Tourist destinations in Palakkad

Tourist destinations in Palakkad

Attappady

Attappady is one of the Tourist destinations in Palakkad. Attapaddy is located on the northeastern side of the district of Palakkad and spread over an area of 827 sq. kms. The place has the largest tribal settlement. 38kms northeast of Mannarkad, a beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, Attapady is of great interest to anthropologists as this is the habitat of many tribes like Irulas, Mudugars and some settlers of Tamil Nadu. Hardly affected by development work, Attappady offers forests in their rudimentary grandeur. The tribals who celebrate the Shivarathri festival here with great delight worship the Mallesawaram peak as a gigantic Shivalinga. Government rest house and a few private hotels offer lodging for vacationers at Agali in Attappady.

Mayukadumpara (Land of Peacocks)

Mayukadumpara is known as the land of peacocks. This grove got this name because of the large number of peacocks found here.

Kottayi

Kittayi is 15 kms from Palakkad via Poodar, this village is the birthplace of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Carnatic music.

Lakkidi

Killikurussimangalam at Lakkidi is the birthplace of Kunchan Nambiar, the 18th century sitarist and exponent of Tullal (Classical art form). The Poet’s house has been preserved as a monument by the state Government as an historical place.

Silent Valley national Park

Silent Valley National Park is 40Kms northeast of Mannarkad, spread over 90 sq. kms, a virgin forest, which is said to be the role existing bit of evergreen forests in the Sahya Ranges or Western Ghats. The name Silent Valley is derived because it is devoid even of the chirping of cicadas. It contains India’s last substantial stretch of tropical evergreen rain forests, and a large number of wild animals. Vehicular transport is possible only up to Mukkali, nearly 24 kms from the park. The river Kunthipuzha, which follows through the valley, is merging into the river Bharathapuzha.

Parambikkulam Wildlife Sanctuary

The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary 110 Kms from Palakkad, is part of the neighboring Annamalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, is one of the best in Kerala. Sprawled across 285 sq kms, it has a wealthy variety of flora and fauna. It has large population of Gaur (Bison), Nilgiri languor, jungle cat; lion tailed macaque, Sloth bear, Sambar and spotted deer, along with some tigers and leopards. The Cannimari Teak Tree, said to be Asia’s largest, stands about 5 kms from Thuna-kadavu, the headquarters of Parambikulam. Boating and cruising facilities are available at the Parambikulam Reservoir. The Rest Houses of the State Forest Department at Thoonakkadavu, Thellikkal and Anappady offers accommodation for travelers. There are tree houses in the reserve forest area in Thoonakkadavu. Trekking in the sanctuary is also possible, with prior permission of the forest officials.

Chittur Garumadam

The place is situated on the banks of the river Sokanasini (the destroyer of sorrows); this is a memorial to Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the author of Adhyatma Ramayana, who spent his last days here. A Sri chakra, some of the idols worshipped by him, a stylus, wooden slippers and a few old manuscripts are exhibited here.

Thirthala (Historical Importance)

On the banks of the river Bharathapuzha, 75 Kms. away from Palakkad is Thirthala, a place noted for its monuments and historic ruins. The Shiva Temple and the ruined remnants a large fort, around which is a deep moat hewn from laterite, are notable cultural monuments here. The Kattilmadam temple, and a domed granite Buddhist monument on the Pattambi -Guruvayoor road, is of great archeological importance. It is supposed to display Buddhist influence, was probably built in the 9th or 10th century, and marks the change from the Chola to Pandya style of architecture. The Pakkanaar Memorial, honouring the parish Saint, stands near Thirthala – Kuttanad Road. This is also the native place of the renowned writer and social reformer V.T. Bhattathiripad.

Ottapalam (Town of festivals)

Ottapalam is 35Kms from Palakkad, this town is known for its numerous places of worship and the colourful festivals. Ottappalam was once, the centre of political as well as tenant movements in the south Malabar of the erstwhile Malabar Province of Madras Presidency. The important Hindu festival of Ottappalam is at Chathan Kandar Kavu in Varode Desam. Legend goes that the local Kanjoor Namboodiri family at a place built the temple where Harijan called Chathan found a stone bleeding while he was sharpening his knife on it. The deity of this temple is Durga. The annual festival is Thalapoli, which is celebrated on Avitam day of Meenam (March or April).

Malampuzha

Malampuzha is located 10 kms from Palakkad is a famous picnic spot and major tourist attraction, is in the site of a large irrigation dam built across the river Bharathapuzha. It is a picnic spot in the lower hills of the Western Ghats. Malampuzha Garden is a famous holiday spot, which comprises a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, around the large reservoirs are delightfully landscaped rose gardens and amusement parks for children, as well as facilities for boat cruises and water sports on the reservoir. The famous work ‘yakshi’ done by Kerala’s famous sculptor Kania Kunjiraman is another magnetism done in the garden. There is a famous theme park, The Fantasy Park, the first one in Kerala.

Fantasy Park

This is an entertainment park, which offers different entertainment activities. The fantasy park is open from 14.00 to 21.00 hrs on weekdays and 11.00 to 21.00 hrs on Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays.

Palakkad Fort

This is one among the best-preserved forts in Kerala in the heart of Palakkad town, which dates back to 1766 A.D. Sultan Hyder Ali of Mysore built it, supposedly to facilitate communication between Coimbatore and West Coast. In 1784, after a siege lasting 11 days, the British colonel Fullerton stormed the Fort. It latter fell into the hands of the Zamorins troops but was recaptured by the British in 1970. The Archeological Survey of India now preserves it.

Nelliyampathy

Nelliyampathy is 75Kms from Palakkad, is a forest range, which comprises a chain of ridges cut off from one another by valleys of dark evergreen forests of the Sahya Range in which can be found very valuable teak of extra-ordinary height and girth. At a height of 1467 to 1572 meters above sea level is a mesmerizing hill station with cool climate, which offers a panoramic view of about one third of Palakkad. The hilly scenery is a pleasure to trekkers. The tourism promotion board of Palakkad, offers accommodation in the tourist resort with all facilities. On the way to Nelliampathy about 17 kms en-route, there is a dam and a park at Pothundy.

Kollengode Palace

19 Kms. South of Palakkad, Kollengode (the abode of blacksmiths), enriches the pristine beauty of rural Palakkad. The Kollengode Palace, the Vishnu Temple and the poet P. Kunhiraman Nair memorial, are worth visiting. Seethakundu and Govindamali hills, near Kaachanakurichi are idyllic for adventurous trekkers.

Dhoni

Dhoni is about 15 kms from Palakkad. A Dhoni waterfall is a 3 hours trek from the base of the Dhoni Hills. A thick reserve forest surrounds it.

Meenvallam

A Meenvallam waterfall is around 8kms from Thuppanad junction on the Palakkad- Manarkkad route. It is a mixture of captivating beauty and scenic majesty. The water falls from nearly 20 to 25 feet and the depth is around 15-20 feet. There are 10 steps of waterfalls of which eight are positioned in the upper hills inside the dense forest. They are inaccessible, only the remaining two steps are accessible. One has to hire a jeep from Koomankund junction and then trek a distance of 1.5 km by crossing the river Thuppanad.

Mangalam Dam

The Mangalam Dam is constructed on the river Cherukunnapuzha, a tributary of the river Mangalam. A popular picnic site, the dam is situated 48 kms south of Palakkad town. The reservoir fringes on the forest area, where there are deer, wild elephant and variety of birds. There are also beautiful parks and lawns adorned with statues.

Meenkara Dam

Meenkara, 32 Kms southeast of Palakkad is an enthralling picnic spot by virtue of its dam, garden, fishponds and natural beauty. The dam is constructed across river Gayathri, which flows into the river Bharathapuzha.

Siruvani(Reservoir)

It is located 48 Kms from Palakkad, the reservoir at Siruvani was built for Tamil Nadu by the Kerala Government to meet the drinking water requirements of Coimbatore. The gateways on either side of the road across the dam are typical to the Kerala and Tamil architectural style. Siruvani is also the home to certain tribes like Mudugars and Irulars.

River Kanjirapuzha

Kanjirapuzha (River Kanjira) is a magnificent lake located 24 kms from Palakkad,. An evergreen forest, the ‘Vettilachola’, provides the backdrop to the lake, bounded by hillocks. During the rainy season, the mist-draped mountains create a picturesque landscape.

River Kanjirapuzha

It is situated on the way to Nelliampathy, the Pothundy Reservoir Complex is a charming site for picnics and half-day trips.

Thiruvalathoor (Ancient Temple)

The Place is located 10kms from Palakkad, the ancient temple here has some fine woodwork and stone sculptures