Elapeedika

Elapeedika is a village in the southwestern state of Kerala, India.

Elapeedika - A tangle of nature and history

Towering high, at an altitude of 1000 metre above sea level and lying untrodden and unexplored is a pristine patch of greenery which breathes history-Elapeedika. A green hideout where lush hilly stretches are stitched to perfection with grasslands, Elapeedika in Kannur is an escapist's paradise.

Elapeedika lies surreptitiously in the Western Ghats, away from the march of civilisation, its wild beauty intact. It is believed that the place got its name owing to the presence of several trade outlets though which the Elam (Cardamom) was brought from the hills of Wayanad could be sold. The natives of the region were the Kurichiyars, an ancient tribal community. By the 1930s, the influx of immigrant farmers changed the topography of the place. An agrarian community of around 300 farmer families reside here now.

The place is etched in history as well. It figures among the main regions which witnessed the battle against the British by King Pazhassi Raja, who belonged to the Padinjare Kovilakam of the Kottayam royal family and is of interest to history buffs. One still gets to see the beautiful ruins of the fort, Thalakkal Kotta, built by Thalakkal Chanthu, the commander-in-chief of Pazhassi's army.

With its surreal beauty and vibrant history, Elappeedika is a land just waiting to be explored.

Geography

Elapeedika is situated around 1000 m above sea level, in the Western Ghats range of mountains and is a hill station.

Etymology

The name Elapeedika is derived from the words Elam(i.e., Cardamom) and Peedika(i.e., Shop) There was a lot of cardamom plantation in the olden times. During the foreign rule, the cardamom produced in Wayanad was brought and stored in this area located in the valley of Wayanad for export to foreign countries. So the place where cardamom was sold was called Elapeedika, which became the name of the place.

History

Pazhassiraja's force and East India Company had fought a battle in the 18th century at the Periya pass in Elapeedika.

Transportation

The national highway passes through Kannur town. Mangalore and Mumbai can be accessed on the northern side and Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram can be accessed on the southern side. The road to the east of Iritty connects to Mysore and Bangalore. The nearest railway station is Kannur on Mangalore-Palakkad line. There are airports at Mangalore and Calicut. Elapeedika is situated on the Iritty Taluk in Kannur District and is the highest place in the district.

Location

Elapeedika is situated near Kolakkad at Peravoor in Iritty Taluk, Kannur district, Kerala state, India. It is the highest place in Kannur District^[1] and most beautiful. One can see the whole area of Kannur district and Arabian Sea from here^{[citation needed]}

It has a Roman Catholic church dedicated to St Sebastian^[2] and it is the highest church from sea level in Kannur District.

Town
Church
Church side
Village

References

^ "About Kannur City Travel Guide-Tourist Places Info-Kerala". Retrieved 25 November 2012. The highest place in the district is Elapeedika (2,500 - 3,200 ft.)
^ "St Sebastian's Church". Churches in India.com. Retrieved 25 October 2011.

[hoparound-1] "About Kannur City Travel Guide-Tourist Places Info-Kerala". Retrieved 25 November 2012. The highest place in the district is Elapeedika (2,500 - 3,200 ft.)

[2] "St Sebastian's Church". Churches in India.com. Retrieved 25 October 2011.

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