Wayanad is a beautiful place in Kerala. It is also known as ‘Vayanad’. Wayanad is a town and taluk in the Nilgiris district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. There are many places to visit in Wayanad. The Sathyamangalam waterfall is one of the main attractions for tourists visiting Wayanad. The place has many Hindu temples, forts, ponds and waterfalls, which are tourist destinations on their own. Many of these places have been part of different myths and legends. This may be because they are close to nature. There are so many other places to visit in Wayanad too, such as the famous Kavaratti Caves, Kalpetta Wildlife Sanctuary and Kazhakoottam Dam, and more. Many resorts in Wayanad also feature itineraries on the region you can check out when you visit.
The district is located in the north-western corner of Kerala which encompasses nine districts, namely Alappuzha, Angamaly, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Idukki, Wayanad, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad. It is also called the Garden District of Kerala because of the rich floral history and numerous historical monuments and old age huts dotting its landscape. Wayanad is also home to the Kottayam District Museum and the Sree Padmanabha Devaswom Temple, Maradu. The earliest reference to Wayanad is found in Ptolemy’s Ephesus map of India, which dates back to 170 AD. Since then, the history of Wayanad has been rich and colourful and it has come to be known as the originator of the traditional Malayali art form of Kerala Blotting Paper. Out of the numerous places to visit in Wayanad, the Wayanad Heritage Museum is one you should not miss if you want to understand the essence of this place.
Also known as Ambalavayal Heritage Museum, this museum in the Wayanad district of Kerala is a fascinating place for history buffs and equally interesting for travellers who wish to know more about the culture of Kerala. It was established on 6th July 1974 by the government of Kerala. It is about 11 kilometres away from Sulthabathery, 22 kilometres from Kalpetta and 5 kilometres from Ekkadal Caves. Ancient instruments, artefacts from Wayanad’s tribal communities, antique sculptures, terracotta, jewellery, ancient weapons, and more local art is displayed here. The evolution of the Wayanad people is discovered and protected through these precious pieces of the past. You will be amazed to see the artist’s use of colours, shapes and forms to tell the story of the past. This museum is an initiative of the Wayanad Foundation, and will also educate children on the history of Wayanad.
Ambalavayal Heritage Museum traces the rich history of the people of Wayanad. The museum consists of a few rooms housing a wide variety of rare antiquities. The most significant exhibits are articles that trace the evolution of Wayanad through the centuries. The Ambalavayal Heritage Museum is situated in the old Fort precinct of the town. Its entrance is on Anayi Square which is the main square of the town. One enters the museum through the front entrance on Anayi Square. The museum is made up of a few rooms that house some of the most significant artefacts. Once inside, you will be amazed by the displayed items and find yourself spending an hour in the museum admiring the beautiful sculptures, tribal figurines and jewellery. The two-floor building houses statues on the first floor and other artefacts on the second floor. The official timings of the museum are from 10 am to 5:30 pm so make sure to schedule your visit accordingly.
Interestingly, much of the folk art that is on display in the heritage museum has been restored with help from the Heritage Conservation Centre. The preservation of folk art is an effort by the heritage society to keep the centuries-old traditions alive. The conservation and restoration work has given a lot of credibility to the exhibitions at this museum. The Ambalavayal Heritage Museum is one of the few museums in India that features a detailed audio guide that speaks of the entire history of the district. The guide consists of the people, the culture, the people’s customs and languages, the temples, the traditions, and so much more. The guides are engaging and help visitors learn more about the rich heritage of Wayanad. The museum houses some interesting exhibits like a series of pictorial edicts in the form of rocks which are known as ‘Hero Stones’. These memorialise an age of warriors of the past. It also includes a fine and intricate figurine of the Goddess Urvara and numerous hunting instruments found in and around Wayanad.
The museum is truly a site to visit when getting to know more about the region of Wayanad or just Kerala as a state in general since it holds encompassed in its walls, an abundance of knowledge and history. Out of the places to visit in Wayanad, this museum is the best place for history and cultural enthusiasts.
