Malampuzha Dam
Location: 10 km from Palakkad town, North
Kerala.
Attractions: Dam, amusement park, boating facilities, rock garden and ropeway.
Attractions: Dam, amusement park, boating facilities, rock garden and ropeway.
Malampuzha, a little township on the foothills of the Western
Ghats takes its name from the River Malampuzha. Nurtured by this tributary of
Kerala's longest river, the Bharathappuzha, Malampuzha is a lush green town is
a major tourist attraction for its trekking trails and the large irrigation
dam.
Around the reservoir of the dam are beautiful gardens and
amusement parks. Boating facilities are available on the lake. Other
attractions in the Malampuzha garden are the beautiful rock garden, the
fish-shaped aquarium, the snake park, the ropeway which takes you on an aerial
tour of the park, and the gigantic Yakshi (an enchantress) sculptured by Kanai
Kunhiraman, a renowned sculptor of Kerala.
The most interesting feature of the rock garden is that the whole
place is made of unwanted and broken pieces of bangles, tiles, used plastic
cans, tins and other waste materials. The garden is a master work of sculptor
Padmasree Neck Chand Saini. His rock garden in Chandigarh is world famous and
attracts thousands of tourists every year.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Palakkad.
Nearest airport: Coimbatore, about 55 km from Palakkad town
Jain Temple of Jainimedu is situated on the western suburbs of Palakkad town, not far from the railway station, this historic 32 feet long, 20 feet wide granite temple displays images of the Jain Thirthankaras and Yakshinis. The region around the temple, known as Jainimedu, is one of the few laces in Kerala where the vestiges of Jainism have survived. It is at a Jain house here that poet Kumaranasan wrote his monumental poet Veenapoovu (The fallen flower).
This temple has been built about 500 years ago by jain head, Inchanna Satur, for the jain sage Chandranathaswamy. The granite walls are devoid of any decoration. An idol of Chandranthan occupies the first division of the temple, Vijayalakshmi and Jwalamohini the scond, Rish abha Nathan the third, and parswa Nathan and Padmavathi the fourth. An air of austerity marks this quiet place. The main altar is unadorned while lit lamps flank the main stature palakkad was once home to a community of 400 Jain families, but their numbers are less now.
Location On the south bank of the Kalpathy River in jainmedu, just beyond the Chunnambuthara area, 3km from the centre of palakkad
Nearest airport: Coimbatore, about 55 km from Palakkad town
Place To Visit
Palakkad
Fort: The old
granite fort situated in the very heart of Palakkad town is one of the best
preserved in Kerala. It was built by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766. The fort was
taken over and modified by the British in 1790. It is now preserved by the
Archaeological Survey of India.
Malampuzha Garden (10 km from Palakkad): This famous picnic spot which comprises a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. There are frequent buses to this place from Palakkad.
Fantasy Park:(1400 - 2100 hrs on week days and 1100 - 2100 hrs on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays). Ph: 815122 815124 Entrance fee: Adults Rs. 20 Children Rs. 10. Separate charges for rides and computer games. Block tickets: Adults Rs. 80 Children Rs. 60
Pothundy(45 km from Palakkad): Situated on the way to Nelliampathy, the Pothundy Reservoir Complex is a charming location for picnics and half-day trips.
Thiruvalathoor (10 km from Palakkad) : The ancient temple here has some fine wood work and stone sculptures.
Dhoni (15 km from Palakkad): It takes a three hour trek from the base of the Dhoni hills to reach this reserve forest area with its small, beautiful waterfall.
Kottayi :(15 km via Poodur from Palakkad): This tiny village is the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Carnatic music.
Kollengode (19 km south of Palakkad) : Kollengode or the abode of blacksmiths enshrines the pristine beauty of rural Palakkad. The Kollengode Palace, the Vishnu Temple and the poet P. Kunhiraman Nair Memorial are worth visiting. Seethakundu and Govindamalai hills near Kaachankurichi are ideal for adventurous trekkers.
Lakkidi (30 km from Palakkad): Killikkurissimangalam at Lakkidi is the birthplace of Kunchan Nambiar, the 18th century satirist and exponent of the Tullal (classical art form). The poet's house has been preserved as a monument by the State Government.
Meenkara(32 km from Palakkad): This picnic spot is the site of a dam across the river Gayathri which flows into the Bharathapuzha.
Ottappalam(35 km from Palakkad): The town is known for its numerous places of worship and their colourful festivals. Durga Temple the Pooram at Chenakkathur the Nercha festival commemorating the Aulia.
Thrithala (75 km from Palakkad): This place is noted for its monuments and historic ruins. The Siva Temple and the ruins of a mud fort near Thrithala on the Chalissery road are notable cultural monuments. The Kattilmadam Temple, a small granite Buddhist monument on the Pattambi-Guruvayoor road, is of great archaeological importance. It is believed to date back to the 9th/10th century AD. The Paakkanaar memorial, honouring the Pariah saint, stands near Thrithala Koottanad road. This is also the native place of renowned writer and social reformer VT Bhattathiripad.
Malampuzha Garden (10 km from Palakkad): This famous picnic spot which comprises a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. There are frequent buses to this place from Palakkad.
Fantasy Park:(1400 - 2100 hrs on week days and 1100 - 2100 hrs on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays). Ph: 815122 815124 Entrance fee: Adults Rs. 20 Children Rs. 10. Separate charges for rides and computer games. Block tickets: Adults Rs. 80 Children Rs. 60
Pothundy(45 km from Palakkad): Situated on the way to Nelliampathy, the Pothundy Reservoir Complex is a charming location for picnics and half-day trips.
Thiruvalathoor (10 km from Palakkad) : The ancient temple here has some fine wood work and stone sculptures.
Dhoni (15 km from Palakkad): It takes a three hour trek from the base of the Dhoni hills to reach this reserve forest area with its small, beautiful waterfall.
Kottayi :(15 km via Poodur from Palakkad): This tiny village is the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Carnatic music.
Kollengode (19 km south of Palakkad) : Kollengode or the abode of blacksmiths enshrines the pristine beauty of rural Palakkad. The Kollengode Palace, the Vishnu Temple and the poet P. Kunhiraman Nair Memorial are worth visiting. Seethakundu and Govindamalai hills near Kaachankurichi are ideal for adventurous trekkers.
Lakkidi (30 km from Palakkad): Killikkurissimangalam at Lakkidi is the birthplace of Kunchan Nambiar, the 18th century satirist and exponent of the Tullal (classical art form). The poet's house has been preserved as a monument by the State Government.
Meenkara(32 km from Palakkad): This picnic spot is the site of a dam across the river Gayathri which flows into the Bharathapuzha.
Ottappalam(35 km from Palakkad): The town is known for its numerous places of worship and their colourful festivals. Durga Temple the Pooram at Chenakkathur the Nercha festival commemorating the Aulia.
Thrithala (75 km from Palakkad): This place is noted for its monuments and historic ruins. The Siva Temple and the ruins of a mud fort near Thrithala on the Chalissery road are notable cultural monuments. The Kattilmadam Temple, a small granite Buddhist monument on the Pattambi-Guruvayoor road, is of great archaeological importance. It is believed to date back to the 9th/10th century AD. The Paakkanaar memorial, honouring the Pariah saint, stands near Thrithala Koottanad road. This is also the native place of renowned writer and social reformer VT Bhattathiripad.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (110 km from
Palakkad): Sprawled across 285 sq. km, the
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is home to rare wild animals. Boating/cruising
facilities are available at the Parambikulam Reservoir. The Rest Houses of the
State Forest Department at Thoonakkadavu, Thellikkal and Anappady offer
accommodation. A tree house in the reserve forest area in Thoonakkadavu has to
be booked in advance. The oldest teak tree, kannimari is found here.
Siruvani (46 km north of Mannarkad and 48 km from Palakkad): The reservoir at Siruvani was built for Tamil Nadu by the Kerala Government to meet the drinking water requirements of Coimbatore. The gateways on either side of the road across the dam are typical of the Kerala and Tamil architectural styles. Siruvani is also home to certain tribals like the Mudugars and Irulars. Festivals/Art forms
Kalpathi Ratholsavam: Annual chariot festival at Viswanatha Temple (November )
Vela at Manappulli Kavu: Annual festival at the Bhagavathy Temple (March)
Kanniyarkali: An art form exclusive to the Nair community of the district of Palakkad,
Kanniyarkali is performed in temples as well as Nair centres (March/April)
Nenmara Vallengy Vela: Annual festival at the Bhagavathy Temple at Nellikkulangara near Nenmara, on the Pooram day of the Malayalam month of Meenam (February/March). Highlight: Fireworks displays
Pavakkoothu: This shadow play is performed at the Bhagavathy temples of Palakkad (March/April)
Kaalapoottu: This exciting ox race is an agrarian sport held in the Malayalam month of Makaram (January).
Konganpada of Chittur: Annual festival of ritual drama at the Chittur Kavu Bhagavathy temple (February /March)
Pattambi Nercha: The festival is conducted in memory of Aloor Valia Pookkunjikoya Thangal, noted Muslim saint of South Malabar (January - February)
Siruvani (46 km north of Mannarkad and 48 km from Palakkad): The reservoir at Siruvani was built for Tamil Nadu by the Kerala Government to meet the drinking water requirements of Coimbatore. The gateways on either side of the road across the dam are typical of the Kerala and Tamil architectural styles. Siruvani is also home to certain tribals like the Mudugars and Irulars. Festivals/Art forms
Kalpathi Ratholsavam: Annual chariot festival at Viswanatha Temple (November )
Vela at Manappulli Kavu: Annual festival at the Bhagavathy Temple (March)
Kanniyarkali: An art form exclusive to the Nair community of the district of Palakkad,
Kanniyarkali is performed in temples as well as Nair centres (March/April)
Nenmara Vallengy Vela: Annual festival at the Bhagavathy Temple at Nellikkulangara near Nenmara, on the Pooram day of the Malayalam month of Meenam (February/March). Highlight: Fireworks displays
Pavakkoothu: This shadow play is performed at the Bhagavathy temples of Palakkad (March/April)
Kaalapoottu: This exciting ox race is an agrarian sport held in the Malayalam month of Makaram (January).
Konganpada of Chittur: Annual festival of ritual drama at the Chittur Kavu Bhagavathy temple (February /March)
Pattambi Nercha: The festival is conducted in memory of Aloor Valia Pookkunjikoya Thangal, noted Muslim saint of South Malabar (January - February)
Water Resources
Water Resources and Irrigation
Palakkad district is blessed with irrigation
facilities. Dams have been constructed across almost all the important
tributaries of the Bharathapuzha to provide irrigation facilities to the
district. Six out of the ten completed irrigation projects of Kerala are in
Palakkad district. They are Walayar, Malampuzha, Cheerakuzhi, Gayathri
(Meenkara, Chulliar), Malnagalam and Pothundy. The toatal ayacut of all these
completed projects is 77,306 hectares. In addition to this, the construction of
two major irrigation projects, viz., Chitturpuzha and Kanhirapuzha are in
progress. The total ayacut of these projects is 54,200 hectares.
Walayar Dam:
This dam is constructed across the river Walayar, a tributary of Bharathapuzha, The ayacut is 6476 hectares. This project was started in 1953, partially commissioned in 1956 and completed in 1964.
Malampuzha Dam:
The Malampuzha dam is a 6,066 ft. masonry structure built across Malampuzha, a tributary of Bharathapuzha, with a net – work of canal systems. It has an ayacut of 42,090 hectares. The dam and reservoir are located about eight kilometers from Olavakode railway station and 13kms. from Palakkad town. The project was started in 1949and commissioned in 1955. Having a catchments area of 145 sq.kms., the reservoir has a capacity of 8000m.e.ft.of water. There are two canal systems. The left back canal traverses a distance of 32 kms. to irrigate cultivable areas in the taluks of Palakkad, Chittur and Alathur. The right bank canal with a length of 32kms. irrigates areas in Palakkad taluk. The reservoir also provides drinking water to Palakkad town.
Gayathri Project (Meenkara – Chulliar Dams):
This project consists of two storage reservoirs; Meenkara dam across the Meenkara river and Chulliar dam across Chulliar river. Both these rivers are tributaries of Bharathapuzha. There is a net work of canal systems with a total ayacut of 10,930 hectares of land in Chittur taluk. The first stage of the projects, viz.,dam across Meemnkara river with canals,was sanctioned in 1956 and opened for irrigation in 1960. The total cost of the project is Rs.220 lakhs.
Mangalam Dam:
This dam is constructed across the Cherukunnapuzha, a tributary of Mangalam river. There is a canal system with an ayacut of 6,880 hectares, in Alathur taluk. The project and left bank canal were completed and opened in 1956. Further extension of the right bank canal was continued and the project was fully completed in 1966.
Pothundy Dam:
This dam is constructed across the tributaries of the Ayalur river ( sub-tributary of Bharathapuzha), namely, Meenchadypuzha and Padipuzha. It has an ayacut of 19,930 hectares in Chittur and Alathur taluks. The Project, started in 1958, has been completed and commissioned.
Chitturpuzha Project:
The Chitturpuzha Project envisages extension of irrigation facilities to an additional area of 9,200 hectares by remodeling and reconstructing, wherever necessary, of the four ayacuts in Chitturpuzha and the existing canal system. The ayacuts at Moolathara, Thembaramadakku, Kunnakattupathy and Narnee. The total ayacut will be 32,400 hectares.
Kanhirapuzha Project:
This project on completion will provide irrigation facilities to an area of 9,720 hectares. This is being constructed across Kanhirapuzha, a sub-tributary of Bharathapuzha. An expansion programme of the scheme by constructing a reservoir across the Thuppanadupuzha is also on the anvil. This will benefit an additional area of 4700 hectares in Ottapalam taluk. The total ayacut of the project will be 21,800 hectares.
The Attapady Valley Irrigation Project is under construction to provide irrigation facilities to 12,140 hectares.
Walayar Dam:
This dam is constructed across the river Walayar, a tributary of Bharathapuzha, The ayacut is 6476 hectares. This project was started in 1953, partially commissioned in 1956 and completed in 1964.
Malampuzha Dam:
The Malampuzha dam is a 6,066 ft. masonry structure built across Malampuzha, a tributary of Bharathapuzha, with a net – work of canal systems. It has an ayacut of 42,090 hectares. The dam and reservoir are located about eight kilometers from Olavakode railway station and 13kms. from Palakkad town. The project was started in 1949and commissioned in 1955. Having a catchments area of 145 sq.kms., the reservoir has a capacity of 8000m.e.ft.of water. There are two canal systems. The left back canal traverses a distance of 32 kms. to irrigate cultivable areas in the taluks of Palakkad, Chittur and Alathur. The right bank canal with a length of 32kms. irrigates areas in Palakkad taluk. The reservoir also provides drinking water to Palakkad town.
Gayathri Project (Meenkara – Chulliar Dams):
This project consists of two storage reservoirs; Meenkara dam across the Meenkara river and Chulliar dam across Chulliar river. Both these rivers are tributaries of Bharathapuzha. There is a net work of canal systems with a total ayacut of 10,930 hectares of land in Chittur taluk. The first stage of the projects, viz.,dam across Meemnkara river with canals,was sanctioned in 1956 and opened for irrigation in 1960. The total cost of the project is Rs.220 lakhs.
Mangalam Dam:
This dam is constructed across the Cherukunnapuzha, a tributary of Mangalam river. There is a canal system with an ayacut of 6,880 hectares, in Alathur taluk. The project and left bank canal were completed and opened in 1956. Further extension of the right bank canal was continued and the project was fully completed in 1966.
Pothundy Dam:
This dam is constructed across the tributaries of the Ayalur river ( sub-tributary of Bharathapuzha), namely, Meenchadypuzha and Padipuzha. It has an ayacut of 19,930 hectares in Chittur and Alathur taluks. The Project, started in 1958, has been completed and commissioned.
Chitturpuzha Project:
The Chitturpuzha Project envisages extension of irrigation facilities to an additional area of 9,200 hectares by remodeling and reconstructing, wherever necessary, of the four ayacuts in Chitturpuzha and the existing canal system. The ayacuts at Moolathara, Thembaramadakku, Kunnakattupathy and Narnee. The total ayacut will be 32,400 hectares.
Kanhirapuzha Project:
This project on completion will provide irrigation facilities to an area of 9,720 hectares. This is being constructed across Kanhirapuzha, a sub-tributary of Bharathapuzha. An expansion programme of the scheme by constructing a reservoir across the Thuppanadupuzha is also on the anvil. This will benefit an additional area of 4700 hectares in Ottapalam taluk. The total ayacut of the project will be 21,800 hectares.
The Attapady Valley Irrigation Project is under construction to provide irrigation facilities to 12,140 hectares.
Jain Temple Palakkad
Jain Temple of Jainimedu is situated on the western suburbs of Palakkad town, not far from the railway station, this historic 32 feet long, 20 feet wide granite temple displays images of the Jain Thirthankaras and Yakshinis. The region around the temple, known as Jainimedu, is one of the few laces in Kerala where the vestiges of Jainism have survived. It is at a Jain house here that poet Kumaranasan wrote his monumental poet Veenapoovu (The fallen flower).
This temple has been built about 500 years ago by jain head, Inchanna Satur, for the jain sage Chandranathaswamy. The granite walls are devoid of any decoration. An idol of Chandranthan occupies the first division of the temple, Vijayalakshmi and Jwalamohini the scond, Rish abha Nathan the third, and parswa Nathan and Padmavathi the fourth. An air of austerity marks this quiet place. The main altar is unadorned while lit lamps flank the main stature palakkad was once home to a community of 400 Jain families, but their numbers are less now.
Location On the south bank of the Kalpathy River in jainmedu, just beyond the Chunnambuthara area, 3km from the centre of palakkad