The district of Palakkad known as the granary of Kerala, is a land of valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams, dams and irrigation projects. Situated at the foot of the Western Ghats, this is the gateway to Kerala from the north. Palakkad derives its name from the Malayalam words Pala ( Alsteria scholaris) and Kadu (forest) which goes to prove that this place was once a beautiful stretch of forests covered with the sweet scented flowers of the Pala tree.

Chittur Garumadam(Thekkegramam near arikkode): This memorial to Thunchath Ezhuthachan. The auther of Athyatma Ramayana, who spent his last says here, is located on the banks of the river Sokanasini (the destroyer of sorrows). A Srichakra, some of the idols worshipped by him, a stylus, wooden slippers and a few old manuscripts are exhibited here.
Thenari: The waters of the natural spring, in front of the old Sree Rama Temple here is believed to be as sacred as the waters of the Ganges.

The Jain Temple of Jainimedu: The historic granite temple in the suburbs of Palakkad town displays the images of the Jain Thirankaras and the Yakshinis. Jainimedu, the region around the temple, is one of the few places in Kerala where the vestiges of Jainism have survived. Poet Kumaranasan wrote his masterpiece Veenapoovu(the fallen flower) at a Jain house here.

Thiruvegappura Sankaranarayana Temple: The Temple is believed to belong to the 14th century while its Koothambalam(temple theatre) was added later, probably in the 15th or 16th century.

Attappady (58 km northeast of Mannarkkad): A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, and the habitat of tribes like the Irulas and Mudugars, Attappady is of greate intrest to anthropologists. The Malleeswaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic Sivalinga by the tribals who also celebrate the Sivarathri festival with great gusto. A PWD Rest House and a few private hotels offer accommodation at Agali, nearby.

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