Page 658 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

656  SOUTH INDIA

u Palakkad
Palakkad district. 99 km (62 miles)
NE of Kochi. * 2,809,900. £
n Tourist Information Centre, near
Children’s Park, (0491) 253 8996.
_ Chariot Festival (Oct/Nov).
Situated at the base of the
Western Ghats, Palakkad (Palghat)
derives its name from the dense
forests (kadu) of pala (Alsteria
scholaris) trees that once covered
the land. Today, however, paddy
fields and coconut plantations
have taken their place.
Tipu’s Fort, in the heart of
the town, was built by Haider
Ali of Mysore in 1766; it was Silent Valley, a haven of rare plants and herbs
subsequently occupied by the
British after they defeated his i Silent Valley 400 species of moths, is also
son and successor, Tipu Sultan National Park found here. Visitors can trek to
(see p521), some 30 years the source of the Kunthipuzha
later. This sombre, granite Palakkad district. 88 km (55 miles) NE river, which flows through
structure now houses various of Kochi. @ Mannarkkad, the entry this valley.
point. Jeeps available to Mukkali.
government offices. n For permits and reservations Accommodation is available
The large Vishwanatha (compulsory), contact the Wildlife at the forest lodge in Mukkali,
Temple, on the banks of Warden, Mannarkkad, (04924) 222 just outside the park.
the Kalpathy river, is famous 056. ∑ silentvalley.gov.in
for its chariot procession.
On the outskirts of town are The Silent Valley National Park, o Malappuram
the extensive Malampuzha spread over an area of 238 sq Malappuram district. 153 km (95 miles)
Gardens, laid out above a huge km (92 sq miles), preserves N of Kochi. @ n (0473) 273 1504.
irrigation dam built across the what is perhaps the country’s _ Valiya Nercha (Feb/Mar), Shivratri
Malampuzha river. Pleasant boat last substantial stretch of virgin (Feb/Mar).
cruises are possible on a large tropical evergreen forest. An
lake, nestling in the foothills. important part of the Nilgiri This “land atop hills” stands at the
Biosphere Reserve (see entrance to the Malabar region,
Environs p524), it represents and is crossed by three major
The town of Kollengode some of the spec­ rivers – the Chaliyar, the Kadalundi
is 19 km (12 miles) tacular biodiversity of and the Bharatapuzha. A military
south of Palakkad the Western Ghats. The centre of the Zamorins of Calicut,
and is set in pastoral park is renowned for its it was the scene of fierce fighting
surro undings. The Slender loris rare plants and herbs, between British forces and the
Vishnu Temple and which include over Mopplahs (Muslim peasants),
Kollengode Palace are worth a 100 species of orchids. Wildlife known as the Mopplah Revolt.
visit. Thrithala, 75 km (47 miles) includes tigers, elephants, the The most serious uprising
west of Palak kad, has a Shiva Nilgiri langur, the sloth bear, occurred in 1921, after which
temple and the ruins of a mud the shy nocturnal slender loris many rebels were exiled to the
fort. Its most important and the endange red lion­tailed Andamans (see pp622–3). The
sight, the Kattilmadam macaque. A variety of old British barracks, on a hilltop
Temple, is a granite birds, as well as overlooking the Kadalundi
Buddhist monument 100 species of river, now houses the district
dating from the butterflies and administration. Malappuram is
9th–10th centuries. also an important seat of both
Hindu and Islamic learning.
Environs
Kerala’s pioneering Ayurvedic
institution (see p633) is at
Kottakkal, 12 km (7 miles)
southwest of Malappuram.
Started in 1902, the Kottakkal
Arya Vaidya Sala is based in
Desolate ruins of Tipu’s Fort at Palakkad a splendid building, and has
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p703 and pp718–19

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