Prime
Attraction of Kerala
Palakkad,
which lies at the foot of the Western Ghats, the dreamy land of misty
monuments with its ever green tropical forests, dams, wild life sanctuaries,
rivers, rare birds and animals, historical monuments, places of worship and
traditional Ayurvedic treatment centres, has tremendous scope and immense
potential to become one of the best tourist destinations in the country. The
district is gifted with the beauty of virgin and verdant Nelliampathy hills,
the precious and unique Silent Valley National Park, the famous Parambikulam
Wildlife Sanctuary, Attappady hills and more than half a dozen dams like
Malampuzha, Mangalam, Pothundi, Kanjirapuzha, Siruvani and Parambikulam.
Nelliampathy. Nelliampathy
Hills are extremely fascinating and offer an easy escape from the soorching
summer of Palakkad. About 75 kms from Palakkad is this cool hill resort. The
height of the hills ranges from 467 metres to 1572 metres. It has immense
trekking potential. Seethargundu, at Nelliampathy offers a fantastic view of
the valley below, a wide angled panoramic picture of about one third of
Palakkad, beautiful and resembling the Green Valley of Kodaikanal. The total
area is about 82 sq.kms. The highest peak in the range is Nellikotta, also
called Padagiri. It is 1585.08 metres above sea level. The other major peaks
are Vellachimudi, Valiyavana, Mayanmudi and Vela Vanchan, each about 1200
metres high. The annual average rainfall in the area is 4.244 mm. The
temperature varies between 15’ C in December and 30C in April, the mean
temperature being 22’C. The Pothundi reservoir glints in the distance like
sapphire in a sea of emerald. The 1000 metre high waterfall is one of the
major attractions. Seethargundu got its name from the legend that Sita Devi,
during the vanavasa period with Sri Rama, took a bath here. During Deepavali,
a large number of devotees gather here.
Malampuzha.
Malampuzha Garden is the Vrindavan of Kerala. Malampuzha exudes the charm of
the harmony of nature a perfect synchronization of the grandeur of the
mountains blending with the serenely of rivers. It is 12 kms from Palakkad.
There are lush green lawns, Innumerable flower beds glittering pools,
fountains and avenues. There is a fresh water aquarium. A snake park and a
children’s park with a toy train, which await the pleasure and delight of
children. The reservoir is ideal for boating and fishing. The Garden House
has a unit of water ports. A small garden in the Japanese style gives a
touch of exotic charm to the landscape. So does the hanging bridge across
the river. Another items of interest in the part is the imposing concrete
sculpture of YAKSHI, done by the renowned Kanai Kunhiraman. The Passenger
ROPEWAY, the first of its kind in South India, offers adventurous and
delightful air journey of 20minutes across the gardens, giving a soul string
view of the gardens, the distant hills that kiss the heavens and the blue
strip of the reservoir. There is a ROAD TRAIN for amusement ride on wheels.
In the vast expanse of the Malampuzha Garden and its visity.. There is a
TELESCOPIC TOWER in the garden providing a terrestrial view upto 40 miles.
The first ROCKGARDEN emerged from the Master creator Padmashree Nek Chand of
Chandigarh, in South India is at Malampuzha. Modeled after Appu Ghar of
Delhi and Essel World of Bombay the first Amusement Park of Kerala named
FANTASY PARK is at Malampuzha. The Park has modern thrilling Rides over 8
acres plot landscaped beautifully with Garden and Fountains.
Pothundy Pothundy is 38 kms
south of Palakkad town. An irrigation project was commissioned here in 1968
with an estimated cost of Rs.234.25 lakhs, consisting of an earthen dam with
a spillway section across the tributaries of Ayalure River. Its 10 kms right
bank canal ad 8 kms left bank canal irrigate an area of 5465 hectares in
Chittur and Alathur Taluks. The project also provides water supply to
Nemmara and Ayalure Villages.
Ottappalam This was the centre
of political as well as tenant movements in South Malabar of the erstwhile
Malabar province of Madras Presidency. The festival at Chathan Kandar Kavu
is very famous one in Ottappalam. The legend goes that the temple was built
by the local Kanjoor Namboodiri family at a place where a scheduled caste
person called Chathan found a stone bleeding while he was sharpening his
knife on it. The deity of this temple is Durga. The annual festival is
Talapolli which is celebrated on Avitam day n Meenam. Nercha festival in the
Ottappalam mosque attracts the local Muslims in large numbers. It is said
that a saintly person by name Uthaman Auliya had lived and dies at this
place. An annual festival is held at this mosque on his death anniversary.
Silent Valley. The Silent
Valley National Park, with an area of 90 sq.kms, is situated in the north
eastern corner of the district. It rises abruptly to the Nilgiri Plateau in
the north and overlooks the plains of Mannarkkad in the south. The river
Kundhi descends from the Nilgiri hills above, a altitude of 2000 meters
traverses the entire length of the valleys and rushes down to the plains
through a deep gorge. River Kunthi never turns brown, it is crystal clear,
perennial and wild. The Silent Valley National Park, is probably one of the
most magnificent gift of nature to mankind, a unique preserve of tropical
rain forests in all its pristine glory with an almost unbroken ecological
history. Thanks largely to its difficult terrain and remoteness the extent
of degradation is minimum comparison with other sanctuaries. There is a huge
wild tree of Kattualying variety. It is hollow within and can hide at least
12 people in it.
Mangalam. Located 48 kms south
of Palakkad town, Mangalam is mainly occupied by settlers from other parts
of the State. Mangalam dam is located near the NH 47 about 14 kms. South of
Vadakkencherry village. The dam is constructed across Cherukunnapuzha a
tributary of Mangalam River. It is located in picturesque surroundings. The
reservoir fringes on the forest area where there are deer, wild elephants
and a variety of birds. There are beautiful parks and lawns adorned with
statues.
Siruvani. The Siruvani Project
is in Sholayur Panchayath. The dam constructed across the River Siruvani, is
for supplying drinking water to Coimbatore Corporation of Tamilnadu. The dam
is surrounded by reserve forests. The distance from Edakkurissi to Siruvani
Dam is 22 kms. The scenic beauty of Siruvani is simply enchanting.
Muthikulam hill is situated on the eastern side of the dam. There is a
natural water fall in the hill.
Meenkara. Meenkara Chulliar is
a fascinating spot by virtue of the dam, garden, fish ponds and natural
beauty. It is 32 kms.south east of Palakkad Town. This Dam is built in the
river Gayathri which flows into Bharathapuzha
Dhoni. Dhoni is a reserve
forest area , 15 kms from Palakkad town. The forest has among other
captivating signs, a small but spendid waterfall. The site can be reached
after a fairly long climb of 3 hours from the base of Dhoni Hills.
Parambikulam. Parambikulam
wild life sanctuary extends over an area of 280 sq.kms. It is 110 kms away
from Palakkad via. Pollachi. The oldest and highest teak tree “Kannimari
Teak” is situated here. Three Dams were constructed on the hill top. They
are Paruvarippallom,Thunakadavu, and Parambikulam. for the irrigation of
Pollachi Taluk of Tamilnadu and Chittur Taluk of Palakkad District. It is
the place which is famous for teak plantations. Boat cruises is provided in
the Parambikulam Reservoir. The Rest Houses of the State Forest Department
at Thunakadavu, Thellikkal and Elanthode and a tree house in Thoonakkadavu
offer lodging facilities. The Giant Kannimari Teak and the wild animals in
the forest area are a sight to dream of.
Kanjirapuzha.
Kanjirapuzha Dam is situated about 38 kms. from Palakkad. The water spread
of the dam lies in a single stretch. An evergreen forest, by name
‘Vettilachola’ is immediately beyond the reservoir which is surrounded by
hills and during rainy season, the mountain will be covered with mist. All
this makes the area extremely beautiful and picturesque. There are three
islands in the reservoir with plenty of fish (including commercial
varieties) grown by the Fisheries Department.
J.P.Smrithi Vanam. Loknayak
J.P.Smrithi Vanam and Deer Park is in an extent of 100 acres of reserve
forest at Walayar in the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu on the side of
N.H.47. Deers and other animals move freely in this park. Facilities for
elephant ride is provided. The distance from Palakkad town is 22 kms.
Mayiladumpara – Peacock
Sanctuary. Myladumpara Choolannur Peacock Sanctuary is 30 kms. away from
Palakkad. It is well known as a grove abounding in Peacocks.
Palakkad Fort. Palakkad Fort,
situated in the Palakkad Town, is the most beautiful and best preserved
forts in Karala. The sober silence of the granite wall reminds the old tales
of valour and courage. It was constructed in 1766 by Hyder Ali of Mysore and
his son Tippu Sulthan. In 1790 the fort was taken over and re-modified by
the British East India Company. The fort is protected by the Archeological
Survey of India. Martyr’s Column, Open Air Auditorium called “Rappadi” and
Tourism Information Centre of District Tourism Promotion Council are there
in the spacious Fort Maidan. The Children’s Part and ‘VATIKA’ are just on
the side of the Fort. The fort was situated in the middle of Palakkad Gap
with an area of 15 acres
Kottayi. It is 15 kms away
from Palakkad. Kottayi is the native place of the Late Chembai Vaidyanatha
Bhagavathar, the doyen of Karnatic Music.
Mennvallom. There are 10 steps
of Water falls at Meenvallom, the originating point of Thuppanadu River. The
height of the falls varies from5 to 45 metres. The distance from Palakkad is
37 kms.
Attappadi. Attappady is a
tribal abode. Irular, Mudugar and Kurumbar are the main tribal groups. They
live in forest in closely built huts called ‘Ooru’ (hamlets) Government have
constructed some concrete programmes to uplift the tribals. The Intensive
Tribal Development Project, Attappady implementing the tribal development
schemes.
Kunchan Smarakom. Kalakkathu
Kunchan Nambiar represents an age and its culture in the field of Malayalam
literature. He was the native of Killikkurissimangalam in Palakkad. Now, the
Kunchan Smarakom is a national monument and is being governed by a Committee
appointed by the Government. A three year course on Ottan Thullal,
Seethankan Thullal and Parayan Thullal was started with the help of artists
attached to this monuments. Every year May 5th is celebrated as Thunchan
Day. A library and an Auditorium are attached to this monuments
There are
so many other tourist centres are also here. Important of them are Sree Rama
Temple and the Spring at Thenari, the Kattilmadom Temple, Ruins of a mud
fort near Chalissery etc.
|
Prime Attraction
of Kerala
