PALAKKAD
Location: Kerala
Main Locations: Palakkad Fort, Kalpathy Temple
Main Languages: Malayalam, English
Best Season: September to February
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.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Palakkad Fort: One of the best-preserved forts in Kerala, it was built by Mysore's Haider Ali. In 1790, The Fort was taken over and renovated by the British.
Kalpathi temple: The most important of all the temples, Kalpathi Temple is dedicated to Shiva. The car festival or the Rathotsavam is held here in November.
Dhoni: (15 km from Palakkad) it is a 3 hour trek from the base of the Dhoni Hills to this reserve forest area with its small, beautiful waterfall.
Malampuzha: It is a picnic spot in the lower hills of the Western Ghats, 12 kms from Palakkad with a dam and a garden. Malampuzha Garden is a famous picnic spot, which comprises a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. There are frequent buses to the garden from Palakkad.
Kottayi: (15 km via Poodar from Palakkad) this village is the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Carnatic music.
Thrithala: 75 kms from Palakkad along the banks of Bharathapuzha river, Thrithala is famed for its Shiva temple. Kattilmadom temple on the Pattambi-Guruvayoor road has archaeological importance.the small granite structure, a testimony of Buddhist influence, built probably during the 9th or 10th century.
Attappady: Attapaddy situated on the northeastern side of the district of Palakkad and spread over an area of 827 sq. kms has the largest tribal settlement.
Silent Valley National Park: A virgin forest, it is 2 hours drive form Palakkad. Nelliampathy: 75 kms from Palghat. The ranges here consist of a chain of ridges cut of from one another by valleys. The highest peak is Nellikota. The forest contains teak of extraordinary height and girth. Estates of tea, coffee, orange and cardamom dot the ranges.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary: It is situated 97 kms from Palakkad.
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. An srichakra, some of the idols worshipped by him, a stylus, wooden slippers and a few old manuscripts are exhibited here.
Kanjirapuzha: 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.
Mangalam Dam: The Mangalam Dam is constructed on the river Cherukunnapuzha, a tributary of the river Mangalam. A popular picnic site, the dam is located 48 kms south of Palakkad town.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest airport is Coimbatore, 55 kms. Away. To the south is Cochin Airport, 16Okms. Away.
Rail: There are two railway stations, the main; Palakkad Junction is 5 kms from the city.
Road: good motor able roads to all the major towns of Kerala and the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu connect Palakkad.
NEARBY CITIES
Kozhikode119 km
Kochi135 km
Alappuzha185 km
Munnar221 km
GENERAL INFORMATION
District Area:4480 sq.km.
District Population:2,376,160.
Climate:Tropical, hot season from March to May, plenty of rainfall during monsoons in the months of June-September and December -February.
Altitude:Midland 7.62m. To 76.2m.above sea level.
Temperature:
Mean Max:38.68 deg. C
Mean Min:21.15 deg. C
Rainfall:240cm. (Annual average).
Main Festivals: Rathotsavam, Manappulli Kavu Mela. |
