Close to the Tamil Nadu border, Palakkad derives it's name from the Pala tree (Alsteria Scholaris) and Kadu (forest).Bharathapuzha, kerala's longest river flows through it. Along with Idukki, it is the only district not to have a sea coast.The land is fertile and often called the granary of Kerala. Attapadi, an extensive mountain valley, is populated mainly by tribals.
Landmarks
In the heart of town, lies a fort built by Hyder Ali of Mysore.One of the few existng Jain temples in Kerala is the Jain temple at Jainamedu in the Vadakkanthata Village. Legend has it, it was built 500 years ago by a Jain head named Inchanna Satur.
The Kalpathy Temple, built on the banks of the Kalpathy river, dedicated to Lord Siva, dates back to 1425 AD. Built as areplica of the Kasi temple at Benares, the annual Ratholsavam ( Chariot Festival) held every November attracts thousands of devotees.
At Lakkidi is the place called Killi Kurussimangalam, the birthplace of Kerala's famous poet Kunjan Nambiar, the father of the traditional solo dance Ottamthullal.

Malampuzha, 14km away is the site of a large irrigation dam as well as an amusement park.Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary and Silent Valley National Park are two wildlife reserves close to Palakkad.


Details
District Area - 4480 sqkm
Climate - Oppressive hot season (March to May), plenty of rains during monsoons (June-September and December-February).
Temperature - Mean Max - 34.68 degC
Mean Min. - 21.15 degC
Rainfall (Annual Average) - 240cm
Clothing - cottons
Tourist Season - September to February

Tourist stuff
The nearest airport is Coimbatore, 55km away. To the south, is Kochi Airport, 160 km away.

Hotels
Hotel Indraprastha, English Church Road.
Fort Palace Hotel, West Fort Road.
Kandath INN, T.B.Road.

Distances
Alleppy - 224km
Bangalore - 356km
Coimbatore - 54km
Guruvayur - 95km
Kozhikode - 137km
Silent Valley - 79km
Thekkady - 293km
Thiruvananthapuram - 382km