The little village of Vythiri

Vythiri is a hill station at 1,300 m and has coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber plantations and mountain scenery. Vythiri is 66 km (2 hours) from Kozhikode. The mysterious Chairn tree of Vythiri is very famous. There is a story behind it. The road up was built by an English engineer as per the information given to him by a local tribal youth. Once the route was made the tribe was killed by the English Army . Afterwards there were many accidents in this ghat road which was supposedly due to the activity of the "ghost or spirit" of the tribal. It is believed that his "spirit" is being chained to the tree. Most of the driver pray and do offerings as they pass by the tree to make their trip accident free. Another story goes, that when the British first came to Wayanad the locals helped them and it was the Adivasi Mahouts who took them to the top the mountains. As the Portuguese were close behind them, they did not want the Mahouts to go back and get the Portuguese. Hence they killed the Mahout and soon after that, there were many accidents in the area and the Mahout's spirit was believed to be the reason. A local priest contained the spirit to a tree and hung a chain over it so that the spirit would not escape. Hence the name. The governmnet has set a Coffee Research Station at Chundale. Lakkidi village is situated 700 m above sea level, at Thamarasseri Ghat pass. It is on the border of Wayanad district, and the view of the valley is superb. It can get a bit busy (and littered!) during peak season, though. The telephones Microwave station, Hotel Management College and a couple of resorts are situate here.There is also a sprawling Veterinary University campus at Pookode (2 km). You can find good accommodation in Vythiri like Annapara Home Stay, Breeze Valley Dormitory, Grace Residency, Jungle Park Resorts, Lakkidi Grace and Raincountry Resorts.