Travel and Tourism of Palakkad District

About Travel and Tourism of Palakkad District

Palakkad fort

The Palakkad Fort, one of the best preserved forts in Kerala was built by Mysore's Haider Ali in 1766 AD. In the Treaty of Srirangapatnam, the Fort was taken over and renovated by the British. This old granite fort, also known as Tippu's Fort was supposedly built to hasten the communication between the Coimbatore and the West Coast. 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. The Martyr's Column and the Open Air Auditorium called "Rappadi" are located in the spacious grounds of the Fort. There is also a children's park on one of the sides of the Fort.

Chittur Gurumadam

The Chittur Gurumadam in Thekkegramam near Arikkode is a memorial of Thunchat Ezhuthachan, the author of Adhyatma Ramayana. It is located on the banks of the River Sokanasini meaning the “destroyer of sorrows”. It has a collection of a Srichakra, the idols, a stylus, wooden slippers and a few old manuscripts.

Attapaddy

Situated on the northeastern side of the district of Palakkad, Attapaddy has the largest tribal settlement. With an extensive mountain valley above the crest of the Ghat ranges and numerous rivulets of the Bhavani River, Attapady is inhabited mainly by tribes and some settlers from Tamil Nadu. Being a beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, Attapaddy has the habitat of many tribes like the 'irolas' and 'mudugars'. The Malleshwaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic 'Shivalinga', by the tribes who also celebrate the festival of Shivratri by lighting the top of this peak.

Dhoni

Dhoni is a reserve forest area with its small and beautiful waterfall. The waterfall is splendid and captivating. Dhoni provides trekkers the opportunity to explore its hilly terrains. It also has a farmhouse, harbouring hundreds of cattle of Swiss variety.

Kalapathy Temple

The Vishwanatha Swamy shrine is the oldest Shiva temple in Palakkad. The annual 'Ratholsavam' or Chariot Festival at the temple is a gala festival which lasts for seven days. On the last three days, beautifully decorated temple chariots are ceremoniously drawn through the streets by thousands of devotees. The festival is dominated by three magnificent chariots, bedecked with flowers and flags, each sanctified by the presence of the Lord.

Mangalam Dam

The Mangalam Dam is a popular picnic site, constructed on the river Cherukunnapuzha, a tributary of the river Mangalam. It is located to the south of Palakkad town. Located on the Alathur-Vadakkanchery Highway, the reservoir fringes on the forest area covered with wildlife like deer, elephants and a variety of birds. The entire area is extremely fascinating with beautiful parks, lawns and statues.

Nelliyampathy

Nelliyampathy has the mountain ranges which consist of a chain of ridges cut off from one another by valleys. The highest peak is Nellikota. The forest contains teak of extraordinary height and girth. The ranges have the estates of tea, coffee, orange and cardamom. Located at a distance of 52 kms from Palakkad, the cool 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.

Pattambi Nercha

The annual feast of the Pattambi Mosque is held in the first week of February. Around seventy to eighty tuskers are lined up for the festival.

Silent Valley National Park

Silent Valley National Park is very rich flora and fauna. The denizens of this sprawling habitat of endangered virgin tropical forests include Rare Birds, Deer and Tiger. The park has rich collection of peninsular mammals. It has over a 100 species of Butterflies, 400 species of Moths and other animals like the Ceylon Frog Moth, the Great Indian Hornbill, the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush and the Lion-Tailed Macaque. The park has around 26 species of mammals and 120 species of avifauna, many of them are considered endangered. Apart from these, there are 11 species of snakes, 19 species of amphibians, and nine species of Lizards in the park. The Silent Valley also has over 110 plant species of medicinal value, and seven new plant species have been discovered here.

Thrithala

Situated along the banks of Bharathapuzha river, Thrithala is famed for its Shiva temple. There is also a temple called Kattilmadom temple on the Pattambi-Guruvayoor road which has archaeological importance. Thrithala has a small granite structure of Buddhist influence, built probably during the 9^th or 10^th century. There are other places of interest such as the ruins of a large fort with a deep moat hewn from laterite and the Kattil Madom temple and a domed structure of granite slabs on the Pattambi - Guruvayoor Road. The temple probably marks the transition from the Chola to the Pandya style of architecture. Thrithala is also noted for its monuments and historic ruins.

Jain Temple

The 2,000-years-old Jain temple at Jainmedu is the remnant of what was once a thriving community of diamond traders. It is an impressive, silent monument overhung with trees.

Malampuzha Dam

The Malampuzha dam, has a snake park, and a beautiful nursery.

Kanjirapuzha

The Kanjirapuzha is a catchment lake of the dam which lies in a single stretch. An evergreen forest, the 'Vettilachola', provides a backdrop to a lake surrounded by hillocks. During the rains, the mist-draped mountains create a picturesque landscape.

Kottayi

The Kottayi village is the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, one of the great musicians of Carnatic classical style.

Chulannur Peacock Protection Centre

The Chulannur Peacock Protection Centre is situated 22 kms away from Palakkad town and 5 kms from Peringothukrish.

Seetharkundu

The Seetharkundu at Nelliampathy offers a fantastic view of the valley below. There is a thousand meters high water falls. The legend has it that during the ‘vanavasa', Rama, Sita and Lakshmana had lived here. Sita is said to have taken bath in this waterfall.

Parambikulam

The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a reservoir of tranquil greenery covered in a valley between the Annamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala.

JP Smirthivanam and Deer Park

JP Smirthivanam and Deer Park are located at Walayar reserve forest. The animals roam here as natural habitats of the region. The facilities of elephant-riding are also available.