About:

Palakkad District or Palghat is one of the 14 districts of Kerala state in South India. The city of Palakkad is the district headquarters. Palakkad is bordered on the northwest by the Malappuram District, on the southwest by the Thrissur District and on the east by Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu. The district is 13.62% urbanised.The district is nicknamed "the granary of Kerala".In earlier days, palakkad along with most parts of Kerala were under the rule of the Chera kings (Perumals). With the decline of Chera dynasty, parts of this district were ruled by Palakkad Rajas who were believed to be a branch of Zamorins (Samudiri Rajavamsam) of Calicut who later declared independance. Some parts were under Kollengode Rajas of Vengunad and the Valluvanad part of the district was ruled by Valluvakonathiris (who are considered to be descendants of a branch of Pallava dynasty who might have ruled parts of kerala at an earlier date). For a brief period, some areas of the district near Chittur came under the attack of the nearby Kongu king when the local people resisted the Kongu invasion successfully.

Palakkad city is the headquarters of the Palakkad district of Kerala.Palakkad is a city in the central part of the state of Kerala in India. This city is a landlocked city even though it is in the coastal state of India, Kerala. It is a quaint town, which fosters small trade and is home to people, who live traditional lives, revel in their history and keep the refinement of their culture alive. This beautiful city sits in the foot of the Western Ghats and one prominent factor of this city is that it is the doorway of coming to the State of Kerala from the north of the state. Hence, it is also known as the gateway of the state.

Palakkad, also known as Palghat, is one of the most fertile and thickly forested districts of Kerala. Palakkad is supposed to have derived its name from the 'Pala' tree and 'Kadu' meaning forest. It is said that 'Pala' trees covered the whole area, in the past.The district of Palakkad known as the granary of Kerala, is a land of valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams, dams and irrigation projects.The topographical feature of this city is well distinguished with the extensive green valleys, small and rolling hillocks, meandering rivers, and dense forests.There are also huge dams, multipurpose projects and steep flowing mountain streams in this city of Palakkad.

Palakkad derives its name from the Malayalam words Pala ( Alsteria scholaris) and Kadu (forest) which goes to prove that this place was once a beautiful stretch of forests covered with the sweet scented flowers of the Pala tree.Tours To Palakkad features among one of the ancient places in Kerala. Palakkad is replete with many places of considerable tourist interest. Therefore your Kerala Palakkad Tours travel is bound to be an eventful one. Palakkad is only the second district in Kerala, which has the rare distinguishing characteristic of not having a seacoast. Kerala's longest river Bharathapuzha flows through the Palakkad district. During the hot season, its wide sandy bed is dry except for some miles from its origin. Being too shallow and rocky for water transport, the Bharathapuzha has little commercial significance but holds a special place in the cultural psyche of the State.

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Climate/Weather of Palakkad Districts :

History of Palakkad Districts :

Historical too, Palakkad district has its own special characteristics. The fort of Hyder Ali tells us the story of Mysore invasions and the advent of the British to this part of the country. The Victoria College, started in 1866, marks the beginning of higher education in Malabar. The Jain temple near Chunnamputhara speaks of the magnanimity of the King of Palakkad who provided shelter to the people who escaped the religious persecutions of the King of Mysore, five hundred years ago.

The Pallava dynasty of Kanchi might have invaded Malabar in the second or third century. One of their headquarters was a palace called Palakadu which could be the present-day Palakkad. Malabar had been invaded by many of the ancient South Indian rulers. For many centuries, it was ruled by the Perumals. They had under them some powerful Utayavars who held authority in their own respective territories. After the rule of the Perumals, the country was divided among these chieftains. The Valluvakonathiri (ruler of Valluvanad), the rulers of Vengunad (Kollankodu Rajas) and Sekhari Varma (Raja of Palakkad) were the prominent rulers of this region, after the Perumals.

When the Zamorin of Kozhikkode invaded Palakkad in 1757, the Raja of Palakkad sought the help of Hyder Ali of Mysore.Hyder Ali’s help forced the Zamorin to retreat. Later Hyder Ali subjugated all territories in Palakkad which were under the possession of Zamorin. Thus the whole area possessed by the Raja of Palakkad passed in to the hands of the Mysore rules - Hyder Ali and his son, Tippu Sultan. The war between Tippu and the East India Company ended with the treaty of 1872 and all the possessions of Tippu in Malabar were ceded to the British. Gradually these formed part of the Malabar district of the Madras Presidency.

Educational Institutions of Palakkad Districts :

Karunya University
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu0422 2614300

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Ettimadai Road, Ettimadai, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 6411050422 2656422

NSS College of Engineering
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Government Victoria College
College Road, Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala0491 2576773

Chembai Memorial Government Music College
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Co-operative College
Main Road, Olavakode, Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Salem Bible College
PO Palakkad, Kerala India 678008 India, PO Palakkad, Kerala India 678008 India

NSS College Ground
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Chittur College Post Office
Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala

Sri Krishna Engineering College
Coimbatore, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu0422 2604545

Government Engineering College, Thrissur
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala - 0487 2320299

PSG College of Technology
Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu0422 2572177

Govt. Polytechnic College
Palakkad, Kerala - 0491 2572640

Langauge

Culture:

Palakkad district has a glorious cultural tradition. It is said that Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, the father of Malayalam literature, spent his last days in Chittur. To commemorate this, there is the “Thunchathu Acharya Madam” at Chittur. Kunjan nambiar, the most popular p[oet of Malayalam and the founder of Thullal, purely a Kerala art form, had his birth in a small village called Killikurissimangalam (Lakkidi) in this district.

Worthy contributions have been made by talented artists of this district for maintaining and enriching the classical dance forms of Kerala, such as Chakkiar Koothu, Thullal, Kathakali and Mohiniattom. Mani Madhava Chakiar for ‘Koothu’ and Vazhenkada Kunju Nair for Kathakali are the two names to be remembered in this context. The “ Kalluvazhichitta”, the most popular school of ‘Kathakali’ had its origin in Palakkad district and its exponent was late Sri Vazhenkada Kunju Nair. The musical tradition of Palakkad district is unchallenged. The district has been blessed with the birth of the late Sri Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the exponent of Carnatic music and Sri Palakkad Mani Iyer, the inimitable maestro of mridangam. Sri C. Sankaran Nair also belongs to Mankara, a place in this district.

How to reach?

Tourist Attraction of Palakkad Districts

Palakkad Fort
Palakkad Travel GuidePalakkad 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.

Fantasy Park
(1400 - 2100 hrs on week days and 1100 - 2100 hrs on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays). Ph: 815122 815124 Entrance fee: Adults Rs. 20 Children Rs. 10. Separate charges for rides and computer games. Block tickets: Adults Rs. 80 Children Rs. 60

Thrithala
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 Kuttanad road. This is also the native place of renowned writer and social reformer VT Bhattathiripad.

Ottappalam
The town is known for its numerous places of worship and their colorful festivals. Durga Temple the Pooram at Chenakkathur the Nercha festival commemorating the Aulia.

Perambikulam
Its claim to fame is the wildlife sanctuary that provides asylum to a rare variety of wild animals. There are innumerable dams and reservoirs in Perambikulam. You can enjoy a casual boat cruise in the Perambikulam reservoir. Lodging facilities are offered in Thellikkal and Elanthode and a tree-house in Thoonakkadavu.

Dhoni
Your next stopover in Palakkad travel can very well be this reserve forest. This forest exudes an enchanting beauty and the sight of the gorgeous cascading waterfall is simply breathtaking. Dhoni is also renowned for its farm house that nurtures hundreds of cattle of the Swiss variety.

Thiruvalathoor
The ancient temple here has some fine wood work and stone sculptures.

Melampuzha
Popularly referred to as the Vrindavan of Kerala, this place is the perfect example of the beauty and grace that is manifest when the loftiness of the mountains blends harmoniously with the tranquility of the rivers. The verdant fields, the beds of flowers, the sparkling pools and the fountains enhance the appeal of the place. The fresh water aquarium, the snake park and the Children's park are the additional draws.

Lakkidi
Killikkurissimangalam at Lakkidi is the birthplace of Kunchan Nambiar, the 18th century satirist and exponent of the Tullal (classical art form). The State Government has preserved the poet's house as a monument.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
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.

Kollengode:
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.

Pothundy
Situated on the way to Nelliampathy, the Pothundy Reservoir Complex is a charming location for picnics and half-day trips.

Kottayi
This tiny village is the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Carnatic music.

Silent Valley
Recently recognized as a national park, the silent Valley is the only remaining patch of evergreen forest in the Sahya Ranges. The Silent Valley spans an area of nine thousand hectares. One striking feature of the Valley is the presence of the massive wild tree of the Kattuaiying variety that is hollow from within and can fit approximately twelve people in it.

Meenkara
This picnic spot is the site of a dam across the river Gayathri that flows into the Bharathapuzha.

Siruvani
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.

Malampuzha Garden
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.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Palakkad Districts:

Hotel KRResidency
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Hotel Hariharaputhra Vilas
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Fort Palace Hotel
West Fort Rd, Fort Palakkad, - 678001

Aramana Hotel
Rs Rd, Ottapalam Palakkad, - 679101

Kapilavasthu Hotel
Ss Towers, Nr Ksrtc Bus Stand, Palakkad City, - 678014

Chanakya Hotel
Armugam Gardens, Cbe Rd,
Chandra Nagar Palakkad, - 678007

Hotel Ashok Bhavan
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Hotel Green Park
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Hotel Kapliavastu
Melamuri Pudur Kottayi Road, Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Fort Palace Hotel
West Fort Road, Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala 0491 2534621

Hotel Indraprastha
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Hotel Rajdhani
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Hotel Aryas
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Gazala Hotel
Nr Head Post Office, Fort Palakkad, - 678001

Soorya City Hotel
Sudevan Rd, Sultanpet Palakkad, - 678001

Hotel Noorjahan
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala

Srichakra International
No.7/603,Krishna Garden, Chandra Nagar Palakkad, - 678007

Indraprastha Hotel
English Church Rd, - 678001

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