Introduction

The district of Palakkad known as the granary of Kerala, is a land of valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams, dams and irrigation projects. Situated at the foot of the Western Ghats , this is the gateway to Kerala from the north. Palakkad derives its name from the Malayalam words Pala ( Alsteria scholaris) and Kadu (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.

The land of Palmyra trees and paddy fields - thats how Palakkad is often referred to as Palakkadu and Palghat are the other names of this place that entices you with its myriad forms of attractions. There are temples thronged by a number of devotees with faith in their hearts and sheen in their eyes; there are wildlife sanctuaries nurturing the lives of a number of animals, reptiles and birds; there is a historical fort that stands today to narrate its past and there are gramams where the inhabitants still follow the age old custom of passing down the vedas verbally. Attractions like these are abundant in Palakkad so you can expect to get a variety of entertainment options during your trip.

Mountainous terrain

Palakkad lies at the foot of gigantic Western ghats , on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This district with mountains, forest and fertile valleys, rivers and mountain streams are rich in flora and fona. The Sahya ranges bordering the region and the 20 mile gap in the mountains exert a dominant influence on the climate of the region. Many rivers that flow in the Bharatapuzha, the life line of Kerala, arise from these mountains.

In olden days, Palakkad was known as Paalakkattusery. Etymologists trace the word Palakkadu from Paalainilam, meaning dry area. Palakkad has a long history dating back to the Paleololithic period. A large number of megalithic relics have been discovered from here.