Palakkad District

Palakkad - Palghat draws one of the most picturesque topographies in the state map, with its lush paddy farms, forests rich in flora and wildlife, national parks, monuments, dams and reservoirs that remain tourist attractions throughout the year. The district is a trekker’s delight offering nature trails and plenty of adventure spots to be explored.

The district of Palakkad - Palghat known as the granary of Kerala, is a land of fertile valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams, dams and paddy farms. Situated at the foot of the Western Ghats, this is the gateway to Kerala from the north. Palakkad, earlier known as Palakkattussery, derives its name from the Malayalam words Pala ( Alsteria scholaris) and Kadu (forest) which suggest that this place was once a stretch of forest covered with the sweet-scented flowers of the Pala tree.

However, etymologists trace the word Palakkadu to its origin in Paalainilam, meaning dry area. Records testify to the fact that Palakkad has a long history dating back to the Paleolithic period. A large number of megalithic relics have been discovered from here.
Palakkad lies at the foot of the gigantic western ghats, on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Sahyadri ranges bordering the area and the twenty-mile gap in the mountains exert a dominant influence on the climate of the region. Many rivers that flow in the Bharatapuzha, the longest river and the lifeline of Kerala, arise from these mountains.
There are numerous tourist attractions in Palakkad. The Jain temple at Jainmedu has located just 3 km from the city center on the banks of the Kalpathy river and is believed to be around 500 years old. The big bazaar or Valiya Angadi is a row of shops selling items like traditional bells, peacock lamps, thooku or hanging vilakkus, nilavillakkus and utensils. Travancore sarees, Kerala souvenirs, and jewelry are other options for shoppers.

The famous Malampuzha Dam & Gardens offer wholesome entertainment with its manifold attractions like the rose garden with 100 species of roses, a mega snake park with numerous reptiles, a ropeway ride at a height of 60 ft for a bird’s eye view of the garden, a fancy entertainment park with innumerable ride options, and pedal boat/motorboat/row-boat/water scooter facilities for a trip round the reservoir.
54 km south of Palakkad is Nellliyampathy, a scenic hill station perched at a height of 4600 feet above sea level. The small town is perfect to soak in the magical beauty of hills covered with coffee, tea, and orange plantations. Moreover, the place is a trekker’s paradise with plenty of opportunities to explore the dense forests and sight some exotic animals.

The Silent Valley National Park, located on the Kundali Hills of the Western Ghats, 65 km northeast of Palakkad, is another highly popular destination in the district. Untouched by the passage of time, its topographical seclusion ensures that the area remains uninhabited and continues to preserve the flora and fauna that it houses. Visitors are to obtain permission from forest personnel to explore the place.

Discover the Land of Palm trees…

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More about Palakkad - www.palghat.net