Sunday 13 November 2011

"Wonder City Of Palakkad"


                                                   





 Palakkad is the Capital Of Palakkad District, Kerala State in India. The word Palakkad comes from‘Pala’ (Alsteria Scholaris) in Malayalam means ‘a beautiful scented flower bearing tree’ and ‘Kaadu’ is ‘forest’ in Tamil. The word denotes that this place had several pala forests. It is one of the biggest non-metros in India. Having an area of 26.60 sq.kms including Olavakkode, the city has a population of 1,31,019 as per 2011 Census. But its Urban Agglomeration population is 2,93,566 of which 1,43,650 are males for 1,49,916 females. Average Literacy rate is 94.20% & Sex Ratio is 1053 Females Per 1000 Males.


                                                       




                             TRADE & COMMERCE

Palakkad District holds 35% exporting monopoly, second after Ernakulam in Kerala. Its chief exports are limestone, granite, river fishes, manganese, iron & steel, cardamom, mushroom, pepper, tobacco, cloth, raw cotton, silk, glass, peanuts, matchsticks, timber, tea, coffee, sugar, rice, oil, oil seeds, palm & coconut products etc. But many traditional industries like beedi & cigar manufacturing, weaving, grass mat making, tile manufacturing etc are facing crisis.
                                         


The city is one of the leading commercial, financial & shopping centres in India. Many leading public, co-operative & private companies (including MNCs)have their branch,regional & head offices here.  Kanjikkode-Walayar industrial belt is the second largest in the state of Kerala which manufactures textiles,dyes & inks, agricultural machinery, pharma, foam beds, medical equipments, surgical instruments, refractories, glasses, defence vehicles, train coaches, scaffolding equipments, cement, iron & steel rods, electrical devices, electronic instruments, breweries, ice creams & soft drinks, processed foods etc.
 




                          

The twin town of Olavakkode (part of municipality) is the site of Palakkad Railway Division of Southern Railway Zone and an important rail junction providing access for all trains coming from northern, southern, western & eastern regions of the country to the state of Kerala.

               PASTORAL & AGRICULTURE

Palakkad District Is The 'Milk Bowl & RiceBowl Of Kerala'. This district rears more sheeps, goats, cows, bulls, buffaloes, horses and donkeys than any other place in Kerala. About 65% of land is used for cultivation of rice, tobacco, flowering plants, tea, coffee, cardamom, pepper, rubber, groundnut, spices, plantain, sugarcane,cotton, silk etc.

A leading centre for learning arts,music & culture is also home for several types of great old heritage buildings and monuments generating thousands of tourists worldwide. Kalpathy is the world’s first heritage village recognized by UNESCO, Paris, France. Palakkad Fort, Jain Temple, Vatika Gardens, Maidan are some of the other best tourist attractions in the city.

HISTORY

                        

                                                 
                                     

People from all over the world through land and sea had marked their presence in Palakkad and its neighbouring places since humans started to evolve from various parts of Tanzania, Kenya & Congo in Africa . And migrating to various parts of Asia, Europe, Americas, Australia etc. (Recently an excavation of Hominids in Anatolian Plateau, Asiatic Turkey proved that Africa may not be the only place where humans and apes originated. After all it is from Asia where every languages and groups, cultures, civilizations originated. So why not first humans?)

First people of India were Negritoes from Niger river banks in Africa .They settled in Andaman, Thailand & Philippines (65,000 years ago) Second migration was from East Africa.(45,000 years ago) They settled in Pakisthan, India, Srilanka, Bangaladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia & Australia. If you observe tribals of Kerala, their features very much resemble aborginals and Vedda hunters of Srilanka. In Ice Age, Tamilnadu was connected with Lanka by land. Lakshadweep & Maldives were one single large island. Andaman Islands, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Papua & Australia were connected with thick sheets of ice. (35,000 years ago) Third migration was by Proto Elamites from Zagros Valley, Iran. They mixed with South Asian Hunter Gatherers & founded Indus Valley Civilisation. (4500 B.C. - 1650 B.C) Later moved East & South of India. Fourth migration was from Western Eurasian Steppes bordering Ukraine, Russia & Kazhaksthan. They were Sintastha people (Mix of Poltavka & Abashevo) migrated to Afghanisthan and Pakisthan Punjab and founded Indo Aryan Vedic culture. Later migrated to Yamuna,Gangetic & Narmada Plains founded Mahajanapadhas and finally reached Southern Peninsula. (1600 B.C to 700 B.C. Then 700 B.C - 100 B.C. Finally 100 BC to Present)

Zagrosian Iranians who mixed with South Asian Hunter Gatherers(who were present all over south asia as hunter- gatherers) to form Indus Valley Civilization were those who split from Iranian pastoralists and hunters 8,000 years before they learned farming from Fertile Crescent, Iraq. So the language spoke by IVC people would have been proto Elamite mixed with some language spoken by South Asian hunter gatherers. Indo Aryans came after the decline of Indus Valley Civilization. They came from Southern Russia bordering Kazhaksthan. Before entering Afghanistan and Pakisthan. They learned agriculture from people of Bactria Margiana Archaeological Complex. That's why agricultural methods and crops used by Indo Aryans in Vedic period was identical to BMAC and not related to IVC. (Aryans cultivated barley, pulses and lentils in the banks of Saptha Sindhu, West Punjab. It was only after they mixed with IVC people they began to farm rice on Yamuna &Gangetic plains.)

Sanskrit, Avestan & Mittani are closely related languages than any other Indo European language. All these three languages are 3700 years old. Only relation we have with these European languages is because there is a common ancestor for all Indo European languages originated in West Eurasian Steppes that was not Sanskrit. It is yet to be foundout. 

85% Sanskrit originated in Afghanisthan. Later spread to Saptha Sindhu region, Ganga, Yamuna & Narmada. Finally came down to Southern Peninsula & Srilanka. 

Tamil originated in Tamilnadu from Proto Dravidian. It is 2800 year old language. IVC people spoke a language related to Proto Elamite. While South Asian Hunters spoke a Srilankan Vedda related or Australian Aboriginal language. Both languages are not spoken today in South Asia.

Ok coming to genetics 63% Indians are mix of people from  South Russian Steppes, Zagros,Iran& South Asia. North Indians have more Steppe ancestry because of various invasions and settlements from Turkmenstan, Persia etc. But their basic DNA is same as South Indian Upper & Middle castes. North Easterners and Ladakhi people have Sino Tibetan and Sino Burmese ancestors. But their culture and traditions are like any indigenous tribal culture found around our country. No matter where we come from we are Indians first. Jai Hind. Yours Gouri Sankar.K 👍🙏🇮🇳
www.palakkadwalks.blogspot.com


Not much is known about the pre-history and very ancient history of Palakkad where the city stands now. Though there are several megalithic relics found in Kollengode and Pallasena areas in Chittur taluk. Not even one has been found in the city till date.The oldest record about Palakkad is found in the inscriptions of Chera Kings of Kodungaloor describing Palakkad as ”Nedumpurayoor as an important part of Tamizhakam”. (300 B.C)  In Tamil Classics ‘Puranaanooru’(100 B.C.) and ’ Chilappathikaram’(120AD) this word is modified as ‘Paarainad’ meaning ‘Land Of Hills/Rocks’. Romans also has recorded about the travels through Palghat Gap in 122 B.C on their way from Pandya Kingdom to Chera port of Ponnani and Muziris. 

First mentioning of Pandya king was on the ancient holy scriptures such as Matsya Purana, Shatapada Brahmana & Mahabharata. Both Virata kingdom of Rajasthan & Pandya kingdom of Madurai, Tamilnadu has Matsya/Meen/Kayal/Fish as flag symbol. Both are related by blood. First migration of Poorva Shikha Brahmins to Tamilnadu & Kerala was during last phase of Sangam Age. (200 B.C) Chozhiyars, Chithambara Deekshithars & Nampoothiris came deep south to escape from fanatic Buddhist monks and brainwashed kings of Maurya Empire. 
  
Cholas were from Ikshvaku tribe of Ayodhya, Uttarpradesh. And Cheras descended from Bhill tribe of Rajasthan. Bhill become Villavar.

 Prayaga pillar inscription of great Gupta Emperor Of Magadha, Samudragupta (330-380AD) mentions that his army led an expedition to Palakkad in the Southern region, which is identified as Palakkad.

According to William Logan, Pallavas had invaded Palakkad in 7th century A.D. and made their second capital after Kancheepuram. They came to defeat Kalabra Jains & Hindu Chalukyas of Karnataka.  Pallavas were the only Aryan languages (Sanskrit & Maharashtri Prakrit) speaking dynasty which ruled Tamizhakam. Later they adopted Tamil. (65% Pallavas had Brahmin blood from father side and Lunar Dynasty/ChandraVamsha Kshatriya blood from mother side. They brought 'Apara Shikha Brahmins' such as Vadama, Brahacharanam & Ashtasahashram. Pallavas worked under Satavahanas before becoming kings. Vadama Brahmins were invited from Maharashtra, Telengana, Andhra, Bengal & MadhyaPradesh. Brahacharanam were from Andhra Pradesh. Ashtasahasram originated from 8000 Jain families settled near Thindivanam near Kanchipuram who came to trade from Gujarat, Andhra and Karnataka converted back to Brahmanical caste by Pallavas. They also brought Vishwakarmars, Nagarathaars, Devadasis/Temple Dancers & Musicians In King's Court from Andhra Pradesh, Telengana & Maharashtra. During Medieval Pandya period  Vedantha Desikan said that knowledge of Vedas and Upanishads is also necessary and not just full devotion as prescribed by Ramanuja. Thus Vadakalai Iyengar faction formed.) Places like 'Pallavur' and 'Pallasena' in Chittur taluk have Pallava origin names. ValluvaKonaathiris are believed to be descended from Pallavas. (Mixed Caste Of Apara Shikha Brahmins & Chandra Vamsha Kshatriyas + Saamantha Nairs = Valluva Konaathiris. They used to have Sambantham with Namboothiri Brahmins too.) After defeating Pallavas, Medieval Cholas (Medieval Cholas are a mix of Pallavas, Eastern Chalukyas with large amount of Kaikola Sengunthar & Agamudayar blood.) showed up for a short period until they got defeated by Perumal army of Chera Kingdom in 841 A.D at Chittur. Most of the beauiful urban village settlements you are seeing today eg: Old Kalpathy, Sekhari puram, Kumarapuram, Govindarajapuram were made during the reign of Sekhari Varma(15th century A.D) for Tamil brahmins from Tamil Nadu. Jainmedu for Mysore Jains and Moothanthara for Moothan community of Tamil Nadu were also by those great visionaries. They were the first town planners who knew that one day our city would rise to glory. But the problem is that all those settlements were scattered till date and only those scattered ones are the only prove that this place was a town.And all the other places were not at all populated. There were several fishing villages on the banks of Kalpathy & Kannadi rivers at that time other than these settlements.Now there are only a few no: of fishermen, pastoral and tribal  communities living in those areas. Trading was common through Kannadi river, boats can sail with goods upto Ponnani harbour. But Kalpathy river cannot be used in this way, because it didn't have much depth compared to Kannadi. But for river crossing boats have been used in Kalpathy.

                                              

It was another king in 18th century who solved this problem. His name was Fateh Ali Khan alias Tippu Sultan. Not only he built the magnificient fort of Palakkad (actually built by Hyder Ali)and fought the British. But also made several roads such as Dindigul- Pollachi Road, Kollengode- Pollachi Road, Palakkad - Coimbatore Road, Palakkad- Ponnani Road, Mannarkad Road, Palakkad- Olavakkode Road, Palakkad - Kannadi Road etc. He did in South India what Sher Shah Suri did from Peshawar to Howrah by creating Grand Trunk Road. Even now also those roads are great.At that time population increased as new migrants came and occupied almost all parts of the city.

                                                            

In 1792, Treaty Of Sri Rangapattinam was signed by Tippu Sultan. All his pocessions in Malabar including Palghat, went to British East India Company.They created Malabar District and in 1800 it merged into Madras Presidency. They began to control Malabar from Fort Of Palghat before shifting their collectorate to Calicut. For some 50 years, Fort was also used as an army cantonment before it got moved to Cannanore. (Kannur) From 1830 onwards, our town developed rapidly. On understanding the importance of Palakkad as an important centre of indian and overseas trade and commerce. They founded the Municipality Of Palghat in 1866 A.D. on the instruction given by Lord Francis Napier, one of the great mayors of Madras. They added more beauty to the city with their imposing rest houses, private bungalows, jails, arm batteries, gardens, factories, educational institutions, government buildings, warehouses, shopping & trading buildings, cinemas, railway stations &lines, new streets & roads, bridges, motor boats, strand, churches, canals, aqueducts, markets, junctions, parks, squares etc to resemble most beautiful European capitals including London & Paris. Unlike other colonial masters, they never destroyed old artifacts & architecture, they carefully restored it. Most of the British buildings you are seeing in Palakkad are not purely European, but hybrids. The first chairman was J.W.Dance. He was an able man. ‘Dance Market’ was named after him. Until 1893, Asst.Collector of Calicut was the part time Chairman of the municipality. Vice Chirman was the man with authority. All this changed when Rao Bahadur P.I. Chinna Swamy Pillai took charge as the first chairman of municipality of Palakkad.He was one of those great persons who changed the face of the city we are living in. In 1955, this municipality become A Grade and continues till date with pride.

After Kerala State Formation in November 1, 1956. Palakkad become the Headquarters of newly formed district bearing the same name.The anglicized name ‘Palghat’ was officially removed from the government offices in 1994. Nowadays, the name is still in use with young generation and tourists.

GEOGRAPHY


(Bharathapuzha Passes Through The Southern Boundaries Of The City. Joins With Kalpathy @ Parali On The Western SubUrbs. Photos Took From  Thirunellayi Bridge.)


Like many great cities in the world, our city is also a 'River Bank City On Low Hills & Plains'. Palakkad City is situated between two rivers namely Kalpathy and Kannadi in the north & south respectively. Malampuzha canal in the east joins these two rivers and together with other streams joins to form Kerala’s largest river named Bharathapuzha in Parali in the west.Thus Palakkad becomes a ‘Wonderful Island’.In Ponnani the river joins the Arabian Sea.


The elevation differs from place to place ranging from 0 – 10 meters. In hilly areas outside the city, number goes up. Climate is influenced by Palghat Gap in the east, river plains in the central, Arabian Sea in the west and Western Ghats in the north, north- east & south-east. According to Coppen Classification,Palakkad has got a tropical climate, like many places in the sub continent of India with an average rainfall of 2348mm.In summer, temperature rises to 35-42 degree celsius. It is surrounded by districts of Malappuram in the north, north-west &west, Thrissur in the south and south-west, Coimbatore in the east and south-east & Nilgiris in the extreme north.

GOVERNMENT

Palakkad is governed by a municipality dating 1866. The present municipal area including Olavakkode Town is 26.60Sq.Kms with 52 wards and a population of 3,25,000 people.(including working population)Prameela Sasidharan is the Chairman of Palakkad Municipality. District of Palakkad is governed from Civil Station.(see Palakkad district) Municipality has no authority in there.


HISTORY BEHIND THE FORMATION




On 3rd of July 1866, a meeting was held at Fort St.George under Lord Francis Napier, Governor Of Madras. There he proposed 3 municipalities for Malabar and one for Kochi. They were Calicut, Palghat, Tellicherry & Fort Cochin.Palghat was the second oldest one after Calicut in Malabar District.But all the big developments was made in our municipality,no other city in Malabar has that credit even today also. First Chairman was J.W.Dance.The famous ‘Dance Market’ was named after him.Until 1893,it was the Assistant Collector Of Kozhikkode who also served as Chairman Of Palakkad.Vice Chairman was the real person who rules.In April1,1893 Rao Bahadur P.I. ChinnaSwamy Pillai was elected as the First Chairman Of Municipality Of Palghat.

                           

(Victoria College Clock Tower-1951)








03/07/1866 – Foundation Of Municipality. Building & gardens got completed within 2 years.
1867 – J.W.Dance ,Assistant Collector Of Kozhikkode Sworn As Acting Chairman.
1868 – Fish & Meat Market then known as Dance Market, founded.

   

Munsif Court& General Hospital Since 1861.



1869-72:  Traveller's Bungalow, T.B.Road was built.
1871-75 :  New roads, telegraph lines, pipelines, drainage systems were added. Boat services were motorised along Nila River.
1873 - Olavakkode Railway Station Constructed.
1878 – Sub- Jail Started Functioning Inside The Taluk H.Q Building Inside The Fort.
1879/1880 ? -  Fort Bungalow/District Court Been Built. (When I looked through Palghat Town Map Of 1942 the now District Court Building was a private building then. Two courts functioned that time, one at Old Govt Hospital made in 1861 and another at Sub Jail Building constructed in 1878.)
1880 -? BEVCO Building Built.(Old Warehousing Corporation Building In English Church Road)
1881 – Rathna Velu Chetty Commited Suicide.
1882 - Jamal Studio, First Studio In Malabar Started Functioning.
1885 - Mettupalayam Street Athar Juma Masjid was built.
1886 ? - 'Present Sitics Company' Bungalow In English Church Road Was Made.
1886 -  Tile Factory & Offices Started To Function @ Olavakkode. A Bungalow Was Constructed For Guests & Managers. Later Founded Tile Factories @ Shornoor, Kannadi, Kalpathy, Parali, Polpully etc.All These Were Started By Basel Evangelical Mission. Later Took Over By British Government After WWI From Germans And Renamed Common Wealth Tile Factories.
1887 – Municipal Rate School Was Upgraded To Government Victoria College.
1888 - Palakkad Town Station Constructed.
1888 – Olavakkode & Palakkad Town Stations Got Connected To Each Other By Meter Gauge.
1888 - Town Railway Military Godowns were constructed.
1889 - Village Office Bungalow Constructed @ College Road.
1889 - Victoria Principal Quarters was built @ College Road.
1893 – Rao Bahadur Chinna Swamy Pillai Was Made The First Chairman Of Palakkad. Anjuvilakku was made to honour Late Sri Ratnavelu Chettiar , a martyr who commited suicide against White Supremacy Racism.
1907 -  'Veenapoovu' penned by Kumaran Aasan at Jainmedu. He stayed with Sree Narayana Guru in a Jain House for treating cancer.
1910 – Present Buiding Of Basel Evangelical Mission High School Was Built.

                                               




1910 - Foundation Of Mepparamba Church Laid.
1912 - Mepparamba Church Got Completed.
1913 - Palakkad Town North Police Station, Market Road began to function replacing the station inside fort.
1913 – Hostel For Boys Was Made For Victoria College Students.
1914 - WWI started. Olavakkode, Palghat Town & Shornur stations became very busy packed with food items, soldiers, arms & ammunitions carrying from Madras, Calicut, Tellicherry & Ponnani.
1914 - Shelling of Madras Port by German Emden Submarine, sweeps panic among people of Palakkad. BlackOut ordered for some nights.
1914 - Swadesabimani Ramakrishna Pillai on exile at Vadakkanthara.
1915/ 1920? - 'The New india Trading Company' One Of The Leading Wholesale Merchants & Importers At That Time Was Founded By Adityapuram Krishnan.
1917 - A New Revenue Divisional Office Building Got Built, Replacing The Old One Built In 1880's In College Road.
1918 – Moyan School For Girls Was Built. (First Girls High School In Palghat City.)
1919 - Rabindranath Tagore invited to Govt.Victoria College.
1920s - First Fully Modern Printing Press Started @ Market Road Named Scholar Press Starts Functioning. E.V Ramakrishna Shastri Of Elappully Village Was The Founder.
1921 - Malabar Mappila Revolts. Though first started as a peaceful protest of Khilafat supporters under Muslim League & Congress against British government for abolition of Sunni Islamic Caliphate Of Ottoman Turkey in 1921. It soon turned into a horrible violent event of forced conversions, rape, exodus of victims to far off places, murders of humans and cattle, destruction of temples and houses. Malabar Special Police killed many mappila fanatics in a bloody war at Malappuram, Ponnani, Mannarkkad, Tirur, Manjeri, Nilambur, Perinthalmanna. Palakkad, Ottapalam, Pattambi, Alathur & Chittur remain neutral as these taluks are always under communal harmony.
1921 - Great Wagon Tragedy. The train which carried thousands of muslim fanatics from Tirur to Coimbatore passed through Olavakkode Junction without stopping.
1924 - Co-Operative Hospital was built for WW1 soldiers of British military.
1925 -  Sabari Ashram Founded By T.KrishnaSwamy Iyer @ Akathethara.
1925 - Sheik Rowther Family Donates Land To House Electricity Supply Offices & Power Generators @ T.B.Road. A Bungalow Was Built In The Same Year, But Started To Give Electricity For The City Only In The Year 1933.
1920-27 : Independence struggle against caste inequalities got strengthened. Temple & Brahmin Colony areas like Kalpathy, Vadakkanthara were the main targets for protesters from Thandan, (Not to be confused with Thiyya Thandaan of Northern Kerala) Ezhuva, Mannaan, Cherumar, Parayar, Nayadi & Kuravar  communities.(Although Malabar didnot had very big caste discrimination like those in Cochin- Travancore Belt, some upper caste dominated areas in Palakkad, Kannur & Kozhikode were really bad at that time.) Some Great Brahmin Social Reformers like T. KrishnaSwamy Iyer supported & led these protests.
1934 – Sir Krishnan Nair Gate Was Built.
1935 ? - Vijaya Hall Constructed.
1936 – New Theatre Was Inaugurated. (Sree Devi Durga Theatre)
1936 -  Palghat Co-Operative Urban Bank was founded.
1941 – Aqueduct In Karingarapulli Built.
1942 - Kalpathy & Kannadi River Bridges were built.
1942 – Kerala Nursing Home Was Built.
1942 - 1947 - Large Scale agitations against British in Palakkad for Independent Indian Union.
1943 - MadhavaRaja Club Founded.

                                       

1943 - Steam & Charcoal Powered Buses Started Their Services. N.C.Rowther Was The Person Behind This Idea.
1945 - WWII ended by forcing Japan to surrender.Millions were dead.
1947 – India Become Independent. Jawaharlal Nehru sworned as PM. Horrors of Partition.
1948 - Mahatma Gandhi shot dead by Nathuram Godse @ Birla Temple Compounds, Delhi.
1950 - India become republic. General elections were held.
1950 - 1965 - First Golden Period In Palakkad After Indian Independence.
1951 - Government Victoria College Clock Tower Building Was Built.
1952 - Palakkad Municipal Office Clock Tower Building Was Built Over the Old One As A Memorial To British Raj Rule.
1955 - Palghat Municipality becomes A grade.
1955 - Malampuzha Dam & Gardens Opened By K.Kamraj CM Of TamilNadu.
1956 - Formation Of The State Of Kerala. EMS Namboothiripad sworned as CM at Trivandrum.
1956 - Kerala's Biggest Housing Colony Started Functioning. Its Name Is ChandraNagar.
1956 - Agrarian reforms by V.R.Krishna Iyer. Hectares of land were seized by Government and given to poor peasants.
1957 - Palakkad district Formed On 01/01/1957.
1957 - Third Government Music College of Kerala State started functioning. After Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar's death, college got renamed by his name.
1960 - Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurates NSS College Of Engineering , Second Engineering College after Thiruvananthapuram.
1964 - Palakkad Town, its suburbs, Malampuzha, Ottapalam, Shornur etc becomes a hotspot for many Tamil & Malayalam film shootings. It is continuing till date also.

1969 - Formation Of Malappuram District. Palakkad District loses Ponnani, Nilambur & Perinthalmanna Taluks. Left this district landlocked.                                                       
    1970s - Economic deppression. 'Gulf Boom' started.
    1973 - Priyadarshini, First A/C Theatre in Palakkad Opened.
    1974-75 : New Civil Station Building Inaugurated. 
    1975 -   Projects for Palakkad delayed during 'Emergency Period'. City & whole district becomes one of the poorest in India. Unemployment in Palakkad and whole Kerala reaches its peak. Except Trivandrum & Cochin urban areas.
    1985-1998: City regains strength as an economic centre after Ernakulam, Trissur, Trivandrum & Kozhikkode. (2nd Golden Period)
    1986 - Kanjikkode- Walayar Industrial Belt Started.
    1995 - First Amusement Park In Kerala Started Its name Is 'Fantasy Park' @ Malampuzha.
    1998 - Old West Yakkara Bridge collapses, many people died.
    2004 - First Mall In Malabar named, Malabar Fort Started @ Sultanpet.
    2005 - Palakkad Civil Station Becomes India's First Fully Computerised CivilStation.
    2005 - Ahalia Group Began To Function @ Kozhippaara.
    2006 - Economic Boom In Palakkad. More & More New Companies Opened Its Offices & Factories In The City & In Kanjikkode. (Beginning Of 3rd Golden Period & Continuing Till Date)
    2007 - First Pantaloon BIG BAZAAR(Future Group) In Kerala Opened @ City Centre Complex, Palakkad.
    2008 - Kalpathy Agraharam Becomes First Heritage Village In The Country Recognised By Govt. Of Kerala & UNESCO.
    2009 - India Today Survey Puts 'Palakkad 11th Among Top 25 Emerging Non-Metros In India'.
   2009 - Biggest Railway Building In The State Constructed @ Olavakkode.
   2009 - 2013 : Old Public Buildings Undergoing Renovation Works. 
   2013 - Palakkad District Public Library One Of The Biggest In The State Was Built In FortMaidan.
2014 - Government Medical College Began To Function @ East Yakkara Near Kannadi River.
   2009- 2015 : National Highways Expanded Many Roads & Built Expressways Made Palakkad A Metropolis.
   2015 - Palakkad Municipality Became The First Local Self Government In The State Of Kerala Which Succeeded BJP To Hold Majority Seats In The Elections.
2020 - IIT Palakkad Got It's Own Building @ Puthussery West.

RELIGION

Majority of the population follow Hinduism, followed by Islam, Christianity.There are a small number of people who follow Jainism and Buddhism. Many people are followers of Atheism which was a result of Communist & Free Thinking Movements developed in the state before and after 1947.

                                          COMPOSITION

Hinduism : 35% (Vedic)
Hinduism : 15% (Non Vedic)
Islam (Hanafi) : 15%
Islam (Shafi) : 5%
Christianity (Protestant/C.S.I) : 7%
Christianity (Pure Catholic) : 4%
Christianity (Syro-Malabar) : 3%
Christianity (PentaCoste) : 3%
Christianity (Syrian Orthodox) : 2%
Jainism : 2%
Buddhism : 2%
Atheism : 7%

COSMOPOLITAN PALAKKAD 

 Tamil Speaking Brahmins Of Aryan Ancestry (Vadama, Brahacharanam, Ashtasahashram Iyers, Vadakalai Iyengars, Chozhiyars) Moothans, Tamil Rowther Muslims Of Turkic, Persian & Rajaputhra Ancestry, 24 Mana Telugu Chettis, Bandaara Chetties, Balija Naidus/Naayagars, Kannada Veera Shaiva Lingayats, Tamil Vaaniya Chettiars,  Konars/Aayars, Maruthuvars, Sengunthar Kaikolar Mudaliars, Kannada Speaking Devanga Chetties, Shaiva Pillais, Tulu Brahmins, Urdu Speaking Pashthoon Muslims , Anglo-Indians, Tuluva Bunt & Kannada Jains, Malayali Protestants & Catholics From Thalassery, Coastal Thrissur & Kottayam, Tamil Catholics From Naagapattanam, Mylapore, Malayali Maappila Muslims From Chaavakkad & Ponnani in medieval & modern times.All have contributed greatly and even today also. Today, Biharis, Bengalis, Punjabis, Rajasthanis, Gujarathis, North Easterners, Nepalese all are co-existing with the majority population consisting of 65% Malayalam speaking people and 25%Tamil speakers the second.(percentage is applicable for both city and district) Almost everybody can understand, read,write and speak English and Hindi also.

CITY OF VILLAGES

Palakkad is known as ‘City Of Villages’. Although there are several Tamil Brahmin Agraharams /Villages in the state of Kerala, the most beautiful, oldest & large no: houses can only be seen in Palakkad district. 70% living in there are Advaitha Vedanta Smaarthas. 20% Shree Vaishnavites And 10% contains Moothans & Nairs. There are 98 such villages in the district. City Of Palakkad has got 22 of them. They are : -

                                       



1. Chokkanathapuram
2. Govindarajapuram
3. LakshmiNarayanapuram
4. Sekharipuram
5. Old Kalpathy
6. New Kalpathy
7. Kumarapuram
8. Pallipuram
9. Adithyapuram
10. Thirunellayi
11. Nurani
12. Tharekkad
13. Nellissery
14. Ayyapuram
15. Ramanathapuram
16. Venkatesapuram
17. Varadarajapuram
18. Thondikulam
19. Ranganathapuram
20. Chathapuram
21. Vaidyanathapuram
22. Ambikapuram

                                         


STREETS OF PALAKKAD

Palakkad has some of the most charming streets which has its own distinct name, history, culture etc. Some of them are:-

1. Peerangi Sandh, Market Road .(‘Peerangi Sandh’ means ‘Cannon Street’.This street was built by Tippu Sultan for keeping military cannons to fight against British East India Company.)
2. Pada Theruvu, Nurani . (‘Pada Theruvu’ means ‘Cavalry Street’. This was built by Hyder Ali Of Mysore.)
3. Porikkara Street, Market Road. (Pori is a stuff made from rice.The name derived from the settlement of merchants who make a living on selling this item.)
4. Arikkara Street, Court Road. (Rice Merchant Street)
5. Erumakkara Theruvu, G.B. Road. (Buffalo Merchant Street)
6. Idayar Theruvu, Kalmandapam. (Shepherd Street) Konars/Aayars/Idayars live here. 

    

                   Co-Operative Hospital (1924)

    Beautiful Old Colonial Bungalows In Court Road, Sulthanpettah.
 

     


7. Bungalow Street, Court Road. (This beautiful road once consisted the residences of rich merchants, officers of Tippu Sultan, civil servants of British Raj. Now there are only few of them.)
8. Pattani Theruvu, Nurani (Pathan Muslims settled here, when HyderAli Khan Of Mysore was invited by Raja Of Palakkad to protect his kingdom against Zamorin & British.)
9. Diara Street: The First Urdu Masjid in Kerala was founded here by Hyder Ali. Pathan Muslims are the main settlers here.
10. Chetty Street: Vaaniya Chettiar Community lives here.
                                     

11. Moothanthara : Moothans are from Paththukudi community who lead their life by doing business, just like above mentioned Chettiars.They came to this city in 15th Century A.D. Palakkad Raja gave permission to built Kannaki Temple in this area.The place came to known as ‘Moothanthara.’ Consists of beautiful merchant houses and bungalows, dating 300years or more.





12. Chunnambuthara: ‘Chunnambu’ in Tamil(also in Malayalam) means ‘Limestone’. Once this place was famous for its fine quality of limestone. Many people led their life by mining & making slaked lime for a fortune.
13. Jainmedu: Jainmedu was the largest settlement of Jains in South India after TamilNadu & Karnataka. All came to an end when Tippu Sultan’s army men destroyed most of their houses during the period of 1766-67.(Read more on Jain Temple)



14. Chakkanthara : The English name for this street is ‘Oil Merchant Street’. This area was a Syro Malabar Catholic settlement who came from rural villages in the now Thrissur District.




15. Godown Street,Market Road : Best preserved Indian and European styled warehouses built in late 19th century to 1940's.
                                       

16. Vadakkanthara :This ancient road connects market road to Kalpathy in the north. Consists of several old beautiful traditional architectures much untouched by modernisation of the 21st century.


 
Vadakkanthara Temple Is The Oldest Temple In The City & One Of The Oldest In India. It was constructed for Kannagi who came to Palakkad after burning down the entire Madurai City which was then under the rule of Nedunchezhiyan I Pandyan King Of Madurai.It is believed to be 1600years old.
     

 Tharavathu Veedu where Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai stayed for many years on exile. 
                  


  PVS Hall was my Father's Grandma's property built in 1890s. Later sold to PVS Warrier.
        

      

                               Nellissery Village (Above)


17. Mettupalayam Street: You can buy almost anything from Mettupalayam Street.It has many perfume shops, fancy stores, duty paid shops, electronic stores, a flower market etc. Most of these businesses are owned by Malayali Mappila & Tamil Rowther Muslim Communities. This street is very unique and it is known as 'Little Kodambakkam', for the presence of many cinema theatres, production & distribution companies, cinema fan associations & advertising agencies. Palakkad District Central Excise & Vigilance has its office in Mettupalayam Street. Two mosques dominate the area. The oldest one is Mettupalayam Street Athar Juma Masjid founded in 1880. And another one is 'Cheriya Palli'.  



18.  Puthupalli Theruvu, Nurani (New Mosque Street): Oldest Mapilla Muslim settlements in the city are Mepparamba & Pudupalli theruvu in Nurani. It is only after 1912, Mepparamba became a part of Palghat Muncipality. So, considering that fact in mind, we could understand that this is the first Malayali Muslim neighbourhood in our city. Pudupalli Theruvu Juma Masjid is one of the oldest in Kerala.
19. Kozhikkara Theruvu, Shornoor Road- Near Nurani : Means 'Chicken Vendor's Street'. This street was once a leading area for poultry trade. Kozhikara Street Masjid is a stylish mosque located near Hotel Kapilavastu.
20. Tailor Street, Sultanpet: Once this street was fully dominated by tailors & weavers from cities of Coimbatore, Tirupur, Kanchipuram etc. Now there are only a few of them. They mainly came here during the British Raj period to make uniform clothes for the officers and soldiers. And also made clothes for leading textile shops in Malabar.
21. Rajput Street, Court Road : Rajput Street is where Rajput soldiers camped @ Palghat under the orders of Mysore Wodeyar Raja's trusted Commander HariSingh Of Rajaputhra Batallion to help HyderAliKhan Of Mysore against Zamorin & British East India Company Troops.
22. Vaduga Street, Vennakkara : Telugu Balija Naidus live here.
23. Canara Street, G.B.Road : Kannadiga Veera Shaiva Lingayats once lived here.


24. Vysia Street, Court Road :  Telugu Komati Chettiars are still living here. They founded Sri Kannika Parameshwari Temple.
25. Ennakottil Street, Market Road : Coconut Oil is the main product of trade in here. This was started by Syro Malabar Christians from Thrissur.
26. Vellan Street : There is a temple called 'Vellan Kovil' built by Tamil Vellalars.
27.  Pension Street : This was where old government employees got pension during British  period.

                                       

28.  Robinson Road : Named after Late District Collector Of Malabar, A.B.Robinson. Robinson CSI Church, C.S.I. School, B.E.M. Junior School, Mission House are some of the main attractions in this street. There are many hotels in this street. Many Anglo -Indians lived here during British Raj Period.  Today this area is one of the most poshest localities in the city.
                           

29. English Church Road, FortMaidan : This road connects B.E.M School Junction to SBI Main Branch Junction in FortMaidan. One of the most beautiful roads in the city was a busy area during British days. Holy Trinity Church is the first Protestant Anglican Church in the city is located in this road. New Mansion is one of the classic looking heritage structures in the city once used as a warehouse & bungalow for British officers. Now it is used by Kerala State Beverages Corporation As A WareHouse. 


Sitics Company is also situated on a classic heritage bungalow made in 1880's & Madhavaraja Club one of the oldest premium clubs founded in 1946 is also situated @ English Church Road. Town Square Club is another beautiful colonial building on nearby Racket Court Road. Tennis and Badminton were introduced first in Malabar District @Racket Court Club.(Town Square Club) Badminton in 1854 and Tennis in 1890.
                                                 

       Victoria College Principal's Quarters (1889)

30. College Road : College Road is the most fashionable avenue in Palghat today. You can find almost all retail chains related to fashion, food & many things in this road. Revenue Divisional Office, Judge's Bungalow, District Collector's Bungalow, Kollengode Raja's Residence, Government Moyan Girls School, Chembai Memorial Music College, Pandit Mothilal Government School, Govt.Victoria College, Victoria Principal Quarters, Village Office Bungalow, Siruvani Dam Inspection Engineer's Inspection & Malampuzha dam Inspection Engineer's Offices are some of the most classic heritage buildings in the city. Guruvayoorappan Temple, Tharekkad Simhanadha Bhagavathy Temple, Ganapathy Temple are the main temples in College Road. KrishnaSwamy Iyer Park is the only children's park on College Road. 

 
                        
                      Revenue Divisional Office (1917)
           

            Village Office II @ College Road. (1880)

  
Beautiful British Colonial Buildings Along Two Sides Of College Road.


Fashion Avenue, College Road.  
                   

     

 


 M.D.Ramanathan Hall, Sharadha Krishna Iyer Memorial Library, Palghat Fine Arts Society are the leading intellectual, literature, art, music, drama, hangouts in this area.

 Sir Krishnan Nair Gate divides the city into North & South. This road is more cleaner and looks more European like FortMaidan & BEM School Junction.

                                      

TOURIST PLACES

                                     

1. Kalpathy Heritage Village

Old Kalpathy, Sekaripuram, Kumarapuram & Govinda rajapuram are the second oldest on the banks of river Kalpathy after Lakshmi Narayanapuram. The village was built in 15th century by Raja Sekhari Varma for Tamil Brahmin settlers from Tanjore, TamilNadu.The main reason is that prince had fell in love with a tribal girl and decided to marry her.But the priests in the Malayali Brahmin Namboothiri community did not accept this decision. They even threatened Sekhari Varma that they will make him outcast, if he proceed with his decision. But he didn’t cared about the threat.Instead he boldly deported them and welcomed ‘Iyers’. They helped them to tie the knot and crowned him as Raja Of Palakkad.Not all of them were priests, only half of them were priests. Like many other brahmins they also engaged in professions such as astrology, law, trading, administration, cooking, bureaucracy, music etc.  After two centuries, many more immigrant brahmins from Tanjore settled in Kalpathy and many parts of the  district fearing Islamic invasions after the downfall of Vijayanagara Empire. Thus Kalpathy expanded till 1767.(Rule Of Tippu Sulthan) New Kalpathy, Chathapuram, Ayyapuram, Chokanathapuram & Vaidyanathapuram were built on 18th century AD.

                                         

After marriage entire community were rewarded with gold coins, several gifts, hectares of land etc.and the king told them to stay here.Even had right to engage in temporary living together relationship known as Sambantham with Nair women. Iyer community accepted this, on one condition that they wanted their houses and mansions to be built in Tamil Brahmanical Architecture used to built their Agraharams in TamilNadu.Raja was happy to do so.The rest was history.

   
                                           

 Even now also you can see the beauty & strength of that 15th century architecture in 
houses, mansions,shops,temples in here.  Kalpathy is renowned for its vedic learning centres, Tamil and Sanskrit literature studies etc. It is known as 'Varanasi Of South India'.
 
              

(Striking Similarities Between Kalpathy & Paris)

Other nicknames of Kalpathy and parts of NorthPalakkad include, 'Medieval Paris Of South India' & 'Kerala Prague'. Most of the brahmins settled here are from Brahacharanam sect of Iyer caste. Rest consists of AshtaSahashram, Vadama and Vadakalai Iyengars too.

In the late 19th & early half of 20th centuries, Kalpathy was one of the major centres of the Civil Rights Movements that took place in various parts of India. KrishnaSwamy Iyer, a great Gandhian who founded Sabari Ashram in Akathethara for the upliftment of underprivileged castes, religions, races & classes belonged to this part of the town. K.Seshadri Iyer, Diwan Of Mysore  who is popularly known as 'Father Of Modern Bangalore City' was also born here. Diwan Bahadur L.K. Ananda Krishna Iyer (1861-1937) the greatest Indian Anthropologist who wrote Castes & Tribes Of Mysore and Caste & Tribes Of Cochin was also from here.Malayatoor Ramakrishnan very famous CivilServant & Novelist was born in Kalpathy. V.R.KrishnaIyer, Retired Honourable Chief Justice Of Kerala High Court and Irrigation & Law Minister Of The First Communist Government In Asia (Kerala State) was also born and broughtup here.

M.D.Ramanathan was a great musician studied music from Kalpathy. G.N.Seshadri ,the man who built first modern flour mill in the municipality & Kalpathy S.Agoram of AGS films also belonged to the business community in KalpathyHeritage Village.

Kalpathy is world famous for its Annual Chariot Festival held every year in the month of November for three days.

2. Jain Temple


Some people in the temple are saying that Jainmedu Jain Temple has been around here for some 2000 years. That is during the Sangam period. Some major works in Tamil sangam literature was written by Jain monks/ believers. It's a truth. But as far as I researched the present temple structure is only 500 years old. It was in 16th century,Ijn Satru & Payippa Shetty were diamond traders from Mysore, Karnataka. On their travels they frequently visited Palakkatussery both for trading and pleasure. One day they camped here.That night Satru dreamt his late Jain Guru/Thirthankara requesting him to ask Raja Of Palakkad to built a great temple for peace at the banks of river Kalpathy. He woke up said to his friend. Next day, they requested the king to allot land where they camped at night. His response was positive.Land was alloted at that place.For that they had to give 1000 rubies.After that this place was known as ‘Manickya Pattanam/City Of Ruby’. Within one year temple was built and hundreds of jains lived with their family peacefully for more than 200 years.And this place came to be known as Jainmedu meaning place for jains. But in 1776, when Tippu Sultan reigned Palakkad most of them were driven out.Because of two reasons.

1. The jains who lived here were those people who got expelled by Mysore Wodeyar Raja for whom Tippu was working for.
2. Jainism doesnot believe in any God.


The temple was loosely inspired on Hampi, once Capital Of Vijayanagara Dynasty a unique blend of  Nagara/North Indian, Dravidian/ South Indian Jain styles of temple architecture. The length is 32 feet and width is 20 feet high. Idols of Thirthankaras and Yakshinis made of black stone is found on the premises. The main idol in the sanctom is dedicated to the Jain monk ChandraNathaSwamy in Padmasana(sitting) posture.

It was here Kumaran Asan, a great poet in Malayalam literature stayed with Sree Narayan Guru in a house near the temple facing the river. He wrote ‘Veena Poovu’ or Fallen Flower, one masterpiece which lifted his career as a great poet in 1907 at Jainmedu.

3. Palakkad Fort/Tippu Sultan’s Fort


‘Tharoor Swaroopam’ the Royal Dynasty Of Palakkad was one of the most powerful kingdom during the mid 14th- 18th centuries A.D. The kings were known as ‘Varmas’ and their military generals were ‘Achans’, a division among nairs of Palakkad. From Itti Kombi Achan onwards they become powerful and some of them were crowned as rajas. One such king was Itti Panki Achan who lived in the time of European Colonialisation of the world. Most of the areas in today’s Palakkad and Malappuram districts were under Valluva Konathiris, Kochi Rajas Palakkatussery & Kolengode kingdoms. Ravi Varma Raja, Zamorin Of Kozhikkode pocessed a great threat for them.The strategic importance of Palakkad serving as an important gateway for the eastern and western coasts of India along with its hills, mountains, forests, teak, minerals, spices, cotton &paddy fields on the banks of Nila river has always attracted everyone. Zamorin was no exception. In 1756, he annexed Mankara a western part under Achan. At that time, our kingdom had no big army and he was a weak ruler.To drive Zamorin away he seeked the help of Hyder Ali ,who was looking for an opportunity to drive Britishers and to gain control of Malabar.Raja paid him a sum of 2,00,000 gold coins to Hyder. On hearing this news Zamorin offered 12,000,00 gold coins & made an alliance that he will not disturb Palakkad Raja ever.Hyder agreed and told this to Achan.



     



    Fine stone sculptures excavated from pond. Believed to be made during the rule of Pallava Dynasty (6th - 9th century A.D)


Zamorin didnot kept his word. He did not paid money and in 1766 he won ‘Mamangam’, captured Valluvanad consisting of Ponnani a great port on the mouth of Nila River. Raja Of Valluvanad escaped to the mountains in Mannarkkad and didnot surrender till 1792. Next man on the list was Palakkad Raja. But Hyder Ali wanted to take revenge on him.Tippu Sultan and his forces along with Hyder stormed on the territories annexed by Kozhikkode Raja.Several soldiers were brutally murdered. Feared Zamorin seeked British to help. During the period of 1766-71, Palakkad Fort was under construction Hyder’s army had been attacked in 1767, by the British troops under Colonel Wood.But they failed miserably. Several parts of the fort was destroyed. They rebuilt it in a grand scale with a blend of Indian & French architectures. Local people also joined to construct the new fort. Within six years, a masterpiece was produced.


In 1782, Hyder Ali died and Tippu was crowned as Sultan.After some years, In 1784, Colonel Fullerton a brave officer captured the fort within 11 days with a bitter war. At that time Tippu was fighting war in Mysore. On hearing the news,he sent more men here. But it was too late and Union Jack was fluttering on the top of it.After Treaty Of SriRangapattinam, all the pocessions in Malabar were handed over to British East India Company in 1790. In 1800, Malabar become a district in Presidency Of Madras.


English East India Company Soldiers & Officers Were Given Treatment In This Military Hospital Established In 1790.


Assistant Apothecary's House Built In 1790.


One of the most beautiful features are: 1. The fort is rhombus in shape. 2. Built with a mix of Asian & European styles. 3. Has got a big moat with many species of turtles, fishes and birds. 4.  Sub Treasury & Archeological Survey Of India is located in a classic British building constructed in 1878 inside the fort. Sub Jail started functioning in the same building in the year 1878. 5. Fort Museum & pond is also located inside the fort. It contains many fine stone sculptures believed to be made during Pallava Dynasty found from excavations of the moat. And many Neolithic Pottery plates made of clay. 6.First English Garden In Palakkad Is Located Inside The Fort Constructed In The Year 1784. 7. First Military Hospital In Malabar District Was Established Here In The Year 1790. 8. There is a Hanuman Temple, an inner gate & four mandapas, and walls engraved with Goddess Lakshmi & Ganapathi. These are believed to be the remains of an Old Fort built by Raja Of Palakkad. 9.Armoury Building was later used as Granary. 10. Rappadi Open Air Auditorium is situated on backside of the fort.

4. Vatika Gardens


Vatika Gardens is a paradise, arguably one of the most beautiful and well- preserved parks in the state. More and more young couples are coming from across Kerala and even people from nearby states are also coming with a videographer to shoot them with this background. Children will not get bored, there are several things for them to play.So don’t worry.
                                             

Location of the park itself is wondrous. On the left side, you have the iconic Fort Of Palakkad. In right you have A.R.Menon Memorial Park . And if you go straight, you have Children’s Park. Forest Tribunal and District Tourism Promotion Office is also situated there. Bridge is one of the best attractions in the park. With different species of plants, flowers, trees,landscape you will wonder that you are actually in a city. The view from the bridge is amazing, from here you can see all the directions and places I mentioned above.

All those who are above 12 has to buy a ticket of Rs.5/- and those who use still camera must pay Rs.10/- (no charge for cell phone cameras) and for videography Rs.25/- ticket including entry fee.

5. A.R.Menon Memorial Park



Largest park after Malampuzha Gardens in the district is named after the great A.R Menon, who started Kerala Nursing Home.Also served as our Municipal Chairman twice & once as Health Minister Of Kerala State. This park is maintained by municipality of Palakkad and requires no fees.

   Main attractions are:

1. Hundreds Of Plant & Tree Species.
2. Statue Of A.R.Menon.
3. Children’s Park and Vatika Gardens Are Near To It.

6. Maidan



Fort Maidan (1766) is the second oldest open air grounds in Kerala after Parade Ground, Fort Kochi (1505)and also one of the most beautiful in the country. Maidan was designed by the same French architect who designed the Fort Of Palakkad. Tippu Sultan used maidan for his horses and elephants to rest and to give training for his cavalry.After Treaty Of Srirangapattanam of 1790, the maidan was took over by British East India Company along with the fort and entire Malabar Region.  During British Raj period, Fort Maidan was the venue for their regular police & military drills, parades. During leisure times, this place was their regular venue for conducting horse races, cricket matches, meetings, picnic spot for children from aristocratic families etc. This was one of the main venues associated with public demonstrations during Indian independence struggles.

Since some years, a major part has been taken by B.C.C.I who hosts Renji Trophy in national level and Kerala Cricket Association organizes training for students,arranges matches for state level.But all people can come here for relaxation, the area is not restricted.



The rest is known as Small Maidan.(below) Exhibitions, Meetings etc are held here. Martyr’s Column is a memorial for all those great sons & daughters who fought for the independence of India. A basket ball ground is an added attraction found in the maidan. Open Air Gym is a latest attraction in the area.

ARCHITECTURE

Palakkad is one of the best cities in India to explore architectural wonders. Palakkad is the 'Architecture Capital Of Kerala'. Our city & whole district is rich in architecture.

Dravidian Temple Style, Tamil Brahmin Agraharam Styles, Chettinadu Style, Thai , Kerala Hindu Styles, Jain, Moorish, Islamic, Persian/Iranian, Afghan, Saracenic(Arab), Anglican Church Style, Dutch Renaissance Style, Tudor & Victorian,(British Styles) Baroque & Romanesque, (Italian) Neo-Classical, (Greeco-Roman) Portuguese, French Ornate, Gothic German,  (Other European Styles) ArtDeco (1920s -40s American Style)and lot of new 21st Century building styles are abundantly found here more than any other city of this size in Kerala.

Only cities that can challenge Palghat in terms of architecture are Cochin & Trivandrum.

Although there were buildings and streets in Palakkad before 15th century A.D. Most of them got destroyed by war, fire, floods etc. But nowadays, our city authorities and government are spending lot of money to restore old, beautiful architecture dating from 1500's to 1950's.

Materials used here for most of great old buildings include jaggery, lemongrass along with common materials such as limestone, sand, granite, water, clay, gravel, rock, hard red brick, teak, rosewood, sandalwood, marble etc. Clay tiles and glass are used for making roofs.

Use of cement only began from late 1940s. Use of concrete, plastic, steel are greatly used for latest flats, office blocks, shopping & commercial buildings.

Top 20 Architectural Delights In The City Are:-

1. Anjuvilakku (5 Headed Lamp)

     
                           
This 5-branched lamp was built in the year 1893 for comemorating a great martyr Sri Pulicat S.RathnaVelu Chettiar. He was the first Indian to serve as Vice Chairman Of Palghat Municipality. Many British officers didnot liked this.Because most of the higher officers at that time were English or Scottish only.

That was one fine morning in September 28,1881 entire city was celebrating the glorious 15th year of the Second Biggest Municipality Of Madras Prasidency. Several big shots were invited for the function. Capital of Malabar was Kozhikkode(Calicut) at that time, so the District Collector was also present at the function. He was a Britisher. V.A. Bradick was the Assistant Collector Of Kozhikkode & Chairman Of Palakkad. He introduced his staffs to the Head Collector , as many people know that he was a racist they didnot shaked his hands. But Chettiar shooked and collector got angry, he washed his hands with water. People astonished with this action. Rathnavelu Chettiar ended his life on the evening inside the office. After so many years, Rao bahadhur Chinnaswamy Pillai took charge as the First Indian Chairman In Palghat Municipality. In 1893 a classic lamp post with beautiful French design was built to commemorate a great martyr.

Even today also, most of the socio-political processions begin or end at Anjuvilakku. The lamp is lighted in the evening.

2. Old Munsif Court




The Old Munsif Court is one of the finest colonial buildings in Kerala. A blend of 19th century British Victorian mixed with Dutch Renaissance Architecture is beautiful to watch.

 This was the first hospital opened for Indians in the year 1861. Before that treatment was given to British officers, lawyers, judges and soldiers only. Hospital functioned on the ground floor of this building. Because the right side and upper floors was already dominated by munsif court house. Sessions court and hospital for Britishers functioned inside the fort. After Kerala state formation in 1956, both courts shifted to Fort Bungalow. And came to known as Palakkad District Court. So,the entire building was for the hospital.


Anjuvilakku & Old Hospital Building In One Frame.

   


After some years, three more new blocks had been made. Now the hospital has got a nursing institution and more recently a seperate block for children & women. This hospital got many awards for excellence, including three consequtive times for Best Hospital Of Kerala.The old building has been painted and well maintained after the celebrations for the future generations who love the Old Colonial Architecture.Another distinct features are the glass windows, arch like facades & the tower at the centre which measure 25.25 ft from the ground to the apex.

3. Palakkad Municipality Office Building



Palakkad Municipality Office is the most beautiful among local self government buildings in Kerala State. The tiled roof building was built around the year 1866 - 1868 period. The present clock tower building was constructed in the year 1950-52 period. It was during the rule of Sri Sankara Reddy this building was completed. This classic make over was to celebrate the Indian independence & to give tribute to British Raj Rule.

One of the most beautiful features is the design and colour. Victorian Architecture is clearly seen.The extreme two sides of the balcony resembles Fort St.George.On the top floor of the entrance has got a sun rays like design,representing the British Empire.The design of the balcony & columns are equally good.The main highlight of the building is its 4 Faced Clock Tower. Municipal Garden is the oldest public park in the city.Anybody can come to relax.A Lady Watering The Plants and Mahatma Gandhi are the two statues in the park.

4.  New Mansion/BEVCO Building



New Mansion is one of the oldest buildings in the city which need care. Not much is known about the building. For so many years this majestic building has been using as a warehouse by Kerala State Beverages Corporation.Whether it is made by Indian or Foreigner, couldn’t findout the details.But one thing is for sure, whoever made this masterpiece is great.

Look at the architecture, a unique mix of Asian and British styles. Upper, lower roofs and sunshade arch is typical Kerala- Hindu- Buddhist Architecture . Both floors and its windows and entrance are early 19th century English Architecture.

This monument is located on English Church Road, Fort Maidan opposite Hotel Indraprastha.

5. Old Fort Bungalow(District Court)

               
 
     

Like New Mansion the details of this beautiful masterpiece is not known even for the people working in the court. It is the most embarassing thing.I mean you have a magnificient piece of history in the building you are seeking the job and you don’t even know any detail about it.

The main building is average looking one.Most imposing are the three beautiful towers .Biggest one is on the centre, it has a red glass window.Tallest one is on left measuring about 35ft long from the ground to apex. Third one is slightly different.It has got a large roof compared to second one. All the three towers are made using a blend of four different types of architectural styles. Such as Thai, (Buddhist& Hindu) Indian, (Kerala) Victorian (British)& Gothic.(Medieval Western European)

A new court complex is soon going to come at West Yakkara let’s hope that on doing so this building will be preseved with more care for future architecture and urban history lovers.

6. Old Kerala Nursing Home
                                       
                                    
Old Kerala Nursing Home was built in the year 1942. It was founded by Dr.AR.Menon, who served as our Health Minister of Kerala during the year 05.04.1957-31.07.1959 in the First Elected Communist Government In Asia. He learned Medicine from Dublin, then on Britain who came from Ambat Family in Chittur,which was situated at Cochin Royal Kingdom then. This family has contributed more to India than any other in the state. Ambat SivaRamaMenon, Dr.A.G. Menon, A.Eachara Menon, Ambat Parvathy Amma, Dr.A.N. Menon, A.K. Menon, Samuel Albert, Dr.A.N.K Menon, Madhu Ambat & Vidhu Bala are the other great & famous ‘Menons’ from Ambat Family Of Chittur. A.R. Menon also served as Chairman Of Palghat Municipality.

The building is a simple architecture made using black -ash stone and wood designed in Anglican Protestant Church Architecture of 17th & 18th centuries A.D. A wheel on the top of the apex of the facade, two small cute fountain like shapes on either sides, a designed window and balcony are the highlights of this building.Today nursing home is no longer been in the building, because it has been shifted to a new one in the back during the 1960s. Some shops are working in this heritage building where once a reputed hospital built by a great man stood.

7. Diara Street Urdu Masjid



 Diara Street Masjid is the Oldest Urdu Masjid in Kerala built by Hyder Ali Khan Of Mysore in 18th century. He was father of Tippu Sultan served as army general of Mysore King who came to protect Raja Of Palakkatuserry against forces of Zamorin and British East India company.

Palakkad city doesnot had any mosque or church till 18th century, because the religions in the city& suburbs were predominantly Hinduism & Jainism in Southern India.Snake & Nature worship  were a common feature in Kerala for centuries.  Also had a few atheists. Hyder,Tippu and his Pathan soldiers needed a mosque to worship. The nearest one is situated on Ponnani a great seaport and Islamic learning centre 65kms west on the Arabian Sea Coast. This was a big problem for a religious man like Hyder, so he needed a mosque. He requested the king to build a mosque which gives teachings in Urdu & Arabic. Raja sent his men along with Khan to locate a place for the mosque. They chose Tharekkad a beautiful and peaceful location. Within months a small mosque was built ,several soldiers settled there and came to be known as ‘Diara Mohalla’ or ‘Diara Street’ meaning Mosque Street.The architecture is Indo-Afghan Style of simple type. Now this mosque has teachings in Malayalam and Tamil besides Urdu and Arabic.

8. B.E.M Higher Secondary School



Hope what you think that this is some kind of loosely Notre Dame inspired castle or church or something? Guess what its a school. Not an ordinary school but a school founded in 1858 by Reverand J.Strobel, a German Protestant missionary based at Switzerland called Basel Evangelical Mission. The first principal was Mr.Pothen. He was an able teacher and the progress of the school was rapid. In the year, 1860 it came to known as Anglo- Vernacular School Of Palakkad. Then it become a middle school in 1864 and finally a high school in 1905.

The school made a great impact in the history of India as a whole.Because, the learning at that times was restricted for certain castes. And girls were not at all allowed to read or write. In 19th & early 20th centuries Kerala played a great role for Indian Renaissance as a whole.One of the main reasons for the change is the introduction of English education headed by Christian missionaries mainly Protestant and land was donated by local landlords.


Architecture is superb.It was built in the year 1910.The two main castle like structures were inspired on Notre Dame in Paris resembling a medieval Gothic style used in Western Europe. The other two sides are made by fusing English- Tudor style and Moorish- Spanish styles. It was made by a German architect named T.Maeu, a genius in his own right.

And I had the priviledge to study in this prestigious school for one year in 1998. Versatile Film Director KS Sethumadhavan, Delhi Metro Rail Chairman E.Sreedharan & Former Election Commissioner T.N.Seshan, Late Great Malayalam Novelist,Journalist & Cartoonist O.V. Vijayan are some of the few legends who had their best school life in olden days.

9. Government Victoria College

             

It was in the year 1866, a rate school was established in the building of an army mess house of Sepoy Regiment got vacated from here to another place six years back. During that time the school was funded by the newly begun ‘Municipality Of Palghat’, appointing Mr.G.E. La Nause as the first principal. In the year 1871,the institution was taken over by the Local Fund Board.They appointed T.C.ElseWorthy as the headmaster who was a talented teacher good at English,History & Geography was very much interested in the developmental activities paved the way for the college that we see today.In the year 1887,the ‘Golden Jubilee Of Queen Victoria As The Empress Of Britain & Her Colonies’ was celebrated with pride everywhere. The high school’s name got changed into Victoria Jubilee College. Raja Of Palakkad, MR SekharaVarma laid the foundation stone on the land given free of cost by the counciller, Nellissery S.Narayana Iyer.It took two years to construct the main clock tower building also the main building of the college even now. And in 1889, the institution was affliated to Madras University becoming the second greatest college in the presidency for several decades & also the first college in Malabar District.




 Victoria is one of the few colleges in the country which has got a charming Gothic style ClockTower located on the top of a Greeco-Roman mixed with Kerala & Victorian architecture building. Another attraction is the boys college hostel built in 1913 using Gothic architecture.

Sir M.KrishnanNair, Dr.AR Menon, KP Keshava Menon, L.K.AnanthaKrishna Iyer, O.V.Vijayan, M.T.Vasudevan Nair, V.T.Bhattathiripad, TN Seshan, EMS Nampoothiripad were some of the legends who walked through that gate reaching the heights that several people never dared or dreamed off. The list is endless.

10. Sir Krishnan Nair Gate



The most beautiful gate in the state of Kerala, Sir M.Krishnan Nair Gate (1932) was modelled on Arc De Triompe(1839) in Paris and India Gate (1921) of NewDelhi. This gate divides north and central parts of the city.College Road,(south) Ayyapuram Road,(north) College Road Extension(west) & 100 Feet Road(east) are the four great roads radiating like sun rays. It is the main entrance for Govt.Victoria College.

Sir M.Krishnan Nair(1878-1938) the Diwan Of Travancore, was an old student and lecturer of this college.The main purpose that led to the construction of a permanent gate was to replace the old one.And one more thing, there was a bazaar near the gate’s entrance.Dr.Papworth was the principal at that time.He requested the municipality to replace it to another area, thus they moved the market.After some days the foundation stone was laid for the gate.Within one year the gate was completed and named as ‘Sir Krishnan Nair Gate’.

The major controversy was among the people who were supporting Indian National Congress which was gaining huge importance throughout the subcontinent.The main reason was Sir George Stanley (1872-1938),the Governor Of Madras was about to inagurate the gate. A big protest broke out infront of the gate when he came. ‘Governor Go Back’ was the slogan with black flags in hand.
Police arrested the mob and released later.This marked the birth of Palakkad Taluk Congress Comittee headed by R.Raghava Menon and M.V.Ramanunni.

Even today,all the peaceful protests begin from Sir Krishnan Nair Gate and ends in Anjuvilakku or Civil Station Gate in Fort Maidan.

 11. Government Moyan’s Girls High School


                             
There was a time when girl children in most of the communities were generally not allowed to achieve basic education. The vision of one great man, who was a rich landlord changed all. His name was Moyan P. Kunhiraman who was born and brought up at Cheruvathur inThalassery now in Kannur District. It was one of his dreams to start a school for girls in his native place. For that he deposited a huge amount of money at Madras DPI the authority which managed Government Victoria College. But the Government Of Madras found very low chances of girls going to school in Cheruvathur at that time. He got disappointed and was about to leave the office. A man named Swamy approached him and suggested to start the school in his city, a bustling & biggest city of Malabar, which has welcomed people from all places and their ideas. It was none other than Palakkad. Madras DPI also thought about it seriously and send men to analyse the scope for a girls school here.They founded it to be correct, and within two years the school was built.

      


Originally the land where the school was built had a horse farm and a small medical clinic near to it. The government acquired the land and alloted for the school. In 1918, the main colonial building was completed. Started with only a handful of students the institution reached a steady growth with 630 in 1948. The famous non residents of the district who visited include Dr. Leelavathi principal of Queen Mary’s College, Mrs.Lowie De Erichbeg Berlie, V.SatyaMurthy, V.V. Parameshwaran Iyer were examples. British government continued monitoring of the school until the country became republic. And for honouring Moyan P. Kunhiraman the name was changed to ‘Government Moyan Girls School’.

The only two beautiful schools in Palakkad at that time were BEM High School, Manjakulam and Moyans School, Tharekkad. Architecture used to create the building is Kerala (Indian) -  Franco- Victorian Style developed in the 19th century. Two ferocious lions sitting next to each other under an old electric lamp is another added charm.

Two majestic lions made of solid copper, painted in silver colour is one of the most beautiful but unrecognised statues in the city. An old electric lamp is situated in between the two.

12. St.Sebastin Cathedral (Matha Church)



St.Sebastin Church or Matha Church is the most beautiful church and one of the rarest churches in the world to have a dome. It is situated between Palayapet and Sultanpet in Central Palakkad. There was always christian presence in the city even before 18th century.The fact is that they didnot live here but frequently visited for trade and on their way to St.Francis Church, Melarcode in Chitilancherry of Alathur for praying. It was in the year 1761, Fr. Pavoni visited the place and obtained a plot of land in Periyakovilpalayam now in Coimbatore District from King Of Palakkad to built a church which offers services in Tamil, Malayalam & English languages. It was mainly for Tamil Christians who came from Tanjavur,Tiruchirapalli and Dindigul settled in Kalpathy, Palakkad. Soon it became the mother church for the entire Palghat- Coimbatore Belt.

In the middle of the that century, some catholics of the Panchamas from Kolar settled at Siruvaipalayam.Father Pavoni ordered to built a church at Siruvaipalayam and Sultanpet around the year 1763-65. From 1850 onwards St.Sebastin church got its own parish priest after the visit of Manager Bonnand in 1842. For many years it was the Italian priests who were appointed as bishops in this church.

The architecture is amazing , a wonderful blend of Baroque & English Styles looks small from the front but looks very big when watched from this angle from a certain distance it resembles Victoria Memorial Of Kolkata. This cathedral was inspired on St.Paul's Cathedral Of London and was built during the period of Father Bardou in the year 1861-63 period.Recently, a new Roman Catholic Diocese Of Sultanpet had been created commemorating 150 years of the cathedral in 2013. 

13.  Parakkunnam Juma Masjid


The location of the mosque once had an old fort built by Palakkad Rajas guarded by Nair warriors. After Tippu Sultan rose to power he conqured the fort by defeating them. Most of the fort got destroyed by cannon ball attacks. So, what Tippu Sultan did was he constructed a mosque for him and his Pathan and Rowther Soldiers.Although there were several mosques built on Palakkad by them,there were no muslim worshipping centres on the north. All those mosques were very small ones and unattractive ,so they wanted a large one with beautiful exteriors and interiors. The construction started in 1772. After three years they made it.

None of the people today don’t know how the structure was 200 years ago.The structure we see today is a 19th century Indo- Saracenic Architecture mixed with Arabic and Persian influences. The interior has beautiful tiles and a Belgian Chandelier.The minarets are illuminated evey night.

14. Adityapuram Sreekrishnaswamy Temple



                   

Adityapuram Sri Krishna Swamy Temple is one of the most beautiful &well preserved original temple structures in the city.This temple was built by Tamil Vadakalai SriVaishnavites who came from Kancheepuram, Thanjavur and Trichy in TamilNadu, when Maalik Kafur commander of Delhi Sulthanate ruthlessly sacked towns of Madurai, Kanchipuram, Kumbakonam & SriRangam in 14th century A.D. This village is 800 year old. Adithyapuram, Pallipuram, Thirunellayi, Lakshmi Narayanapuram & Aalampallam villages are affiliated with Ahobila Mutt, Andhrapradesh. We follow Shree Rangam Panchaangam.

 As far as genetic studies and cultural aspects of Vadakalai Iyengars is concerned we are very much related to Ashtasahasram Iyers than Vadama. Ashtasahasram Iyers were traditional custodians of Narasimha Temples in Tamilnadu. Similarly Ahobilam also have Lakshmi Narasimha Temple. Both Vadakalai Iyengars & Ashtasahasram Iyers have origins from Pallavan Empire Capital Kanchipuram & Ennayiram near Thindivanam. 
 
       
 Tamil Brahmins have largest percentage of  Sintastha Culture blood among all South Indian Brahmins. (Others reach 17% max) 
Iyers - 13% - 20%
Iyengar - 11% - 20%
And we have the largest percentage of Indus Valley Civilization blood (Proto Elamites From Zagros Mountains, Iran + South Asian Hunter Gatherers Mix) among all Brahmin groups in India.
Iyers - 53% - 70%
Iyengars - 48% - 65%
Wow..😃👌🏻 Proud to have both in large amounts.🇮🇳


  Closest Genetic Distance Of Tamil Brahmins To Other Communities.  

1. Telugu Brahmins
2. Malayali Nairs
3. Malayali Nasranis
4. Gujarati Baniyas
5. Punjabi Gujjars
6. Marathi Brahmins
7. Kannada Brahmins
8. Konkani Brahmins
9. Bengali Brahmins
10. UttarPradesh Kayasthas


Courtesy: South Asian Ancestry/Reddit



      


As Kerala Iyers already followed Advaitha philosophy of Sri Adi Sankara most people never cared about  Sri Ramanujacharya's Visishtadwaitha. Because according to them Adwaitham is very close to Vedas & Upanishads.Though Vedas say about a formless Creator God called Ekam Sath or Brahman. It never denies the right of believers to worship many Gods & Goddesses ie Devas & Devis from Vedic pantheon. But Vedic religion strictly warn people not to make images or idols for worship. Devas & Devis have same divinity. But different duties & functions except Indra. Lord Indra, (omnipresent) Mithra,(friend of Varuna) Varuna,(preserver of cosmic law/Rta) Agni(inner fire of human desire) are the most important Gods in Vedas. Followed by Prithu, Soorya, Saraswathi, Soma, Savithr, Adithyas, Ashwins, Prajapathi, Yama, Rudra, Bhaaga, Pushan, Vishnu. Indrani, Vaaruni, Prithvi, Saraswathi, Ushas, Sanjna are the chief goddesses in Vedic religion. Vedas denies existance of hell, heaven, rebirth or parallel universe. Neither it speaks about judgement day of so called true god. (Punishing God or God's Wrath) According to Vedas, everything in this universe is madeup from one absolute reality .(All planets, stars, living beings, even Devas and Devis) Devas and Devis exists everywhere. They do all the natural phenomena in universe and exists in everyone's consciousness. So nothing super natural. We pray for confidence, to inspire us to do great things. But Vishishtadwaitham is more close to MahaVishnu worship & bhakthi maargam more close to Manu & Puranas. In Vishishtadwaitham Vedas & Upanishads have only second place. The term Iyengar doesn't exist at those time.

But later Vedantha Desikan said that knowledge of Vedas and Upanishads is also necessary and not just full devotion as prescribed by Ramanuja. Thus Vadakalai Iyengar faction formed.      

 Our Adimakkavu is situated at Ootukulangara Bhagavathy Temple @ Peruvemba.

      


 Lakshmi Narayanaswamy Temple,        Pallippuram Village.  (Above)         
                             


  Ottupura Madom - My Grandfather House (Father's Side) Sold For Another Family Years Ago.




The temple & the villages of Adityapuram and Pallippuram was constructed in 14th century by my father’s great great grandfather.He was one of the biggest barons who controlled almost all brahmin villages in today's Palakkad District.A company called 'New India Trading Company' founded by my father's grandfather Adityapuram Krishna Bhattar functioned well at those times.But after the death of my grandfather Late Sri Adityapuram VeeraRaghava Iyer(Note: Iyengar Bhattar changed to Iyer as they wanted to end cold war with Advaitha followers by marrying their women and vice versa)everything ended. This was my father's ancestral house.(see above)Now we are living for some 18 years in my mother's ancestral home in Elappully 13kms southeast of Palakkad city.Her father E.V.RamaKrishna Sastri started a company called 'Scholar Press' in Market Road. He was also a learned and rich man.
He is from  Ashtasahasram sect who follow Adwaitham and wear Vibhuthi Of Lord Shiva. Our mother's ancestors were Shastrikal.Our KulaDaivam is Santhi Durga Parameshwari. 
The architecture is beautiful and not altered for centuries, unlike other villages in the city. Like all agraharam houses and mansions it is also built by Tamil Brahmanical Architecture. But this temple is designed using Kerala Temple Architecture Style.

Annual Chariot Fest is held every year and Kumbabishekom is held every 12 years.

15.  Mepparamba CSI Church Of Hope



Mepparamba Church is the third oldest protestant cathedral and the only one with original architecture found today in the district.No change has been made for the past 100 years.But it is well maintained.It was designed by Gustav Peter, a German architect came to Palakkad on request of Basel Evangelical Mission to build a church and a tile factory(read page) at Mepparamba and Kavilpad respectively.

The name Church Of Hope is named after the building was completely collapsed before completion.They all got very disappointed. All of them prayed to the lord for several days. After that Gustav and mission ordered to rebuilt the church. And the result is the wonderful one you are seeing today. Even today also, the believers are believing that it was due to prayer that the church didnot collapsed till date.

16. Nurani Village


                                  
Nurani is the village which is considered to be one among the biggest in Palakkad district of Kerala state in India comprises Tamil Brahmins. This village is 400 year old. Beautiful & well maintained consists of several old heritage buildings and temples.



Considering the location of the agraharam near Valiyangadi(Big Bazaar) we could understand that this village made a great fortune on sharing profits from trade and commerce to built what is Nurani of today.Nurani Parameshwara Bhagavathar one of the legendary musicians at the palace of Swathi Thirunal was from Nurani. Nurani consists of many streets like Single Street, Double Street etc. Other than Nurani, Thondikulam,Rangarajapuram & Varadarajapuram are the other beautiful agraharams each having their own distinct heritage welded into one. Annual Shastha Preethi & Lakshadeepam held here are famous for being exciting and spiritually evoking among the people in and around Palakkad.

17. Thirunellayi Village



Thirunellayi is a south western village situated on the banks of Kannadi river. It is 700 years old.And it has a history similar to Nurani, Pallipuram and Adityapuram.Most of the brahmins here are Vadakalai SriVaishnavites. 

    A Story From Tretha Yuga (Below)



Thirunellai, often known by its old name, 'Thiruvillakadavu', got its name from a small incident related to the travel of Rama during his exile, often referred to as Ramayana. It is said that Rama during his exile had traveled through river Nila, banking the village and had used his arrow(villu). So the name comes from "villu" meaning arrow and "kadavu" meaning banks of river.

The architecture is excellent. A big similarity between Kalpathy Village & Thirunellayi is the fact that both are situated on the two branches of the same river Nila/Bharathapuzha. One follow mainly Shrautha -Smartha, Adwaitham & another one only SriVaishnavism. But compared to Kalpathy, this village is small and Thirunellai is the only brahmin village in Palakkad city situated on the banks of Kannadi river. Sri T.N. Seshan, Election Commissioner Of India belongs to this village. Annual chariot fest is the biggest attraction.Although connected to the other parts of the city, this village is the farthest and remotest of all villages in the city. 

18. Palakkad Junction Railway Station


The building we see today was not at all old, compared to the railway line constructed here by the British Government in 1873. Keeping in mind that Palghat(in English) would one day become a busy city, they wanted to construct the third biggest terminus of the Madras Presidency outside the city.So they chose Olavakkode an old abandoned village, north of Kalpathy river where Royal Family Of Palakkad is situated.
 

Although the station made a huge impact on boosting the economy and lives of the people here, it was not more than a dirty terminus with no proper facilities for passengers and had an ugly building.But since three years the things had changed, Manmohan Singh led UPA Government (Or Sonia Gandhi headed)ordered the construction of a world class building reflecting the past, present & future of Kerala as a whole.It was proposed by then Railway Minister Shri O.RajaGopal in the BJP led NDA Government in 1998-2003. Cleanliness & facilities had also improved a lot.

Speaking of art & architecture, there is a huge mural painting depicting traditional folk dance forms of ‘Theyyam’ & ‘Padayani’ on the wall of the top floor visible when passing through the entrance. The whole exterior structure is based on Kerala Hindu Temple Architecture which was a prominent architectural style from 6th centuryA.D used for the construction of temples, monasteries, illams, tharavads, palaces, bungalows and even some agraharams & mosques.The interior is completely designed for the 21st century youth still priding about 19th century railway lines situated inside.

19. KSEB Old Bungalow,T.B.Road.





                 
Built in the year 1925 by the British Government for housing the office for electricity supply for the municipality. The best example of London model stone brick architecture using the colours, blue and yellow. It is built like a small castle and stairs are not inside the office,but fixed on outer wall on the left side. The roof and balcony has a Kerala palace like influence.The land was donated by Sheik Rowther one of the biggest business magnates at Palakkad @ that time.(Now also they are having business.) 

20.   Palakkad District Public Library, Civil Lines Road, FortMaidan.


  The newest, one of the biggest libraries in the country is Palakkad District Public Library situated on CivilLines near EastFort Road, FortMaidan. The main reason for starting a library with all the state of the art technologically advanced facilities was due to the constant requests & pressures Palakkad District Library Committe had given upon the District Collector. For that he alloted 30 cents of land, near District Panchayath Office near Civil Station. During that time, CPI(M) was ruling the Kerala state. N.N.Krishnadas, now Ex- Member Of Parliament allotted the sum of Rs. 1.25 crores for the library. Within three years, the building got completed. Although it was during the time of V.S.Achuthanandan(CPIM) rule the foundation stone was laid, (by A.K Balan, then the Minister For Electricity & Scheduled Castes, Tribes Development)it was completed by the Oomen Chandy(INC) government which is still ruling the state from 2011. On 29/06/2013, PDPL was inaugurated.
                                       

 The exterior is entirely built on 17th century Dutch Architectural style. The interior looks like a French cafe with a big hall in the centre and two floors other than groundfloor. 

 Ground Floor consists of many tables & chairs for readers and for librarian,other staffs etc.Large number of Malayalam books, magazines are arranged in these shelves. There is another shelf containing a good collection of Indian & Foreign classic movies suited for both kids and adults who enjoy cinema. Also contains a restroom, an internet cafe and staff rooms.

First Floor has English novels, autobiographical works, essays, poems etc.

 Second floor consists of reference books in both English & Malayalam languages. A conference hall, old photographs of MK Gandhi,his philosophies, political activities and newspaper articles on his time are displayed here. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, J.L Nehru, M.A Jinnah can also be seen in the display.

There is a separate section for late great literature & political personalities from Palakkad district like O.V.Vijayan, Mundur Krishnankutty, P.Kunjiraman Nair, VKN, E.M.S. Namboothiripad, Olappanmanna etc.

One common feature in all the three floors is that of the paintings displayed by professional artists from Palakkad Chitrakala Trust.

On the whole library has a wonderful appeal. "A nostalgic blend of old architecture in outside and new feel on browsing through the books and pictures on the inside, the breeze and sunlight coming like angels reminds us that the day of reading will always be enjoyable & infotaining for more and more generations to come". 

 RIVERS IN PALAKKAD

 A. Kalpathy River

                                       

Bharathapuzha (Nila)is the largest river in the state. (265kms) It is the lifeline for the people from Palakkad,Thrissur & Malappuram districts. There are only two great rivers in Kerala other than Nila. Periyar & Pamba are the others. This river is the lifeline for the people of Palakkad & Malappuram Districts. Some Indian examples are Like Indus For All Indian Punjabis, Haryanvis, Himachalis, Sindhis & Kashmiris, Sindhis & Punjabis of Pakisthan. (Indus,Ganges,Narmada,Kaveri & Godavari are accepted as great rivers of vegetation, wildlife, economy, literature, culture & civilization by all Indians & abroad people.)Like Ganges For Uttarakhand, U.P,Bihar, West Bengal & Bangladesh people. Kaveri For TamilNadu, Karnataka & Kerala, Godavari For Andhra & Maharashtra, Brahmaputra For NorthEastern States etc.
                                                 

The City Of Palakkad should be extremely proud of the fact that it has got three rivers and one man made water body on all four sides, creating a 'Manhattan Island' of 31 sq.kms.(including some sub urban areas excluding Olavakkode) still expanding for the people’s future. Kalpathy,Nila when joined with this river ,Kannadi the third one.And on the east Malampuzha canal seperates Chandranagar and other north eastern neighbourhoods from the rest of the city.
Those places I am explaining in the coming pages.Now lets talk about Kalpathy.

Kalpathy is a tributary of Bharathapuzha/ Nila river.(265kms)
 It begins a journey from Walayar hills, then it moves down in a south-west direction travelling hundreds of miles .The malampuzha river joins her near Malampuzha Dam in the north east suburbs before entering Palakkad. Nila bears the name Kalpathy from here.This river joins Kannadi river at Parli now a western suburban area.And again regains its name Nila or Bharathapuzha by nourishing the paddy fields and soil and finally reaches Arabian Sea forming a large backwater at Ponnani, Malappuram District.

For some years the river has lost much of its significance due to the water pollution, sand mining, so many check dams, growth of african weed all these resulted a major fall in the water quantity and its purity.The best time to watch is during the early mornings and evenings everyday.If you want to watch the river rising, I recommend rainy season when Malampuzha dam is opened. Birds,turtles,fishes,crabs,bushes,trees, kavilpad hills,people bathing and fishing are some of the natural things to enjoy.Kavilpad bungalow,British bridge, Kalpathy Heritage Village are some of the man made things to enjoy.

B. Kannadi River


The Tamil word ‘Kannadi’ literally means ‘Glass’ or ‘Mirror’. Kannadi river is one of the most beautiful rivers . It has got more water and deeper than its northern competitor Kalpathy. Kannadi is the original Bharathapuzha river.It is formed from the Anamalai Hills of Western Ghats now in southern part of Coimbatore District, TamilNadu.

Name of the river changes place to place. In Chittur it is known as Chitturpuzha or ‘Shokanashini’ meaning ‘Destroyer Of Sorrows’ in Sanskrit.This term was coined by great poet, scholar & ‘Father Of Modern Malayalam Language’, Tunjath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan. He spend most of his lifetime in the banks of this river. When it comes to Palakkad near Kannadi, it becomes the name.Both Kalpathy and Kannadi merges to form one of the single greatest river eco-systems in the planet ie, Bharathapuzha alias Nila River in Parali at west side. Malampuzha Canal joins both these rivers on the other sides forming one large island of Palakkad City.



Long ago boats were used by passengers and goods for exporting through Ponnani port.After the coming of bridges and roads, changing of Cochin port as one of the biggest in the world affected the river transportation.Nowadays, there is no enough water in whole Bharathapuzha Belt.Water Hyancinth, Illegal Sand Mining, Pollution, Construction Of More & More Minor Dams are the reasons.

 SHOPPING
                                               
                                 


 Palakkad is the shopping capital of Kerala, some people say that it is Thiruvanathapuram or Kochi. Those cities contain only two or three areas dedicated to shopping. But look what my city has got: Gandhi Bazaar, Market Road, Mettupalayam Street, T.B. Road, HPO Road, College Road (upto moyan school) Court Road, Kalpathy, R.S. Road, Coimbatore Road, Melamuri, Shornur Road, English Church Road, Chittur Road, Chandranagar etc.The list goes on.


                                             
Although there are several streets to choose from, the most preffered one is still Gandhi Bazaar. This bazaar is 1km long, stretches from Sultanpetta Junction to Shakuntala Stores Junction (second row first) consisting of street vendors, fast food centres, banks, ATMs, hotels, jewellery shops, cinema theatres, ultra modern shopping malls, corporate offices etc. One such recent big mall is Joby’s Mall. And also consists of some old charms such as Vijaya Hall built in 1930s still used for hosting book fairs and New Theatre built in 1936 is made using Dutch &Art Deco style.
           

                          



Market Road is one of the oldest and longest roads devoted for trade and commerce in the world. It stretches from Melamuri Junction on the west to Shakunthala Junction on east covering a distance of 3kms.It was the commercial centre of Palakkatussery and a major market place for buying and selling of goods for people coming from near by villages. The only market that can challenge Ponnani, Kochi, Vanniamkulam and Kozhikkode markets since medieval times is still Market Road.



       Centuries Old Shops @ Big Bazaar 







The oldest market is Melamuri Market founded by the traders came from TamilNadu known as ‘Moothans’ in 15th century.Palakkad Raja gave permission to built Kannaki Temple at a place later known as Moothanthara and a market in this road.Although there are other people who do trade other than moothans in this area.They are the dominant. Market Road was one of ‘Tippu Sultan’s Cannon Routes’.The roads he developed for the movement of his arms, ammunitions, and cavalry was through market road.There is a street called ‘Peerangi Theruvu’ meaning cannon street in this road. The meat and fish market is known as ‘Dance Market.’ It doesnot have anything to do with dancing.J.W.Dance Was The Asst.Collector of Calicut and First Acting Chairman Of Palakkad from 1866. It was named after him. There are many fine old buildings with lot of Asian and European styles of architecture.

ARTS, MUSIC,ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE

Palakkad has long been a great cultural centre of South India since ancient times. This city has been called ‘The Music Capital Of Kerala.’Palakkad District has produced great and famous people in the field of music, dance, literature and cinema more than any other place in the country.

Though it is not possible to put all their names in the page, cause the main purpose of this site is to promote lesser known attractions in the city.So, kindly excuse me for that.Some of them are Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, (Great Musician)Palghat Mani Iyer, (Great Mridangam Percussionist)Bombay Jayasree, (Famous Carnatic & Film Play Back Singer) M.T.Vasudevan Nair,  (Legendary Novelist,Great ScriptWriter) O.V.Vijayan, (Great Novelist,Cartoonist) Kunchan Nambiar, (Father Of Ottan Thullal Dance Form) Thunchath Ezhuthachan, (Great Poet,Author & Father Of Modern Malayalam)M.G.Ramachandran, (Famous SuperStar Of Tamil Cinema During 1950's & 60's & Chief Minister Of Tamilnadu State.) K.S.SethuMadhavan, (Legendary Malayalam Film Director Of 1960s & 70's)M.S.Viswanathan, (Great Music Director In Tamil Cinema) Mohan Sharma,  Good Malayalam Actor) Vijay Menon, (Good Actor & Dubbing Artist)K.V. Anand, (Great Writer, Cinematographer & Director In Tamil) Mani Shornur, (Versatile Screenplay Writer) V.R. Gopalakrishnan, (Versatile Scriptwriter) 
Oduvil UnniKrishnan, (Versatile Supporting Actor)Raghuvaran, (Versatile Supporting Actor) K.P. Udayabhanu, (Versatile Singer) S.N. Swamy,(Great Brilliant Screenplay Writer) A.K.Lohitadas,(Great Script Writer & Director) Jayaram, (Very Talented Actor) Ajith Kumar,(Very Talented Actor) E.N. Balakrishnan,(Very Talented Cinematographer) P.C. ShreeRam,(Great Cinematographer) Bharathan, (Legendary Film Director) P.Vasu (Great Tamil Film Writer,Actor & Director) S.Balakrishnan, (Late Great Music Director In 1990s) Shaju,(Talented Film & TV Serial Actor) Ramesh Pisharody, (Talented Film Actor, Mimicry Artist) Lal Jose, (Great Film Director)Anil Radakrishnan Menon, (Upcoming Talented Script Writer-Director) Gautham Menon, (Very Talented ScriptWriter& Director) Janaki Sabesh, (Very Beautiful Mother In Tamil Films)Sudha Chandran, (Very Beautiful Actress and Dancer)Revathi, (Very Beautiful & Talented Malayalam, Tamil Actress Of 1980s & 90s) Sunitha Venugopal Sivaramakrishnan, (Beautiful&Talented Malayalam Actress Of Early 1990s. ) Sangeetha Balan, (Beautiful Actress In 90s & 2000s) Sangeetha Madhavan Nair(Very Talented& Beautiful Actress In 1990s) Vidya Balan, (Beautiful &Versatile Bollywood Actress & National Award Winner) Anjali Menon, (Very Talented Writer, Director) Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, (Best TV Show Host, Actress) Trisha Krishnan, (Beautiful,Talented Actress & Super Heroine Of Southern Indian Films)PriyaMani, (Beautiful,Versatile Tamil Actress & National Award Winner)Pallavi Subhash Chandran alias Pallavi Purohit, (Beautiful & Talented Actress In Hindi Serials) Shanthi Krishna(Very Beautiful & Talented Malayalam Actress Of 1980's & Early 1990's) Priya Raman, (Beautiful, Talented Actress, Style Icon Of 1990s) Adaah Sharma, (Beautiful Bollywood & Telugu Actress) Nithya Menon, (Very Beautiful & Talented Malayalam & Tamil Actress) Shruti Hariharan, (Beautiful & Very Talented Model, Dancer, Kannada Actress) Samyuktha Menon (Beautiful & Talented Malayalam Actress) Aparna Balamurali, (National Award Winning Malayalam & Tamil Actress) Anumol, (Beautiful Malayalam Actress) Nanji Amma (National Award Winning Singer)

Palakkad Fine Arts Society, Palakkad District Library, Swathi Sangeetha Sabha, Swaralaya, Kathakali Trust, Chitrakala Trust, Lions Club, Rotary Club are some of the best well known organizations known for their promotion of literature, fine arts,music,dance,culture etc to a global audience. 
                                                                                     

 Movies plays an important role in the city life. The New Theatre now known as Sree Devi Durga Theatre(1935)in G.B.Road is one of the oldest and biggest cinemas in India,which is still running with profit. First air conditioned cinema is Priyadarshini.(1973)Others are Priya, Priyatama, Aroma, New Aroma, Ramu Cine House, Satya etc. All are showing films in four languages. Highest no: of films are shown in Malayalam. Tamil and English comes second. Hindi comes third.

There are more cinemas in other towns like Chittur, Ottapalam, Shornur, Mannarkkad, Alathur in the district. Kerala Government has proposed a 50 lakh 'Film City Project'in Ottapalam.

Film shootings are held in many parts of the city and district of Palakkad. Sopanam Studios near BEM High School Junction established in 2006 is one of the best dubbing & recording studios in India.

SOME FAMOUS & CLASSIC FILMS WHICH ARE SHOT IN PALAKKAD DISTRICT PARTLY OR FULLY ARE LISTED BELOW:

 1. Tamil : Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam, (2010)Sarvam, (2009)Anbe Sivam, (2003) Thevar Magan, (1993)Malabar Police,(1998) Nala Damayanthi, (2003) Amaidhi Padai,(1994) Iruvar, (1997) KanduKondein, KanduKondein, (2000) Enn Annan, (1970)DaivaMagan, (1969) Aanandha Poonkaatre, (1999) Sandhiththa Velai, (1999) Sumaithaangi, (1964) Aalayamani, (1964) Nenjam Marapathillai, (1963)Manmadha Leelai (1976) etc..

2. Malayalam : Murapennu, (1965) Thommante Makkal, (1966) Kaala Chakram, (1973) Nirmaalyam, (1974) Neela Thamara, (1979) Chattakari, (1975) Alolam, (1982) Padayottam,(1982) Kazhumaram, (1982) Gaanam, (1982) Mangalam Nerunnu, (1984) No:20 Madras Mail,(1990) Jathakam, (1989) Mazhavil Kaavadi, (1989) Adharvam,(1989) Carnival,(1989) Vicharana,(1988) Aadhaaram, (1993) Mahayanam, (1989) Mrigaya, (1989) Thazhvaaram, (1990) Pookaalam Varavaayi, (1991) Dasaratham,(1989) Gajakesariyogam, (1990) Meleparambil Aanveedu, (1993) Devasuram, (1992) Valayam, (1992) Venkalam, (1991) Yodhdha, (1992) Maayamayooram, (1993) Chakoram, (1993) Valsalyam, (1993) Aaram Thampuran, (1997) Thooval Kottaram, (1996) Vietnam Colony, (1992) Bharatham, (1991) Keli, (1991) Dhanam,(1991) Ee Puzhayum Kadannu, (1996) PeruMazhakaalam, (2004) Kanmadam, (1998) Spadikam, (1995) Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, (1989) Vadakkunokki Yanthram, (1989) Varavelppu, (1989) Vadhu Doctaraanu, (1994) The Guard, (2001) Raavana Prabhu, (2001) Prajapathi, (2006) Pallavur Devanarayanan, (1999) Karunyam, (1997)Kadhanayagan, (1997) Narasimham, (2000) Bhagyavan, (1993) Desadanam, (1996) Saadharam, (1995) Vishnu Lokam, (1992) Varthamaana Kaalam, (1990) Apoorvam Chilar, (1990) Gamanam, (1994) ArabiKatha, (2008) Thoovanathumbikal, (1987) Paalangal, (1982) Nakakshathangal, (1986) Chilambu, (1986) Sarvakalasala, (1987)Sargam, (1992) Kandu Kandarinju, (1985) Theerthadanam, (2001) Meesa Madhavan, (2002) Parinayam, (1994) Chinthavistayaya Shyamala, (1998) Megham, (1999) Sukrutham, (1994) Mazhayethum Munpe, (1995) Arayannangalude Veedu, (1999) Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal,(1999)Dasaratham, (1989) Bharatham, (1992) Kamaladalam, (1991) Thaniyavarthanam, (1987) Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu,(1988) SooryaPuthran,(1998) Pattabhishekam, (1999) Narendran Makan Jayakaanthan Vaka, (2002) Kilichundan Maampazham, (2003) Kasthurimaan, (2003) RunWay, (2004) Sadhanandhante Samayam, (2003) Mizhi Randilum, (2003)
Albuthadweepu, (2005) Manasinakkare, (2004) ChakkaraMuthu,(2006) Mulla,(2007) Traffic,(2009) Thirakatha,(2008) Puthiyamukham, (2010) Sufi Paranja Katha, (2010)Molly Aunty Rocks, (2012) Appothecary, (2014) Ennu Ninte Moidheen, (2015)Su..Su..Sudhi Valmeekam,(2014) Ajagajantharam (2021)

3. Hindi : Julie, (1977) Virasat (1997)

Palakkad Tamil which is used mainly by Iyers living for generations in Palakkad is used in many Tamil & Malayalam films.Most famous tamil film to use the slang perfectly is Kamal Hassan starrer movie 'Michael Madana KamaRajan'.(1990)Story & Screenplay By Panchu Arunachalam, Dialouges By Crazy Mohan & Directed By Singeetham Sreenivasa Rao. Other films are Vietnam Veedu,  Antha Ezhu Natkal, CBI Diary Kurippu, Iyer The Great, Vietnam Colony, Nala Damayanthi, Malabar Police etc.(Please do kindly note that slangs used in comedy films are exaggerated to a certain extend to suit a character for humour. Palakkad Tamils used by Iyers are much better than these films done by non native Palakkadans.Not every Palakkad Iyer speak like Kamal or Urvashi in a musical way.)

Valluvanad slang is used very much used in many movies particularly those written by Late Great Lohitadas, MT Vasudevan Nair, Renjith, Mani Shornoor etc. Even legendary screenwriters like John Paul, Sreenivasan, Ragunath Paleri, Late Great T.Damodaran, S.N. Swamy also uses this slang often. Very rarely they use Palakkadan slang. Valluvanad slang is noted for its soft spoken Sanskritised version of Malayalam,while Palakkad slang is noted for her fast, energised Tamil influenced approach.Palakkadan Slang is used very rarely although many movies are being shot here. Recently a hit movie called 'Ordinary' used Palakkad Slang on veteran actor BijuMenon. Ulsaha Comittee, (Jayaram & Shaju) Manoharam(Hareesh Peradi & Basil Joseph) are other films which used Palakkad Slang.(Please do kindly note that slangs used in comedy films are exaggerated to a certain extend to suit a character for humour. Palakkad Malayalam is one of the best slangs.You don't need to speak like Biju Menon (he is from Thrissur)with power or strain. Or with exaggerated version like Jayaram. (Although his father was from Palakkad, he was born and brought up at Perumbavoor. So he has limitations to speak our slang naturally. Native Palakkad tongues speak this slang with much ease.Educated Palakkadans speak standard Malayalam with Palakkad accent.) Shaju, Hareesh Peradi, Ramesh Peradi, Basil & Kalabhavan Nawas are superb in performing Palakkad Slang. Checkout youtube videos for perfect Palakkad Malayalam done by natives.

This city once was great educational centre. But today as more & more colleges in the neighbouring states of TamilNadu and Karnataka are coming with professional courses with low cost, students are going there to study. But for classes L.K.G to Plus Two and traditional courses in colleges,Palakkad has got a lot of institutions in its credit. In 2015 IIT-PALAKKAD started functioning at temporary Ahalia campus.

Our district boasts of the best vocational training courses and centres in India. They are Kerala Technical Institute, IETE, NIIT, NIFE, Chithira Institute Of Medical Technology, Ace College, CADD Centre, Narolis, Atom Multimedia, MHR Institutions, Arena Multimedia, Mundur ITC, St.Mary's ITC, Vadakkanchery, Technical Schools in Ottapalam, Malampuzha etc. are some of the leading institutions for vocational training.

Basel Evangelical Mission High School, Government Victoria College, St.Sebastin School, St.Raphael School, Government Moyan Girls School, Bharath Matha School, Palghat Lions School, Chembai Government Music College,Mercy College, Jayamatha College, Chinmaya College, NSS Engineering College,Co-Operative College Of Olavakkode are one of the few greatest and oldest among them.

HOW TO REACH THERE

How To Reach Through Land: Palakkad Junction Railway station, 4kms from Sultanpet.Or through National Highway 47, 213, Shornoor Road, Chittur Road, Pollachi Road.
Railway Enquiry Ph: 0491 – 2255231.

How To Reach Through Sea: Ponnani Port is 68 kms & Cochin Port is 130kms from Palakkad.

How To Reach Through Air: Coimbatore Airport is nearest, 55kms.(Ph:0422- 2574623)

Best Time To Visit: Any time you can plan to come.Best time is November- Febrauary.

Special Concession For School Excursions.

                         


For Bookings Contact Mr.Gouri Sankar.K [Tour Guide & Manager]

0491-2583282, +919745376871.

sankarkg_pgt@hotmail.com

House No.17/81,ElappullyVillage, Elappully South P.O. Palakkad - 678622. 

                                 

      




Press Madom - H.Q. Of Palakkad Walks















































62 comments:

  1. Wonderful collation of details on Palakkad. Thanks very much for that. It may be noted that Sri T. N. Seshan is very much alive and kicking!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Through this blog i came to know spaciality of palakkad. Thank you Gowari Shankar For such a wonderfull blog.

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  3. These are nice pic in very popular and beautiful places of Palakkad.You have an easiest way to book your Trip with your friends and family and you will have guidance too.
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  4. REmarkable write up. I was overjoyed reading it. Ramachander

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  5. Hats off bro. Great. Keep it up :)

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  6. ThankYou Friends, my best wishes to all.Recommend your friends about my blog and book for a walking tour of the city like never before in Kerala.I conduct tour on 4 languages Tamil,Malayalam,Hindi & English.If you want to visit places outside the city like Malampuzha or SilentValley National Park.I can also arrange vehicle for that also.I have added new 'FortMaidan Tour' along with 'HeritageWalks','NatureWalks' & 'Food& ShoppingTour'.

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  7. I have added a special heritage walk called ' Lamp To Gate' recently, checkout tariff page.Thank U.

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  8. It may be noted that, Shri.T.N.Seshan is very much alive. otherwise, its a good compilation of facts and it has certainly enhanced my knowledge base towards my home town. Thanks for the good Work.

    With Best Wishes,

    Murali.K.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful Blog.Congrats.Keep it up!
    There are two more villages:-
    1.Vaidyanathapuram,near Govindarajapuram,on the banks of Bharatha River
    2.Ambikapuram:-a small village between Puthiya [New], Kaalpathy and Kumarapuram.

    ReplyDelete
  10. There is,or was, a Mental Hospital in Vaidyanathapuram.The river nearby ,was being used for "cold bath",a necessity for those unfortunate to suffer from mental Illnesses.
    Late Dr Parasurama Iyer,was the person who founded it.
    Many from far and wide, like Tamil Nadu etc used to come for treatment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes ! I am form Tamilnadu and heard a person from Erode Went Palakkad for mental hospital and found missing :)

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  11. Thank you Mr.Veerar Sir, for the information.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Where I grew up! Thanks for this posting! absolutely amazing pictures that captures the old and the new Palakkad!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You, 'MoonRays' for your complimence. You look gorgeous, recommend your friends in Canada if they plan to visit Palghat for a walking tour.May I know your name please?

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  13. Excellent article as "ORMA PUDUKKAN" Reminded me of many places I walked(and did not notice.took it for granted). Thanks a lot for the wonderful documentary.

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  14. Thank You Krishnamoorthy Sir.Thank you all my friends.

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  15. Thank you so much to bring back those nostalgic memories.

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  18. Palakkad is quite possibly the district in India which had given birth to 'the most no. of eminent personalities per capita'(not taking into account the recent/last generation immigrants as in the case of metro cities). You could have mentioned about few 'masterbrains' to the likes of Ramath Pisharody(Father of Remote Sensing in India), Remo D'Souza(top choteographer in Bollywood & director of films like faltu, ABCD series etc) who actually hails from my suburb Olavakkode, Anita Nair and Anjali Menon, the new gen. film maker from Chittillancherry. Special 'Kudos' for a great article, exemplary research and for encompassing each and every jounrés. Thanks man!

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  19. Good blog. Kindly keep it updated. Well done ! Consult your friends and relatives to add more images, topics ! .

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  20. Dear Sir, this is an excellent blog. I am from Chathapuram and doing some research on our migration from Tamil Nadu. Is there anyway I can speak to you about this?

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  21. Thank you for you hard work for collecting most important event in Historical
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  24. great writing....thank you author for this wonderful effort and hope to meet you in my next visit tot palakkad. lakshminarayanan

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  36. Hi
    Palakkad lies near a wide low gap or pass in the Western Ghats mountain ranges that separates Kerala from Tamil Nadu. Consequently the city is a major conduit for travel between the two states. Palakkad is 4,480 square kilometres and the population is 2,617,072.

    Palakkad is the land of Palmyras and Paddy fields. It is the chief granary of Kerala, often called the Gateway of Kerala. Palakkad lies at the foot of the gigantic Western ghats on the border of Kerala. This city surrounded by mountains, forests and fertile valleys, rivers and mountains streams are rich in flora and fauna.

    Palakkad is known for its historical background and the remnants of Tippu Sulthan's Fort are still maintained.

    Malayalam is widely spoken language as the rest of Kerala. However Palakkad is close to the Tamil Nadu border and people understand and speak Tamil well. You won't be very far from a person who speaks perfect English or Hindi just in case you need one.

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