This ancient fort town, which was once a beautiful stretch of forest covered with sweet scented flowers of the Pala (Alsteria Scholaris) tree is the Gateway to Kerala, God's own country. Also called the "Granary of Kerala" thanks to its endless paddy fields, Palakkad is also home to a host of rivers, dams and beautiful temples. Situated at the foot of the Western Ghats, Palakkad plays host to a variety of festivals and art forms that are unique and fascinating. Except for the fact that there are no beaches or sea coasts in Palakkad, the life and culture here is a representation of the life style of Kerala as a whole. There is more to Palakkad's history, culture, arts and a distinctive cuisine apart from its scenic beauty that qualifies it for a preferred destination.

Area : 4480 sq kms Population : 23,82,235 Language : Malayalam

Accessing Palakkad

Air: Nearest airport is at Coimbatore, 55 kms away. Kochi airport is a distance of 120kms. Rail: Palakkad has a very prominent Railway station at Olavakkode which is linked to all major towns in India.

Palakkad Fort:

Situated at the heart of the town in all its splendour is the majestic Palakkad Fort. Built in 1766 by Hyder Ali of Mysore, this Fort was taken over by the British in 1790 and is one of the best preserved forts in Kerala. Also a must see is the small Hanuman temple that is believed to be as old as the fort.

Jain Temple:

The last vestige of Jainism in Kerala is reflected in the Jain Temple, which is at the western suburb of Palakkad town. This historic 32 feet long and 20 feet wide granite temple displays images of Jain Thirthankaras and Yakshinis. Legend has it that the temple was built about 500 years ago by a jain Head named Inchanna Satur for the Jain sage Chandranathaswamy.

Malampuzha Gardens:

At a distance of 10kms, surrounded by the mighty Western Ghats, this scenic picnic spot has a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens. With well laid out flowerbeds, pools, fountains and pathways, road train trips, boating and fishing facilities, Malampuzha also hosts South India's first Passenger Ropeway. Adjacent to the garden is South India's only Rock Garden which depicts the art forms and life-styles of Kerala in the distinctive style of the renowned architect Mr. Nek Chand that is remarkable and fascinating. The Snake Park is also adjacent to the garden and offers a variety of fare for the tourists. One can learn about the habitats of a host of reptiles that are on display. About 5 mts drive from Malampuzha gardens is the Fantasy Park which is a delight to children and adults alike. At least 20 fun-filled rides and a host of computer games provide ample enjoyment for the whole family. No outing to Malampuzha is complete without a visit to Fantasy Park. Thread Garden which is in the same compound is a wonder unsurpassed. Plants, flowers and even grass look so natural that one wonders whether they are real. Wound of thread without using needles this virtual garden is a feast for the eyes.