Palakkad, a small town in central Kerala, is known for its gorgeous terrain, quiet breathtaking views, and pristine backwaters. Palakkad, also called as Palghat, is a town in the Western Ghats mountain ranges situated on a wide low valley. Palakkad is known as Kerala's primary granary and is known for its palmyras and paddy farms.

Palakkad is named from the pala trees that historically inhabited the region. This is the territory that connects Kerala and Tamil Nadu, possibly culturally as well, because the language spoken in the villages here is Tamil, as opposed to Malayalam in the entire state.

Palakkad is noted for the relics of Tipu Sulthan's Fort, four reservoirs, and Fantasy Park, one of Kerala's original amusement parks. The Palakkad Fort, Silent Valley National Park, Jain Temple, Dhoni waterfalls, Pothundy Dam, and Walayar Dam are some of the additional attractions in the vicinity.

A Site that Dates Back to the Palaeolithic Period

Palakkad is supposed to have derived its name from the "pala trees" and "kadu" (forest) that once inhabited the region. With palmyrahs and rice fields, it is known as the "gateway to Kerala '' from the north. Due to the unearthing of relics and old finds, the history goes back to the Palaeolithic age. It was controlled by a number of monarchs, including the Pallavas of Kanchi, Perumals, Utayavars, Haider Ali, and Tipu Sultan, before falling under the Madras Presidency's authority.

Palakkad Cuisine will Have You Licking Your Bowl Clean

Palakkad cuisine, while largely the same as the rest of the state's cuisine, has significant traces of the Brahmins that reside here, who have developed a distinct eating culture for themselves. White rice with curries like Kootan, Kootu, Poduthuval, and other staples are cooked using vapour. Along with these, the popular Rasam, Papad, and Payasam are offered. While here, don't forget to try the Jackfruit Halwa, popularly known as Chakka Halwa.

Time to Shop! 

There are several touristy shopping alternatives in Palakkad. Valiya Angadi, or Big Bazaar, is the focal point, where you may buy classic Kerala souvenirs such as peacock feather vilakkus (lamps), bells, nillavilakkus (floor-lamps), wall-hangings, utensils, and jewellery. Palakkad has a diverse choice of jewellery options and is home to Kerala's second-largest number of jewellery stores.

Condition of 'Granary of Kerala' in Present Days 

Palakkad's verdant paddy fields are deteriorating at an astonishing speed, despite the fact that it is still renowned as Kerala's traditional rice bowl. Palakkad produces the majority of Kerala's paddy, although its cultivation is rapidly reducing, partly due to farmers switching to more lucrative crops and partly due to changing land use patterns.

Things to do at Palakkad 

• Make Friends With Exotic Animals: Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is the first Reserve to systematically handle teak plantations, containing the world's largest and smallest teak trees, with different terrains ranging from 300 to 1438 metres above sea level. This Sanctuary is one of those ecological parks that has decided to step forward to save the threatened species of tigers in the country. It is residence to tigers, leopards, elephants, and crocodiles.
• Observe The Spectacular Flora & Fauna: Silent Valley National Park lives up to its name with its calm surroundings, quiet mood, verdant fields, and unspoilt nature. The National Park is associated with important events from the Mahabharat, one of the most renowned Hindu epics. Silent Valley echoes sound and makes you feel things you could never fathom. Touring this National Park, which is home to tigers, gigantic squirrels, leopards, elephants, lakes, snakes, and other intriguing animals, is one of the most exciting things to do in Palakkad.
• Cherish Your Inner Child: One of the most popular things to do in Palakkad during the summer season is to attend Fantasy Park, which provides a terrific way to escape the heat of the sun. This theme park not only has some of the most thrilling water rides, but it also has some of the most thrilling adventure rides that are suitable for all ages of visitors. When visiting South, this park is ideal for a family outing.
• Take In The Reservoir's Natural Beauty: Malampuzha Dam is a unique site with fantastic vistas of the water body encircled by lush Western Ghats greenery. The different trekking paths that climb to the peak of the hills through the jungles of towering trees attract a large number of adventure enthusiasts to this dam. It includes thousands of interesting features for visitors to see, such as an introduction garden, a toy train, an aquarium, and so much more.
• Applaud The Nature's Gift: Meenvallam Waterfalls, with its pure white cascading down the rough cliffs, is nothing short of a magnificent heaven on earth. This hidden gem is located 8 kilometres from Thuppanad Junction, deep within the forest, snuggled among the lofty hills. Traveling to these falls is an excellent choice for individuals looking to get closer to ecology.
• Absorb The Tranquility's Aura: The trails leading to the Nelliyampathy hills provide astonishing views of the Palakkad region, as well as lush green stretches of paddy fields that take one's breath away. The Pothundy Dam, which is located in the foothills, allows visitors to take a boat trip and enjoy the scenery. Nelliyampathy Hills also offers breathtaking views of the Palakkad Gap, which stretches across sections of Tamil Nadu.

Places to visit

• Palakkad Fort: The Palakkad fort, also known as Tipu's fort, is one of the most ancient and significant tourist attractions in Palakkad. Devote a day with your family enjoying a picnic in the fort's expansive green grounds and admiring the complex's many monuments. Alternatively, go for a morning or evening walk along the fort's moat-lined running track.
• Vadakkanthara Temple: The Sree Vadakkanthara Bhagavathy Temple is one of Palakkad's most respected temples, drawing people from all over the state. The temple is centered on the Kannagi tale, and every three years, a significant celebration called 'Vela' is held here. It's one of the best sites to see Hindu ceremonies and festivals in Palakkad.
• Jain Temple: The granite exterior of the Jain Temple at Jainimedu, which is almost 500 years old, are 32 feet long and 20 feet broad. The portraits of Jain Tirthankaras and Yakshinis are ensconced in this ancient temple on the southern bank of River Kalpathy. The temple has a religious and austere atmosphere that attracts a huge number of devotees.
• Dhoni Waterfall: Dhoni is a small village in Palakkad recognised for its natural resources. Visiting these falls is certainly one of Palakkad's most wonderful experiences. The Dhoni waterfalls and the forest, when coupled, provide a welcome respite from Palakkad's heat and humidity.
• Ottapalam: Ottapalam is a picturesque tiny town on the banks of the Bharatpuzha River. This location is home to a significant number of palm trees and is endowed with a treasure of pristine natural beauty. Ottapalam is mentioned frequently in ancient history since it was the scene of major cultural occasions during the rule of the Calicut Zamorins.
• Seethargundu Viewpoint: Seethargundu Viewpoint is a well-known landmark in the area. It is perched on a rock and provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding area, making it ideal for nature enthusiasts and photographers. Monkeys as well as other wild animals live in the dense trees all surrounding the point, which can be spotted if one is lucky.

What is the best way to get here?

• By Air: Coimbatore International Airport, about an hour away from Palakkad, is the closest international airport. Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin, Bangkok, Pune, Sharjah, Singapore, and Ahmedabad are among the cities served by Coimbatore Airport.
• By Train: Palakkad features two railway stations: the broad gauge Palakkad Junction and the narrow gauge Palakkad Town Railway Station. Palakkad junction connects the cities and towns of Coimbatore, Salem, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Erode, Mangalore, Kozhikode, and Ernakulam, whereas Palakkad Town Railway station connects Dindigul, Pollachi, and Madurai.
• By Road: In and out of Palakkad, road transportation is the most established mode of transportation. It has good road connections to other major cities in Kerala and neighbouring states. The next significant city is Coimbatore, which is well accessible by buses run by the Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments.