Nature, heritage and adventure await tourists in Palakkad
The travellers visiting Palakkad are served its uniqueness, mesmerising views and savoury cuisine on a varied platter.
The travellers visiting Palakkad are served its uniqueness, mesmerising views and savoury cuisine on a varied platter.
The travellers visiting Palakkad are served its uniqueness, mesmerising views and savoury cuisine on a varied platter.
People love to give everything up to travel to far-flung destinations or escape to exotic climes, but may overlook the enviable charm of nearby natural bounties. If you are a globetrotter who has missed the pristine beauty of Kerala's Palakkad, it's time to include it in your itinerary. The district offers a plethora of opportunities for adventure and nature enthusiasts. It’s the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll through the natural allure of majestic dams, lush green paddy fields and traditional narrow pathways. Besides visiting the well-known spots such as Malampuzha, Nelliyampathy and Parambikulam, you could also soak in the nostalgic countryside views of Palakkad. The travellers visiting Palakkad are served its uniqueness, mesmerising views and savoury cuisine on a varied platter.
The main railway station of Palakkad is the Palakkad Junction Railway Station, and next in line is the Palakkad Town Railway Station, both of which are 3.8km apart. Here’s a lowdown on places of interest in Palakkad.
Mannarkkad: Going with the flow of Kunthi and Bhavani rivers
• Kanjirapuzha Dam
The lofty mountain ranges, boasting the evergreen Vettilachola forest, surround the scenic Kanjirapuzha dam. The tranquil garden and the children’s park are the highlights of this beautiful spot. You have to take a diversion from the Palakkad-Mannarkkad highway to reach the dam, which is 13km away from Mannarkkad.
• Thodukappu Mayiladumpara Ecotourism Center
A visit to the recently renovated Thodukappu Mayiladumpara Ecotourism Centre is sure to provide some memorable moments to cherish. The fun zones, eco shops, children’s park, traditional huts and tree houses could blow your mind away. This nature’s paradise is near Karinkallithani on the Perinthalmanna-Palakkad route on the Kozhikode-Palakkad national highway.
• Attapadi
The drive through the mountain roads to Attapadi is simply mind-blowing, and the Silent Valley National Park attracts tourists in droves. The upper Varadimala and Aandakadu, which could be reached by travelling 30km from Agali on the Shiruvani road, are replete with sky-touching mountain ranges. The region is also dotted with wonderful waterfalls. The breathtaking Kithanadi Falls and Kollamkadavu are just 5 km from Agali. The eye-catching Manrattty is riddled with expansive rock formations and brooks.
A fruitful journey through Kollengode
• Muthalamada
The roots of banyan trees have weaved a magic at the Muthalamada railway station. The railway station had made its presence felt in movies such as ‘Ande Sivam’, ‘Pandipada’, ‘Amaidhi Padai’ and ‘Hridayam’. A drive of 5.7km from Kamdrathchala on the Wadakkanchery-Pollachi road will take you to Muthalamada.
• Chinganchira
Chinganchira, which is in Palakkad’s Kollengode panchayat, is perfect as a picture with some stunning views. The region, which is 15km from the Muthalamada railway station, is also the natural habitat of many species of birds. The Meenkara dam and the Chulliyar dam are 15km and 13km respectively from Chinganchira.
• Seetharkundu
Seetharkundu, which is 7.5km from Kollengode and popular through ‘Aithihyamala’, is known for its dazzling views. The Seetharkundu waterfall is also a major attraction but the falls will be bone dry when the summer is at its peak.
• Kottamala and Vamala
Kottamala, which is 2.5km away from Kakkayur, is an awe-inspiring spot blessed small hills and shady trees. The Kottamala Ayyappa temple atop a hill is popular among devotees and travel buffs. Vamala, which found screen space in movies such as ‘Hridayam’ and ‘Kunjiramayanam’, is also replete with rolling hills and verdant forests. Kottamala is 20km and Vamala 26km from Palakkad.
What’s in store at Ottapalam
• Lakkidi Kunchan Nambiar memorial
The ‘Kalakathu Bhavanam’ is a storehouse of stories about the great poet Kunchan Nambiar. The house where Kunchan Nambiar was born has an art gallery that would take you to a bygone era. You have to travel for 2km on the Thiurvilwamalai road to reach the memorial.
• Ananganmala Ecotourism Center
The ecotourism center, which is 11km away from Ottapalam, is the right destination for nature enthusiasts.
• Manissery Varikassery Mana
Many iconic films have been canned at this Namboothiri homestead, which is now a popular tourist spot. The distance between the mana and Ottapalam is 11km.
• Sreekrishnapuram
Sreekrishnapuram is 13km away from Cherpulassery and the children would love the Bapuji Park at Sheddumkunnu.
• Narimada
The caves and unique huge rocks make Narimada, through which Kunthipuzha River flows, special for travellers. Multiple scores of tourists come to Narimada to have a glimpse of ‘Aanakallu’, which is a huge rock. The Aanakallu Bhavathy temple is also a sought-after place of worship.
Chittur: A blend of history and fables
• Thunchan madom
The final resting place of Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, revered as the ‘Father of Malayalam literature’, on the banks of the Shokanasini River, also known as Chittoor River, is just 1km from Anikode Junction in Chittur. One could also find his ‘methiyad’ (footwear), ‘thaliyola’ books and ‘ezhuthani’ (pen) at the memorial. The ‘japapara’ is near ‘Gurumadom’, which was built by Ezhuthachan to teach children.
Panimala on Kerala-Tamil Nadu border
Panimala is on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border in Velanthavalam, which is around 25km away from Chittur. Panimala is a treasure trove for history buffs as it has caves and cave paintings dating back to Stone Age. A 12km drive from Panimala via Kozhijampara will take you to a small hill, known as Kundampidari Hill near Sixth Mile. It’s said that the hill acted as a watch tower to track the movements of neighboring kingdoms. If you can travel to Meenakshipuram via Gopalapuram, you can see the renovated Kambalathara regulator. The road on this route is dotted with coconut groves and palmyra palms on both sides. If you could pass through the road early morning, noon or evening, you could see how toddy is tapped from the palms. And the Venkalakayam dam is located 2km from Kambalathara.
The Vadakarapathy, Ozhalapathy and Eruthembary regions are known for their vegetable cultivations.
A peek into Malampuzha
It’s a totally different experience for those who are visiting Malampuzha. After seeing the Malampuzha garden, the Fisheries Department’s aquarium, the forest department’s snake park and the rock garden, you can travel to Kava through the Akamalavaram ring road. The drive through the road is surreal as on one side of the road the dam stands tall and on the other thick forest. The ethereal Onaampuzha River and Mayiladipuzha River will greet you once you reach Akamalavaram. Fantasy Park, which is an amusement park, and ropeways are other attractions of this tourist spot. One could also indulge in boating inside the garden. You can enjoy the captivating dam-side views even if you travel through south Malampuzha.
The beauty of Velliyankallu
Velliyankallu has the highest tourist footfall in Palakkad district as many come to see the dam and relish the serenity of the Nila River. You can take a bagful of memories back home after spending an evening on the shores of the river. The heritage park of DTPC (District Tourism Promotion Council) is also well-received by the visitors. People with discerning palates can have a great time at the traditional eateries at Velliyankallu, which is 1.5km from Thrithala.