Palakkad District is one of the 14 districts of the Kerala State, which has been the largest district of the state from 2006. Palakkad city is the district headquarters. Most of the people of this district speak in Malayalam with a distinct flavour of Tamil. Palakkad is bordered on the northwest by the Malappuram District, on the southwest by the Thrissur District, on the northeast by The Nilgiris District, and on the east by Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. Palakkad District is known as "the granary of Kerala" and "Rice bowl of Kerala".
Etymology of Palakkad District
Earlier, Palakkad was also known as "Palakkattussery. According to some people, the connection of this district with ancient Jain Temple gave it the name from the Pali language. But historians believe that Palakkad word has been derived from "Pala", which means a tree that once densely occupied the land. Hence, Palakkad means "the forest of Pala trees".
Demography of Palakkad
According to the census of 2011, Palakkad has a population of 2,810,892 ranking in the 138th position in India out of 640. Sex ratio of the district is 1067 females for every 1000 males and literacy rate is 89.32%.
Economy of Palakkad
Several industries are located in Kanjikode Industrial Area, which is the second largest industrial area in Kerala. Along with that many government sectors are also located in Palakkad. The district became the first computerized collectorate in the country implemented under the "DC Suit" system and the first district where all the five taluk offices were computerized under the "Taluk Suit" and connected with the Collectorate. Palakkad is the most agrarian district of Kerala, which is mostly known for paddy cultivation. The district also occupies the first position in the state for producing groundnut, tamarind, turmeric, tuber, vegetables, pulses, mango, banana and cotton. Some other things cultivated here are Rubber, coconut, areca nut and black pepper.
Tourism in Palakkad
There are numerous tourist spots in Palakkad like Palakkad Fort, Malampuzha Dam, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Silent Valley National Park, Nelliyampathi (known as the Ooty of Kerala), Dhoni, Kanjirapuzha Dam, Kanjhirapuzha Botanical Garden, Kanjhirapuzha Ayurveda Plantation and Garden, Kottayi etc. Some of these tourist spots are described in brief below.
Palakkad Fort: It is the most beautiful fort situated in the center of the city. The fort was built by Hyder Ali in Mysore in 1766. The fort is also known as "Tipu"s Fort. It is now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Malampuzha Dam: It is a large irrigation dam located on the Bharatapuzha River on the valley of Western Ghats. This dam is a popular tourist spot with some beautiful gardens, amusement parks and boating facility on the reservoir.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary: Spreading over an area of 285 sq. km. this sanctuary is the abode of elephants, wild boar, sambar, bison, guar, crocodiles and a few tigers and panthers. This sanctuary encompassed by semi-tropical plants and trees allows tourists for trekking in the forest with prior permission. The Cannimare Teak Tree, which is said to be Asia"s largest tree, is seen here near Thunakadavu.
Silent Valley National Park: It is thick rain forest with several rare species and also known as "Evergreen Forest". It is extremely famous for its silence due to the lack of cicadas, which are common elsewhere. The habitat of the rare lion-tailed macaque, this valley is an important biosphere reserve in Western Ghats and the home of the tribal people. It is also a protected area for tigers.
Visiting Information to Palakkad
Coimbatore International Airport and Palakkad Junction Railway Station are the nearest to reach Palakkad. National Highway 16 connects this district to other major cities of India.
