Destination Kerala - Palghat (Palakkad)
Palghat lies at the foot of the gigantic western ghats, on the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu. It is situated 80 Km. north east of Trichur and 50 Km. south west of Coimbatore. This district is described as the granery of the state of Kerala. This district with mountains, forests and fertile valleys; rivers and mountain streams are rich in flora and fauna. There are many dams and irrigation projects such as Walayar, Malampuzha, Pothundy, Parambikulam, etc., in Palghat.
Transport
Air : The nearest airport is Coimbatore, 55 Km. away from Palghat.
Rail : there are two railway stations here. The main one is the Palghat junction, situated 5 Km. away from the city and other at the town.
Road : Palghat is connected by good motorable roads with major centres of Kerala and Tamilnadu.
Thiruvalluvar Transport Corporation of Government of Tamilnadu is also operating several buses to various centres in Tamilnadu from the K.S.R.T.C. bus station.
There are buses to Mannarghat, Calicut, Pollachi and Palani from the Muncipal bus stand. Buses to Guruvayoor, Trichur, Malampuzha and other places are operated from Town bus stand.
Post & Telegraph and Banks
The head post office and the telegraph office are situated at Sultanpet. Post office functions on all days between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. except Sundays and public holidays. The telegraphic office functions on week days between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and on holidays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Banking facilities for foreign nationals are available at State Bank of India, English Church road, near hotel Indraprastha.
Tourist Office
The District Tourism Promotion Council, Palghat operates an information counter near Childrens Park (Ph. 538996)
Travel Agents : Jet Travels ( Ph: 535048), Akbar Travels (Ph: 537676)
Places of Interest
Fort : The Tipu's fort which dates back to 1766 A.D. is situated in the very heart of the town and is one of the best preserved forts in Kerala. It has a great historical importance. It was constructed by Hyder Ali of Mysore. In 1790 the fort was taken over and renovated by the British. Now this fort is protected by the Archeiological Survey of India.
Temples of Palghat : There are many temples in Palghat and the most important is the Kalpathi temple dedicated to Lord Siva. The Rathotsavam or car festival held in November evey year in this temple is the biggest festival of Palghat. The inscription on a stone to the east of the temple records that it was built in A.D. 1425.
There is an ancient temple at Jainamedu on the western border of Palghat and is one of the very few jain temples in Kerala. Inchanna Satur, a Guru of the Jains built
this temple about 500 years ago in the name of Jain sage Chandranataswami.
Thrithala : It is situated 75 Km. away from Palghat along the banks of the river Bharathapuzha. A temple of Siva and the ruins of mud fire near Thrithala-Chalissery road are notable cultural monuments. The Kattilmadam temple on the Pattambi-Guruvayoor road has great archeological significance. The small granite structure built probably druing the 9th or 10th century A.D. is a testimony of Buddhist influence. It marks the transaction from the Chola to Pandya style of architecture.
Parambikulam wild life Sanctuary : This sanctuary is situated 97 Km away from Palghat. (Refer to the chapter wild life sanctuaries of Kerala for more details)
Nelliampathi : Nelliampathi lies 75 Km. away from Palghat. The high ranges here consist of a chain of ridges cut of from one another by valleys. The highest peak in the range is Nellikotta. The forest of this range contains very valuable teak of extra ordinary height and girth. The estates of tea, coffee, orange and cardamom here are of great scenic beauty. There is a dam and park at Pothundi about 17 Km. away from Nelliampathy.The District Tourism Promotion Council has a resort at Nelliampathy ( Ph:0492-346357). Reservation can also be made at DTPC, Palghat (Ph : 0491-538996).
There are six buses from Palghat to Nelliampathy and it takes 3 hours for the 75 Km. trip.
Attappadi : It is an extensive mountain valley nestled in the ghat ranges. The numerous rivulets winding in and out of the many hills drain to the Bhavani river. The population of the valley is mostly tribal, with a small section of settlers from Tamilnadu.
Attappadi is situated 38 Km. away from Mannarghat. There are frequent buses to Anakkatti in Attappadi from Mannarghat. Accommodation is available at Mannarghat. There is a P. W. D. Rest House and A.V.I.P. Guest House at Agali, which is the nearest main centre in Attappadi. The Sivarathri festival is celebrated at the Malleeswaram temple by the tribals during the month of February/March.
Killikkurissimangalam : "Killikkurissimangalam" in Lakkadi is a place where Kunjan Nambair, the Progenitor of Ottam Thullal was born. A training institute is functioning here to promote this unique art form.
Kanjirapuzha and Siruvani Dams : Kanjirapuzha dam is situated 13 Km. away from Mannarghat. Siruvani is situated 80 Km. away from Palghat. The dam is constructed across the river Siruvani and the park is a good picnic spot. There are buses from Mannarghat to the dam site.
Malampuzha
Malampuzha is a beautiful picnic spot on the lower hills of the western ghats and is situated 12 Km. away from Palghat. There is a dam and a beautiful garden here. There are frequent buses to this place from Palghat.
Gardens : There are lush green lawns, innumerable flower beds, glittering pools, fountains and avenues. There is a rose garden with about a hundred varieties of roses. The dams and gardens are illuminated on Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays from 7pm to 8pm. On other days they are illuminated on request for a fee. A beautiful Rock Garden is constructed inside the Malampuzha garden. An Arial Ropeway running across the garden is also provided.
Reservoir : The reservoir is ideal for boating and fishing. The garden house offers water sports facilities where pedal boats, row boats, water scooter and motor boats can be hired from 10am. to 6pm.
There is a fine swimming pool with modern amenities (Tuesday holiday). Near the dam there is a fresh water aquarium (12 noon to 8pm. & 1pm. to 9pm on holidays), a snake park ( 8am to 6 pm) and a children’s park.
The passenger ropeway, the first of its kind in South India, offers adventurous and delightfull air journey of 20 mts. accross the gardens (10 am.to 1 pm. & 2.30 pm. to 8pm.). There is a road Train for amusement ride on wheels, in the vast expanse of the Malampuzha gardens and its vicinity (8am to 8pm.). There is a Telescopic tower (10am to 5 pm.) in the garden providing a terrestrial view upto 40 miles.
Fantasy Park (Ph. 815122, 815124) : This amusement park is open from 2pm to 9pm on week days and from 11am to 9pm on all days. The Rock Garden is open from 10am to 6pm.
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