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10 reasons why Palakkad should be on your itinerary!
Palakkad may not be the first place youd think of when you say Kerala. But Biju Warrier of Happy Valley Tours makes a pretty strong case to visit it anyway! Palakkad may be best known for
Palakkad may not be the first place youd think of when you say Kerala.
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But Biju Warrier of Happy Valley Tours makes a pretty strong case to visit it anyway!
Photograph courtesy: Biju Warrier
Palakkad may be best known for being home to several top-brass IAS officers. But this rice bowl of Kerala makes for one helluva getaway too!
And heres everything you can do while youre there:
1. Palakkad Fort
Situated in the heart of Palakkad city, the fort was constructed by Hyder Ali in 1766 AD. It is one of the best-preserved forts in Kerala and is now known as Tipus Fort after the warrior fell to the British in 1799 here.
How to reach Palakkad Fort:
Since it is located in the heart of the city, it is well connected by auto rickshaws/taxis and public transport buses.
Photograph: Haridas/Wikimedia Commons
2. Malampuzha Dam and Gardens
When the largest reservoir in Kerala also just happens to offer some of the most scenic views of the Western Ghats, you really dont need any reason to visit it.
Completed in 1955, the reservoir was helped increase crop cultivation and made Palakkad, the rice bowl of Kerala.
In 2005, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the reservoir, the state spent over Rs 21.5 Crore to modernize and beautify the garden.
How to get to Malampuzha Dam and Gardens:
Located just 10km from Palakkad City, the gardens are well connected by private and public transport buses from the city. You can also hire a private vehicle or share a taxi or an auto rickshaw from anywhere in the city or from Palakkad Junction railway station.
Photograph courtesy: Biju Warrier
3. Rock Garden, Malampuzha
Designed by Late Neck Chand Saini, the creator of Chandigarhs Rock Garden, the Malampuzha Rock Garden is one of Palakkads most popular tourist destinations.
The sculptures here are made out of waste material such as used plastic bottles and cans, waste pieces of tiles, granites, stones, electricity fuse carriers, power insulators, broken bangles, melamine dishware, etc.
The garden has been renovated recently so this is a good time to visit it.
Winding mountain ranges of the Western Ghats in the background add to the scenic beauty of this garden.
How to reach Rock Garden:
Rock Garden is located 800 meters south of Malampuzha Dam and is well connected by private and public transport. A new bus depot near the garden makes reaching it even easier.
Photograph courtesy: Biju Warrier
4. Kalpathy heritage village and temple complex
Known for its unique architecture, music and the chariot festival Kalpathy has the distinction of being the only Heritage Village in Kerala.
Visit the Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Vishwanatha Swamy temple and the village to get a glimpse into the life, culture, festivals and food of the famed Palakkad Brahmins.
How to reach Kalpathy:
Since it is located just a little over three km from Palakkad city, you could consider simply walking there! You can also take private or public transport buses or hire an auto rickshaw.
Photograph courtesy: Biju Warrier
5. The Thiruvalathur Randu Moorthy Temple
Known for its grand architecture and sculptures, the Thiruvalathur Randu Moorthy temple is believed to have been founded by Parsurama.
The temple is a shrine to two goddesses — the passionate Mahishasuramardhini and the peaceful Annapurnneswari — and is spread over two hectares.
Protected by huge stone walls, there are four entrances to the temple though the two main entrances face east and west.
The temple is open from 5.30 am to 9.30 am and 5 pm to 8 pm on all days.
On the Karthika day of Vrischika (falls sometime between November and December), the temple hosts a festival and comes to life.
Traditional temple art forms are presented on the specially designed stage called Koothamabalam inside the temple.
How to reach Thiruvalathur temple:
Located on the banks of Bharatha Puzha River, just 7 km away from Palakkad along the Chittur Road, the temple (like every other destination in this list) can easily be accessed by public or private transport. Any bus travelling towards Chittur will take you there.
Photograph courtesy: Biju Warrier
6. Sitargundu in Nelliyampathy Hills, Palakkad
Known as the second Ooty, Nelliyampathy is a small but beautiful hill station in the Palakkad district.
Nelliyampathy finds mention in Ramayana because its forests were believed to be home to Lord Rama and Sita during their exile.
A waterfall that Sita is believed to have bathed in is now a pilgrimage site.
Besides being a pilgrimage site, Nelliyampathy also happens to be a pretty awesome hill station. Consider spending a day here to take in its breathtaking beauty.
How to reach Nelliyampathy Hills:
Located about 80 km from Palakkad city, it takes two hours to reach Nelliyampathy Hills.
State transport buses ply from regularly from the Palakkad bus station. Alternatively you can hire a taxi from the railway station or ask your hotel to book you one.
Photograph courtesy: Biju Warrier
7. Silent Valley National Park
Believed to be one of the most ecologically diverse areas on earth, the Silent Valley National Park should most definitely be on the top of your list of places to visit in Palakkad.
A trip to the valley and Kunti river that flows through it can be done in a day and the park can be accessed from Mukkali, which itself is about a couple of hours from Palakkad.
From Mukkali, the entry point of the park it about 30km away and will require a jeep / mini bus (can be hired from Mukkali) and some good driving skills. Private vehicles are not allowed inside the reserve.
Ensure you reach Mukkali early enough because the entry to the park is open only between 8 am and 2 pm.
You are not allowed to stay inside the valley and you cannot access it without a guide that the forest department will assign you along with a permit to enter the forest.
How to reach Silent Valley National Park:
Taxis/Jeeps are available from Palakkad till Mukkali- the entry point to silent Valley National Park. However since private vehicles are not allowed inside the park, you will be required to hire a vehicle run by the forest department at entry point.
Photograph courtesy: Biju Warrier
8. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
Spread across 643 sq km, the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is one of the most popular biodiversity hotspots in the world.
It is home to four tribes whose members are engaged as guides for treks and safaris.
Considering its biological richness, abundance of wildlife and landscape beauty makes Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is one of the most attractive places in the entire stretch of Western Ghats.
The reserve also houses one of the world largest teak trees with a girth of 7.02 m and height of 39.98 m.
Go trekking or bamboo rafting or spend your day bird watching or be one with nature.
Local tribes worship the tree, which they believe bled when someone tried to cut it down.
How to reach Parambikulam Tiger Reserve:
The state transport corporation runs just one bus a day from Palakkad to Parambikulam. However taxis/jeeps are readily available from Palakkad. You can also hire a jeep or a minibus that the forest department runs for a jungle safari.
Photograph courtesy: Parambikulam.org
9. Dhoni Hills
Located about 15 km from Palakkad town, Dhoni Hills offer a good opportunity for amateur trekkers.
A four-km trek from the bottom of the hill will take you to a pretty waterfall that is the centerpiece of this area.
You will need to get permission from the forest range officer in Olavakode, Palakkad (ph: +91 491 2555815) to access the falls.
The more adventurous trekkers can walk down to the Malampuzha and Meenvallam Waterfalls from Dhoni through the thick forests.
It is only five-km trekking through the forest to Malampuzha.
There is a winding dirt track going up the hill, but for the more adventurous, there are enough steep climbs to whet your appetite once you leave the road.
The best time to visit Dhoni is soon after the monsoon.
Dhoni village also as a government owned cattle and goat farm and is known for Swiss bred cattle.
How to reach Dhoni:
Several private and public transport buses run from Palakkad to Dhoni via Olavakode.
Photograph courtesy: Biju Warrier
10. Pothundi Dam
The mountain ranges of Nelliyampathy on one side and acres of never ending horizon of green rice fields on the other side make the Pothundi Dam an enticing tourist site.
Should it be a surprise then that it was a backdrop for the Malayalam film Vinodayathra!
How to reach Pothundi Dam:
The best way to reach the Pothundi Dam is by an auto or a taxi.
Private buses run from Nemmara to Pothundi Dam Site at regular intervals.
Convinced yet?
Heres how to reach Palakkad:
Closest airport is Coimbatore International Airport (55 km)
Closest railhead is Palakkad Junction Railway Station (10 km)
NH 47 goes through Palakkad from Salem to Kanyakumari via Coimbatore and Cochin.
Photograph courtesy: Biju Warrier
Biju Warrier runs Happy Valley Tours and organizes some pretty awesome trips!