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PLACES TO VISIT

Siruvani
46 km north of Mannarkad and 48 km from Palakkad
The reservoir at Siruvani was built for Tamil Nadu by the Kerala Government to meet the drinking water requirements of Coimbatore. The gateways on either side of the road across the dam are typical of the Kerala and Tamil architectural styles. Siruvani is also home to certain tribals like the Mudugars and Irulars.

Mangalam Dam
50 km from Palakkad
This dam is built across the Cherukunnath river, a tributary of the Mangalam river. The dam site is a popular picnic spot.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
110 km from Palakkad
Sprawled across 285 sq. km, the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is home to rare wild animals. Boating/cruising facilities are available at the Parambikulam Reservoir. The Rest Houses of the State Forest Department at Thoonakkadavu, Thellikkal and Anappady offer accommodation. A tree house in the reserve forest area in Thoonakkadavu has to be booked in advance. The oldest teak tree, kannimari is found here.

Nelliyampathy
40 kms south of Nenmara
This fascinating hill station is at height of 467 to 1572 m above sea level. At least 10 hair pin bends have to be negotiated on the Ghat road that passes through the breathtaking evergreen forests of the Sahya Ranges. Seethakundu at Nelliyampathy offers a panaromic view of about one third of Palakkad. This hill country is the delight of trekkers.

Chittur Garumandam
Thekkegramam near Arikkode
Located on the banks of the river Sokanasini (the destroyer of sorrows), this is a memorial to Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the author of Adhyatma Ramayana, who spent his last days here. A Srichakra, some of the idols worshipped by him, a stylus, wooden slippers and a few old manuscripts are exhibited here.

Attappady
38 kms northeast of Mannarkad
A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, Attappady is of great interest to anthropologists asthis is a habitat of many tribes like the Irulas and Mudugars. The Malleeswaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic sivalinga by the tribals who also celebrate the Sivarathri festival with great gusto.

Mayiladumpara
This grove takes its name from the large number of peacoks found here.

Jain Temple of Jainimedu
Situated on the western suburbs of Palakkad town, not far from the railway station, this historic 32 feet long, 20 feet wide granite temple displays images of the jain Tirthankars and Yakshinis. The region around the temple, known as Jainimedu, is one of the few places in Kerala where the vestiges of Jainism has survived. It is at a Jain house here that poet Kumaranasan wrote his monumental poem Veenapoovu (The fallen flower).

Thiruvengappura Sankaranarayanan Temple
This temple in Palakkad district dates back to the 14th century while its Koothambalam (temple theatre) was probably added in the 15th or 16th century.

Silent Valley National park
40 kms northwest of Mannarkad
The 89.52 sq kms national park is believed to be the sole surviving bit of evergreen forests in the Sahya Ranges. The peculiarity of the Silent Valley forest is that it is devoid even of the chirping of cicadas. Vehicular transport is possible only up to Mukkali, nearly 24 kms from the park. The rest of the way has to be covered on foot up to the source of Kunthipuzha which flows through the valley before merging into the Bharathapuzha (Nila).