Palakkad - Memorable Tourist place in Kerala

 Palakkad, Kerala Make Others Green With Envy 

Palakkad is also famous as Palghat, is located in Palghat Gap, which is a depression in the Western Ghats and is adjoined to the state of Tamil Nadu. It is a city located in the state of Kerala, around 350 kilometres north of Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. This town is an important city of Kerala and every year a number of tourists come here to see landscapes and temples. 

The name Palghat was derived from the name Pal Ghat, which is one of the Ghats in Western Ghats. Palakkad is famous for its Travancore saris, handicraft and jewellery. The name is believed to have originated from the word Palai nilam, which means dry land. However, the commonly held belief is that, it originated from the fusion of Malayalam and Tamil words.

In Palakkad, there are a number of temples that are visited by devotees throughout the year. People come here to see temples like Kanjirapuzha, Pattambi Nercha, Kalpathy Temple, Jain Temple, Pariyanempatta Bagavathi Temple, due to their religious and historical significance. There are many local festivities that are celebrated every year in these temples. Padur Vela, Tharakad Sivan Koil Siva Rathry, Pudduseri Vedi, etc. are few of these temples. There are other places like Silent Valley National Park, Pothundy Dam, Malampuzha Dam, Dhoni Waterfalls, Parambikulam, Walayar Dam and many more. These temples and attractions are located in and around Palakkad town.

What to See....

Palakkad Fort: The majestic Palakkad Fort sits in a sprawling 15 acres on the western border of the town. This strategic fort was built by Hyder Ali, the Sultan of Mysore, in 1766 AD. This fort, a witness to the history of Mysore invasions in Kerala and the advent of British rule, survives in its original glory and grandeur. The Fort offers panoramic views of the town of Palakkad. The Fort is currently a protected monument under the Archeological Survey of India.

Malampuzha Dam and Gardens: Serene 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". 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: Situated on the Western Ghats High Ranges, Nelliyampathy offers dashing views of the plains, cliffs, valleys, rivers and the forests around. 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.

Silent Valley National Park: The Silent valley biosphere sprawls to a fascinating 90 sq. km area. Every year researchers identify new species of plants and birds in this untamed wilderness. 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.

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.


How to reach 

By Air - The nearest airport is located in Coimbatore at a distance of 55 km towards East and the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is at a distance of 160 km south.

By Rail - There are two railway stations here. The main one is the Palakkad junction situated 5 km. from the city and other at the town.

Silent Valley National Park, Silent Valley, Silent Valley National Park Kerala

The Quiet Area National Park is a unique retain of natural jungles. Within an area of 237. 52 Sq.km, it houses a rich variety of different environments. Out of these rises the amazing variety of life forms some of them native to the island to the Traditional european Ghats. The Area delivers a quite magnificence, a secret 50 % unveiled and 50 % disguised that is part of a story older than human beings, for this marketplace probably goes to 50 million years. Quietly she calls us to observe the outstanding exuberance of life that discloses itself in an amazing madness of creatures and plants and wildlife and bugs. At the heart of her many music is a still, deep quiet which only those who take gently and wait with patience may learn to hear The closest train stop is Palghat Jct (Palakkad). From Palakkad, go to Mannarkkad, and from there to Mukkali. 

oth locations are well attached by personal vehicles. If you are preparing to remain at Mukkali, source areas in progress at the Woodlands department resthouse. Or else you can remain at Mannarkkad and seek the services of a vehicle to arrive at Mukkali by 8AM. Mukkali is about 60 km from Palakkad, with Mannarkkad en path. The trip to the Area and Kunti stream will take only a day, and you can go again to Palakkad the same night time. Another shut train stop is Coimbatore Junction(Coimbatore). From Coimbatore, take the street to Anakatty(around 30 kms) from Coimbatore and from Ankatty to Agali (15 kms)and then Mukkali(20 kms). The complete range via the Coimbatore path is only around 65kms. 

Its almost a immediately street generate from Coimbatore to Mukkali. The picturesque road keeps one fascinated all through. Permission is needed from the Kerala Woodlands Workplace. For a shorter one day vacation (usually taken by tourists), authorization can be acquired on the area at the Woodlands Workplace office at Mukkali. This vacation has a shorter travel of about 2-3 km to the clinging link at the Kunti River. The admittance way of the street to the playground is Mukkali. From Mukkali, it requires a 30 km vehicle trip to get into the real admittance way of the playground. Jeeps can be chosen from Mukkali. It is challenging for vehicles to cross, so don't try to generate unless you are amazing and have an SUV and excellent expertise on hill streets. 

Tourists are prohibited to remain in the valley. They must come again to Mukkali by night time. Entry into the valley is permitted only from 8AM to 2PM, as you need about one and a 50 % time (each way) to go to the Area and come again. The Woodlands Workplace intentionally does not allow going to the valley beginning in the beginning morning to reduce disruption to the creatures. Vacationers will not be permitted to stay/camp instantaneously at the valley. You will not be permitted to commence without a information. A information will be designated to your team when you get authorization from the Mukkali Woodlands Dept Workplace. If you are just a informal traveler, then this is excellent, but serious naturalists will have to get in touch with the Creatures Warden much previously and get sufficient authorization. 

Going in deeply forest (for a few days) needs authorization from the Woodlands Workplace office in Trivandrum, and is challenging to get. Anyhow, it is almost difficult to get authorization to go anywhere near the primary of the nationwide playground, unless you are a area specialist or something like that.