Palakkad Tourism And Travel Guide

Palakkad garners popularity as one of the districts that facilitates entry into God’s Own Country for travelers from other parts of the country. This district exhibits an intoxicating cluster of wildlife and plant species. Along with these creatures and exotic herbs, the grasslands of the city are sure to make tourists feel comforted and rejuvenated. With nature parks that are situated among surreal hillocks and venerated shrines that free devotees of all their sins, Palakkad has its own unique way of luring in tourists with different desires.

Palakkad tourism radiates a refreshing mix of cultural blend. This cultural diversity is a product of the varied dynasties that have resided within Palakkad over the years. Some of these royal regimes include the Chera ancestry, the Zamorins of Calicut, and the British colonial powers. Let us walk through this small travel guide to understand these alluring features of Palakkad that win over its visitors' hearts.

By Air:

Although the Coimbatore Airport is not Palakkad’s own, it is the nearest airport to this city. This airport offers a decent network of flights that ply in and out of the city. It caters to international flights and domestic carriers as well. Placed at a distance of 49 km from Palakkad, several means of road commutation are available once tourists reach the Coimbatore Airport.

By Rail:

Palakkad experiences a great network of railway connectivity, with two railway lines flourishing within its territory. The Palakkad Junction station lies within the vicinity and provides for trains that make regular journeys through the broad gauge line. On the other side of the city lies the Palakkad Town station, which entertains trains that commute atop the narrow gauge line.

By Road:

Palakkad reaps the benefits of an ideal system of interconnected roadways. A splendid tracery of roadways lead up to Palakkad from other major towns of Kerala and South India. The KSRTC buses run by the state facilitate comfortable travel to Palakkad from other neighboring prime towns such as Kozhikode, Kochi, and Coimbatore.

The typical proximity of Kerala to the coastal belt means that Palakkad is rendered with a sweltering climate throughout its summers. Palakkad is one of the cities in Kerala though that is surrounded by land on all sides. This does not affect its beauty though, with winters and monsoons bringing in some refreshing foliage and scintillating landscapes. Temperature in the city constantly hovers between 22°C and 32°C.

Summer (March to May):

The temperatures in summer season ascend to around 35°C at times. Palakkad witnesses hot and humid summers due to its equatorial proximity. With such scorching heat, tourists mostly avoid visiting the city during this season. Adventurers however love to defy the odds and beat the heat. They might still make their way to Palakkad during this season, as low-budget travel and accommodation are on offer.

Monsoon (June to September):

The advent of monsoon season brings in a truckload of rainfall for Palakkad. The rain water breathes new life into the city’s natural allure, giving birth to captivating forest areas and grasslands throughout the city. Temperatures in monsoon season remain pleasant and keep fluctuating between 25°C and 30°C. Unrelenting rainfall does cause problems for travelling tourists, but the nature freaks who love challenging these conditions might still visit the city during this time of the year.

Winter (October to February):

Winter season is the most appropriate time of the year to pay a visit to the attractive city of Palakkad. The climate eases up with temperatures persistently floating between 22°C and 28°C. Even the rain clouds decide to hold back their precipitation, making travelling to and fro much more convenient. The calming atmosphere and the emergence of resplendent sceneries create a perfect environment for couples to rekindle their precious love for each other.

Invigorating Flora and Fauna:

Palakkad is a gift of nature to those tourists who cannot keep themselves from relishing the presence of enthralling flora and fauna around them. A boundless preserve of vibrant jungle inhabitants have set up their homes within Palakkad’s nature reserves. Some of the conservation parks that adorn the grasslands of this city include Silent Valley National Park, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve and Mayiladumpara Peacock Sanctuary. These reserves boast of some exotic species of flora and fauna. They present tourists with thrilling opportunities to observe the natural world in its most fierce and pristine form. Visitors can spend time amidst this unique environment comprising of impressive species of plant and animal life, discovering the splendid biodiversity of Palakkad.

Land of Consecrated Shrines:

Palakkad has significantly preserved the ancient customs and traditions that prevailed within the city. Owing to the holistic endeavor of the people, the town is studded with venerated shrines throughout its terrain. Some of the sanctified temples that grace Palakkad include Sri Emoor Bhagavathy Temple, Jain Temple of Jainmedu, Vishwanathaswamy Temple, and Thiruvalathur Randu Moorthy Temple. Palakkad also houses the very first church in the state that pays respect to Mother Theresa, Kayaradi Mother Theresa Church. The Pattambi Nercha festival of Islam is celebrated with great fervor at the Pattambi Mosque, highlighting the Islamic roots of the city as well. These shrines create a rejuvenating aura around the city, allowing devotees to unwind and leave all their problems behind.

Reservoirs of Splendid Serenity:

Palakkad has been granted with a stunning collection of exhilarating dams throughout its terrain. These dams not only dispense drinking water for Palakkad, but also stretch out their giving arms towards the neighboring state, providing water to Coimbatore as well. The titanic structural prowess of these dams makes them perfect tourist spots. Visitors throng the area to get a glimpse of these colossal architectural pieces. Along with their structural brilliance, these dams offer tourists with breathtaking landscapes within their vicinity, which adds to their natural charm. Some of these scintillating reservoirs that can be explored by tourists include Siruvani Dam, Malampuzha Dam, and Pothundi Dam.

Unblemished Waterfalls:

Palakkad has some pristine waterfalls that lie deep within its interiors, unexplored and without blemish. These unrestrained waterfalls ply their trade within close proximity to the several dams that Palakkad hosts. Enthralling trekking prospects stun tourists who wish to explore. The environment around these waterfalls is soothing to the heart and the main waterfall area acts as a perfect picnic spot for families and friends alike. Some of the prime cascading waterfalls that scurry through the interiors of Palakkad include Dhoni Waterfalls, Meenvallam Waterfalls, Siruvani Waterfalls and Pathrakadavu Waterfalls.

Palakkad has a distinctive collection of delicacies, which includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian prospects. These local dishes have been a part of the daily diet of the people of Palakkad for many generations. Some of the unique dishes that Palakkad offers tourists with are Ada, Mathura Dosa, Kozhukkatta, Sukhiyan and Vatthal Kozhambu. Some of the sumptuous vegetarian items that are popular among the locals include Kalan, Olan, Erisseri, Pulingari Mulagoshiam and Rasakalan.

The sweet dishes that force tourists to put their diet plans on hold include Mysorepak, Laddu, Ravakesari and Boondi. Palakkad doesn’t disappoint when it comes to intriguing snack varieties. Tourists can spend their evening nibbling on some crunchy snacks such as Murukku, Ribbon Pokkavada, Cheeda, and Thatta.

With the conventional customs and traditions being preserved throughout the city of Palakkad, it presents tourists with some captivating traditional mementos to take back home. Some of these intriguing items that showcase the essence of ancient Palakkad include hanging villakus, peacock villakus, utensils, nilavillakus, and traditional bells. Palakkad also boasts of the second highest number of jewelry stores in the whole of Kerala, presenting visitors with a variety of ornaments to drool over. The traditional saris of Travancore are prepared here. Tourists who wish to add an ethnic touch to their wardrobe must surely get their hands on one of these intricately designed saris.