Palakkad Fact File
Location	Central-east Kerala, India
Languages Spoken	Malayalam ,Tamil and English
Must See	Parambikulam Wildlife, Silent Valley, Tirthala, Tipu Sultan Fort
STD Code:	0491
How to Reach:	Nearest Airport is Coimbatore, 52 Km. Palakkad is well connected to other parts of Kerala with rail and road link.
Climate:	Hot and humid
Best Time to Visit:	October to March

Palakkad or Palghat lies at the foot of the gigantic western ghats, on the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu. It is situated 80 Km. north east of trichur and 50 Km south west of Coimbatore. This district is desicribed as the granary of the state of Kerala. This district with mountains , forests and fertile valleys, rivers and mountain streams are rich in flora and fauna. There are many dams and irrigation projects such as Walayar, Malampuzha, Pothundy, Parambikulam, etc. in Palakkad.

Enriched with mountains, forests, valleys and rivers, this land is home to a rich flora and fauna. Historically, it dates back to the Paleolithic period; several megalithic relics have been found here. More recently, the Perumals and then the Utayavars ruled for several hundred years. In 1757, the Raja of Palakkad invited Hyder Ali of Mysore to free the land from the Zamorin. Haider Ali and later his son Tipu Sultan stayed on to rule the region until Tipu ceded all his Malabar territories to the British following his defeat in 1872. Palakkad was part of the Madras Presidency until Independence.

Places to visit in Palakkad

• Palakkad Fort:
  The old granite fort situated in the very heart of Palakkad town is one of the best preserved in Kerala. It was built by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766. The fort was taken over and modified by the British in 1790. It is now preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India.
  
  
• Malampuzha Garden (10 km from Palakkad):
  This famous picnic spot which comprises a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. There are frequent buses to this place from Palakkad.
  
  
• Fantasy Park
  
  
• Pothundy(45 km from Palakkad):
  Situated on the way to Nelliampathy, the Pothundy Reservoir Complex is a charming location for picnics and half-day trips.
  
  
• Thiruvalathoor (10 km from Palakkad) :
  The ancient temple here has some fine wood work and stone sculptures.
  
  
• Dhoni (15 km from Palakkad):
  It takes a three hour trek from the base of the Dhoni hills to reach this reserve forest area with its small, beautiful waterfall.
  
  
• Kottayi :(15 km via Poodur from Palakkad):
  This tiny village is the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Carnatic music.
  
  
• Kollengode (19 km south of Palakkad):
  Kollengode or the abode of blacksmiths enshrines the pristine beauty of rural Palakkad. The Kollengode Palace, the Vishnu Temple and the poet P. Kunhiraman Nair Memorial are worth visiting. Seethakundu and Govindamalai hills near Kaachankurichi are ideal for adventurous trekkers.
  
  
• Lakkidi (30 km from Palakkad):
  Killikkurissimangalam at Lakkidi is the birthplace of Kunchan Nambiar, the 18th century satirist and exponent of the Tullal (classical art form). The poet's house has been preserved as a monument by the State Government.
  
  
• Meenkara(32 km from Palakkad):
  This picnic spot is the site of a dam across the river Gayathri which flows into the Bharathapuzha.
  
  
• Ottappalam(35 km from Palakkad):
  The town is known for its numerous places of worship and their colourful festivals. Durga Temple the Pooram at Chenakkathur the Nercha festival commemorating the Aulia.
  
  
• Thrithala (75 km from Palakkad):
  This place is noted for its monuments and historic ruins. The Siva Temple and the ruins of a mud fort near Thrithala on the Chalissery road are notable cultural monuments. The Kattilmadam Temple, a small granite Buddhist monument on the Pattambi-Guruvayoor road, is of great archaeological importance. It is believed to date back to the 9th/10th century AD. The Paakkanaar memorial, honouring the Pariah saint, stands near Thrithala Koottanad road. This is also the native place of renowned writer and social reformer VT Bhattathiripad.
  
  
• Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (110 km from Palakkad):
  Sprawled across 285 sq. km, the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is home to rare wild animals. Boating/cruising facilities are available at the Parambikulam Reservoir. The Rest Houses of the State Forest Department at Thoonakkadavu, Thellikkal and Anappady offer accommodation. A tree house in the reserve forest area in Thoonakkadavu has to be booked in advance. The oldest teak tree, kannimari is found here.
  
  
• Siruvani (46 km north of Mannarkad and 48 km from Palakkad):
  The reservoir at Siruvani was built for Tamil Nadu by the Kerala Government to meet the drinking water requirements of Coimbatore. The gateways on either side of the road across the dam are typical of the Kerala and Tamil architectural styles. Siruvani is also home to certain tribals like the Mudugars and Irulars. Festivals/Art forms
  
  
• Kalpathi Ratholsavam:
  Annual chariot festival at Viswanatha Temple (November )
  
  
• Vela at Manappulli Kavu:
  Annual festival at the Bhagavathy Temple (March)
  
  
• Kanniyarkali:
  An art form exclusive to the Nair community of the district of Palakkad,
  
  
• Kanniyarkali is performed in temples as well as Nair centres (March/April)
  
  
• Nenmara Vallengy Vela:
  Annual festival at the Bhagavathy Temple at Nellikkulangara near Nenmara, on the Pooram day of the Malayalam month of Meenam (February/March). Highlight: Fireworks displays .
  
  
• Pavakkoothu:
  This shadow play is performed at the Bhagavathy temples of Palakkad (March/April)
  
  
• Kaalapoottu:
  This exciting ox race is an agrarian sport held in the Malayalam month of Makaram (January).
  
  
• Konganpada of Chittur:
  Annual festival of ritual drama at the Chittur Kavu Bhagavathy temple (February /March)
  
  
• Pattambi Nercha:
  The festival is conducted in memory of Aloor Valia Pookkunjikoya Thangal, noted Muslim saint of South Malabar (January - February)

How to reach Palakkad

• By Air
  (Nearest airport Coimbatore) Palakkad does not have an airport, and the nearest airport is Coimbatore, at a distance of 56 kms from Palakkad. Coimbatore is connected to 7 other Indian cities. The airlines servicing Coimbatore are Air India, Air India-IC, Go Air, Go Business, IndiGo, Jet Airways Konnect, Jet Airways, JetLite, Kingfisher Red, Kingfisher and SpiceJet.
  
  
• By Train
  Palakkad is well connected and one of the railway divisional headquarters. Serviced by rail from all major cities in India like Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata.
  
  
• By Bus
  You can also reach here by bus from big cities like Kozhikode, Mangalore, Kochi, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Mumbai, Coimbatore,Salem. However there is no direct bus from Hyderabad.
  
  
• By Car
  Palakkad is well connected to other cities Chennai, Kozhikode, Ooty, Palani, Kodaikkanal, Kochi, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai by road. National Highways NH 47 and NH 217 pass through Palakkad.