Geographical hints: - The 32-40 Km Gap at the 960 Km long western ghat is causing the weather and the life style of the district. Through the gap known as 'Palakkad churam' the north east monsoon reaches Kerala. Kerala with other parts of India are connected through the gap. No seashore in the district. High ranges only.Rivers: Bharatapuzha, Kannadi, Kalpathy, Chittoor puzha, Bhavani, Siruvani, Gayathri and Thuthapuzha.Forest: 136,257 Hectare
Palghat or 'Palakkad' is the land of palmyras and paddy fields. Along with Kuttanadu, Palakkad is one of the chief granaries of Kerala. It is often called the Gateway of Kerala. Many rivers that flow into the Bharathapuzha originate from these mountains. In the past, this land was known as Palakkattusseri. Etymologists trace the word Palakkadu from Paalainilam, meaning dry area. Palakkad had a long history dating back to the Paleolithic period. A large number of megalithic relics have been discovered from here.
PALAKKAD FORT
Palakkad Fort, situated in the very heart of the town, is the most beautiful and the best preserved fort of Kerala. The sober silence of the granite walls reminds us of old tales of valour and courage. It was constructed in 1766 by Hyder Ali of Mysore. In 1790 the fort was taken over and remodified by the British. The fort is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
PARAMBIKULAM
The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, which is 130 kms away from Palakkad, extends over an area of 285 sq, Kms. It offers a scintillating sight of rare wild animals. There are quite a few hill tribes here like Malayars, Kadas and Muthuvaans.
Boat cruises can be arranged in the Parambikulam Reservoir. The rest house of State Forest Department at Thoonakadavu. Thellikkal and Elathode offer comfortable lodging facilities. Tree house in the Reserve forest area in Thoonakkadavu has to be booked in advance.
THRITHALA
A temple of Siva and the ruins of a mud for near Thrithala Chalissery Road are notable cultural monuments. The Kattilmadam temple on the Pattambi-Guruvayoor road has archaeological significance. The small granite structure is a testimony of Buddhist importance, built probably during the 9th or 10th century A.D. A memorial for Pakkanar the Pariah saint, stands near Thrithala Kootanad road.
Renowned writer and social worker V.T.Bhatathiripad was born here.
LAKKIDI
The Killikurissimangalam of Lakkidi near Ottapalam is renowned as the birth place of Kunchan Nambiar, the 18th century satirist and trendsetter in Tullal and its poetry. Nambiar's house is a protected monument of the State Government.
The Sri Rama Temple at Thiruvilwamala, though located in the neighbouring district, is just on the other side of the river
KOTTAYI
Kottayi is about 15 kms via Putur from Palakkad. The tiny village had become famous as the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Karnatic music.
NELLIYAMPATHY
The Nelliyampathy hills are extremely fascinating and offer an easy escape from the scorching summer of Palakkad. About 52 kms. South of Nenmara is this cool hill resort. The height of the hills ranges from 467 metres to 1572 metres.
You have to negotiate at least 10 hair-pin curves on the Ghat road passing though breath-taking evergreen forests of the Sahya Ranges. Pothundi Reservoir glints in the distance as a sapphire set amidst the green of the forests.
Nelliyampathy had immense trekking potential. At Kaikatty there is a community hall which could be used as a camping place for trekkers.
Seethakundu at Nelliyampathy offers a fantastic view of the valley below-a wide angled panoramic picture of about one third of Palakkad, as beautiful as the green Valleys of Kodaikkanal.
MALAMPUZHA
Malampuzha exudes the charm of harmony in nature, a perfect synchronization of the grandeur of the mountains blending with the music of the rivers. It is 10 kms. from Palakkad. The garden complex at Malampuzha draws the largest holiday and weekend crowds to Palakkad.
The children's park with a toy train, a miniature zoo and an aquarium housed inside a fish shaped building, await the pleasure and delight of children.
There is a swimming pool and facilities for boating in the canal and in the reservoir. A small garden in Japanese style, gives a touch of exotic charm to the landscape. So too does the hanging bridge across the canal. The only ropeway in south India is another attraction of Malampuzha garden. The ropeway is equipped with 64 chairs each with the capacity of two persons.
Other items of interest in the park is the imposing concrete sculpture of Yakshi, the divine enchantress, by the renowned sculptor, Kanai Kunhiraman.
JAIN TEMPLE OF JAINIMEDU
Situated on the western border of Palakkad town and not far from the Railway station, is a historic Jain Temple. The place around the temple is known as Jainimedu. This is one of the few places in Kerala where the vestiges of Jainism have survived without substantial damages.
The granite walls are devoid of decoration. The 32 feet long 20 feet broad temple consists of four divisions with images of Jain Thirthankaras and Yakshinis in three of them. Kumaran Asan wrote his monumental poem 'Veena Poovu' (the fallen flower) at a Jain house here during his brief stay with his master Sri. Narayana Guru.
ATTAPADY
Attappady is about 38 Kms. North east of Mannarkkad. Above everything else, one will be awestruck by the grandiloquence of the divine architect who created this loveliness of forests, rivers and mountains.
It is also a place of great interest to anthropologists as many Irulas and Mudugas inhabit here. These Adivasis worship the mountain peak 'Malleswaran' as a gigantic Siv-Ling. This peak and the River Bhavani exert tremendous influence on the lives of the tribal. There is a P.W.D. rest house and a VIP guest house at Agali. Besides these government houses, there are also a few private hotels.
'Sivarathri' is celebrated at the Malleswaran temple by the tribal.
SILENT VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Silent Valley is about 50 kms. North-west of Mannarkkad. Ecologists describes this area as the sole surviving bit of evergreen forest in the Sahya Ranges. This National Park covering about nine thousand hectares has been named Silent Valley due to its own peculiarity. These forests are devoid of the chirping of cicadas. Vehicular transport is usually allowed only upto Mukkali. From Mukkali you have to cover at least 24 Kms. on foot to reach the source of Kunthipuzha which flows through the valley before merging into the Bharathapuzha or the 'Nila'.
There is a huge wild tree of Kattuaiying variety. It is hollow within and can hide at least 12 people in it.
CHITTUR CARUMADAM
Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the author of Adhyatma Ramayana and the father figure of Malayalam poetry, spent his last days here. Situated in Tekkegrama near Anikkode on the Palakkad-Chittur Road is his memorial. A srichakra and few idols worshipped by him, the stylus, the wooden slippers and few old manuscripts are exhibited here.
The village is located on the banks of the river Sokanasini the destroyer of sorrows.
THENARI
A natural spring in front of the old Sree Rama Temple has made Thenari famous. The name itself is derived from the spring. Several legends are woven around this spring. It is believed that the water is as sacred as Ganga.
MYLADUMPARA
Well known as a grove abounding in peacocks, the name is perfectly justified. Myladumpara is 7 kms. From Kottayi. Its other but less popular name in Choolanoor.
DHONI
Dhoni a reserve forest area is about 15 kms. From Palakkad. This forest has among other captivating sights a small but splendid waterfall. The site can be reached after a fairly long climb of three hours from the base of the Dhoni hills
Meenkara Dam
32 Kms south east of Palakkad, Meenkara is a fascinating picnic spot by virtue of its dam, garden, fishponds and natural beauty. The dam is constructed across river Gayathri, which flows into the river Bharathapuzha.
Meenvallam
A Meenvallam waterfall is around 8kms from Thuppanad junction on the Palakkad- Manarkkad route. It is a combination of enchanting beauty and scenic splendor. The water falls from nearly 20 to 25 feet and the depth is around 15-20 feet. There are 10 steps of waterfalls of which eight are located in the upper hills inside the dense forest. They are inaccessible, only the remaining two steps are accessible. One has to hire a jeep from Koomankund junction and then trek a distance of 1.5 km by crossing the river Thuppanad.
Salt Sathyagraha
Payyannur was the main venue of the Salt Sathyagraha in Malabar.On 13th April , a batch of Congress volunteers under the leadership of K.elappan started on foot from Kozhikode to the beaches of Payyannurand broke the salt laws there on April 21.
Morazha Incident
The K.P.C.C. gave a call to the people of Malabar to observe 15th September , 1940 asAnti-Imperialist Day. The action was disapproved by the Congress High Command, but therewere meetings and demonstrations all over Malabar on this day. Kannur District was the centre of this agitation.
St. Angelo's Fort
This historical fort, built in 1505 AD by Sir Fancisco DeAlmeiyda, the first PortugueseViceroy of India,, is situated near the sea coast about 2 KM away from Kannur town. This fort has a legendary past. Having witnessed several wars for seizing thecontrol of the fort, the British flag flew over it finally in 1790.Now this fort is under the control of the Archaeological department. It attracts a large number of tourists.
Mopila Bay
Situated near the St.Angelos Fort, the Mopila bay has a historical background. Centuries ago, it was the seat of Kolathiri Kings. The Kadalayi Fort and Sree Krishna Temple were quite famous. The remnants of the fort and the temple are still seen in Mopila Bay. A ishing harbour, built with Indo Norvegian project assistance, is there in this bay. Boating in the sea, if the weather permits, will be an unforgettable experience. Ezhimala A place of historical importance Ezhimala ( Elimala) was the seat of Mooshika kings in the early periods. Ezhimala has found a place in the travelogues of Iban Bathutha and Marcopolo. Ezhimala is also considered to be a treasure chest of medicinal herbs, situated 286m, above sea level, it is a landmark to mariners, and is blessed with a long beautiful beach. The place is shortly going to find strategically importance in the Naval map of India. Ezhimala is situated 45 Km. north of Kannur.
Thalassery Fort
Thalassery Fort 20 Kms away from Kannur was built on 20th August 1708, on a small hill alled Thiruvallappad kunnu. This fort was a formidable stronghold in the past. Illikkunnu Malayalees cannot forget Herman Gundert and his contributions to the Malayalam Language. A German by birth Gundert resided at Illikkunnu Bungalow near Thalassery which was his workshop for 20 years from 1939 for his research activities.
Valapattanam
Famous for timber trade, Valapattanam, situated about 8 k.m north of Kannur has a pride of place in the world map for its wood based industries. Valapattanam was once considered third in the world for timber operations. Having to depend only on imports of logs, the place today wears a deserted look with Western India Plywoods being the only exception. Azhikkal port, an all weather medium port, is situated very near to Valapattnam.
Muzhappilangad beach
Muzhappilangad beach is situated about 5 k.m. North of Thalassery and 15 k.m. From Kannur. There is an unpaved road winding through coconut groves, leading to the beach. The beach is about 5 k.m. Long and curves in a wide area providing a good view of Kannur beach on the North. To the South and about 200 metres away from the beach there is a beautiful island called the "Green Island" which adds to the allure of the beach. Such a conjunction of beach and island is rare
Anjarakkandy
Anjarakandy 19 K.m. South east of Kannur, is famous for the Cinnamon estate located there, and the oil being extracted from it. The place has historical importance too as Pazhassi Raja and the British Army fought for the estate in 1903.
Gymnastic Centre
Thalassery is famous for having given birth to many famous circus artists. True to this tradition the first circus-training centre has now started functioning in Thalassery, known as the Gymnastic Centre, under the Sports Authority of India and Experts from India and abroad working in this centre. Mysorean conquest In 1725, the French captured Mayyazhi and renamed it as Mahein honour of the French captain Francois Mahe De Labourdonnais.The most important episode in the political history of north Kerala in the second half of the 18th century is the conquest of Mysore by Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan. Haidar Ali conquered Malabar in 1773.
Pazhassi Revolt
While the British were busy with the political settlement of the district, a serious revolt was headed by Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja of the Padinjare Kovilakom of the Kottayam family. |
