Wayanad's grand 'Poopoli' flower show all set to begin: Dates, bus services, ticket booking and more

From a humble regional flower fest launched in 2009 on a shoestring budget at the abandoned lands of the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Poopoli, the flori-agri-horticultural show has now metamorphosed into a 15-day-long calendar tourism carnival of Wayanad beginning on January 1. Many international researchers, florists, botanists, and students of agriculture have made it a point to visit 'Poopoli' as research experts, academics, and inquisitive learners to experience the indigenous knowledge systems on display at the more than 250 stalls at the fest.

Apart from the festivities, the venue also provides a space for interaction between experts from ace agrarian institutions and the rural wisdom of indigenous agricultural masters who have been honoured by state and union governments for their outstanding achievements in varied fields of agricultural innovation.    

What is in store for tourists, anthophiles?
Thirteen acres of flowers: This year, the fest features more than 350 pavilions of flowers, including lilium, anthuriums, orchids, succulents, native Kerala flowers, bonsais, and more. There will also be many floral installations, floating gardens, dancing fountains, photo points, a 2.5-acre rose garden with 800-plus varieties, and a one-acre gladiolus garden. 

Stalls:
As many as 200 commercial stalls here focus on agrarian needs, including tools, farm machinery, seeds, organic produce from farmers, farmer-producer organisations, and companies. 

Official stalls: More than 50 stalls are allocated to state and central government departments, including RARS, award-winning farmers, farmers' initiatives, Moopan's Medical College, etc. 

Eateries: Poopoli offers food courts with a variety of dishes, including indigenous and modern options.
Games: Zipline, Giant wheel, merry-go-round, chair-swing-ride,  children's play zone, entertainment spots and a mini zoo of animals and birds are set up here. 
Cultural shows
Cultural programmes will be staged every evening. Singer Rini Tomy will perform on January 13.

How to reach?
RARS is in Wayanad's Ambalavayal town, which is
- just 9 km away from Vaduvanchal, a town on the Kozhikode-Ooty Road.
- 4km from Kolagapara junction on Kozhikode-Mysore Road
- 8 km from Meenangadi on Kozhikode-Mysore Road
- 8 km from Sulthan Bathery 
There are many private and KSRTC buses operating from all the neighbouring towns to the festival venue.
By Air: Kozhikode International Airport is 95 km away, which is around 3 hours from the venue. 
Nearest railway station: Kozhikode Railway Station, around 85 km away. 

KSRTC special packages: KSRTC has clubbed the Budget Tourism project with Poopoli by operating special services from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, adding Poopoli as a special destination. The package includes Poopoli tickets, so visitors don't have to wait in long queues to buy them. 

Timing: 9 am to 10 pm. The last ticket will be sold out at 8:30 pm
Sourcing tickets: In addition to half a dozen ticket counters, visitors can also purchase tickets online this year. 

Where to stay? There are countless resorts, home-stays, budget hotels, and lodging facilities at Ambalavayal, Sulthan Bathery, and Vaduvanchal, with tariffs starting from Rs. 1000 and above for double rooms.