History of Chain Tree Wayanad
Chain Tree Wayanad’s story goes back to the colonial era. During those days, Wayanad didn’t have any developed roads. So, the British took help from the tribes to build a road. Only the local tribal people knew the way from Lakkidi to Wayanad through the thick forests.
Karinthandan, a local tribal chieftain, helped an English engineer identify this route. But after his work was completed, the engineer killed him to take credit for finding the route. And the soul of the chieftain kept haunting the travellers who used this new route.
A priest was then called to get rid of this mischievous soul of Karinthandan. And the priest called his soul into a chain and tied it to a tree.
Although not everyone believes the story, and many people dismiss it as a myth, Chain Tree still attracts curious travellers. That same chain is still in existence, and it’s believed that the chain grows along with the tree. No one really dares to touch it, though.
Things to do at Chain Tree
There isn’t a lot to do at Chain Tree apart from admiring the tree and nearby views. It’s a good place to take a short break under the shade of the tree. The tree is quite tall and shady now.
A small temple has also been built adjacent to the tree. It’s dedicated to the tribal chieftain Karinthandan who was killed by the English engineer. And many truck drivers take blessings for their safe journey. Tourists mostly stop to satiate their curiosity about the chain on the tree.
While you’re at Chain Tree Wayanad, you can also enjoy some refreshments. A small tea shop near the tree sells tea, cold drinks and snacks to weary travellers. Several coffee shops and restaurants are also close by.
Chain Tree Timings and Entry Fee
This ghost Chain Tree of Wayanad is open throughout the day, but it’s in your best interest to visit it before evening. The hilly terrain isn’t best traversed in the dark. Most people stop here only for 5-10 minutes. You can see the tree and pay your respect to the chained soul anytime between 8 AM and 6 PM.
You don’t need to pay any entry fee to see Chain Tree and the adjacent Karinthandan Temple.
And the best time to visit Chain Tree and Wayanad is in winter. The winter in Wayanad arrives around November and remains until February. It’s that time of the year when the weather is the most suitable for exploring the place. In winter, you also get to see surreal views of the surroundings covered in mist.
