» Introduction
» Prime Attractions of Palakkad
» Tour from Palakkad
How to Reach Palakkad
By Air
The nearest airport is Coimbatore, 55 kms. away. Cochin Airport, 160kms. away.
By Rail
There are two railway stations, the main, Palakkad Junction is 5 kms from the city.
By Road
Palakkad is connected by good motorable roads to all the major towns of Kerala and the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.
Local Transport
Auto, Car, Jeep
Palakkad - The Gren Land
Palakkad, the land, which is one of the most fertile and thickly forested districts of Kerala is supposed to have derived its name from the 'Pala' tree and 'Kadu' meaning forest. The whole area is said to have been covered by 'Pala' trees, in the past.
The district of Palakkad, which lies at the foot of the colossal Western Ghats, has only midland and highland areas. Much of the area is made up of plains, scattered with a few hillocks. The plains are so fertile and productive that the district is considered the "Granary of Kerala".
Along with Idukki, Palghat is the other district in Kerala, which has the rare distinguishing characteristic of not having a seacoast. Kerala's longest river Bharathapuzha flows through the district.
During the hot season, its wide sandy bed is dry except for some miles from its origin. Being too shallow and rocky for water transport, the Bharathapuzha has little commercial significance but holds a special place in the cultural psyche of the State.
Prime Attractions of Palakkad
Chittur Gurumadam
Chittur Gurumadam, situated in Thekkegramam near Arikkode, on the banks of the River Sokanasini (the destroyer of sorrows), Chittur Gurumadam is a memorial to Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the author of 'Adhyatma Ramayana'.
The poet-saint spent his last days here. A 'srichakra', some of the idols worshipped by him, a stylus, wooden slippers and a few old manuscripts are exhibited here.
Kalpathy Temple
The Vishwanatha Swamy shrine, the oldest Shiva temple is situated 3 kms from Palakkad. The annual chariot temple is a gala event. The annual 'Ratholsavam' or Chariot Festival at Sree Viswanantha Swamy temple lasts for seven days.
Kalpathy Ratholsavam, Kalpathy Temple, Palakkad, Kerala
On the last three days, beautifully decorated temple chariots are ceremoniously drawn through the streets by thousands of devotees whose soul stirring chants rent the air.
The festival is dominated by three magnificent chariots, bedecked with flowers and flags, each sanctified by the presence of the lord.
Teeming crowds of people and millions of hands try to reach out to be one of the privileged to have the honour of pulling the chariots, as they proceed in stately grandeur.
Palakkad Fort
Palakkad Fort, the old granite fort situated in the very heart of Palakkad town is one of the best preserved in Kerala. It was built by Haider Ali of Mysore, in 1766 AD.
The fort was taken over and modified by the British in 1790 AD. Also known as Tipu's Fort, Palakkad Fort was supposedly built to hasten communication between Coimbatore and the West Coast.
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In 1784 AD, after a siege lasting eleven days, the British Colonel, Fullerton stormed the Fort. It later fell into the hands of the Zamorin's troops but was recaptured by the British in 1790 AD. |
Martyr's Column, Open Air Auditorium called "Rappadi" are located in the spacious grounds of the Fort, now preserved by the Archaeological Survey Of India. There is also a Children's park on one of the sides of the Fort.
Pattambi Nercha
The annual feast of the Pattambi Mosque situated 61 kms from Palakkad, falls in the first week of February. About 70- 80 tuskers are lined up for the festival.
Throngs of believers from all corners of the state attend this festival, which is held in memory of Aloor Valiya Pookunjkoya Thangal - a Muslim saint of South Malabar.
The town is illuminated brilliantly and a pageant replete with traditional musical ensembles like 'Panchavadyam' and 'Thayambaka' is taken out in the night. Various art forms get under way on the banks of the river Bharathappuzha.
Celebration Trends And Rituals
Throngs of believers from all corners of the state attend this festival, which is held in memory of Aloor Valiya Pookunjkoya Thangal - a Muslim saint of South Malabar.
Malampuzha
It is a picnic spot in the lower hills of the Western Ghats, 12 kms from Palakkad with a dam and a garden. Malampuzha Garden is a famous picnic spot, which comprises a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. There are frequent buses to the garden from Palakkad. |
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Tour from Palakkad
Attappady
Attappady is 40 Kmas away from Palakkad. Attapaddy situated on the northeastern side of the district of Palakkad and spread over an area of 827 sq. kms has the largest tribal settlement.
Located 38 kms from Mannakkad, the place consists of mostly hilly highland terrain, fed by the tributaries of the River Cauvery.
An extensive mountain valley above the crest of the Ghat ranges with numerous rivulets of the Bhavani River, Attapady is inhabited mainly by tribes and some settlers from Tamil Nadu.
A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, Attapaddy is of great interest to anthropologists, as this is the habitat of many tribes like the 'irolas' and 'mudugars'.
The Malleshwaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic 'Shivalinga', by the tribals who also celebrate the festival of Shivratri with great gusto. The tribals celebrate the festival by lighting the top of this peak.
Silent Valley National Park, Siruvani Drinking Water Reservoir are the tourist centres of the valley. The highest peak in the district is situated here. A PWD rest house and a few private hotels offer accommodation at Agali.
Location : 38 Kms from Mannarkkad.
Dhoni
Dhoni, a reserve forest, is 15 kms from Palakkad. The forest has among other captivating sights, a small but splendid waterfall.
The site can be reached after a fairly long climb of 3 hours from the base of the Dhoni Hills. Dhoni provides trekkers the opportunity to explore its hilly terrains.
Its lush green surroundings are a pleasure to watch. Dhoni is also famous for its farmhouse, harbouring hundreds of cattle of Swiss variety.
Manglam Dam
Mangalam Dam is situatd 48Kms away from Palakkad. The Mangalam Dam is constructed on the Cherukunnapuzha, a tributary of the river Mangalam. A popular picnic site, the dam is located 48 kms south of Palakkad town. The construction of the scenic dam was completed in the year 1956.
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Located on the Alathur - Vadakkanchery Highway, the reservoir fringes on the forest area teeming with wildlife like deer, elephants and a variety of birds. The entire area is quite fascinating with beautiful parks, lawns and statues. |
Nelliyampathy
How To Reach
By Air
The nearest airport is at Coimbatore in the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu, about 55 km from Palakkad.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is in Palakkad, about 5 km from Palakkad town.
By Road
The hills of Nelliyampathy lie at a distance of 75 kms from Palakkad.
Altitude : 1572 m Above Sea Level
Hills of Nelliampathy, nestling atop the Western Ghats, offer a breathtaking view of the misty mountains and enchanting valleys interspersed with sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom and orange plantations.
The bracing climate and green magic of nature enhance the exhilarating experience. For a vantage view of the spectacle, one must visit Seethakundu, where a 100m high waterfall provides an added attraction. |
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It offers a fantastic view of the valley below a wide-angled vision of one-third of the entire Palakkad area. A forest range 75 kms from Palakkad, the Nelliyampathy hills comprise a chain of ridges cut off from one another by valleys of dense evergreen forests and orange plantations.
The height of the hills ranges from 467 metres to the tallest peak Padagiri looming at 1572 metres. Nelliyampathy has immense trekking potential. The community hall at Kaikatty provides a good camping ground for the trekkers.
Accessing Nelliyampathy from Palakkad is a sensation on its own, as one has to negotiate over a dozen hairpin curves on the Ghat Road, passing through the fascinating jungles of the Sahya Ranges. En route, 17 kms from Palakkad, the shimmering Pothundi Reservoir and its manicured surroundings make for the ideal stop over.
Silent Valley National Park
Silent Valley National Park is situated in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Silent Valley in Kerala is considered India's last area of tropical evergreen rain forest and is a precious biodiversity resource, which you can visit. Threatened by the construction of a dam across the Kunti River, which flows out of Silent Valley National Park, during the 1970's, Silent Valley was rescued as a result of an agitation by environmentalists and conservationists in Kerala. More.»»
Thrithala
Thrithala is an archaeologically important site which is located 75 kms from Palakkad. Thrithala is noted for its monuments and historic ruins. Situated along the banks of Bharathapuzha river, Thrithala is famed for its Shiva temple. Kattilmadom temple on the Pattambi-Guruvayoor road has archaeological importance. The small granite structure, a testimony of Buddhist influence, built probably during the 9th or 10th century. The ruins of a large fort with a deep moat hewn from laterite and the Kattil Madom temple, a domed structure of granite slabs on the Pattambi - Guruvayoor Road are the prime attractions.
The temple probably marks the transition from the Chola to the Pandya style of architecture. Thrithala is noted for its monuments and historic ruins. The Siva Temple and the ruins of a mud fort near Thrithala on the Chalissery road are notable cultural monuments.
Kanjirapuzha
Kanjirapuzha is situated around 24 kms from Palakkad, this catchment lake of the dam lies in a single stretch. The water spread of the dam lies in a single stretch. An evergreen forest, the 'Vettilachola', provides the backdrop to a lake surrounded by hillocks. During the rains, the mist-draped mountains create a picturesque landscape. All this makes the area extremely beautiful and picturesque. There are three islands in the reservoir with plenty of fish (including commercial varieties) grown by the Fisheries Department.
Kottayi
Kottayi is 15 Kms away from Palakkad. This village is the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Carnatic music.Every year, Jesudas makes it a point to attend the Chembai Parthasarathy Ekadasi festival at the Chembai village in Kottayi.
Malayalappuzha
Malayalappuzha is 12 Kms away form Palakkad. The Bhagavathy temple here is believed to help people realise their dreams. People bring offerings in different forms during the festival. There are also beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone works.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
This Wildlife Sanctuary is 97 Kms away from Palakkad. This National Park in Kerala offers a scintillating sight of rare wild animals. The area has quite a few hill tribes here like Malayars, Kadas, and Muthuvaas. This wildlife sanctuary has some marshy land and scattered patches of grassland, thickly forested with stands of bamboo, sandalwood, rosewood, and teak. Here you can find little remains of the original teak forests, other than the famous Kannimari teak tree, the largest in Asia as teak plantations. The tree is about 5 km from Thunakadavu, and is one of the prime attractions at the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.More»»
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