Palakkad
Fort, heritage village and paddy fields at the Ghats' gap
A Palakkad tour in Kerala sits at a 32 km Western Ghats gap, with an 18th-century fort, Kalpathy's heritage village, Malampuzha Dam and Nelliyampathy hills.
Overview
Palakkad is a district headquarters in eastern Kerala, built beside the Palakkad Gap, a pass about 32 km wide between the Nilgiri and Anaimalai hills. National Highway 544 and two railway lines use it to reach Tamil Nadu. A Palakkad tour suits travellers who prefer a fort, an old village and farmland to beaches, and the cooler stretch from December to February, with temperatures of roughly 19 to 35 C, is the easiest time.
The town's landmark is Palakkad Fort, which took its present form in 1766 and changed hands several times between 1757 and 1790. Inside the grounds are a children's park and Rappadi, an open-air auditorium kept by the Archaeological Survey of India. The ground also hosts exhibitions and public meetings, so you may find something on when you arrive.
Kalpathy lies about 3 km from the centre and is Kerala's first heritage village. It is an agraharam, a settlement of Tamil Brahmin families, set along the Kalpathy river, a tributary of the Bharathapuzha, with the Viswanatha Swamy Temple at its core. The village is busiest in November, in the Malayalam month of Thulam, when decorated chariots are drawn through its lanes.
Water and farmland shape the rest of the district, which is known as the granary of Kerala for its rice. Malampuzha Dam, about 15 km from the town, is 115 m high and 2,069 m long and opened in 1955. Around it are the Yakshi Garden, a Japanese garden, a maze park, boating and a ropeway.
For hills, Nelliyampathy is about 60 km away, among tea and coffee plantations, with the Seethargundu viewpoint some 8 km beyond. Silent Valley National Park, with a core area of about 89.5 sq km, lies in the north-east of the district; visitors enter at Mukkali and need permission from the forest authorities, so ask before planning a visit. Parambikulam, also reached from this part of Kerala, is described on its own page.
Palakkad Junction is at Olavakkode, about 4 km from the centre, and a second station, Palakkad Town, serves the city. Coimbatore International Airport is roughly 62 km away, while Cochin and Kozhikode airports also serve the area.
Known for
Present form dated 1766, with a children's park and the Rappadi auditorium
Happening soon
Updated Oct 7, 2026Coming up, dates to be confirmed
Nenmara Vallangi Vela
festivalA temple festival near Nelliyampathy in which two villages bring decorated elephants and rival percussion groups to Nellikulangara Bhagavathy Temple.
Usually around the 20th day of the Malayalam month Meenam, in late March or early April. The 2026 date was 3 April.
Reach out to us for the confirmed datesQuick facts
December to February is the pleasant season, with temperatures of 19 to 35 C, and the monsoon runs from June to August.
Coimbatore International Airport (CJB), about 62 km. Cochin International Airport (COK) and Kozhikode International Airport (CCJ) also serve Palakkad (distances to be supplied).
Palakkad Junction (PGT) at Olavakkode, about 4 km from the centre; Palakkad Town station is in the city
National Highway 544 passes through the Palakkad Gap, and Coimbatore is the main road link to Tamil Nadu. Drive times (to be supplied).
Pick Kalpathy for a slow walk through the agraharam lanes rather than a quick stop, and check Ratholsavam dates locally because they follow the Malayalam calendar
Contact the forest authorities at Mannarkkad or Mukkali for Silent Valley permission before travelling, as entry rules can change
Allow extra time on the Nelliyampathy road, which climbs from the plains, and start early to reach the viewpoints in clear light
Location
Packages that visit Palakkad
All packages →Thrissur Culture and Palakkad Countryside
A Thrissur Palakkad tour package in Kerala: temple ring road, Kerala Kalamandalam, Kalpathy village and Malampuzha Dam, with a private car for 4 days.
Thrissur → PalakkadHeritage & TemplesPlan a trip to Palakkad
Tell us your dates and we will shape the route.