Wayanad District, in the north-east of
Kerala,
India, was formed on
November 1, 1980 as the 12th district by carving out areas from
Kozhikode and
Kannur districts. Kalpetta is the district headquarters as well as the only municipal town in the district. The region was known as Mayakshetra (Maya's land) in the earliest records. Mayakshetra evolved into Mayanad and finally to Wayanad. But the
Folk etymology of the word says it is a combination of
Vayal (
paddy) and
Naad (land), making it 'The Land of Paddy Fields'. There are many indigenous
tribals in this area. It is set high on the majestic
Western Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 m
.
