Sultan Bathery

Sultan Bathery, also spelled Sulthan Bathery and previously known as Sultan's Battery, is a town of 27,000 people (2011) in the Malabar region of Kerala. The place is famous for its Jain temple.

Understand
The town in olden days served as a military post of Tipu Sultan and the Sultan had a battery placed here, hence the name Sultan Battery. The town was previously called Hennaradu Peedike (Twelve Shops). The town is at an altitude of 930 m.

Sultan Bathery is almost exactly halfway between Mysore and Kozhikode.

Get in
The nearest airports are at Kozhikode and Bangalore. The nearest railway stations are at Kozhikode and Mysore. You can drive to Sultan Battery from Mysore, Ooty and Kozhikode.

From Mysore and Kozhikode, Sultan Bathery is reachable by bus in around 3-4 hours.

Sultan Bathery is the biggest transport hub of Wayanad district. It is located near the border with the Karnataka state. There is a major Kerala Transport Depot in Sultan Battery. Most of the long distance buses to Kozhikode, Ooty and Bangalore start from this depot. The town also has two smaller bus stations for local travellers.

Main routes

 * Bangalore-Mysore-Gundalpet-MuthangaForest-Sultanbattery.256 km (The best roads are in this route)
 * Sultan Battery-Kolagappara-Kakkavayal-Muttil-Kalpetta-Chundale-Vythiri. 35 km (Main Wayanad Road)
 * Ooty-Gudalur-Devarshola-Sultan Battery. 92 km
 * Kozhikode-Thamarassery-Vythiri-Kalpetta. 70 km.
 * Malappuram-Nilambur-Vazhikkadavu-Gudalur-Sultanbattery. 120 km

Get around
Autorikshaws charge ₹15 per km and buses are even cheaper at ₹7 for three km.

Taxis can be hired. Jeeps or any four-wheel drive vehicles would be good to negotiate the tough terrain.

Cars can be rented for as cheap as ₹1800 a day with a driver. The rate is even cheaper if you rent without a driver.

See

 * Banasura Sagar Dam (pictured in article banner) - It is the largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in Asia, and an ideal starting point for hikes into the surrounding scenic mountains.
 * Banasura Sagar Dam (pictured in article banner) - It is the largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in Asia, and an ideal starting point for hikes into the surrounding scenic mountains.



Eat
Kerala food is available in restaurants. European food is available in resorts and home stays only.

Bamboo rice (called Mulayari by locals) can be found in Wayanad. These are seeds of the Bamboo plant, richer in protein than rice and wheat, but tasting like rice. Bamboo rice payasam stalls can be spotted near Edakkal caves walkway. Bamboo is said to yield seeds after a long span, so it is said that harvesting bamboo rice is a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience.

Home-made chocolates and local Wayanad tea and coffee are also sold in many places. Shops near Edakkal caves offer many options such as spiced versions.
 * Bamboo Mess Restaurant, near private bus station signal, Sulthan Bathery. Delicious kappa biriyani.

Buy
The place is known for spices, tea and condiments and for the local handicrafts.

Stay safe

 * The eastern hills of Kerala are vulnerable to attacks from an Indian communist group called Maoists. They once attacked the ticket counter of Silent Valley National Park, Mukkali.  As the Maoists are armed and dangerous, be careful when you trek in lonely areas.
 * Leeches are common in the hills. Carry some table salt to dislodge the leeches.
 * Monkeys can be a nuisance, especially at places like Lakkidi viewpoint. Be careful and keep your car windows closed, and food items hidden.

Go next

 * Gudalur
 * Kalpetta
 * Kozhikode
 * Mananthavady
 * Meppadi
 * Mysore
 * Ooty
 * Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary – 16 km to the east, home to large population of elephants, and other wildlife, including some tigers