Karithandan temple is one of the most historic place in wayanad. Too much stories behind this temple. Peaceful place and rainy at most time. Can have tea nearby with rain is awesome. People exploring wayanad must visit here. Very recommended place. No ticket here.

Its a temple of Tribal moopan karinthandan. It’s myth about Wayanad Churam.

Wonder about this tree, the small temple and the history associated with it .Historical place... Near highway.. We can see this big Ficus Tree with a chain hanging on it . The history is that the chain grows with the Tree, a local tribal person who helped the British guy to chart this ghat route was killed by the British guy and when the soul of the tribal man started haunting the travellers, a priest used the chain to bind the soul to the Tree. A small temple is also seen adjacent to the Tree in the name of the Tribal man " Karinthandan" .

Karinthandan temple is a small temple located by the wayanad highway just after the churam. The temple has a banyan tree with big chain bound to it and it is believed to have captured the spirit of katinthandan a former tribal head who was killed by british after he showed the way through the forest.

If you are fascinated by history with a twist of spookiness which includes spirits then this is the place to visit and see. Chain Tree (Karinthandan Temple) Wayanad is located near Lakkidi viewpoint, beside NH-212. It’s a Large Ficus tree bounded by a long chain. The Chain carries a mythical story behind it. During British Colonial rule, Lakkidi to Adivaram (Hill base) path was a secret route for local Adivasis of Wayanad. An English engineer with the help of a local chieftain called Karinthandan, identified the route through the Ghats. Once found out the way, he killed Karinthandan to take credit for finding the route. Later, the travelers who passed by the new route were haunted by the spirit of Karinthandan. In local interest, a priest captured this spirit into a chain and tied in a small tree, then. It is believed that the chain grows along with the tree. This place became a point of interest for students and historians over time. In memory of Karinthandan, who is considered to be the first martyr of Wayanad this temple was built and is still visited and maintained by the local tribe.

The legend behind the Chain Tree near Vythiri reads more like a ghost story. It is said that a tribal youth, Karinthanandan, guided a British engineer in making a road through Wayanad’s forests. The engineer, however, decided that he did not want to share the glory with his guide and killed the poor young tribal. The dead man’s soul would haunt travellers who passed by the area, until a priest chained his soul to a ficus tree. The tree is located about 2 km from Vythiri, just before reaching Lakkidi, but we missed sighting it as we were driving to Lakkidi View Point. On the way back we had to make use of G-maps to pinpoint the exact location otherwise we would have missed it again. Then we saw the chain tied and hanging from the tree. Besides the tree there is a small compound with a temple. There is also a wayside tea stall nearby. One can stop here and pay homage to the poor young tribal man, so that his soul may rest in peace. We visited this place in December 2018.

The soul (or ghost?!) of the man who found the churam route and killed by british rest here in a tree which is now a temple where people worship. Good memorial place to remember a great man and well protected and preserved by the natives and Government .Keep it clean while you are there.No need to tickets.situated on the side of the main road.

Karinthandan's memorial is the historical place at the entrance of Wayanad district. There is a temple with the soul of him on a chain. Karinthandan was the founder of the Thamarassery Pass. He was killed by the British in the 1750s and 1800s.

The place is of great historic significance and there are many myths around it...the place always has a cool breeze

Karinthandan - The Genius and Explorer of the Wayanad Gateway All the vehicles stop at this particular point once you enter the wayanad district after completing the breath taking 9 hair pin bended ghats section from Calicut..... A small prayer and offering is done as a belief that the rest of the journey will be safe and secure..... This history dates back to the starting of British era... Karinthandan was a native tribe of Wayanad district in Kerala State .He was tragically killed by a British Engineer. Karinthandan served as a guide to British Engineers who tried to construct a road from Calicut to Wayanad. The guide who knows every nook and corner of his place, helped foreigners to find a way through the dense forest of Wayanad .The Viceroy announced a reward earlier to those who build a road across the churam .In order to gain the reward and fame the Engineer planned to kill Karinthandan .He cunningly led his guide to a peak area and shot him dead.The soul of Karinthandan started troubling passengers .A number of accidents happened.. As a result,the natives called a manthravadhi (enchanter) and he chained the soul of Karinthandan to a huge banyan tree(aal maram).This tree is known as Changala maram in Malayalam. People now considering Karinthandan as the Guard of this churam and Wayanad district.

It's not a famous tourist attraction but the historical anectode made it worth to see. A local tribe boy named karinthandam killed by a britisher to take the credit of finding the shortest route to Wayanad. Local lore has it that a tribal youth named Karinthandan was instrumental in guiding a British engineer to reach Wayanad from Adivaram, the base area from where the climb to Wayanad starts. The British rulers were attracted by the natural beauty of Wayanad and the wealth of spices available there. But getting there was near to impossible. There were no roads. Several attempts were made to cut roads through the rugged mountain passes, but to no avail. The native tribesmen who lived in the forests knew the mountainous terrain well, and one of their youths Karinthandan showed the British engineer the shortest route to reach Wayanad. But after learning the route and eager to take credit for the discovery, the British engineer killed the youth, so says the legend. The spirit of the dead youth used to haunt the place, waylaying travelers and terrifying them to death, especially unwary foreigners who happened to pass along. It is believed that a Hindu priest conducted some rituals and chained the ghost to the ficus tree. The tree has grown considerably since then. Local people believe that the chain keeps growing with the tree. You can still find a heavy iron chain dropping down from the high branches of the tree and anchored to the ground. A tiny shrine has been erected where the chain is anchored.

This dates back to the 17th century. Legend has it that Karinthandan, a Paniya chieftain from the Adivaram region in Wayanad, had just left home with his goats. The energetic adivasi shepherd was on his way to the Wayanadan hills, taking the usual routes of those struck by wanderlust. He was approached by a group of Britishers who had embarked on a mission to pave the way through the forest. Taming the forest, which lies in the Thamarassery ghat of northern Kerala, was still a dream for the mighty British Empire. Karinthandan is said to have helped them find a way through the dense Wayanadan forest — from Thamarassery to Lakkidi. The road is still in use. According to popular narrative, while Karinthandan helped the British find their way, he was later shot dead by them. Although Karinthandan is treated as submissive and vulnerable in most of the stories, his ghost is depicted as rebellious. The story goes that after his death, his spirit started troubling passersby, resulting in a lot of accidents. People believe that his spirit was later chained to a huge banyan tree in Lakkidi with the help of a local exorcist. The chained tree, ‘Changalamaram’ in Malayalam, is considered by the people as the guardian of Wayanad’s hairpin bends. Maybe the ghost story is the possibility of an adivasi rebellion that took on the British passengers and goods vehicles. Adivasis could have paid their tribute to the first martyr of Wayanad in blood.

The temple is small but significant for that area. Situated right next to the road near the Lakkidi viewpoint. We need to park by the roadside. The significance of the temple (according to our driver Binu) was that the area was notorius for accidents and after the construction of the temple it has subsided and become safe. We were told that Karinthandan was the tribal man who helped the British to survey the road/mountain, and was subsequently killed by the British to supress his history.

Instagram: reviewsbynavi Karinthandan Temple, located in the Wayanad district of Kerala, is enveloped in both historical significance and folklore, offering a unique blend of cultural heritage and spiritual tradition. This temple is dedicated to Karinthandan, a tribal chieftain who plays a pivotal role in the local lore of the region. According to popular legend, Karinthandan was instrumental in guiding a British engineer through the difficult terrain of the Wayanad Ghats to establish what is now known as the Thamarassery Churam (mountain pass). The story goes that in the 18th century, the British, unable to navigate the dense forests and rugged landscapes of Wayanad, sought the help of Karinthandan, who knew the land like the back of his hand. After successfully aiding them in finding a route through the mountains, the British engineer, driven by greed and the desire to take credit for the discovery, betrayed Karinthandan and killed him. It is said that Karinthandan's spirit haunted the pass until a priest trapped it into a tree and erected a chain around it, marking the spot where the temple now stands. The Karinthandan Temple is not just a place of worship but also a memorial to honor the memory of Karinthandan and acknowledge his contribution to the development of the region. It has become a symbol of justice for the tribal community and a reminder of their rich history and the sacrifices made by their ancestors. Every year, people from various parts of Kerala and neighboring states visit the temple to pay their respects and participate in rituals and ceremonies held in Karinthandan's memory. The temple serves as an important cultural landmark, reminding the locals and visitors alike of the significant role that the indigenous communities have played in shaping the history and geography of the region. It also highlights the themes of betrayal and redemption, resonating deeply with the local population and contributing to the temple's spiritual aura. In essence, Karinthandan Temple is much more than a religious site; it is a beacon of cultural identity, historical significance, and spiritual solace. It stands as a testament to the rich tribal heritage of Wayanad and serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate relationship between human beings and their environment, woven together with tales of valor, betrayal, and the quest for justice.

Karinthandan was the founder of Thamarasseri ghat road killed by British. Between 1750-1800 he lived Chippilithod forest area as Moopan

Chain Tree, Wyanad Renowned for its natural beauty, the Wayanad district in Kerala is home to Thamarassery Ghat Pass, which is believed to be haunted by the wandering soul of a local tribesman named Karinthandan. When British ruled India, the route to Wayanad was known to only a few local tribals. In order to gain access to this beautiful treasure trove and find the shortest route, one British engineer took help of a local tribesman, Karinthandan. Once the engineer found his way, he killed the innocent man so that he could take the credit of finding the route. Karinthandan’s ghost started troubling the passerby and the whole region was haunted by him. People took the help of a priest who exorcised the spirit and captured it. The priest cast a spell and tied the captured soul to a ficus tree using a chain. This tree with a chain can still be seen near the highway at Lakkidi and is now a tourist hot spot. The tree has grown and is about 25 feet tall, giving good shade all over the place. It is said that the chain bound on the tree is growing along with the tree. A small temple named "Changala Muneeswaran Kovil" was built under the tree. The deity of the temple is none other than the adivasi chieftain who was murdered by the English engineer. Well, over the years, the tree has naturally grown tall, but quite unbelievably; the chain too has grown taller along with the tree. It is actually growing that is seriously scary, a fact that has no explanation! A small tea shop under the shade of the tree, sells tea, cool drinks and snacks to the travellers who stop by the tree to pay respect to the soul bound on the tree. There is a Coffee Day located just about 100 meters from the Chain Tree. You will find this chained tree in Lakkidi which is among the highest points in Wayanad and a way to the Thamarassery Ghat Pass. About a kilometre away from Lakkidi, stands this tree which you can see bounded by a chain. Vehicle drivers, especially the truck stop here and pray for a safe journey up and down the hilly terrain. The chain tree looks no different from other similar trees except for the steel chain sunken deep into the trunk and hanging from a tall branch. There are signboards near by to direct you, still since it is a small place, you may miss it. Since the tree doesn't really stand out, you may not even notice it unless you look for it. If you don't want to miss this, look for "Pepper Wayanad Gate" hotel on the right (while coming from Kozhikkode) and the tree is just opposite to the hotel. The location is SH29, Lakkidi, Kunnathidavaka, Kerala, 673576, India Photos by Viswas Menon © Viswas Menon Write up compiled by Viswas Menon

Tribute to the good soul which helped the British find the way to Wayanad. Unfortunately he was killed by the British , but he will be remembered as long as Thamarassery churam will be there...

Temple dedicated to legendary Karinthandan. It is said that his soul is bound in chains to the tree and now worshipped.

It's a place we feels the voice of the oppressed classes. The tribals were the exploited lot by cast systems. They were again defeated here on the grounds of ignorance. Really He need a greater memorial

Karinthandan Moopan, the tribal leader who is believed to have helped the British find the Thamarassery Ghat road, has got a face now.

Located roadside, this historical place is well-maintained. The chains on display vividly depict the brutality suffered by Karinthandan during the British era. A poignant and educational visit.

The Karinthandan temple, located in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India, is a renowned place for its rich history and cultural significance. It is believed to be around 2000 years old. One of the main attractions of the temple is the famous story of Karinthandan, a tribal leader who sacrificed his life to save the lives of a British engineer and his team who were trapped in the dense forest. This selfless act of bravery is highly admired and appreciated by both locals and tourists. One of must visit places in wayanad

It was nice a experience at Zeno. I strongly recommend all to enjoy the beautiful nature at Zeno. Each rooms and other edges of the resorts are nicely maintained by the young guys and their teams.

Shyamtila this place my room but I am warking anytime Tamil Nadu guys

Karinthandan is the sole reason for Thamarassery Churam but the most neglected historical place by government

Historical place to visit. Great inspiration.

The branch of the tree where the iron chain is just to collapse.

It is in memory of local tribal youth Karinthanandan, who guided a british engineer to reach Wayanad from Adivaram. British engineer killed tribal youth, just to get fame of discovering wayanad. The dead tribal's soul haunting the travellers who passes by the area, so priest chained his soul to the tree.

On the highway at Lakkidi, we can see this big Ficus Tree with a chain hanging on it and we heard the history from others. Most of the travelers stop here to see this Tree and the history is that the chain grows with the Tree, a local tribal person who helped the British guy to chart this ghat route was killed by the British guy and when the soul of the tribal man started haunting the travellers, a priest used the chain to bind the soul to the Tree. A small temple is also seen adjacent to the Tree in the name of the Tribal man " Karinthandan"

This place seens the old karindhandan were the tribal Grandpa in wayanad to help the British enginears to show the short way of wayanad road but after they saw the road they killed him

This temple & statue is dedicated to a tribal man who shown wayanad to other humans was later killed by British. Hence history says his soul not in peace so tied him up in the chain tree. Whoever wants to visit wayanad can pray to him b4 entering so that can avoid unnecessary troubles by local people belief.

First of all, It is not a temple. The place is located just next to the road as attached photo below. Except that statue don't expect anything and go

Biryani n fish fry is very good.

A must vist location. I felt the depth of the story of legendary Karinthandan. This place is accessible from NH.

It's a real story and I got goosebumps when I saw that chain after knowing that story. It's just like another view point nothing much we can explore or a kind of temple to visit.

it is a small memorial place for the founder of the path. churam or mountain path was found by karinthandan a tribe lead. british discovered this path by the help of karinthandan and later the british killed him. later it was said the ghost or soul of karinthandan was making accident in the road. then his soul was captured by a poojari and bound to a tree by chain. its believed rhat the chain is still growing.

Tourist spot with a storied ficus tree known for the steel chain hanging from its upper branches.

Lot of travellers stop in this temple while travelling. Now they had made a statue that makes more interesting

The man will historically karithndan moopan temple History making man but not in book

A very small wayside memorial for an adivasi guide who helped British engineers. An obscure sign cryptically mentions the British brutality in killing this man so as to avoid crediting him for his knowledge contributions. Out of state tourist buses stop here so that passengers can openly relieve themselves in the alley next to the temple. Very sad. It deserves a better presentation than what we currently have.