Name: Wayanad
Rating: 4.2

Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad Overview

Formerly known as Ganapativatom; Sulthan Bathery, located in the Wayanad district of Kerala, is a quaint and peaceful town. The place came to be known by its new name after the great ruler, Tipu Sultan of Mysore, invaded the region and used the Jain Temple located here as a battery. The pleasant weather in this beautiful town, coupled with excellent opportunities for shopping and spectacular historical sites makes the town of Sulthan Bathery a popular tourist destination that is visited by tourists all year round.

Located at an altitude of 1000 meters above the sea level, the town of Sulthan Bathery boasts of a fantastic topography: majestic hills interspersed with valleys, cliffs and plains. Not only is Sulthan Bathery now the largest town in the entire Wayanad district, but the place is also reputed for its tourism and commercial activities. The main attractions for the tourists are the pre-historic caves, jungle trails, sparkling streams and rivers and lush greenery of the undulating hills, along with many options to explore the city and its surroundings. Stopovers such as the Edakkal Caves, Chethalayam Falls, the Jain Temple, Muthunga Wildlife Sanctuary, Ambalavayal Heritage Museum and St. Mary's and Yakoob Church make this town a suitable choice for every kind of traveller, having something for everyone to see.

History of Sulthan Bathery

The town of Sulthan Bathery was originally a part of the Kidanganadu Village, which got its name because the Kidangans tribe lived here. The town was earlier known as 'Ganapathi Vattam' and comprised of twelve traditional Jain streets in and around the town. Later, the town came to be known by the name of Sulthan Bathery. The name is derived from the Tipu Sultan episode that took place here. Tipu Sultan had used the Jain temple located here as the storeroom for his ammunition, and hence this name.

The ancient history of the town goes in sync with the history of Wayanad. Tipu Sultan ruled over this territory when the British Invasion started, which led them to claim the area under the 1792 Treaty of Srirangapatna. Consequently, after various political arguments, the British troops withdrew from Wayanad, conceding to Tipu's rule.

Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple

The town of Sulthan Bathery is rich in places of religious worship. Perhaps the most famous of them is the Jain Temple which is believed to have been built during the 13th century. This temple has a unique history attached to it, for it first served as a shrine, then as a centre of commercial activities, and later as a dumping ground where ammunitions were discarded. Complete with lawns and ornamental plants, the temple is one of the most important monuments of national importance in the country.

Other famous places located here are the Sulthan Bathery Jumaa Masjid, which is the largest one in the town and can hold more than 1000 worshippers; the Ganpati Temple, the Masjid Madeena and Shaduli Masjid. The Mariyamman Temple is yet another significant temple, especially for the local tribes. The yearly festival which takes places here in February-March gathers a lot of crowds.
Other than temples and mosques, one can also find numerous churches in Sulthan Bathery, such as the Soonoro Church, St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Assumption Church, Church of God in Malabar and the Assemblies of God Church.

Tourist Attractions in Sulthan Bathery

Other prominent attractions at Sulthan Bathery include the Edakkal Caves, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Ambalavayal Heritage Museum, Chembra Peak, Pookot Lake and others.

1. Situated on the Ambukuthi Mountains, at a distance of 16 kilometres from the central town, the Edakkal Caves is a set of three caves in all. These caves are considered to be one amongst the earliest sites of human settlement on the entire planet.

2. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located en route from Sulthan Bathery to Mysore. The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna and also houses many rare and endangered ones.

3. The Ambalavayal Heritage Museum is one of the largest and best archaeological museums in the State. The museum exhibits rare artefacts, stone weapons, clay sculptures and ancient hunting equipment. The museum, located 12 kilometres to the south of Sulthan Bathery, never fails to fascinate archaeologists, historians and ordinary people alike.

4. Other places of interest in Sulthan Bathery include the Chembra Peak, the tallest peak in Wayanad at an altitude of 2100 metres above the sea level; the Chethalayam Waterfalls which involve an exciting 4 kilometre trek to reach the site; and the Pookot Lake, which houses a freshwater aquarium, facilities for boating and a children's park.

Best Time To Visit Sulthan Bathery

The best time to visit the town of Sulthan Bathery is in the winter season, that is from October to March.

Shopping At Sulthan Bathery

Undoubtedly, the most prominent and grandest shopping paradise in the entire district of Wayanad is the town of Sulthan Bathery. You can buy everything, ranging from forest products such as honey to stationery here. The Mint Mall was recently opened here and is loved by tourists and locals alike.

How To Reach Sulthan Bathery

The nearest airport to the town of Sulthan Bathery is the Calicut International Airport, which is 69 kilometres away from the final destination. However, flights from major cities of India to this place are not that regular. Therefore, it is recommended to travel via Railways or Roadways.

The nearest Railway Station is Nilambur Road, situated 43 kilometres away. The most convenient option to travel is via buses, as one can quickly get regular buses to Sultan Bathery from other major cities of the country.