Bavali is a beautiful village on the banks of river Bavali which shares a border with two states, Kerala and Karnataka. One can reach Bavali from Karnataka by travelling through a road built centuries ago and then crossing a narrow bridge across River Bavali. We can also reach here from Wayanad by travelling 10km east, from Thirunelli. This picturesque village is surrounded by forests and the road to this lovely place has teak plantations on both sides. The Bavali river flows through the streams in the forest and merges into a river that separates Kerala and Karnataka. While the land in Kerala’s side is barren, the other side has beautiful lush green fields and soil rich in minerals. Once3 upon a time, this land was owned by Thenkurumar and Kaatunaykar, the aboriginal race that lived in harmony with the nature. They came in contact with the outer world only after Mysore kings built inroads to the forest. The only things that haven’t changed here is the river that splits the two states, the old bridge built by Tipu Sultan and the deciduous forest.
The villagers here have set up their own world by staying together in a place which rarely get sunlight even during noon. They speak a language which is a mix of Malayalam and Kannada so as to keep the relationship firm between the two states. Agriculture is their sole means of livelihood. They own 200 acres of paddy fields which have been providing food for the village since many centuries. They are awakened in the morning by deer, wild boars and elephants. People in Bavali still follow the ancient methods of cultivation. They even have a big collection of seeds stored by their ancestors. The rich soil in the middle of the jungle has helped them to lay the foundation to an agrarian society. The government during the earlier days, set up a primary school and a post office. Later, two check posts were set up. Other than this, there are no facilities provided by the government. The travelers will have to be satisfied with a small hotel and a tea stall here. All these disadvantages apart, this countryside village is a fascinating place to enjoy nature with very friendly locals who welcome you with pleasure.
