Palakkad Travel Guide

How To Get There - Palakkad
By Air
The nearest airport is Coimbatore, 55 kms. away. To the south is Cochin Airport, 16Okms. away.
By Rail
There are two railway stations, the main, Palakkad Junction is 5 kms from the city.
Local Transport
Car Rentals: Anjali Travels, My Lady Travels, Joy Peter.
By Road
Palakkad is connected by good motorable roads to all the major towns of Kerala and the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu

Palakkad - The Granary of India
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.

Tourist Attractions
Silent Valley
Silent Valley is 80 kms from Palakkad. Ecologists desrcibe this area as the sole surviving bit of evergreen forests in the Sahya Ranges. This has been declared as a National Park recently.

Silent Valley covers about nine thousand hectares of land and the forest is devoid of the chirping cicedas. Kunthipuzha flows through the valley before merging with Bharatapuzha . There is a huge Wild tree of Kattuaiying variety. It is hollow within and can hide atleast 12 people in it.

Malampuzha
Malampuzha is also known as the Vrindavan of Kerala. It exudes the charm of the harmony of nature, a perfect synchronisation of the grandeur of the mountains blending with the serenity of rivers. It is 10 kms from Palakkad.

There are lush green lawns, innumerable flower beds, glittering pools, fountains and avenues. There is a fresh water aquarium, snake park and a Children's park with a toy train which await the pleasure and delight of children.

The reservoir is ideal for boating and fishing. The Garden house has a unit of Water sports also. A small garden in the Japenese style gives a touch of exotic charm to the landscape. So, does the hanging bridge across the canal.

Another item of interest in the park is the imposing concrete sculpture of YAKSHI , done by the renowned Kanai Kunhiraman.

The passenger ROPEWAY, its first of its kind in South India, offers adventurous and delightful air journey of 20 minutes across the garden, giving a soul stirring view of gardens, the distant hills that kiss the heavens and the blue strip of the reservoir. There is a TELESCOPIC TOWER in the garden providing a terrestrial view upto 40 miles.

The first ROCK GARDEN emerged from the master creator Padmashree Nek Chand of Chandigarh, in South India is at Malampuzha. Modelled after Appu Ghar of Delhi and Essel World of Bombay, the first amusement park of Kerala named FANTASY PARK is at Malampuzha.

Parambikulam
Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary, 110 kms away from Palakkad offers a scintillating sight of rare wild animals. There is an array of Dams / reservoirs in this area. Boat cruisers are provided in the PArambikulam reservoir. The rest houses of the State Forest Department at Thoonakkadavu, Thellikkal and Elanthode and a tree-house in Thoonakkadavu offer lodging facilities. The giant "Kannimari Teak" is a sight to dream of.

Nelliyampathy
Nelliyampathy Hills are extremely fascinating and offer an easy escape from the scorching summer of Palakkad. About 75 kms from Palakkad the height of this cool resort ranges from 467 meters to 1572 meters.

Nelliyampathy has immense trekking potential. Seetharkundu at Nelliyampathy offers a fantastic view of the valley below, a wide angled panaromic picture of about one third of Palakkad, beautiful and resembling the Green valley of Kodaikanal. 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 is also famous for its farm house, harbouring hundreds of cattles of Swiss variety. Its lush green surroundings is a pleasure to watch.

Attapadi
Attapadi is situated in an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in Western Ghats. It is 80 kms from Palakkad.

The plateau offers a scintillating sight of near by mountains.

Palakkad Fort
Palakkad Fort, situated in the town, is the most beautiful and best preserved fort of Kerala. Built in 1766 by Hyder Ali of Mysore was taken over and remodified by Britishin 1790. The fort is protected by Archeological Survey of India.

Martyr's Column, Open Air Auditorium called "Rappadi" are there in the spacious Fort Maidan. There is also a Children's park on the side of the Fort.

Jain Temple of Jainmedu
The only existing Jain Temple in South India is situated at Jainmedu, 3 kms from Palakkad. Here you can find images of Jain THIRTHANKARAS and YAKSHINIS. Rituals are being held even now in this historic temple.

Peacock Sanctuary
The National Bird of INDIA, peacock, has got a sanctuary of its own in this part of the country. Mayiladumpara, 30 kms from Palakkad, is well known for its grove abounding in Peacocks.

Smriti Vanam
J.P. Smriti Vanam located at Walayar, on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, extends to about 100 acres. You can conduct a safari ride here and see deers, elephants and other animals moving freely. The park is located at a distance of 22 kms from Palakkad.

Siruvani
Siruvani is 48 kms from Palakkad. The gateways on either side of the road across the dam bear the stamp of Kerala and Tamil Nadu Architectural Styles. Its thick reserved forest has all kinds of wild animals.

Meenvallam
There are 10 steps of Water Falls at Meenvallam, the originating point of Thuppanadu river. The height of the fall varies from 5 to 45 meters. Meenvallam is located at a distance of 37 kms from Palakkad.

Kanjirapuzha (24Km.)
24 kms from Palakkad, this catchment lake 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.

Kottayi (15Km.)
This village is the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Carnatic music.

Malayalappuzha (12Km.)
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 (97Km.)
The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a reservoir of tranquil greenery ensconced in a valley between the Annamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala.

Fairs & Festivals - Palakkad
Kalpathy Ratholsavam
Konganppada
Pattambi Nercha
Leisure - Palakkad
Eating Out
Aram Motel, Walayar; Hotel Ambady, Ashok Bhawan Hotel.