PALAKKAD

The word Palakkad is derived from two Malayalam words ‘Pala’ (Alsteria scholaris) and ‘Kadu’ which means forest. This shows that the entire place was once a forest full of Pala trees with its sweet fragrance flowers. It is also believed that this land was known as Palakkattusseri in the long past. Historians say that the word Palakkadu derived from Paalainilam, which means a dry area. Palakkad had a long history dating back to the Paleolithic period and a large number of megalithic relics have been discovered from the region. Palakkad is the land of paddy fields and palmyras. It is the granary of Kerala like Kuttanad. Situated at the foot of the Western Ghats, it is a land of valleys, hillocks, forests and rivers. Palakkad is the gateway from Tamil Nadu to Kerala through a large gap in the Western Ghat Mountains. Palakkad suffered several invasions from Kongunadu, Hydr Ali of Mysore and the British. Till independence, it was under the control of British Malabar. Killikurushimangalam, the birthplace of Kunchan Nambiar, the 18th century satirist and innovator in Tullal art form is in Palakkad district. The Jain Temple at Jainamedu at Palakkad is one of the few places in Kerala where the remnants of Jainism can be seen without much damages. Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the father of Malayalam language, spent his last days in Tekkegrama in Palakkad district.

AT A GLANCE

ACCESSING PALAKKAD

Air: Nearest Airport: Coimbatore
Rail: Palakkad is connected with rail and it is one of major railway junctions of Kerala.
Road: National Highway 47 (Between Kanyakumari and Salem) passes through Palakkad.

Telephone Code: +91-491
Tourist Information Office: Phone: 2538996

TOURIST DESTINATIONS 

Palakkad Fort: Hyder Ali of Mysore constructed Palakkad Fort in 1766. The British took over the control of fort in 1790. It is situated in the middle of the town and now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. 

Parambikulam: The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary offers view of rare wild animals. It is located 130 kms away from Palakkad and covers an area of about 300 sq. km. A few hill tribes like Malayars, Kadars and Muthuvaans are also dwelling in the region.

Malampuzha: Malampuzha Dam site is an excellent tourist spot with its charm and harmony with nature. It is just 10 km away from Palakkad town. The garden complex at Malampuzha is another added attraction. There is a children's park with a toy train, a miniature zoo and an aquarium in a fish shaped building. The aerial ropeway provides a panoramic bird’s view of the garden complex and dam.

Nelliyampathy: Nelliyampathy is a hill resort, situated at an altitude from 470 metres to 1570 metres above sea level. It is an excellent and extremely fascinating tourist spot during the hot period of scorching summer. Nelliampathy is ideal for trekking. Seethakundu at Nelliyampathy offers a long-sighted view of the valley below and a wide angled panoramic portrait of almost entire area of Palakkad.

Attappady: Attappady is a place of immense interest to anthropologists, as many tribal groups like Irulas and Mudugas inhabit here. They worship the mountain peak 'Malleswaran'. This peak influenced highly the culture of tribal groups. The tribal groups celebrate ‘Sivarathri’ at the Malleswaran Mountain.

Silent Valley: is very near to Attappady covering about nine thousand hectares. It is one of the surviving pieces of evergreen forest in the Western Ghats. It has been known as “Silent Valley” since the forests are devoid of the chirping of cicadas. The Silent Valley has been declared as a National Park

Sholayar: Highest place in Attappady. Cool climate and the enthralling natural beauty rejuvenates the body and soul. Tea and coffee plantations are another attraction.

Other places of tourist interest are Siruvani, Meenkara, Thrithala, Ottappalam, Lakkidi, Poothundy etc

Festivals

Kalpathy Ratholsavam, Nenmara Vallengy Vela, Konganpada of Chittur, Chinakkathoor Pooram, Pattambi Nercha, Kanniyarkali, Kaalapoottu, Pavakkooth, are some of the important festivals.

PICTURES