Discover Meppadi: Temples, Tea Gardens and Hikes

Meppadi brings together impressive religious sites and nearby hiking destinations. The Sri Mariamman Temple and Jumma Masjid in Meppadi are so close to each other that each can be seen from the other. Around Meppadi, the themes extend to waterfalls, tea gardens and hills. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth considering whether you mainly want to explore the local culture or also set aside time for longer excursions.

Temple, Mosque and Traditional Rituals

At the Sri Mariamman Temple, Mariyatha, a Tamil goddess, is especially revered by the Tamil Konar community. Jumma Masjid is centuries old, stands on the road to Meppadi and is admired for its beauty. The fact that the temple and mosque are visible from one another is regarded as a symbol of communal harmony—a remarkable coexistence of religious sites.

The Kozhikode–Ooty road is also part of the area’s history. It runs through Meppadi from Thamarassery Churam to Cherambadi. According to the Logan Malabar Manual, the road was built by Tipu Sultan. This historical attribution gives the road an additional cultural dimension, while its present-day role as an important route helps locate the town geographically.

Manikunnu Hill, nearby and north of Meppadi, is a site of historical significance for ritual worship. Devotees climb the hill with offerings such as flattened rice, puffed rice, coconuts and bananas; “devotional songs and chants” ring out at the foot of the hill. This is another facet of regional cultural life, distinct from the visible proximity of the temple and mosque. Thinapuram also belongs in this context: the Thenanayar family once performed a traditional Thirayattam ritual there, celebrated as an occasion. Thinapuram is about five kilometres from Meppadi.

Waterfalls and Hikes with Different Time Requirements

The nearby Kanthanpara Waterfalls are considered peaceful. Bamboo groves and natural forests contribute to their wild beauty; the route there is often described as even more beautiful than the waterfall itself. Visitors can hike through the tea gardens on both sides of the waterfall, experiencing the landscape not just at the destination but along the way as well.

A hike along the banks of the Kanthanpara River is scheduled to take two hours. Check the hike’s current availability before making plans. The Chembra hike has a different timeframe: it is a full-day outing organised by the Forest Department. As the package’s availability may change, you should check this in advance too. The difference is clear when planning your day: a two-hour riverside trail on the one hand and a full-day hiking option on the other.

Landscape and Getting Your Bearings Around Meppadi

The surrounding mountain ranges also shape the impression of a trip. Nearby Vaduvanchal has features characteristic of the highlands of the Western Ghats. Chembra Peak, close to Meppadi and also known regionally as Chembra Kodumudi, is the highest peak in Wayanad. Meppadi is the closest town for a hike there; Meppadi is about 76 kilometres from Kozhikode.

The Kanthanpara area is near the Meppadi Forest Range, which belongs to the South Wayanad Forest Division. Species found there include the Malabar Gray Hornbill, Common Flameback Woodpecker, White-cheeked Barbet and White-Throated Kingfisher. The species list shows that the area can be explored not only through its waterfalls and hiking trails, but also through its birdlife.

When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to think of your stay in town and excursions in the surrounding area as separate priorities. Meppadi is about ten kilometres from Kalpetta and is an important town on the Kozhikode–Ooty road. If you are planning to visit Thollayiram, it is 13 kilometres from Meppadi and can be reached via Kalladi Makham. Check current road conditions before setting off. Which priority suits your trip also depends on how much time you want to spend in the places nearby.

Discover more destinations: Muttil South, Kalpetta, Makkiyad, Panamaram, Kottappadi part, Mananthavady, Kunnathidavaka, Thavinhal.

For the main travel overview: Wayanad.