, caves, resorts, and homestays, this prominent town is renowned for its zest ranches and natural life. Among the prettiest territories of Kerala, Wayanad has a large number of alternatives for its guests. Wayanad is situated on the fringe of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. There are places like the Jain Temple, Pallikkunnu Church, Ripon Tea Factory, Chembra Peak, Kuruva Island, Edakkal Caves, Chain Tree, Neelimala View Point and many more.

Jain Temple, Wayanad

Few holy sites have ever served as a shrine, an administrative hub and as an ammunition base for an invading army. One of the holiest sites for Jainism across the country lies in the gorgeous hills of Sulthan Bathery. The Bathery Jain Temple, dating back to the 13th century, is said to have been built in the prevalent architectural style of the then reigning Vijayanagar Dynasty. Tipu Sultan set up his battery at this site, and today the entirety of Sulthan Bathery is named after the same. One is immediately made aware of the sanctity and colourful past that shrouds this temple in both grandeur and mystique. The temple is now a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. 

Jain temples from the medieval period can be seen in different parts of Kerala, with the major centres being Kasaragod, Wayanad, Palakkad, Kozhikode and Ernakulam. These temples are called ‘basadis’ and can be architecturally divided into two types—rock-shelter/cut basadis and mandapa-line basadis.

At a distance of 24 km from Kalpetta & 1 km from Sulthan Bathery Bus Station, Jain Temple is an ancient temple located in the heart of Sulthan Bathery town in Wayanad district. This is one of the most important amongst a series of ruins spread across Kerala that testify to a period of a strong Jain presence in this region and also one of the best heritage places to visit in Wayanad. The Jain Temple at Sultan Bathery is believed to have been built in the 13th century AD. The temple has an interesting history. It first served as a shrine, and then became an important center of commercial activity. Later in the 18th century, it became a dumping ground of ammunition by Tipu Sultan. The town of Sulthan Bathery was earlier known as Ganapathi Vattam and had 12 traditional Jain streets in and around the town. After Tipu's vandalism, the temple was deserted for about 150 years. Later the Archaeological Survey of India took over the maintenance and declared it a monument of national importance. The courtyard is well laid with lawns and ornamental plants now.

The architecture of the temple has strong influences of the then Vijayanagar architectural style. It was built with large granite pillars that are extensively carved. The temple is mostly plain from outside with few nice carvings in the inner section. There is a detached pillared mandapam on the front side of the temple without roof which is known as Namaskara mandapam. The main structure has a mukha mandapa followed by maha mandapa and the sanctum. The sanctum has few small statues of Jain Tirthankaras, but the main seat of the sanctum is empty and no poojas are performed here. The doorways of sanctum and maha mandapa have sacred Jain figures. The lower portion of the doorway has beautiful floral motifs. The pillars have various designs such as sarpagandha, floral designs, Thirthankara, Goose, etc. The main deity's idol is currently in the Ananthanath Temple at Kalpetta. Once a year during Mahavir Jayanthi, the idol is brought here. The temple festival falls on that day. The temple is open to the Jains for worship during the festival.

Pallikkunnu Church, Wayanad

Pallikkunnu Church is a famous pilgrim centre of north Kerala. This Latin Catholic church in the name of 'Our Lady of Lourdes'. The church has a romantic green surrounding and the calmness and serenity of the surroundings coupled with its peculiar architecture adds to its charm. The major festival of the church falls in the month of February. Another peculiarity of the church is that several rituals and practices of the church resemble that of Hindu temples.

One of the most popular and sought after pilgrimage centres in north Kerala is Pallikkunnu Church. Situated about 19 km away from Kalpetta, this Latin Catholic Church was conceived by a famous priest Fr.Jefreno in the year 1908. The Church is a Latin-catholic church and an important religious centre for Christians in Northern Kerala. A significant event of the year is Pallikunnu Church festival, which goes on for about 16-days. Festival is from 2nd February to 19th February, 10th and 11th day being one of the most important ones. People from all around Kerala visit the festival because of its grand celebration. The most exciting feature of the church is that it has several rituals and practices parallel to Hindu Temples. The Church is a much revered institution and devotees believe that no prayer goes unanswered here. The annual feast takes place in the month of February and is attended by a large number of people. A peculiar feature of the church is that its rituals and practices are similar to those of the Hindu temples. Best time to visit a Church is in February, during the Pallikunnu Church Festival. There is no entry fee, and the church is open from 7 AM to 7 PM for visitors.

Ripon Tea Factory, Wayanad

From its aroma to the refreshing taste, Tea has always been one of the favorite beverages of all time. Spread in an enormous 443 hectares of land at an alarming altitude of 2000 meters from the ground, the Ripon Tea Factory is one of the most stimulating Wayanad tourist places.

Considering that the tea factory was established in the 18th century by the British, the place has got a bit of history behind itself.  The factory is also celebrated for its premium quality of extravagant tea that are segregated into dust, leaf and blended flavors.

The Ripon Tea Factory is open between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM when visitors can pay a visit here and enjoy various flavors of delicious tea. This should be among the first places to visit in Wayanad, especially for tea lovers.