Palakkad – A country side holiday retreat
Palakkad, located at the foot of the Western Ghats makes a thoroughbred tourist destination. Well known for its vast expanses of paddy fields and palms, the thick tropical jungles, history, culture and traditional Ayurvedic treatment centres, Palakkad has indeed a unique character and personality that not many destinations can match.
Often known as the granary of Kerala, Palakkad has vast tracts of paddy fields. People are friendly and the city still clings on to its bucolic charm of the yesteryears.
The tourist attractions of Palakkad are diverse as chalk and cheese. From wild life sanctuaries like silent valley park, Attapady hills and Parambikulam to some of the most beautiful dams like malampuzha, mangalam, pothundi and siruvani, it will indeed be a life time experience for you.
Palakkad Fort, which dates back to 1766 and constructed by Hyder Ali, the father of Tipu Sultan, remains the landmark of this city. One of the best preserved forts in India, this medieval era granite fort situated right at the heart of the city could well be your first stopover.
Some of the places to visit in Palakkad include Malampuzha Dam and Gardens: Well known as the “Vrindavan of Kerala”, Malampuzha is nothing short of a scenic paradise. You can enjoy a boat ride in the reservoir or spend some time in the sprawling garden, which has an amusement park and telescopic tower among others.
While you are in Palakkad , you are only around 50 km away from the hill resort of Nelliyampathy, well known for its luscious oranges and wild life trails among many other reasons. A drive along the hair pen bends will be a visual delight as it offers some of the best snap shot moments for you in the form of lush green orchards, paddy fields, rolling valleys and tumbling waterfalls. The pleasant climate and the breath taking natural finery do attract many tourists from far and wide; however, Nelliyampathystill remains one of the lesser known hills stations that make it comparatively quiet and tranquil. Nelliyampathy is a popular trekking spot and its hill ranges that are at a height of 467 meters to 1572 meters are well cut for para gliding and other adventure sports as well.
Invariably Palakkad tour packages include a trip to Silent Valley National Park, which is spread over an area of 90 sq. km . It is the only remaining evergreen forest in the Western Ghats and is home to many endangered animals like the lion tailed macaques.
Some of the other places to visit in Palakkad include the tribal hamlet of Attappady, nestled deep inside the forests. You can have some well cherished moments of a rue tribal experience in Attapadi where the inhabitants live the way their ancestors did a hundred years ago!
In case you are planning a quick getaway, Palakkad would be a perfect choice as it is easily accessible and has enough and more activities and attractions to keep you hooked all through your trip.
Malampuzha Dam and Gardens: Tranquil waters shimmering in sunlight, velvet green lawns, endless flower beds gently swaying in the cool breeze, magnificent mountains towering in the backdrop, sweet fragrance of roses in the air – these are just some of the snapshots that greet you in “Natures own Malampuzha”. Often referred as the “Vrindavan of Kerala”, Malampuzha epitomizes a picture perfect scenic paradise. This exemplary display of natural splendor is a must see to revel in the myriad bounties of Mother Nature. The dam, built across river Bharatapuzha, has a vast catchment area flanked by beautifully landscaped gardens and picturesque scenery. The sparkling waters and gardens could be best enjoyed by taking boat rides through the reservoir. There is an aquarium, snake park, toy train, Japanese garden, ropeway, telescopic tower, thread garden, amusement park and rock garden located inside the main garden.
Nelliyampathy:
This hilly paradise at a distance of 52 km from Palakkad is well renowned for its tea gardens, cardamom plantations, orange orchards, sparkling silver waterfalls and dense forests. Situated on the Western Ghats High Ranges, Nelliyampathy offers dashing views of the plains, cliffs, valleys, rivers and the forests around. Its breathtaking natural opulence and salubrious climate draws hoards of visitors to enjoy this hill station. The waterfall at Seethakundu, tangerine orchards scattered around the landscape and fascinating jungles make Nelliyampathy an ideal spot for enjoying a quite vacation in the midst of natures abounding glory. For adventure lovers Nelliyampathy is an ideal spot for trekking. The hill ranges vary from a height of 467 meters to 1572 meters.
Silent Valley National Park:
The Silent valley biosphere sprawls to a fascinating 90 sq. km area. It is acclaimed to be the only remaining evergreen forest in the Western Ghats This tropical evergreen forest still remains pristine primarily because of its remoteness and inaccessibility. Every year researchers identify new species of plants and birds in this untamed wilderness. The rolling mountains and verdant valleys crisscrossed with sparkling silver rivulets gurgling through the rocky terrains offer an ideal setting to enjoy nature in all its pristine glory. This paradise with undulating mountains and lush greenery is also an ideal place to spot some of the most rare and endangered animals and birds. The region is home to the rare Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Tigers, Leopards, Indian Bison, Elephants, Bears, Squirrels and a wide variety of deer. The breathtaking panoramic views of the valleys with silver cascades and perennial wild rivulets will stay etched in the minds of a visitor forever.
Attappady: Some treasured moments, a true tribal experience, is what Attappady has in stock for a tourist. The three villages of Agaly, Sholayur and Puthur are located inside the remote jungles of Silent Valley National Park, at a distance of about 50 km from Palakkad. These small tribal hamlets nestled in the picturesque Western Ghats are one of the few areas still frozen in the olden times. The natural beauty of these small hamlets is further enhanced by the many frothy brooks that crisscross the mountainous terrains. This is where one can truly experience the tribal lifestyle untouched by urban developments. The inhabitants of the area make their livelihood by hunting and gathering honey, fruits and herbs from the dense forests around, pretty much the same way their ancestors have done from times immemorial.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary nestled in the tropical wilderness and spread over a 285 sq. km area, is a haven for many species of wild animals, reptiles and birds. Several wild rivulets gushing down the mountainous terrains and sandalwood and rosewood growing in profusion sets a picture perfect stage to revel in the many wonders of nature. The sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats in between the Nelliyampathy mountain range and the Nilgiris mountain range. The dense forests are sparsely populated with just a couple of tribal hamlets scattered across the wilderness. The prime attraction here is the 360 year old teak tree “Kannimari”- the oldest and largest teak tree in the world. The park is home to Indian bison, crocodiles, tigers, leopards, sloth bears, snakes, deer and birds. The park is said to be an Ornithologists delight with a wide variety of birds in the region. The Western Ghats is one of the World’s 34 Acclaimed Bio Diversity Hotspots, which makes it a must visit destination to make your Kerala experience a truly complete one. The sanctuary is at a distance of 125 km from Palakkad town.
Dhoni Reserve Forests: This reserve forest is located at a distance of 15 km from Palakkad. There is a bedazzling petite waterfall on top of the Dhoni hills, which could be reached by a three hour long trek from the bottom of the hills. Dhoni is a lush green tropical paradise elaborately draped in a splendid green garb, guaranteed to hold you captivated in its rich natural beauty. Trekking is the best way to explore the splendor of this hilly terrain. Dhoni is famous for its farmhouse with exotic rare breeds of cattle.
Pothundy: It is a small dam set in a picturesque surrounding, making it a perfect place to enjoy the beauty of nature and to unwind yourself. This dam is located at a distance of 42 km from Palakkad at the foot of Nelliyampathy hills. The Dam constructed in 1800 AD is braced with a unique jaggery and quicklime mortar. It is an ideal place to make a stopover on your way to Nelliyampathy.
Chittur Gurumadam: It is a memorial to Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the author of the much celebrated “Adhyatma Ramayana”. The memorial is located in Thekkegramam on the banks of the picturesque Sokanasini River which when literally translated means the destroyer of sorrows. Ezhuthachan, widely acclaimed as the father of Malayalam language, is said to have spent his last days in this picturesque village. The memorial houses his wooden slippers, some old palm leaf manuscripts, a stylus and a couple of idols worshipped by him.
Thenaruvi: It is a natural spring located near the famous Sri Rama temple in Palakkad. It is believed that the water from this natural spring is as sacred as the water from the River Ganges. Pilgrims flock to this natural spring to taste the holy water.
JP Smirthivanam & Deer Park: This Park, sprawling across 100 acres of untamed wilderness, is located inside the Walayar Reserve Forest Range on the TamilNadu-Kerala border. The park is a safe haven for a variety of deer and other wild animals. Elephant safaris are the best way to explore the remotest parts of the park and to catch a glimpse of the exotic wildlife. The park is located at a distance of 22 km from Palakkad town.
Choolanur Peacock Sanctuary: This sanctuary, the only one of its kind in Kerala, is located at a distance of 30 km from Palakkad town. The sanctuary, spread over a 500 hectare reserve forest land, has a peacock population numbering above 200. The place is also a haven for a wide variety of exotic butterflies and bird species. The hilly terrain dotted with shrubs and wild streams make it an ideal spot to catch a glimpse of these majestic birds and butterflies in their natural habitat.
Jain temple:
This temple is one of the very few existing Jain temples in Kerala. This historic temple built in granite has carved idols of the Jain Thirthankeras and Yakshinis. Although it is difficult to establish the correct age of the temple, it is estimated that the temple was built over 500 years by a Jain sage. The Jain inhabitants in the region fled during Tipu Sultans invasions.
Kollengode:
The timeless village of Kollengode is located at a distance of 19 km from Palakkad. The village is famous for its natural splendor, the ancient Vishnu temple and the magnificent Kollengode Palace constructed in the traditional Kerala architecture style. This palace has now been converted into a luxury hotel complete with an Ayurvedic spa. The place is also home to the famous Indian writer Shashi Tharoor.
Festivals
Manappullikavu Vela: The Vela is held every year in the last week of February at the Manappullikavu Bhagavathy temple. This temple which is considered to be over 1200 years old is quite different from other temples dedicated to goddesses in its rites and rituals. Several cultural programs are organized in connection with the celebrations and the fireworks display is simply breathtaking.
