Palakkad
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Palakkad is the land of palm trees and paddy fields. It is the Chief granary of Kerala. It is also often called the Gateway of Kerala. Palakkad lies at the foot of the gigantic Western Ghats, on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It has mountains, forests and fertile valleys, rivers and mountain streams. Palakkad is known for its historical background and the remnants of Tippu Sulthan’s Fort are still maintained. It is said that Palakkad is derived from the words Pala and Kadu. Pala (Alstonia scholaris) is a tree with sweet scented flowers and Kadu meaning forest, which goes to prove that this place was once a beautiful stretch of forests covered with the sweet scented flowers of the pala tree.

Places to Visit

Malampuzha

Malampuzha is a famous picnic spot 12 kms from Palakkad. It has a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens and is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. There are rock garden, aerial ropeway across the garden, telescope tower, boating and fishing facilities, swimming pool, fresh water aquarium and Snake Park available here. Malampuzha takes its name from the river Malampuzha which is the tributary of Kerala's longest river, the Bharathappuzha.

Nelliampathy

Nelliampathy is a forest range situated 75 km from Palakkad. The Nelliyampathy hills comprise a chain of ridges cut off from one another by valleys of dense evergreen forests and orange plantations. The height of the hills ranges from 467 mts to the tallest peak Padagiri looming at 1572 ms. This hill country is a good trekking place. Nelliyampathy offers a fantastic view of the valley below, which is about one third of Palakkad. Seethakundu in Nelliyampathy has a 100m high waterfall which will is very attractive.

Parambikkulam

Parambikkulam is 130kms away from Palakkad. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary extends over an area of 285 sq kms. It has one of the largest populations of gaur (bison), sambar, spotted deer; jungle cat, lion-tailed macaque, common otter, sloth bear etc. A few tigers and leopards can also be found here. The oldest teak tree, Kannimari stands tall here. There are a few hill tribes who live here like Malayars, Kadas and Muthuvaans. There is boat cruising facility in the Parambikulam Reservoir.

Silent Valley National Park

Silent Valley National Park is about 40kms northwest of Mannarkad. Ecologists describe this area as the sole surviving bit of evergreen forests in the Sahya Ranges. This National Park covers 9000 hectares and is called Silent Valley. Vehicular transport is allowed only up to Mukkali and from there is a trek of 24 kms to reach the source of Kunthipuzha, which flows through the valley before merging into the Bharathapuzha or the 'Nila'. There is a huge tree there that is hollow within and can hide at least 12 people in it.