Banasura Hill, located in Padinjarathara, is one of the tallest mountains in Kerala’s Western Ghats. The hill is named after Banasura, a mythical figure from Indian folklore. It is one of the tallest peaks above 2,000 meters between the Nilgiris and the Himalayas, following Chembra Peak.
Geography
Banasura Hill is located in the Western Ghats and is at 2,073 meters (6,801 feet). It is India’s northernmost mountain above 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) south of the Gangetic plains. It is located off the state route connecting Kuttiady to Mananthavady. Mananthavady, located 25 kilometers away, is the closest town and state transport terminal. The closest National Highway is NH 766, which runs through Kalpetta and is approximately 37 km distant.
Trekking routes and visitor information
To reach the peak, one must deviate at Vellamunda village and travel via Pulinjal. Banasura Hill Resort, which is known for its rammed-earth architecture, is located about 1.5 kilometers from Pulinjal. A hazardous but exciting track begins around 500 meters beyond the resort. Along the road, there is a thundering waterfall known as “Meenmutty” by the locals. The climb to the summit of the hill takes approximately three hours.
Discover the Untamed Beauty of Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary
The view from there is magnificent. Permission must be sought from the North Wayanad Forest Division office in Mananthavady before trekking up Banasura Hill. At the foot of the hill stands the Banasura Sagar Dam, India’s largest earth dam. The dam serves as another starting point for the hike up Banasura Hill.
Plants and Animals
Thick tropical foliage winds along the small trail that climbs to the summit of the hill. There are some uncommon medicinal plants in the flora. Along the way, one can come across wild boars, deer, monkeys, and wild elephants.
Tribes and the past of the area
At the base of Banasura Hill are four tribal communities, most of which are inhabited by the Kurichiya tribe. The Kurichiyas are proficient archers with a long history of martial arts. These Kurichiya tribesmen were the source of support for Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja when he rebelled against the British for levying a hefty tax on agricultural items and fled to the Wayanad jungles to wage a protracted guerilla battle against them. The Pazhassi Raja defeated the British army by using his understanding of the local topography.
The Pazhassi Raja had the perfect hiding location in the rough, heavily forested area surrounding Banasura Hill, which was also home to several caves, streams, and watercourses. Today, descendants of the Pazhassi Raja live at higher altitudes, where they have built a network of tree dwellings and installed a complex system of swinging ropes and ziplines to navigate.
