Speedboating in Banasurasagar Lake - Wayanad, Kerala

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Last month was like a "Tour de South India" for me, I visited  Ooty (Queen of Hills) , Conoor ,Koorg and Wayanad. Though each one of them has something unique in store for you, Speedboating in Banasurasagar Lake( Wayanad, Kerala ) made its way through all into this list.

The Banasurasagar Hydel Tourism is located near Padinjarethara, near Kalpetta in the Wayanad District, on the western most high lands of the Deccan Plateau and hence is also easily accessible from the cities of Mysore & Bangalore. The spillways of the Banasurasagar Reservoir which when open, deliver water to the eastward Kabini River.

With an overall length of about a Kilometer and a reservoir area of 1600 hectares with 40 Islands in it, the Banasurasagar Dam is one of the largest Earthen Dams in the continent. Strolling over the Dam, Boat riding in the vast expanse of the reservoir or just relaxing in the lap of the mythical Banasura hills are all unique experiences of a life time.

The image is the postcard you get when u buy a ticket to the lake. We had to wait 2 hours for half an hour boat trip but it was worth every second! I could not take any snaps from the speedboat (for obvious reasons!). Well,i found Wayanad quite different from other places in the state. With others you have to visit a particular stop to enjoy the natural beauty but in Wayanad, its totally different. You can stop your car anywhere on the road on any way and could just stare into the infinite expanses of Tea Fields surrounded by cloudy blue mountains and wonder if its the same country or timezone . 

The speed boat takes you in midst of the green hills with tea plantations.With clouds from distant mountains descending upon you , time loses its track and you will know that this is the moment that no words, no picture can ever describe! The calm and serenity of the place fills you and in spite of being on a speed boat you will feel a gush of new life-stream  traversing your whole body from the inside like blood in vessels. The cold drops of water on your face will remind you that you are not in any dream but in a real paradise ! Those who seek inner calm and mental peace will finally have reached their destination at this spot.


 My Extra Cent -


There is a resort at the foot of the Edakkal Caves called Edakkal Hermitage. They have a cosy restaurant in a cavern (a natural cave which is part of the Edakkal Caves chain) where at night, dinner is served inside the cave, which is lit by hundreds of candles. It is the only natural cave restaurant in India.