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Palakkad, my hometown lies at the foot of the Western Ghats. It was once a land with ever green tropical forests, rivers, rare birds and animals, historical monuments, and places of worship. Palakkad district was the “Granary of Kerala”, though its still

known as the same, it is no more the granary of Kerala.

Palakkad, also known as Palghat is a town and a municipality in the state of Kerala in south India. It is located near the Palghat Gap, a pass or natural depression in the Western Ghats. It would have got its name because of this ghat. Legend is that there existed a forest (kkad = forest in Malayalam) lot of “pala” trees in this ghat region from which the place got its name.

There are lots of tourist spots in this district of Kerala. This place is blessed with natural beauty and has a rich cultural tradition. You can see the various fairs and festivals held across the district.

In Palakkad town, you have an old granite fort which was built by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766. This fort is better known as Tipu's (Tipu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali) Fort. Malampuzha Gardens is the largest irrigation dam built on the river Bharathapuzha at the base of the hills of the Western Ghats. It is the Vrindavan of Kerala There is an aerial ropeway across the garden, a telescope tower, fresh water aquarium, boating and fishing facilities, concrete sculpture of Yakshi, swimming pool, children’s park, rock garden and snake park. Fantasy park, an amusement park is located near malampuzha gardens. Dhoni Hills is a trekking spot on the reserve forest area with waterfall and its fauna and flora. Jain Temple of Jainimedu situated close to the railway station is a historic Jain Temple. The area around the temple is known as Jainimedu. This is one of the few Jain temples in Kerala.

The SilentValley National Park, is situated in the north eastern side of Palakkad. River Kunthi descends from the Nilgiri hills above, and rushes down to the plains through a deep gorge. River Kunthi never turns brown, it is crystal clear. The Silent Valley National Park, is believed to be the sole surviving bit of evergreen tropical rainforest in the Sahya Ranges. It is a habitat of some rare species of plants , animals and birds. There is a huge wild tree of Kattualying variety which is hollow within and can hide at least 12 people in it.

Parambikulam wild life sanctuary is almost 110 kms away from Palakkad via. Pollachi. The oldest and highest teak tree “Kannimari Teak”is situated here. Three Dams exist on the hill top. The wild animals in the forest area are a sight to see.

Nelliampathy Hills which is about 80 kms from Palakkad is known as the Ooty of Kerala. An ideal spot for trekking. Seethargundu, at Nelliampathy offers a fantastic view of the valley below, a panoramic picture of Palakkad.The highest peak in the range is Nellikotta. Seethargundu got its name from the legend that Sita Devi, during the vanavasa period with Sri Rama, took a bath here.

The Punarjani Guha, a natural tunnel in the rocky cliff near the Thiruvilwamala Temple is a well known religious spot in Palakkad. It is believed that performing ‘noozhal’ -- crawling through the tunnel from one end to the other -- will wash away all of one’s sins and thus bring about rebirth. Only men are allowed to do the ‘noozhal’: women may only visit the cave. This ritual is practised on only one day per year, on Guruvayur Ekadashi.

There are so many other tourist centres are also here. Important of them are Sree Rama Temple and the Spring at Thenari, Myladumpara Choolannur peacock sanctuary, Loknayak J.P.Smrithi Vanam and Deer Park at Walayar, Shiruvani dam and Muthikulam hill in Sholayur Panchayath, the Kattilmadom Temple, Ruins of a mud fort near Chalissery, Attappady - a tribal abode and a mountain valley, Mennvallom where there are 10 steps of water falls, Kanjirapuzha Dam with an evergreen forest by name ‘Vettilachola’, Ottappalam the centre of political movements in South Malabar of the erstwhile Malabar province of Madras Presidency, Kottayi the native place of the Late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Carnatic music, Thunchan Gurumadom where Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, the father of Malayalam Language lived in the 16th Century, Kunchan Smarakom at Killikkurissimangalam, the Kollengode Vishnu Temple and the Poet P. Kunhiraman Nair Memorial are worth visiting.

Nemmara Vallengy Vela with lots of fireworks and the elephant pageants, Manappulli Kavu Vela , Kalpathy Ratholsavam (cart festival) , Kollengode Arattu, Chinakathoor Pooram, Chittur Konganpada, Aratt Festival in Kachanamkurichy Temple, Pattambi Nercha are some of the major festivals held across Palakkad by various communities. These are worth seeing.

Kanniyarkali, a folk dance held at Elavancherry, Kollengode; Pavakkoothu (shadow play) held at Payyalore, Kollengode, Cattle Race (Kala Poottu) and cattle cart race (Kalavandiyottam), traditional ayurvedic centres are other attractions of Palakkad.

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