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The district of Palakkad known as the granary of Kerala, is a land of valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams, dams and irrigation projects. Situated at the foot of the western ghats, this is the gateway to Kerala from the north.
Palakkad derives its name from Malayalam words Pala and Kadu (forest), which goes to prove that this place was once a beautiful stretch of forests covered with the sweet scented flowers of the Pala tree.
Silent Valley National Park
40 km from Mannarkkad, Palakkad. The Silent Valley contains India's last substantial stretch of tropical evergreen rain forests and it is perhaps the only vestige of a near virgin forest in the whole of the Western Ghats.
Elephants, tigers, wild dog, flying squirrel and lion-tailed macaque are found here. Vehicular traffic is allowed upto Mukkali from Mannarghat. From Mukkali one has to cover at least 24 km on foot to reach the source of river Kuntipuzha, which flows through the valley.
The core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the Silent Valley National Park. Despite its name, the Silent Valley (the clamour of Cicadas is conspicuously absent here) echoes with the sounds of teeming wildlife. The denizens of this sprawling habitat of endangered virgin tropical forests include rare birds, deer and tiger.
Located in the Kundali Hills of the Western Ghats, the Silent Valley National Park holds a valuable reserve of rare plants and herbs. The park is rich in its wildlife, and elephants, lion-tailed macaques and tigers are the most common denizens of this park.
A visit to this park should be considered a lifetime experience, as this is the last representative virgin tract of tropical evergreen forests in India. Perhaps, nowhere else can one also find such a representative collection of peninsular mammals, over a 100 species of butterflies and 400 species of moths and other fauna like the Ceylon Frog Moth, Great Indian Hornbill, the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush and the Lion-tailed Macaque.
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Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Parambikulam has one of the largest population of gaur (bison). Sambar, spotted deer, jungle cat, lion-tailed macaque, common otter, sloth bear etc. are the other inhabitants. There are also a few tigers and leopards. Facilities for boarding and lodging are available at the sanctuary.
The oldest teak tree, kannimari is found here. There are forest rest houses at Thunacadavu, Thellikkal and Elathode. Motor transport and boat cruise can be arranged on request. The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu lies adjacent.
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 Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766. The fort was taken over and modified by the British in 1970. The Archaeological Survey of India now preserves it.
Malampuzha Garden
This famous picnic spot, which comprises of a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. The Rose Garden has over a hundred varieties of roses .An aerial ropeway across the garden.
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Nelliyampathy
75 kms from Palakkad. Nelliampathy is blessed with a rich population of elephants, Bison and Hill Squirrels. This high range hamlet is charming with its thick evergreen forests, tea and orange plantations.
Just 75 kms drive from Palakkad, the Nelliyampathy hills comprise a chain of ridges cut off from one another by valley of dense evergreen forests. Seetha kund and kesavanpara are interesting spots in Nelliyampathy.
Travel from Palakkad to Nelliyampathy is highly satisfying as you covers a dozen hairpin curves through the jungles of sahya mountain ranges. Pothundi reservoir 17 kms from Palakkad in Nelliyampathy route is an ideal stop over.
Attappady
A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers, and forests, Attappady is of great interest to anthropologists as this is the habitat of many tribes likes the Irulas and Mudugars.
The tribals who also celebrate the Sivarathiri festival with great gusto worship the Malleeswaram peak as a gigantic Sivalinga.
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Mangalam Dam
This dam is built across the Cherukunnath River, a tributary of the Mangalam River. The dam site is a popular picnic spot.
Pothundy
Situated on the way to Nelliampathy, the Pothundy Reservoir Complex is charming locations for picnics and half-day trips.
Mayiladumpara
This grove takes its name from the large number of peacocks found here.
Thrithala
This place 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.
The Kattilmadam Temple, a small granite Buddhist monument on the Pattambi-Guruvayoor road, is of treat archeological importance. It is believed to date back to the 9th/ 10th century AD. The Paakkanaar memorial, honouring the Pariah saint, stands near Thrithala Koottanad road.
This is also the native place of renowned writer and social reformer VT Bhattathiripad.
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Chittur Garumadam
Located 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 srichakra, some of the idols worshipped by him, a stylus, wooden slippers and a few old manuscripts are exhibited here.
Jain Temple of Jainimedu
Situated on the western suburbs of Palakkad town, not far from the railway station, this historic 32 feet long, 20 feet wide granite temple displays images of the Jain Thirthankaras and Yakshinis.
The region around the temple, known as Jainimedu, is one of the few laces in Kerala where the vestiges of Jainism have survived. It is at a Jain house here that poet Kumaranasan wrote his monumental poet Veenapoovu (The fallen flower).
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Thiruvegappura Sankaranarayana Temple
This temple in Palakkad district dates back to the 14th century while its koothambalam (temple theatre) was probably added in the 15th or 16th century.
Kalpathy Siva Temple
Palakkad town is also famous for its many temples. Most important among them is the Kalpathy Siva Temple on the bank of Kalpathy river. The car festival held in November every year is the biggest festival in Palakkad. |
