The first time I heard the name Chain Tree, I wondered what kind of unusual tree could have earned such a name. When you reach the place, the answer is quite simple: it is a large tree with a thick metal chain wrapped around its trunk.

The tree itself is actually quite ordinary and stands right beside the road. It is located just before Lakkidi View Point, on the road that climbs down from Wayanad towards Kozhikode (Calicut). Surrounded by other trees and with traffic constantly passing by, it is quite easy to drive past without noticing it.

What makes Chain Tree interesting is not the tree itself, but the story associated with it.

The Story of Chain Tree and Karinthandan

The story of Chain Tree is closely associated with Karinthandan, a tribal chief who is believed to have lived in the Wayanad region during the period of British rule.

According to the popular local story, there was no proper road connecting Wayanad with the Malabar region during those days. The dense forests and difficult terrain made crossing the Western Ghats extremely challenging. The local tribal communities, however, knew the forests and their many paths very well.

The British were looking for a route through the hills connecting the Wayanad plateau with the region around Kozhikode. Karinthandan, who knew the forests intimately, is said to have guided a British engineer through the difficult terrain and shown him a route through the hills.

According to the story, the engineer carefully observed and noted the route shown by Karinthandan. Once he had learned the path, he wanted to take credit for discovering the route himself. Karinthandan was allegedly killed so that he could not reveal the truth.

The route was subsequently developed into a road through the hills. But the story did not end there.

Why is there a Chain on the Tree?

After the road was developed, the area reportedly witnessed several accidents, and local stories say that a number of people lost their lives on this difficult stretch. As the incidents continued, people began to believe that the place was haunted.

According to the local folklore, a priest was eventually called to find a solution. The priest is said to have identified the spirit of Karinthandan as the cause of the accidents and deaths. The belief was that his spirit was angry after the betrayal and his death, and was troubling travellers who passed through the road.

The solution, according to the story, was to capture and chain the spirit of Karinthandan to a tree. The chain that can still be seen around the tree today is therefore believed to represent the binding of his spirit.

A small shrine known as Changala Muneeswaran Kovil stands next to the tree and is associated with Karinthandan. Even today, some travellers and truck drivers stop here briefly to offer prayers before continuing their journey.

This story is the reason the otherwise ordinary-looking tree became known as Chain Tree.

What is Chain Tree Like?

If you are expecting a large monument or a spectacular natural attraction, Chain Tree might seem underwhelming at first.

It is essentially a tree beside the road, with the prominent chain around its trunk and a small shrine next to it. There isn’t much to explore here, and you can see the place in just a few minutes.

But that is also what makes it interesting. Chain Tree is one of those places where the story is far more fascinating than the physical attraction. Once you know the story of Karinthandan and the legend behind the chain, the otherwise ordinary-looking tree takes on a completely different character.

I would therefore recommend stopping here briefly if you are driving through Lakkidi. It is less about spending time at the attraction and more about seeing a small piece of the local history and folklore of the Wayanad hills.

Where is Chain Tree?

Chain Tree is located at Lakkidi in Wayanad district of Kerala, right beside the road connecting Wayanad with Kozhikode. It is only about 100 metres before Lakkidi View Point when travelling towards the viewpoint.

Lakkidi is also the gateway to the winding Thamarassery Ghat road, which descends through the Western Ghats towards Kozhikode.

The tree is approximately 15 km from Kalpetta, making it an easy stop if you are travelling around Wayanad.

How to Visit Chain Tree

Chain Tree is a very short stop and does not require a separate trip. If you are travelling between Kalpetta and Kozhikode, you can easily include it along with Lakkidi View Point.

There is no need to set aside a large amount of time here. A few minutes are enough to see the tree, the chain and the small shrine, and to understand the story associated with the place.

If you are travelling through Lakkidi, I would combine Chain Tree with Lakkidi View Point rather than treating it as a standalone destination.

Places to Visit Near Chain Tree

Chain Tree is located in the Lakkidi area, so you can easily combine it with several other attractions in Wayanad. Some places to visit nearby include:

• Lakkidi View Point – Located just a short distance from Chain Tree, this viewpoint offers beautiful views of the winding roads and surrounding Western Ghats.
• Pookode Lake – A scenic freshwater lake surrounded by forests and hills, and one of the popular attractions near Lakkidi.
• Karalad Lake – A quieter destination where you can enjoy the lake and surrounding greenery away from the more crowded tourist spots.
• Soochipara Falls – A spectacular waterfall surrounded by the forests of Wayanad.
• Edakkal Caves – Famous for their ancient rock engravings and one of the most interesting historical sites in Wayanad.