MarcellaBehrend at 17:30, 26 December 2025

2025-12-26T17:30:34Z

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{{Short description|One of the tallest mountains in Western Ghats, Kerala}}{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Banasura Hill <br> ബാണാസുര മല
| elevation_m = 2073
| elevation_ref = <ref name="colway">{{cite web|url=http://wayanad.nic.in/docs/Order%20of%20the%20DDMA.pdf|title=Proceedings of the Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority and the District Magistrate, Wayanad|publisher=Collectorate, Wayanad|access-date=16 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717042312/http://wayanad.nic.in/docs/Order%20of%20the%20DDMA.pdf|archive-date=17 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| prominence_m = 1306<ref>{{cite web | title=Indian Subcontinent - World Ribus | date=17 April 2025 | url=https://worldribus.org/indian-subcontinent/ }}</ref>
| listing = Ribu
| range = [[Western Ghats]]
| location = Border of [[Padinjarathara]], [[Wayanad district]] and [[Vadakara]] Taluk, [[Kozhikode district]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| photo = DR0069DSC 9221.jpg
| map = India Kerala
| range_coordinates =
| map_size = 300
| label_position = right
| coordinates = {{coord|11|41|39|N|75|54|29|E|type:mountain_region:IN_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| topo =
| type =
| age =
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route = Hike
}}
[[File:DR0072DSC 9260.jpg|thumb|A view of Banasura hill]]
'''Banasura Hill''' is situated in [[Padinjarathara]] and it is one of the tallest mountains in the Western Ghats of the [[Wayanad district]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]. The hill is named after [[Banasura]], a mythical character of Indian legends. It is one of the highest peaks exceeding 2,000m between [[Nilgiris]] and [[Himalayas]] after [[Chembra Peak]].

==Geography==
Banasura Hill has an altitude of {{convert|2073|m|ft|0}} and is a part of the [[Western Ghats]]. It is the northernmost peak higher than {{convert|2000|m|ft|0}} south of the Gangetic plains in India. It lies off the state highway from [[Kuttiady]] to [[Mananthavady]]. [[Mananthavady]] which lies 25 km away is the closest town and the closest state transport depot. The closest National Highway is [[NH 766]] that passes through [[Kalpetta]] which is about 37 km away.{{cn|date=March 2020}}

==Trekking routes and visitor information==

Along the way there is a thunderous waterfall that locals call "[[Meenmutty Falls, Wayanad|Meenmutty]]". Trekking pass should be collected from Meenmutty falls ticket counter itself. Ticket counter will close at 11 AM. Only limited tickets are issued per day. It is a good three-hour climb to the top of the hill. The view from there is spectacular. At the foot of the hill is the [[Banasura Sagar Dam]], the largest earth dam in India. The dam is another point from where one can start the trek up Banasura Hill.

==Flora and fauna==
The narrow trail that leads up to the top of the hill winds through thick tropical vegetation. The [[flora]] includes some rare medicinal plants. The [[fauna]] found en route consist of [[monkeys]], [[boars|wild boars]], [[deer]] and [[elephants|wild elephants]].

==Tribes and local history==
There are four tribal settlements at the foot of the Banasura Hill belonging largely to the [[Kurichiyas|Kurichiya]] tribe. The [[Kurichiyas]] have a martial tradition, and are experts with the bow and arrow. When [[Pazhassi Raja|Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja]] revolted against the [[United Kingdom|British]] for imposing exorbitant tax on agricultural products, and fled to the forests of Wayanad to fight a long-drawn guerilla war against them, it was to these [[Kurichiyas|Kurichiya]] tribesmen that the [[Pazhassi Raja]] turned for support. The [[Pazhassi Raja]] used their knowledge of the topography of the area to inflict defeats on the [[United Kingdom|British]] forces. The rugged and thickly forested terrain around Banasura Hill with numerous caves, streams and watercourses formed an ideal hiding place for the [[Pazhassi Raja]]. In modern days, the higher elevations are inhabited by descendants of the [[Pazhassi Raja]] who have set up an intricate system of Ziplines and swinging ropes to traverse the network of tree houses they've constructed.

==See also==
*[[Banasura Sagar Dam]]
*[[Kurichiya|Kurichiya tribe]]
*[[Pazhassi Raja]]
*[[Thariyode]]
*[[Thariode]]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{commons category|Banasura Hill}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120618205240/http://www.keralatourism.org/destination/destination.php?id=2132065959 Official Website for Department of Tourism]
* [http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/banasura-in-north-wayanad-is-a-great-getaway-if-you-like-the-idea-of-a-solo-trek-a-picnic-with-friends-or-just-some-moments-of-peace/article19761856.ece THE HINDU]
{{Western Ghats|state=collapsed}}
{{Tourism in Kerala}}

[[Category: Mountains of the Western Ghats]]
[[Category: Mountains of Kerala]]
[[Category: Geography of Wayanad district]]

Banasura Hill - Revision history

MarcellaBehrend at 17:30, 26 December 2025