Best time to visit : August to March
Malampuzha is a scenic destination in Palakkad district of Kerala that sits beautifully at the foothills of the Western Ghats and is set amidst dense forests and greenery. It is an ideal tourist spot for a relaxing holiday. Though Malampuzha is best known for its irrigation dam that was constructed in the 50s to feed the rice growing areas of Palakkad district in Kerala, the city is also well known for its beautiful gardens, vast expanses of paddy fields and tranquil hamlets and quaint villages, where life still goes on at a slow pace.
Facts
The tiny township of Malampuzha is named after the River Malampuzha, a tributary of Kerala's longest river, the Bharathappuzha. Malampuzha town is a well-designed town with majestic beauty that takes credit to many green spots, trekking trails and nature reserves where the tourists can beat a retreat from the mundane tasks of daily life.
Most restaurants offer South Indian cuisine and meals. There are snack bars and fast food stalls around for those who wish to have a quick bite. Generally tourists enjoy their meals at the restaurants attached to the hotels.
There are many gift shops and novelty stores in Malampuzha where you can buy Kerala handicrafts and carved items. However, Malampuzha cannot be termed as a shopper’s paradise.
Nearby Places:
Some of the must visit places around include:
Nelliyampathy: A pristine hill station near Malampuzha, Nelliampathy is situated at a height of 467 to 1572 m. above sea level. The ride along the ghat road punctuated with thick patches and forests of the Sahya Ranges make this trip a memorable experience. Seethakundu offering a bird’s eye of Palakkad is an interesting place too.
Silent Valley National Park: Situated at a distance of 78 km., this national park that spread over 89.52 sq. km. is amongst the last remaining tract of evergreen forests in the Sahya Ranges. The last haven of many endangered species like the lion tailed macaques, Silent valley’s actual name is Indira Gandhi National Park. Vehicular traffic is allowed up to Mukkali, 24 km. away from the park.
Attappady: A beautiful place where mountains, rivers and forests converge, Attapadi is the home of many ancient tribes like the Irulas and Mudugars. The Malleeswaram Peak, which is revered as Shivalinga by the tribal community is a popular tourist attraction. The whole hamlet bursts into celebration and frenzy during Shivaratri festival.