Jan 13, 2011

Chained here is an unsettled spirit


The Chain Tree in Wayanad is a stop for many a curious traveller on the Kozhikode-Wayanad* route. The chain hanging from it was not put there by accident neither was it meant to be decoration. This tree has a story to tell.

This story dates back to the time when India was under British colonisation and there was no motor-able road through this part of the Western Ghats. It is believed that a tribal youth by the name Karinthandan who knew the way through the dense hilly forests helped an English engineer through these ghats. Once they were out of the thicket, the Englishman is said to have killed his adivasi escort so as to take credit for discovering the-almost-unnavigable-stretch between Kozhikode and what is now Wayanad District. 

Legend has it that the spirit of the slain tribesman began to trouble passers by, so much so that a holy man had to come and tether the troubled soul to a tree.

The Chain tree or Changala Maram stands in a place called Lakkidi in Wayanad District and can be seen on the left side of the road just after the Ghat Section, if you are travelling from Kozhikode to Wayanad (NH 212)*.



 *Kozhikode and Wayanad are districts in Kerala, India
*NH - National Highway (India)

To see pictures of this Ghat Section visit the post - Breathtaking 'Gateway to Wayanad'
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26 comments:

  1. You have written very well about the traditional story behind it. I remember one of my blog visitors asking about the story behind this chain on a post on the same subject. She had been told a completely different story about it by the guide who just wants to escape from caught unaware of the story. During my child hood, I remember that the chain and the tree was the only thing there and during some evenings I have seen “Deepams” lit there by some local people. Now the face has changed a lot, with sign board saying that it is “Changala Muneeswaran Kovil”

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  2. Thank you so much, Deepu.

    There's a temple beside it, right? I wonder what deity is in there and when that little shrine came up. We should look that up. If you learn anything about it, do blog and share the info.

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  3. The deity seems to be none other than the same man's spirit (Karinthandan), which I guessed based on the Malayalam name "Changala Muneeswaran Kovil".

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  4. Oh...ok. Thanks for the info. Deepu.

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  5. I'm so thankful to you for the pleasure I find in your posts about trees, and this one is no exception:) Thank you Divya for satisfying my love for trees:)

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that. And I have to thank you for all you continued support. I have yet another tree post coming up and that one is going to blow your mind. ;)
      I'll put it up next week.

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  6. A tree of many stories. Lovely.

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    1. Actually this is the only story I and almost everybody else has heard of. But with a mysterious chain hanging there like that, I won't be surprised if people come out with different and more exciting tales about this tree.
      Thank you for the visit, Shovon. :)

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  7. I couldnt have read about this at a better time. Am riding to Wayanad tomorrow and am definitely stopping by at this tree. Have read a lot about this, but never stopped by. Thanks Divya for reminding me about the Chain tree.

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    1. There's not a whole lot to see there. Just this mysterious looking tree with chain on it. But yes a lot of people are curious about it and a whole lot of people don't even notice it while driving by. The tree doesn't exactly stand out. So you might want to look out for a restaurant called Chain Tree. The tree is across the road from that building.
      Are you riding down? Ride safe.
      Have fun. :)

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    2. Found the tree. :). As you said, it doesnt stand out. It is closer to the coffee day there. Yeah, a motorbike ride to wayanad. I have never seen Wayanad so beautiful. It was engulfed in mist, especially nammude thamarassery churam. :)

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    3. Wow, now there's a Coffee Day there? That is so damn cool. Next time I'll be making a stop there. Thanks for the info, Niranjan.
      Oh, I'm sure the churam looked heavenly as always with all that mist. :)

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  8. I am curious about the English man who killed the poor chap... Interesting!

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  9. next time I go via waynad , I am definitely going to check out this tree. your post was very interesting .

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    1. It's on the way to Kozhikode. Just before the ghat section. There's nothing much else there, though.
      Thank you TTT :)

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  10. we'd driven till Lakkidi viewpoint.. Didn't notice this tree as we were not looking for it

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    1. Never mind, Shrinidhi. You didn't miss much; it's just a tree with a chain on it. And it doesn't really stand out so most people drive by without noticing it.
      It's the story behind it that I thought that was pretty interesting. :)

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  11. Nice to know the story behind the Chain Tree. The Englishman acted like a true cunning Englishman, eh? :D

    Nice to read your older posts, Divya. :)

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    1. If that story is true, Yeah. :)
      After I put up the ghat section post on IB, I thought I had to pull out this one because the two kind-of go together.
      (Moreover it's October, the best time to be talking about spirits, right?)

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  12. I missed this place when i went to Waynaad. Great post, interesting story.

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    1. It's ok, Indrani, you didn't miss much really. But yeah, the story is interesting. :)

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  13. Replies

    1. :)
      Thank you Sangeeta. Long time, eh. I hope Smera's doing great.

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  14. What a sad story behinad this interesting picture :)

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