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Karinthandan is a legendary figure in the history of Wayanad, a district in the Indian state of Kerala. He is revered as a tribal chieftain who sacrificed his life to protect his people and their land. [1] [2] [3] Karinthandan lived during the 17th century when the region was still largely inhabited by indigenous tribes. [4] [5]
According to the local legend, Karinthandan was a member of the Paniya tribe, which was known for its deep knowledge of the forests and the mountains of Wayanad. [6] When the British East India Company began its colonial expansion into the region in the 17th century, they sent a team of engineers to survey the area for a road construction. [7]
As the team made its way through the dense forests and steep mountains of Wayanad, they relied heavily on the guidance of Karinthandan and his tribe. The Paniya people were skilled hunters and gatherers who knew the land well. They led the team through treacherous terrain, and eventually, they reached the summit of the Churam mountain pass, which connects Wayanad to the neighboring district of Kozhikode. [8]
It was at this point that the legend takes a tragic turn. According to local folklore, the Britishers, eager to take credit for discovering the pass, pushed Karinthandan off the cliff to his death. The Paniya people were devastated by the loss of their leader, who they regarded as a hero and protector of their land. [8] [9]
The legend of Karinthandan has been passed down through generations and is still an important part of the cultural heritage of Wayanad. The Paniya people continue to tell the story of their hero, and many consider him a martyr who gave his life to protect his people and their land. The story of Karinthandan also reflects the complex relationship between the indigenous tribes of Wayanad and the colonial powers that sought to control the region. [4] [5]
In recent years, there have been efforts to preserve the memory of Karinthandan and Recognize his contribution to the history of Wayanad. In 2015, the Kerala government announced plans to build a statue of Karinthandan at the Churam pass to honor his memory. The project has been controversial, with some activists and tribal leaders arguing that the statue would be a form of cultural appropriation and would disrespect the memory of Karinthandan. [10]
As Karinthandan lay dying, he placed a curse on the forest and the mountain pass, saying that no one who betrayed another in the region would ever find their way back home. Legend has it that Karinthandan's spirit remained in the forest, and his soul was trapped in a nearby fig tree, which later became known as the Wayanad Chain Tree. [11] [12] [13]
The tree is named after the chains that are wrapped around it, which are said to have been placed there by a British engineer who got lost in the forest and was unable to find his way out until a local tribal elder led him to the tree. [14] The elder explained the legend of Karinthandan and the curse, and told the engineers that the only way to lift the curse was to perform a ritual by tying a chain around the tree three times and making a wish. [12]
Today, the Wayanad Chain Tree is a popular tourist attraction, and visitors come from all over to see the tree and learn about the legend of Karinthandan. The tree is located in a beautiful forested area, and there are several trails and viewpoints nearby that offer views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. [15]
Karinthandan's story has been passed down through generations as part of the folklore and cultural heritage of the Wayanad region of Kerala, and has therefore been featured in various forms of popular culture.
One example is the Malayalam novel "Karinthandan" by Sanal Krishnan, which was published in 2021. [16] [17] The novel tells the story of Karinthandan and explores his thoughts, emotions, and motivations as he guides British engineers through the forests of Wayanad. In addition to literature, Karinthandan's story has also been featured in local art forms such as theatre, dance, and music. [18]
Wayanad is a district in the north-east of Indian state Kerala with administrative headquarters at the municipality of Kalpetta. It is the only plateau in Kerala. The Wayanad Plateau forms a continuation of the Mysore Plateau, the southern portion of Deccan Plateau which links Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats. It is set high in the Western Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 meters. Vellari Mala, a 2,240 m (7,349 ft) high peak situated on the trijunction of Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode districts, is the highest point in Wayanad district. The district was formed on 1 November 1980 as the 12th district in Kerala, by carving out areas from Kozhikode and Kannur districts. An area of 885.92 km2 of the district is forested. Wayanad has three municipal towns—Kalpetta, Mananthavady and Sulthan Bathery. There are many indigenous tribes in this area. The Kabini River, a tributary of Kaveri River, originates at Wayanad. Wayanad district, along with the Chaliyar valley in neighbouring Nilambur in Malappuram district, is known for natural gold fields, which are also seen in other parts of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Chaliyar river, which is the fourth longest river of Kerala, originates on the Wayanad plateau. The historically important Edakkal Caves are located in Wayanad district.
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The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a biosphere reserve in the Nilgiri Mountains of the Western Ghats in South India. It is the largest protected forest area in India, spreading across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. It includes the protected areas Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu; Nagarhole National Park, Bandipur National Park, both in Karnataka; Silent Valley National Park, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, and Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in Wayanad, Kerala, India with an extent of 344.44 km2 (132.99 sq mi) and four hill ranges namely Sulthan Bathery, Muthanga, Kurichiat and Tholpetty. A variety of large wild animals such as gaur, Asian elephant, deer and tiger are found there. There are also quite a few unusual birds in the sanctuary. In particular, Indian peafowl tend to be very common in the area. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. It is bestowed with lush green forests and rich wildlife. This wildlife area houses some of the rare and endangered species of both flora and fauna.
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Tribals in Kerala are the tribal population found in the Indian state of Kerala. Most of the tribals of Kerala live in the forests and mountains of Western Ghats, bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The Shoranur–Mangaluru section is a railway segment of IR functioning under Palakkad Division of Southern Railway Zone. This is a 5 ft 6 in broad gauge electrified line which begins at the Shornur Junction railway station in Kerala and ends at the Mangaluru Central railway station in Karnataka. This line passes through major towns including Tirur, Kozhikode, Vatakara, Thalassery, Kannur, Payyannur, Kanhangad and Kasaragod.
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