Wayanad district

Wayanad District is a district in the north-east of Kerala state, India with headquarters at the town of Kalpetta. The district was formed on 1 November 1980 as the 12th district in Kerala by carving out areas from Kozhikode and Kannur districts. The district is 3.79% urbanised, with three municipal towns Kalpetta, Mananthavady and Sulthan Bathery.Pulpally in Wayanad boasts of the only Luv Kush Temple in Kerala and Vythiri has the only mirror temple in Kerala which is a Jain temple. The edicts and caves of Ambukuthimala and other evidences state that the place is as old as the beginning of the New Age Civilisation.EtymologyThe region was known as Mayakshetra in the earliest records. Mayakshetra evolved into Mayanad and finally to Mayyanad. It is situated in Calicut District. The Folk etymology of the word says it is a combination of Vayal and Naad, making it 'The Land of Paddy Fields'. There are many indigenous tribals in this area. It is set high on the Western Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 m.HistoryAccording to archaeological evidence, the Wayanad forests have been inhabited for more than 3,000 years. Historians are of the view that human settlement existed in these parts for at least ten centuries before Christ. Much evidence of New Stone Age civilisation can be seen in the hills throughout the present day Wayanad district. The Edakkal Caves have 6000 year old rock engravings from the Neolithic age. Recorded history of this district is available from the 18th century. In ancient times, this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe.