Religious history of the district

Wayanad originate its name from two Malayalam words - "Wayal", means paddy field, and "Nadu" means the land.  So Wayanad is known as the land of paddy fields.  Geographically, Wayanad is a part of Deccan plateau. Wayanad is famous for its scenic mist clad hill stations, extensive spice plantations, abundant forests and prosperous cultural traditions. Historians are of opinion that organized human life existed in these hilly tracts even before 10th Century B.C. Evidences show the remnants of New Stone Age civilization on the hills of Wayanad. The Edakkal caves at Ambalavayal, with pictures painted on their walls and writings support this argument. In ancient times, the tribes ruled Wayanad. Later Pazhassi Raja of Kottayam royal dynasty became the ruler of Wayanad.  Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja fought against the British but ultimately defeated. Later, Wayanad fell under the control of British. It was British who laid the roads through the Ghat region connecting Wayand to Kozhikode and Mysore and started tea plantations and cultivation of other crop.

In the ancient days, the people followed an independent religious philosophy related with Dravidian practices. The tribal folk, which constituted the major portion of the population in the district, follow their own religious practices. And vary from the mode of worship of other communities. Around 3rd Century B.C., Jainism and Buddhism came into the district. It was the Jainism that set foot first in the region. Both Jainism and Buddhism declined consequent on the insurgence of Aryans and by the revival of Hinduism. However, the presence of Jainisim is still prominent in the district. Though Christianity came to Kerala in 52 A.D., it did not make any impact on the religious thoughts of the people. The arrival of foreigners created a favourable atmosphere for Christianity, but situation did not improve till the influx of Christian immigrants from Travancore to the eastern parts of the district during the first half of 20th Century. However, Islam religion spread widely in the district after 7th Century A.D. 

According to 2011 census, the population of the district is 8,16,558.  Among them, Hindus figure majority. Hindu community divided into Brahmin, Kshathriya, Ambalavasis (Pushpakan, Chakyar, Poduval, Varier etc.) Nair, Ezhava, etc. The district is noted for its highest number of tribal population that comes about 36 per cent of the total population of the state.  A good number of Jains, who migrated to Kerala in 3rd Century BC, are also there. To the Hindus as well as Jains worship is imperative and hence temple formed an integral part of their daily life. There is no much difference in religious philosophy between the Hindus and Jains. Though the tribes have peculiar religious customs, rites, and separate deities like Malamkari, Mala Muthappan, Mala Daivam etc., they worship Hindu deities also.

According to a survey conducted by the Census Department of the Government of India, Wayanad district has 314 temples.