pALAKKAD- wHERE tHE wIND sINGS tHE sONG...

Palakkad

Palakkad : wHERE tHE wIND sINGS tHE sONG...also known as Palghat, is a city and municipality in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km² and is the administrative headquarters of the Palakkad District. In earlier times, Palakkad was known as Palakkattussery. Palakkad is the seventh most populous town in Kerala and lies near the Palghat Gap. Malayalam is the generally spoken language in Palakkad as it is the official language. The city is situated about 350 kilometres (217 mi) north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram and 54 kilometers south west of Coimbatore, and 66 km north east of Thrissur on the Salem-Kanyakumari National Highway NH 47.

Palakkad Fort

Palakkad Fort also known as Tipu's Fort is an old fort situated in the heart of Palakkad town of Kerala state, southern India. It was built by Haider Ali in 1766 ACE and remains one of the best preserved forts in Kerala.

The Palakkad Fort is said to have existed from very ancient times, but believed to be constructed in present form in 1766 A.D, but little is known of its early history. The local ruler, Palakkad Achchan, was originally a tributary of the Zamorin, but had become independent before the beginning of the eighteenth century. In 1757 he sent a deputation to Haider Ali seeking help against an invasion threatened by the Zamorin. Haider Ali seized upon the opportunity to gain possession of a strategically important location such as Palghat, and from that time until 1790 the fort was continually in the hands of the Mysore Sultans or the British. It was first taken by the latter in 1768 when Colonel Wood captured it during his raid on Hyder Ali's fortresses, but it was retaken by Haider a few months later. It was recaptured by Colonel Fullarton in 1783, after a siege that lasted eleven days but was abandoned the following year. It later fell into the hands of the Zamorin’s troops. In 1790 it was finally captured by the British under Colonel Stuart. It was renovated and was used as a base for operations that ended with the storming of Srirangapatnam. The fort continued to be garrisoned until the middle of 19th century. In the early 1900s it was converted into a taluk office.

Kalpathi

Kalpathi or Kalpathy also known as Dakshin Kasi or the 'Varanasi of the South is an early Tamil Brahmin settlement (agraharam) in the Palakkad District of Kerala state, south India.

Kalpathi is very famous for Kalpathi Ratholsavam, Temple car festival held annually at the Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Viswanatha Swamy temple where the deity is Lord Siva (Lord Viswanatha). Kalpathy is located 3 km from Palakkad town and consists of Old Kalpathy and New Kalpathy.

Nelliampathi

Nelliyampathy (also spelled Nelliampathi) is a hill station 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Palakkad, state of Kerala, India. It is surrounded by tea and coffee plantations. The village has its own gram panchayat and forms a part of the Chittur taluk. Pothundi Dam, which was constructed in the 19th century, is the entrance to Nelliyampathy. A viewpoint called Seethargund is situated 8 km away from Nelliyampathy. Seethargund, according to beliefs is the place where Lord Rama, Laxmana and Seetha rested during their exile. Another attraction of Nelliyampathy is Kesavam para viewpoint. The film Mrigaya starring Mammootty was shot here.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, which also includes the erstwhile Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 391 square kilometres (151.0 sq mi) protected area in Chittur taluk in Palakkad district of Kerala state, South India. The wildlife sanctuary, which had an area of 285 square kilometres (110 sq mi) was established in 1973. It is in the Sungam range of hills between the Anaimalai Hills and Nelliampathy Hills. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as part of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve on February 19, 2010. Including the buffer zone, the tiger reserve has a span of 643.66 km². The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site. The sanctuary is the home of four different tribes of indigenous peoples including the Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar and Mala Malasar settled in six colonies. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve implements the Participatory Forest Management Scheme (PFMS). People from tribal colonies inside the reserve are engaged as guides for treks and safaris, and are provided employment through various eco-tourism initiatives.The tiger reserve hosts many capacity building training programmes conducted by Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation in association with various organisations.

SILENT VALLEY

The Silent Valley National Park is a unique preserve of natural rainforests. Within an area of 237. 52 Sq.km, it houses a rich mosaic of varied habitats. Out of these springs the amazing variety of life forms some of them endemic to the Western Ghats. The Valley exudes a quite grandeur, a mystery half revealed and half concealed that is part of a story older than mankind, for this rainforest probably dates back to 50 million years. Silently she beckons us to witness the marvelous exuberance of life that expresses itself in an incredible chaos of plants and animals and birds and insects. At the heart of her many songs is a still, deep silence which only those who tread softly and wait patiently may learn to hear. The Silent Valley National Park is a unique preserve of natural rainforests. Within an area of 237. 52 Sq.km, it houses a rich mosaic of varied habitats. Out of these springs the amazing variety of life forms some of them endemic to the Western Ghats. The Valley exudes a quite grandeur, a mystery half revealed and half concealed that is part of a story older than mankind,

Malampuzha

Malampuzha, a part of Palakkad district in Kerala is located on the foothills of the Western Ghats and has a tremendous amount of dense, green foliage to enjoy. The beautiful green foliage of this place creates a serene and almost surreal experience for everyone who visits here.

One of the biggest draws to this particular city is an irrigation dam that was built in 1955.
built in 1955. This irrigation dam allows this city to take advantage of its beautiful setting. It helps to irrigate the landscape making it remain green at all times. This reservoir also adds to the water activities that are possible in the area. Tourists are drawn to this area for its natural beauty and relaxing atmosphere.

A wide variety of amusement opportunities exist in Malampuzha, thus it has become one of the finest places to visit in India. No matter what activities you are looking to participate in, Malampuzha can deliver.

If you are drawn to breathtaking views, this gem of a city has plenty such sights to offer, thanks to the greenery as well as the Ghats themselves. If you want to experience some exotic animals, this area can provide you with that possibility. Water activities and relaxing gardens are also possible in the area.

Malampuzha is brimming with both natural and man-made gardens .

Vellinezhi

Vellinezhi is a small hamlet in Palakkad district, situated about 25 km north of Ottappalam. It is known for its contributions to the cultural sector especially to the classical dance form, Kathakali. It is said that there is not a single family in the village, which has not produced at least one Kathakali artiste. There are also a lot of artistes in this village who are known for their contributions to the traditional Kerala percussion concerts too. Olappamanna Mana Olappamanna Mana, in Vellinezhi, is the ancestral home of a feudal family belonging to the Namboothiri Brahmin community. They were patrons of art, expecially Kathakali, and it is from their ancestral home that the Kalluvazhi style of Kathakali had a rebirth. The mana was not just a home. It was an institution which produced many big names in the field, through a kaliyogam (school of Kathakali).  The Rig Veda institution, Brahmaswam Mutt, a traditional Vedic institution in Thrissur, has maintained links with the scholars of this family for over 200 years. The mana was also a cradle of classical music and literature. The renowned musician, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, once performed at the mana. Many renowned scholars like Kunjunni Namboothiripad, O. M. C.  Narayanan Nambuthiri, O. M. Anujan and the poet, Mahakavi Subrahmanian Namboothiripad hail from this esteemed family.  The 300-year old mana is an architectural wonder created in the Kerala style, in perfect sync with the norms of Vasthusastra, the ancient Indian science of architecture. The building is a combination of eight structures with eight open quadrangles. It is now managed by a trust and is frequently rented out for film / documentary shoots.

 AGRAHARAM.....

              KOLAMSSS.......
       
                     THEROTTAM .........
   
                           PALAKKADAN KAATTUU.......