PLACES OF INTEREST

• Palakkad Fort - Situated in the heart of town, this is the most beautiful and best preserved fort in Kerala, recalling many old tales of valour and courage. The Fort, which dates back to 1766, was built by Hyder Ali of Mysore. In 1784, after a siege which lasted for eleven days, British Col. William Fullarton (1754–1808) stormed the fort. Later it fell into the hands of the Zamorin’s troops, but was recaptured by the British in 1790. This well-preserved fort is also known as Tipu's Fort, after Tipu Sultan the son of Hyder Ali. It is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India.

• Malampuzha dam garden - A large irrigation dam on the Bharatapuzha river, at the base of the Western Ghats. There are beautiful gardens, an amusement park for children and a boating facility on the reservoir.

• Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, sprawling over 285 km²., is 135 km from Palakkad and adjacent to the Indira Gandhi National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Besides being an abode of elephants, wild boar, sambar, bison, guar, crocodiles, and a few tigers and panthers, it has a rich assortment of semi-tropical plants and trees. Trekking in the forest is allowed with prior permission. Boating can be done at the lake. The Cannimare Teak Tree, which is said to be Asia’s largest, is here near Thunakadavu.

• Silent Valley National Park - A thick rain forest, with many rare species, it has been declared a National Park. It is 80 km. from Palakkad. It is popularly known as the "Evergreen Forest" and noted for its eerie silence because of the lack of cicadas, which are common elsewhere. It is an important biosphere reserve in the Western Ghats and the home of tribal people. The valley is a habitat for the rare Lion-Tailed Macaque. The park is also a protected area for tigers.

• Killikkurussimangalam - The birth place of Kunchan Nambiar, the great Malayalam satirical poet and creator of the Ottamthullal art form. There is a library ddeicated to him in the village. The very famous and old Killikkurussi Siva temple is situated here. The home of abhinaya (acting) authority, Natyacharya Vidushakaratnam Padma Shri Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar (who took Koodiyattam to new heights), is also a special cultural attraction of the village. The Mani Madhava Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam , a school devoted to the teaching of Koodiyattam, is located at the same site.

• Walayar Dam - It is around 25 km from Palakkad town, on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is an easily accessible location. There is also a deer park located 3 km from Walayar.Attappady - About 38 km. northeast of Mannarkkad. It is a place of great interest to anthropologists, as many Irulas and Mudugars live here. These Adivasis worship the mountain peak Malleswaran as a gigantic Shiva Lingam. This peak and the River Bhavani are of great mythological significance to the tribes.

• Chulanur - Mailadumpara, in Chulannur is situated 22 kms away from Palakkad town and 5 kms from Peringothukrishi, is also famed. It is here the peacock protection center is located. Kunjan Nambiar Smrudhi forest is also here. This beautiful village is just 7 km away from Thiruvilwamala "Vilwadrinathan Kshethram".Chulanur has also got a rich heritage. It hosts an annual festival called Chulanur Vela which is celebrated with great pomp during the month of Medamasam of the malayali calendar year.

• Sholayar Forest - Highest peak in the district, with coffee and tea plantations and Sholayar dam bordering Valparai and Athirapally Waterfalls near Chalakkudy.

• Dhoni - A reserve forest area about 15 km. from Palakkad. This forest has many interesting sights including a small but splendid waterfall. The site can be reached after a fairly long climb of three hours from the base of the Dhoni hills. Dhoni provides trekkers the opportunity to explore its hilly terrains.Its lush green surroundings are a pleasure to watch. Dhoni is also famous for its farmhouse, harbouring hundreds of cattle of Swiss variety. 

• Jain Temple of Jainimedu - Situated on the western border of Palakkad town, not far from the Railway station, is a historic Jain Temple. The place around the temple is known as Jainimedu. This is one of the few places in Kerala where the Jainism has survived. The granite walls are devoid of decoration. The 32 × 20 ft. temple consists of four divisions with images of Jain Thirthankaras and Yakshinis in three of them.The 2,000-years-old Jain temple at Jainmedu is the remnant of what was once a thriving community of diamond traders. Four hundred Jain families lived here, with 24 wells, each dedicated to a tirtanker, till Tipu's invasion drove them to Wayanad. Descendants of one family are the keepers of its fascinating history. It is an impressive, silent monument overhung with trees and heavy with the weight of centuries. Kumaran Asan wrote his monumental poem Veena Poovu (The Fallen Flower) at a Jain house here during a brief stay with his master Sri Narayana Guru.

• Chittur Gurumadam - Located on the banks of the River Sokanasini (the destroyer of sorrows), this is a memorial to Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the author of Adhyatma Ramayana, who spent his last days here. Chittur Gurumadam is situated in Thekkegramam near Arikkode. A Srichakra, some of the idols worshipped by him, a stylus, wooden slippers and a few old manuscripts are exhibited here.

• Attapaddy - Attapaddy situated on the northeastern side of the district of Palakkad and spread over an area of 827 sq. kms and has the largest tribal settlement. The place consists of mostly hilly highland terrain, fed by the tributaries of the River Cauvery. An extensive mountain valley above the crest of the Ghat ranges with numerous rivulets of the Bhavani River, Attapady is inhabited mainly by tribes and some settlers from Tamil Nadu. A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, Attapaddy is of great interest to anthropologists, as this is the habitat of many tribes like the 'irolas' and 'mudugars'.The Malleshwaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic 'Shivalinga', by the tribals who also celebrate the festival of Shivratri with great gusto. The tribals celebrate the festival by lighting the top of this peak.Silent Valley National Park, Siruvani Drinking Water Reservoir are the tourist centres of the valley. The highest peak in the district is situated here. A PWD rest house and a few private hotels offer accommodation at Agali. 

• Mangalam Dam - The Mangalam Dam is constructed on the river Cherukunnapuzha, a tributary of the river Mangalam. A popular picnic site, The Mangalam Dam is located south of Palakkad town. The construction of the scenic dam was completed in the year 1956. Located on the Alathur - Vadakkanchery Highway, the reservoir fringes on the forest area teeming with wildlife like deer, elephants and a variety of birds. The entire area is quite fascinating with beautiful parks, lawns and statues 

• JP Smirthivanam and Deer Park - JP Smirthivanam and Deer Park are located at Walayar reserve forest which has an area of 100 acres. One can see here deer and other animals roaming about in their natural habitat. This is situated 22 kms away from Palakkad town in Palakkad-Coimbatore road. Here facilities for elephant riding are also available.