According to ancient history, Wayanad Jains is the first group who migrated to Wayanad (known as Bailnad), on the banks of river Kabani in Panamaram, Kerala. The Kannada speaking people in Wayanad are Digambar Jains and are called Gowadas. Hoysala kings were the rulers of Karnataka in the 12th century and Wayanad was a part of it. The rulers of Hoysala Dynasty were Jains till the end of 18th century and sent missionaries to different parts to spread Jainism.