The 1046 m high Ranipuram peak is situated in Panathadi Panchayat of Kasaragode Dt., 48 km east of Kanhangad on the Panathur road and 9 km away from the deviation point at Panathadi. It is a 139 hectare forest area veiled in winter fog combined with the greenery of grass shoots. The Archdiocese of Kottayam purchased Madathumala and 46 knanaya families were shifted there. Later they changed the name to Ranipuram. While climbing to Ranipuram through the mysterious rain forests, the chirping of birds, sounds of the flowing streams and non stop screaming of crickets engage our ears. Thrpough the leeches immersed in mud attempt to suck the blood from your toes, they are not dangerous. After 2km climb you reach Manimala, a grass maidan, looking like a green carpet. The ever presentcold wind, winter fog coming past the greens and butterflies hovering over the grass and flowers double the beauty of this place. Black eagle, Crested serpent eagle, Little spider hunter. Golden- headed Cisticola are some of the rare birds found here. Elephants frequent the place in summer. Recently leopards have also been sighted. Ranipuram is most beautiful during rainy and winter seasons. Being a less crowded destination, this place is becoming a favourite of nature lovers and bird watchers. Currently an average of 400 tourists come here per year, but the number is increasing. The neighbours of Ranipuram are Kudagu.Kushalnagar and Mysore which are the beauties of Karnataka.
