Palakkad town is an exceptionally significant town of Kerela and it is located on between the break of the Western Ghats, which therefore, make it a visit for people who cross Tamil Nadu and on their way to Coimbatore. Palakkad is also known as "Palghat" and is located between the Nilgiri Hills (north) and the Anaimalai Hills (south) and is about 32 km broad. The place has been blessed with affluent flora and fauna, palm trees and paddy grounds. Being in the border of the two states Palakkad town has a mixed culture mainly in case of its cuisines, marriage and the festival rituals.

Naming of Palakkad
Its earlier name Palghat was added by British Raj. It is believed that the name Palakkad is a combination of two Malayalam words, "Pala" (name of a flower tree) which was known for barren land all through the Sangam era and "Kadu", which means woods. It indicates that the area was previously roofed with forest of these trees.

History of Palakkad
There are different theories which are related to the origin of Palakkad. One among them is that, it is caused by the earthquake due to rivers flowing in contradictory directions. The Bharatha Puzha River creates in the Palakkad Gap from streams and tributaries nourishing from vertical escarpment inclines down with the edges of the Ghats. Palakkad gap has played a key role in enabling human immigration into Kerala from parts of Tamil Nadu. Since 300 B.C. to 13th century, it also helped the Cheras regulation, the complete Kerala and the Kongu Nadu as one biological part from Karur in Western Tamil Nadu. Tamil Brahmins migrated to Palakkad from Central Tamil Nadu through the Palakkad gap from the 15th century to 18th century.

Climate of Palakkad
Palakkad town has a steamy soaking and dry weather conditions. Temperatures remain moderate all through the year, exception in March and April, being the hottest months. A very high amount of rainfall is received in Palakkad, mostly because of the South-West heavy rain. July is the wettest month and the total yearly rainfall is approximately 211 cm.

Demography of Palakkad
According to the Census report of 2011, residents of Palakkad in 2011 are 130,955, out of which male and female are 63,833 and 67,122 correspondingly. Literates in Palakkad city are 112,479 and out of which 56,065 are males whereas 56,414 are females. Hindus form 68 percent of the population with 89098 members. Muslims constitute 27.9 percent of the population with 36620 members. Christians constitute 3.8 percent of the population with 5006 members. Malayalam is the most spoken language.

Culture and Traditions of Palakkad
Palakkad is known for its cultural tradition. Following the harvesting, in the months of March and April, a festival called "Vela" is celebrated in a number of villages which comprises a procession, which is its highlight. This procession includes of decorated elephants, usual orchestra with instruments like Pandimelam, Panchavadyam and Thayambaka and fireworks. This popular festival is also celebrated in nearest districts and the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. Two of the other famous festivals here are Nemmara Vellangi Vela and Chinakkathur Pooram.

Tamil Brahmin"s "Kalpathy Ratholsavam" festival is very significant, when the deities of the temples are taken out on a procession in vast chariots. It is said that throughout these days, the Gods move out of their temples to visit his devotees. Along with these, some of the other well-known festivals celebrated in Palakkad contain Pongal, Vadakkanthara and Saraswati Pooja.

Palakkad has been blessed with a rich musical folklore. Sri Palakkad Mani Iyer, the unique genius of Mridangam and Late Sri Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, an advocate of Carnatic music were born here. Another popular celebrity, Sri C. Sankaran Nair was born in Mankara. The district is home to some well-known personalities such as late K.P. Kesava Menon, a freedom fighter, journalist and celebrated author.

Education of Palakkad
There are number of colleges and institutes situated in Palakkad. Some of them are as follows:


•Govt. Victoria College.
•NSS College.
•Mercy College.
•V.R. Krishnan Ezhuthachan Law College.
•Govt. Medical College.
•Al-Ameen Engineering College.
•Ahalia School of Engineering & Technology.
•Vishnu Ayurved College.
•Royal Dental College.
•Govt. Engineering College.
•Govt. Arts and Science College.

Administration of Palakkad
Under the modified Indian Constitution, decentralised forecast has been applied in the state. The headquarters of the District Panchayat is at Palakkad town. The District Panchayat office building is next to the Civil Station.

Economy of Palakkad
Palakkad is the one of the most agrarian districts in Kerala. Palakkad is chiefly recognized for paddy agriculture. Paddy is developed in about 83,998 hectares which occupies the first place in the manufacturing of rice in the state. Palakkad is also occupies the first position in the state for the production of groundnut, tamarind, turmeric, tuber, vegetables, pulses, mango, banana, plantain and cotton and also rubber, coconut, areca nut, black pepper, etc. are planted widely similar to the other parts of Kerala.

Kerala"s IIT Palakkad has started actions in its provisional campus at Kanjikode, Palakkad from 3rd August 2015. A lot of industries are situated in the Kanjikode Industrial Area, which is termed as the second biggest industrial area in Kerala. Numerous central government institutions are located in this area of Palakkad which is the first paperless income district by computerizing, 5 taluks and 156 village offices. There are different industries in the district. The Public Sector companies and Instrumentation Limited have plants in Kanjikode, 12 kms (7.5 miles) from Palakkad town. Other big companies are the BPL group, Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

Visiting places of Palakkad
Palakkad is currently preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India. Some of the popular places of Palakkad are as follows:


•Fantasy Park: Fantasy Park is an enjoyment park located near the Malampuzha Dam. It is situated near to the famed Malampuzha Gardens which is one of the principal tourist attractions in Kerala.


•Malampuzha Garden: This celebrated picnic spot which includes a dam and wonderfully landscaped gardens is located on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. There are regular buses to this place from Palakkad.


•Pothundy: Situated on the way to Nelliampathy, the Pothundy Reservoir Complex is an attractive place for tourists and half-day trips.


•Thiruvalathoor: It is the antique temple which has some very well wood work and stone sculptures.


•Dhoni: Another popular tourist attraction. It takes a 3 hour trek from the base of the Dhoni hills to reach this reserve forest region with its small, stunning waterfall.


•Kollengode: Kollengode or the residence of blacksmiths preserves the perfect beauty of rural Palakkad. The Kollengode Palace, the Vishnu Temple and the poet P. Kunhiraman Nair Memorial are worth visiting. Seethakundu and Govindamalai hills near Kaachankurichi are best for adventurous trekkers.


•Lakkidi: Killikkurissimangalam at Lakkidi is the birthplace of Kunchan Nambiar, the 18th century satirist and advocate of the Tullal (classical art form).


•Meenkara: This picnic spot is the place of a dam across the river Gayathri which flows into the Bharathapuzha.


•Ottappalam: Ottappalam is famous for its many places of worship and their colourful festivals. Durga Temple, the Pooram at Chenakkathur, the Nercha festival commemorating the Aulia.


•Thrithala: Thrithala is noted for its monuments and famous ruins. The Shiva Temple and the ruins of a mud fort near Thrithala on the Chalissery road are noteworthy cultural monuments. The Kattilmadam Temple, a tiny stonework Buddhist monument on the Pattambi-Guruvayoor road, is of huge archaeological significance.


•Kalpathi Ratholsavam: It is the annual chariot festival at Viswanatha Temple (November).


•Palakkad fort: It is a famous historical attraction. Palakkad fort is fortified by Tipu Sultan.

Connectivity of Palakkad
The nearest international airport is Coimbatore International Airport, which is about 62 km away from Palakkad. There are two railway stations which are serving Palakkad: Palakkad Junction which is a broad gauge railway junction (located at Olavakkode) and Palakkad Town railway station which is located in the heart of the Palakkad town. Palakkad is well connected by roads. The National Highway 47 from Salem to Kanniyakumari via Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrissur, Kochi, Alappuzha, Kollam and the Palakkad – Kozhikode National Highway 213 via Malappuram pass through the district.