Palakkad
HISTORYThe history of Palakkad is very ancient and dating back to Paleolithic period , as several megalithic relies were found in this region.
Palakkad had witnessed many invasions of great importance in the part learning indelible impressions on its history. One of the earliest records indicate that Palakkad had a chronicle of a war victory in ad 988 , when its king nedudayavar foiled the invasion made by the forces of the king of Kongunadu at Chittur. Even today, a festival is conducted to commemorate the victory at Chittur. The Nedumpurayur royal family was later known as Tarur Swaroopam and finally as Palakkad Raja Swaroopam.
The remanants of the fort of Hyder Ali point out invations of mysore and the advent of the British . In 1757 , the raja of Palakkad sought the help of Hyder Ali of Mysore when the zamorini of Calicut had invaded. The Hyder Ali came to the rescue of Raja of Palakkad and treed all parts of the district which were seized by the forces of Zamorin .Eventually, Hyder Ali helped himself to Palakkad. Later his son Tippu Sulthan became the undisputed ruler of the Region . But following his subsequent defeat at the hands of the British , Tipu Sulthan added his Malabar territories to them by a treaty with the East India Company in 1872 , after that Palakkad became the part of Malabar district of the Madras Presidency.
According to William Logan, the author of ‘Malabar Manual’ , Pallava dynasty of kanji might have invaded Malabar in the second and third century . Because one of their headquarters then was palakadu the present day Palakkad . Malabar was also 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 respective territories. When the rule of the Perumals came to an end , the country was divided among these chief tams . The valluvakonnathiri (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.
History
TOPOGRAPHY The name ‘Palakkad ‘is derived from the Malayalam words ‘Pala’ (Alsteria scholaris) and, ‘kadu’(forest). Which goes to say that this place was once a forest area with pala trees , flowers of which are beautiful and sweet seented.
The district is founded by Malappuram District in the North and North west , Thrissur in the south and Coimbathore district of Tamilnadu in the east .It has between North latitude 100 46’and 100 59 and east longlude 760 28’and 760 39’ .
Palakad occupies an area of 4,480 sq. km. and is called the land of paddy fields Palmyra’s situated above sea level. It is also known as the granary of Kerala and as a land of valleys ,hillocks , rivers , forests , mountain streams, peaks , dams and irrigation projects.
Palakkad District is almost located at the centre of the state and without coastal line . The District at the foot of the western Ghats and being the gateway to Kerala from the worth because District opens the state to the rest of the country only through the Palakkad gap .This 32 to 42 km. wide gap in the 960 km. long western Ghats is a unique natural phenomenon. Perhaps this has become as the most influential factor the unique characteristic of the District in --------- to climate , commercial and cultural exchanges between the state and the rest of the country.
Important Tourist Attractions
Palakkad Fort
Palakkad Fort built of Granite by Mysore’s Haider Ali in 1766, is one of the best preserved forts in Kerala. It is situated in the heart of Palakkad Town. This fort is also known as Tipus fort. It was supportably built to hasten communication between Coimbatore and the west coast. In 1784 AD, the British colonel . Fullerton stormed into this fort after a siege lasting eleven days. It late fell into the hands of the zamorins troops. But it was recaptured by the British in 1790 AD . Martyrs column , open air auditorium called “Rappadi” are located in the spacious grounds of the fort .
There is also a childrens park close to the fort.
Attapaddy
Attappady is located 40 kms. away from Palakkad.It is on the northern side of the district of Palakkad and spread over an area of 827 sq. kms. The place has largest tribal settlement and consist mainly of the hilly high land terrain and ted by the tributaries of the river Cauvery. On an intensive mountains valley above the Forest of the Western Ghats rouges with numerous rivulets of the Bhavani River , Attappady is inhabited mainly by tribal people and some sellters from nearly Tamilnadu .
Attappady is beautifully Landscaped with mountains, rivers and forest as the place is the habitat of many tribes like the ‘Irolas’ and ‘Hudugars’ Anthropologists have special interest in Attappady.
The malleswaram peak here is her shipped for a gigantic ‘Sivalinga’ . The tribal’s celebrate the festival of Sivarathri with great fest and fervor every year by high ting up the top of the mountain peak.
The place ha important tourist attractions in the mountain valley like the like the silent natural park, siruvani drinking water Reservoir etc… The PWD the ha built a Rest house here and there are also a few private hotels at Agali offering accommodation to tourists..
Dhoni
Dhoni hill is situated in a reserve forest area and 15 kms. away from Palakkad . the hill top is reachable by three hours trekking from its base the trekkers undertaking the long climb can avail of a rare opportunity explore hits hilly terrains and imbibe. The fascinating beauty of the surrounding lushgreenery. The place has asplendid waterfalls cascaras down the sloppy hill. There is also a famous farm house here, where hundreds of cattle swiss varieties are reared. Mangalam Dam
This Dam, 48 kms away from Palakkad, is constructed on the river cherukunnapuzha, a tributary of the river mangalam.
The mangalam dam is located south of palakkad town and known as a popular picnic spot, attracting the tourists in large number. The construction of this dam was completed in the year 1956 located on the Alathur- Vadakkanchery highway , the reservoir fringes on the forest area are teeming with wild life. One can see wild animals like deer’s, elephant and also enchanting parks, beauty full lawrs and statues in area.
The mangalam dam is located south of palakkad town and known as a popular picnic spot, attracting the tourists in large number. The construction of this dam was completed in the year 1956 located on the Alathur- Vadakkanchery highway , the reservoir fringes on the forest area are teeming with wild life. One can see wild animals like deer’s, elephant and also enchanting parks, beauty full lawrs and statues in area.
Naelliyampathy
Nelliyampathy is 75kms away from Palakkad and this hill ranges is located at a height ranging from 467 meters to the tallest peak padagiri standing at a height of 1572 meters this place is reachable by road and it will take about 2.30hrs to reach Nelliyampathy from Palakkad , one has to negotiate over a dozen hairpin curves on the chat road through the jungles of the Sahya Ranges so the road journey from Palakkad to Nelliyapathy negotiating curve after curve through the jungles is itself a memorable experience to linger in the maid of a tourist.The forest ranges of Nelliapathy have teak trees of extra ordinary height and girth. The lovely and cool hills of Nelliampathy nestling a top the Western Ghats , which are located at a distance of 52 kms. away from Palakkad , offer a breathtaking view of the misty mountains and enchanting valleys. The ranger are also interspersed with sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom and Orange Plantations.
Pattambi Nercha
It is a mosque situated at a distance of 61 kms. away from Palakkad. The animal festival of pattambi mosque is celebrated in the tourist week of February. About 70 to 80 tuskers are levied up for this festival.
Celebration Trends And Rituls
This is a popular held in the memory of Aloor valiya Pookunjkoya Thangal a Muslim saint of south Malabar.
On the occasion of this festival, the town is illuminated brilliantly and a pageout replete with traditional musical ensemble like ‘Panchavadhyam’ and ‘Thayambaka’ is taken out in the night. Various art forms are also held on the banks of the river Barathapuzha.
On the occasion of this festival, the town is illuminated brilliantly and a pageout replete with traditional musical ensemble like ‘Panchavadhyam’ and ‘Thayambaka’ is taken out in the night. Various art forms are also held on the banks of the river Barathapuzha.
Silent Valley National Park
Silent valley National Park is situated 40kms away from Mannarkad in palakkad district . 90sq kms area falling under this park is considered to the first batch of ever green forest in the state. The forest at silent valley is also credited as being the major cause of summer rains in the state. The kunthi river flows through a vest area of this park. This park is also known for its abundant wild life and a are collection of exotic species of trees and plants. The visitors can spot great Indian hornbill, the nilgiri laughing thrush and the lion tailed macaque etc. in this part. Over 100 species of butterflies and 400 species of moths in inclusive Ceylon frog moth have been identified to inhabit here in addition , this park is also home to about 26 species of mammals 120 species of avifauna and many of which are in the endangered category . A wide collection of reptiles can also be spotted here viz as many as 11 species of snakes , 19 species of amphibians and 9 species of various lizards etc. Also there are over 110 species of plants having medicinal values .
This park was declared as national park in 1980.
Thrithala
Thrithala , 75 kms away from Palakkad is located along the river tanks of Bharatapuzha. It is a place of historical monuments and ruins.
Thrithala is famed for its shiva temple . The Shiva temple and the ruins of a mud fort near Thrithala on the challissery road are known as important cultural monuments. The small granite structure built probably in the 9th or the 10th century indisputably remains as a living testimony of the Bhuddhist influence . The place has ruins of a large fort with a deep moat hewn from late rite and the kottil madam temple , a domed structure of granite slabs on the Pattambi – Guruvayoor road are the most preferred tourist attractions.
The Paakkanar Memorial in honour of the Pariah saint , is situated near thrithala – kootanad road . This place is also known for the renowned writer and social reformer V.T.Bhattathiripad .
Thrithala is famed for its shiva temple . The Shiva temple and the ruins of a mud fort near Thrithala on the challissery road are known as important cultural monuments. The small granite structure built probably in the 9th or the 10th century indisputably remains as a living testimony of the Bhuddhist influence . The place has ruins of a large fort with a deep moat hewn from late rite and the kottil madam temple , a domed structure of granite slabs on the Pattambi – Guruvayoor road are the most preferred tourist attractions.
The Paakkanar Memorial in honour of the Pariah saint , is situated near thrithala – kootanad road . This place is also known for the renowned writer and social reformer V.T.Bhattathiripad .
Jain Temple
This is a 2000 old Jain temple situated at jain medu and considered as the remand of what was once a thriving community of diamond traders . Four hundred Jain families had lived here with 24 wells and each was dedicated to a tirtanker . They lived here till Tippu Sulthan invaded the place and drove them all to Wayanad. However descendants of one of the family became the keepers of its magnificent history.
Malampuzha Dam
Malampuzha Dam is the largest reservoir in Kerala. It is located near palakkad and surrounded by the picturesque hills of the Western Ghats in the background. This Dam is a combination of both masonry and carthern works. While the masonry dam has a length of 1849 meters, the cathern dam has only a length of 220 meters. As this dam was constivated across Malampuzha River at a height of 6066 ft., it is called as Malampuzha dam. Malampuzha river is the tributary of Bharathappuzha, the second largest river Malampuzha has an extensive net work of tur canal systems, which serve its reservoir of 42090 hectares. The project work of this dam was taken up in 1949 and completed in1955. The total catchment area of the dam is stands at 145 sq. kilometers. However the Reservoir has a capacity for 8000 meters of water while the canal systems serve to irrigate farm land, the Reservoir help to provide drinking water to Palakkad and its surrounding villages.
Kanjirappuzha
This is a beautiful lake in the catchment area of the dam and lying in a single stretch surrounded by the lofty hillocks, the lake’s outlook is made further enchanting by an ever green forest called ‘vettilachola’ in its background.
Kottayi
Kottayil is a small village under Alathur Thaluk in Palakkad district of Kerala state. This village, 15 kms. away from Palakkad town, is well connected by road network.
There is a small village called Chembai near kollayil. It is this small village where Vaidyahatha Bhagavatar, the great Indian classical Carnatic music singer was born in 1895. He was known as Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, Mr. K.J.Yesudas, the great Indian playback singer is one of the disciples of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar. Chembai Parthasarathy Ekadasi music festival is held in Kottayi every year in Feb-March, in memory of late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar. His disciple Mr. K.J.Yesudas attends this music festival every year.
There is a small village called Chembai near kollayil. It is this small village where Vaidyahatha Bhagavatar, the great Indian classical Carnatic music singer was born in 1895. He was known as Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, Mr. K.J.Yesudas, the great Indian playback singer is one of the disciples of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar. Chembai Parthasarathy Ekadasi music festival is held in Kottayi every year in Feb-March, in memory of late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar. His disciple Mr. K.J.Yesudas attends this music festival every year.
Seetharkundu
Seetharkund is a small place at Nelliampathi in Palakkad District, Kerala State. The place offers a magnificientview of the valley below. Other major tourist attraction of this place is a 1000 meter high waterfall.
It is believed that Rama, Lakshmana and site of the famous Hindu Epic Ramayana once lived in this place. There is a small stream here and from which it is believed that Sita used to take water to offer worship. Seetharkundu got its name from the legend that Sita Devi, during the vanavasa with Rama, took a bath here.
This place also offers at distance great view of the dams at Chilliyar and Meenkara and also the town of Kollengode.
It is believed that Rama, Lakshmana and site of the famous Hindu Epic Ramayana once lived in this place. There is a small stream here and from which it is believed that Sita used to take water to offer worship. Seetharkundu got its name from the legend that Sita Devi, during the vanavasa with Rama, took a bath here.
This place also offers at distance great view of the dams at Chilliyar and Meenkara and also the town of Kollengode.
Chulannur National Bird Sanctury
This is the tourist national bird sanctuary (peacock bird sanctuary) located in Chulannur in the Alathur forest range, 25 kms. away from palakkad. This sanctuary is spread over an area of 485 hectares of vested forest in the villages of Peringottukurissi, Chulannur and Thenur in Palakkad district and the Thiruvilwamala villagein Thrissur.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctury
Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary is 97 kms. away from Palakkad. This wild life sanctuary is a Reservoir of tramquit greenery in the valley between the Ana malai, ranges of Tamilnadu and Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala on the Western Ghats. It has been surrounded on all sides by protected areas sanctuaries of Kerala and Tamilnadu. This wildlife sanctuary occupies a total area of 285 sq. kms. and stands out as one of the most ideal and natural habitat of flora and fauna. There 39 species of Mammals, 16 species of Amphibians, 268 species of birds, 61 species of reptiles, 1049species of insects and 124 species of butterflies. This sanctuary is also known for the largest collection of animals like the Nilagiri Tahr, the sloth bear, the Nilgiri Marten, the sambar and the flying squirrel etc.J P Smirthivanam & Deer Park
The J P Smirthivanam and the Deer Park are located at Walayar Reserve forest spread across an area of 100 acres, and 22kms. journey from Palakkad town. This place is a natural habitat for deer and a variety of other animals. This place also offers facilities to the tourists for elephant riding. 
