Palakkad is a city in Central Kerala in India.
Palakkad lies near a wide low gap or pass in the Western Ghats mountain ranges that separates Kerala from Tamil Nadu. Consequently the city is a major conduit for travel between the two states. Palakkad is 4,480 square kilometres and the population is 2,617,072.
Palakkad is the land of Palmyras and Paddy fields. It is the chief granary of Kerala, often called the Gateway of Kerala. Palakkad lies at the foot of the gigantic Western ghats on the border of Kerala. This city surrounded by mountains, forests and fertile valleys, rivers and mountains streams are rich in flora and fauna.
Palakkad is known for its historical background and the remnants of Tippu Sulthan's Fort are still maintained.
Malayalam is widely spoken language as the rest of Kerala. However Palakkad is close to the Tamil Nadu border and people understand and speak Tamil well. You won't be very far from a person who speaks perfect English or Hindi just in case you need one.
- Agali Hills.
- Attappady. Tribal villages. 38 km Home of Irulas and Mudugars
- Brahmakumaris Yoga Center, Kalpathy., +91 4912578525.
- Chulliar Dam.
- Chittur Gurumadam.
- Cholanoor Peacock Sanctury.
- Dhoni Reserve Forest. 15 km
- Government Victoria College. Colonial structure.
- Guru Mandir, West Yakkara.
- Jain temple.
- Kanhirapuzha Dam, muhammed karakkadan.
- Killikurrussi Mangalam.
- Lakkidi.
- Mahadeva Kshetram.
- Malampuzha Gardens, Malampuzha.15km. Spectacular Garden, Suspension Bridge, Boating facility, Japanese Garden, Fantasy Water Theme Park, Toy Train, Acquarium and Cable Car. Entrance 9.00 am to 7.30 pm Video Cameras are charged ₹1,000
- Mangalam Dam.
- Meenkara Dam.
- Meenvallam. waterfalls
- Meenvallam Water Falls, Kalladikode.
- Museum of Musical Instruments, olavakkod Road, Palakkad.
- Nelliyampathi. 'Ooty of Kerala' hill station.
- Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. 135 km
- Pothundi Dam. with a garden and good views.
- Seetharkundu water falls.
- Silent Valley National Park. 80 km. 'Evergreen forest' with many rare species. Advance reservation by telephone is needed. Please contact: Phone: +91-4924-222056, +91 4924 253225, +91 8589 895652
- Sholayar Forest. Coffee and Tea estates.
- Siruvani.
- Thiruvalathoor.
- Tippu's Fort.
- Walayar Dam. 25 km.
- Walayar Deer Park. You can see deer and other small animals roaming about in their natural habitat. The park is in a poor condition due to lack of investment. The park spreads over 110 acres of forest area, mainly teak plantation. There are plans to convert it into a safari park, providing more amenities for the deer and other animals and also to the visitors.
- Ayalur Temple, Ayalur (33 km from Palakkad, bus for every 30 minutes. Car festival during winter
- Chulanur Peafowl Sanctuary.
- Hemambika/Emoor Bhagavathi temple and Siva Temple. Bus available every 5 min from Palakkad Town Bus Stand. Board Rly Colony bus and alight at Kallekulangara bus stop.
- Kakkayur Kottamala Ayyappa Temple, Kakkayur (15 km from Palakkad. The giant walls of this temple is at least 1 1/2 times taller than an elephant, built of stones unbelievable in size. There are no stone quarry nearby from where this has could have been taken. These stones are laid one on top of another without any sealing in between. They have been standing like that for centuries just on gravity. Also on the walls are writings in some very old language.
- Kakkayur Siva Temple, Kakkayur (15 km from Palakkad.
- Meenkulathhi Amman Temple, Pallasena (15 km from Palakkad.
- Nellikulangara Temple, Nemmara (28 km from Palakkad.
- Pothundy Dam. It is a reservoir built across Ayalur river as an irrigation project in 1968. It provides water to Nenmara and Ayalur villages. It is in a valley just below the Nelliyampathy Hills.
- Tripallavoor siva temple, Pallavur (20 km from Palakkad.
Ayalur Temple, Ayalur (33 km from Palakkad, bus for every 30 minutes. Car festival during winter
Chulanur Peafowl Sanctuary.
Hemambika/Emoor Bhagavathi temple and Siva Temple. Bus available every 5 min from Palakkad Town Bus Stand. Board Rly Colony bus and alight at Kallekulangara bus stop.
Kakkayur Kottamala Ayyappa Temple, Kakkayur (15 km from Palakkad. The giant walls of this temple is at least 1 1/2 times taller than an elephant, built of stones unbelievable in size. There are no stone quarry nearby from where this has could have been taken. These stones are laid one on top of another without any sealing in between. They have been standing like that for centuries just on gravity. Also on the walls are writings in some very old language.
Kakkayur Siva Temple, Kakkayur (15 km from Palakkad.
Meenkulathhi Amman Temple, Pallasena (15 km from Palakkad.
Nellikulangara Temple, Nemmara (28 km from Palakkad.
Pothundy Dam. It is a reservoir built across Ayalur river as an irrigation project in 1968. It provides water to Nenmara and Ayalur villages. It is in a valley just below the Nelliyampathy Hills.
Tripallavoor siva temple, Pallavur (20 km from Palakkad.
Agali Hills.
Attappady. Tribal villages. 38 km Home of Irulas and Mudugars
Brahmakumaris Yoga Center, Kalpathy., +91 4912578525.
Chulliar Dam.
Chittur Gurumadam.
Cholanoor Peacock Sanctury.
Dhoni Reserve Forest. 15 km
Government Victoria College. Colonial structure.
Guru Mandir, West Yakkara.
Jain temple.
Kanhirapuzha Dam, muhammed karakkadan.
Killikurrussi Mangalam.
Lakkidi.
Mahadeva Kshetram.
Malampuzha Gardens, Malampuzha.15km. Spectacular Garden, Suspension Bridge, Boating facility, Japanese Garden, Fantasy Water Theme Park, Toy Train, Acquarium and Cable Car. Entrance 9.00 am to 7.30 pm Video Cameras are charged ₹1,000
Mangalam Dam.
Meenkara Dam.
Meenvallam. waterfalls
Meenvallam Water Falls, Kalladikode.
Museum of Musical Instruments, olavakkod Road, Palakkad.
Nelliyampathi. 'Ooty of Kerala' hill station.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. 135 km
Pothundi Dam. with a garden and good views.
Seetharkundu water falls.
Silent Valley National Park. 80 km. 'Evergreen forest' with many rare species. Advance reservation by telephone is needed. Please contact: Phone: +91-4924-222056, +91 4924 253225, +91 8589 895652
Sholayar Forest. Coffee and Tea estates.
Siruvani.
Thiruvalathoor.
Tippu's Fort.
Walayar Dam. 25 km.
Walayar Deer Park. You can see deer and other small animals roaming about in their natural habitat. The park is in a poor condition due to lack of investment. The park spreads over 110 acres of forest area, mainly teak plantation. There are plans to convert it into a safari park, providing more amenities for the deer and other animals and also to the visitors.
- Alampallam Radhotsavam. April. The biggest Chariot in Kerala.
- Chinakathur Pooram. Every March-April. A spectacular festival.
- Chittur Konganpada. Usually in March. The celebrations commemorate the victory of the Chittur Nairs over the militia of nearby Konganadu during 918 AD. It is said that there was constant fight in the Palakkad region between the Kerala kingdoms on the western side and the princely state of Konganad on the eastern side of the Western Ghat mountains. On the third day of the Konganpada festival 101 rounds of the kathina vedi (ironpipe crackers) commemorates the historic victory. Later, there is a kolam procession of little boys dressed as girls carried on the shoulders of men. At night men engage in mock fights wearing buffalo head masks to symbolise the dead buffaloes of the Konganpada (Kongan militia).
- Kalpathy Rathotsavam. Celebrtated during mid of November every year. Colourful Temple car festival where all the streets of the village will be lightened and the procession of Ratha's will take place.
- Kunissery Kummatti. In March/April every year (on Punartham of Meenam). A traditional Indian festival.
- Nemmara Vela. April 2nd/3rd every year. A traditional Indian festival.
- Walk in the paddy fields, Azhchapparamba Junction, Thrissur Road.
Alampallam Radhotsavam. April. The biggest Chariot in Kerala.
Chinakathur Pooram. Every March-April. A spectacular festival.
Chittur Konganpada. Usually in March. The celebrations commemorate the victory of the Chittur Nairs over the militia of nearby Konganadu during 918 AD. It is said that there was constant fight in the Palakkad region between the Kerala kingdoms on the western side and the princely state of Konganad on the eastern side of the Western Ghat mountains. On the third day of the Konganpada festival 101 rounds of the kathina vedi (ironpipe crackers) commemorates the historic victory. Later, there is a kolam procession of little boys dressed as girls carried on the shoulders of men. At night men engage in mock fights wearing buffalo head masks to symbolise the dead buffaloes of the Konganpada (Kongan militia).
Kalpathy Rathotsavam. Celebrtated during mid of November every year. Colourful Temple car festival where all the streets of the village will be lightened and the procession of Ratha's will take place.
Kunissery Kummatti. In March/April every year (on Punartham of Meenam). A traditional Indian festival.
Nemmara Vela. April 2nd/3rd every year. A traditional Indian festival.
Walk in the paddy fields, Azhchapparamba Junction, Thrissur Road.
Due to its traditional Tamil-Brahmin culture, Palakkad has maintained a slight distance from Malabar cuisine, focusing more on vegetarian Tamil foods.
- 10/10 Restaurant, West Yakkara (3 km.
- 20/20 Fast Food, Yakkara Junction (5 km.
- Aryas Vegetarian Restaurant, Near Town Railway Station.
- Fort Palace Hotel. Veg and non-veg.
- Hotel Ashok Bhavan. Vegetarian.
- Hotel Indraprastha, English Church Road. Veg and non-veg. ₹45.
- Hotel Kapilavasthu. Vegetarian.
- Hotel NoorJehan. Authentic Kerala style Muslim dishes.
- Hotel Royal Treat. Veg and non-veg.
- Hotel Sri Chakra, +91 491-2570901. ₹150 for lunch.
- Indian Coffee House, Opp. KSRTC, +91 491 2524910.
- Indian Coffee House, Opp. Post Office, Olavakkod Junction. 7.30 am to 10.00 pm.
- K R Bakes. Veg and Non Veg
- Kudumbashree Caffe, Abudhabi Complex, Near Stadium (1 km.
- Magic Oven Cafe, Near Stadium.
- Manis Cafe, Near Railway Police Station, Olavakkod. Specialists in Elayada or Leaf-covered-rice-cake
- Noor Jahan Open Grill, Near Stadium.
10/10 Restaurant, West Yakkara (3 km.
20/20 Fast Food, Yakkara Junction (5 km.
Aryas Vegetarian Restaurant, Near Town Railway Station.
Fort Palace Hotel. Veg and non-veg.
Hotel Ashok Bhavan. Vegetarian.
Hotel Indraprastha, English Church Road. Veg and non-veg. ₹45.
Hotel Kapilavasthu. Vegetarian.
Hotel NoorJehan. Authentic Kerala style Muslim dishes.
Hotel Royal Treat. Veg and non-veg.
Hotel Sri Chakra, +91 491-2570901. ₹150 for lunch.
Indian Coffee House, Opp. KSRTC, +91 491 2524910.
Indian Coffee House, Opp. Post Office, Olavakkod Junction. 7.30 am to 10.00 pm.
K R Bakes. Veg and Non Veg
Kudumbashree Caffe, Abudhabi Complex, Near Stadium (1 km.
Magic Oven Cafe, Near Stadium.
Manis Cafe, Near Railway Police Station, Olavakkod. Specialists in Elayada or Leaf-covered-rice-cake
Noor Jahan Open Grill, Near Stadium.
Be careful when you travel to the eastern mountains of Kerala as there are frequent Maoist attacks. Avoid lonely treks.
- Agali Hills Hill Station
- Nelliyampathi a hill station in the Western Ghats, 60 km from Palakkad.
- Parambikulam wild life sanctuary and boating
- Silent Valley National Park
- Malampuzha Gardens