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Palakkad Fort
Ancient structures and formations are a great source of history in the present world. If there can be anything still standing tall with its charm, it is the structures and formations from the days long ago. These are the most significant sources for knowing more and more about the various rules and their power politics. And the Palakkad Fort in Kerala is no exception. This is a fort that has seen multiple changes of powers. Also, the change of powers shaped how this fort was fortified in later times.
If you are interested in knowing the history of a specific location, visiting this fort will be an exciting activity for you. Located on the foothills, this beautiful fort looks majestic. Not only that, but it also offers a gorgeous view of the whole area. Include the Palakkad Fort in your itinerary in Palakkad or Kerala. Keep reading this article; I will mention everything you need about this fort. It will be a helpful read if you plan a trip to this location.
Location of Palakkad Fort:
Palakkad- Koduvayur, Meenakshipuram Highway, Kenathuparambu, Kunathurmedu, Chittur-Thathamangalam, Palakkad, Kerala
Palakkad Fort timings:
The Palakkad Fort opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m. daily.
Palakkad Fort entry fee:
There is no entry fee for Palakkad Fort. However, still cameras incur an additional charge of Rs. 20, and video cameras incur a charge of Rs. 50.
How to reach Palakkad Fort
- By air
The nearest airport to Palakkad Fort is Coimbatore Airport, which is 55 km away. The nearest international airport is Cochin International Airport, which is 140 km away. You can also opt for the Cochin International Airport. You will get flights from almost all major cities.
- By train
If you travel by train, the nearest station is Palakkad, which is only 5 km from the fort.
- By road
The Palakkad fort is conveniently located. You can reach it here by driving your vehicle, or you can hire a car as well. From Thrissur, it is 63 km away; from Kozhikode, it is 127 km and from Athirappilly, it is 108 km away.
The best time to visit Palakkad Fort
The months between November to March is the ideal time to visit here. During these months, the weather remains pleasant, making all tourist activities comfortable. You can explore the place well if you are staying around this time. Also, there is no rainfall here, making visiting even more convenient. Palakkad is one of the regions that experiences light rain throughout the year. However, the months from June to October are months of heavy rainfall. The rainfall may dampen your travel spirits, so you can avoid visiting around that time.
Also, the summer months could be more comfortable here as the temperature rises quite a bit. The temperature is very high, especially during the peak summer months of April and May. These are the hottest months here, and visiting in the scorching heat would be uncomfortable. So plan your trip accordingly.
Overview of Palakkad Fort
The Palakkad Fort is an 18th-century military base in Palakkad. It is undoubtedly one of the best-preserved forts and one of the most popular ones in Kerala and Palakkad. What makes this fort even more remarkable is the fact that this fort is a witness to multiple changes of powers. There had been a chain of capturing and recapturing of this fort. And through everything, the fort could still retain its charm. Also, there were multiple fortifications for this fort under various rules. You can see a mix of French, European, and medieval styles of architecture here. With high walls and beautiful gardens, the fort is picturesque. Also, the fact that it holds on to itself a long history of change of power makes it alluring for the visitors.
This fort is an attractive historical spot. The temple premise also houses multiple smaller structures. For history buffs, this will be one of the most interesting spots to explore. This magnificent structure consists of granite stones and is a brilliant example of strong architecture. With a mosque, temple, gardens, and auditoriums inside the fort premise, it is a great location to explore for visitors to Palakkad.
Palakkad Fort History
According to history, the existence of the Palakkad Fort goes back to ancient times. However, if you are wondering who built Palakkad Fort, then Hyder Ali, the emperor of Mysore, rebuilt the present structure of this fort in 1766. At first, the king of Palakkad, Paliyath Achchan, was a part of the Zamorin. Later, he moved away from the rule at the beginning of the 18th century. He also formed an independent state for himself. But the Zamorins attacked him in 1757. Then, he approached Hyder Ali, and Hyder Ali took over Palghat and then Palakkad Fort. And from then, the Palakkad Fort remained in the control of Mysore Sultans.
Moreover, later, in 1768, the fort came under British rule. Colonel Wood captured the fort from Haider Ali in 1768 and continued fortification. However, after some time again, Hyder Ali recaptured the fort. In 1783, Colonel Fullarton again recaptured this fort the next year itself. A power game followed the capture and recapture of the fort. The fort also fell into the control of Zamorins as well. But Colonel Stuart finally captured the fort. In 1900, this fort became a taluk office.
Architecture of Palakkad Fort
Located at the foothills of the Sahyadri range, this picturesque fort is spread across 60 702 sq meters. One of the most attractive parts of this fort is the stunning architecture here. A powerful influence and the finest skills of French artisans are noticed here. The shape of this fort is a square. Furthermore, there are walls and bastions of square shapes. Earlier, the entrance of this fort had a drawbridge. However, at present, there is a permanent doorway at the place of that. At the entrance, there is an L-shaped screen wall. The purpose of this wall was to safeguard the fort from any attacks. In each of the corners, there are bastions. Everything was done to preserve and protect the doorway from external attacks.
The main gate has a stucco design very similar to that of temples. It is again one of the most unique features of this fort. After crossing the first doorway, there is a second doorway here as well. From there, the way leads to the citadel, and the passage next to it leads to a sub-jail.
This is a popular tourist destination. A significant ground, “Kota Maidanam,” is between this fort and the Palakkad Town Hall. Presently, the ground is a space for Cricket Matches, Public Meetings, and Exhibitions. Also, there is an open-air auditorium here, “Rappadi.” The Archeological Survey of India is looking into the maintenance and preservation of this place. A children’s park called “Vatika” is also on the fort premises.
A shrine of Lord Hanuman, known as the Anjaneya Swamy Temple, is also located inside the premises of this fort. On the eastern entrance of this fort, the carving of Lord Anjaneya is on the inner walls of the fort. Alongside, there is an idol of Lord Anjaneya, and according to stories, Tipu Sultan and his troops used to worship him for protection from enemies. The fort is also popular as the Tipu Sultan Fort in Kerala.
Nearby places to visit from the Palakkad Fort
- Malampuzha Dam
The distance from Palakkad Fort to Malampuzha Dam is about 10 km, and it is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Palakkad. This dam on the Malampuzha River is a popular picnic spot. From here, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire terrain. There is also the Malampuzha Gardens, which is yet another spot you can explore here.
- Silent Valley National Park
This national park is 80 km from the Palakkad fort and is one of the most beautiful sites here. Moreover, this park is home to varied flora and fauna, including some threatened species. It can be a good place to visit for nature and animal lovers.
- Palakkad Gap
This is a natural pass connecting the coastal plains of Kerala with the Western Ghats. Located between the Nilgiri Hills and Anaimalai Hills, this gap is 30 km wide. It is a popular spot for adventure lovers and trekkers. The view is magnificent from this location, so you can surely visit here.
- Dhoni Hills
Located 15 km from the Palakkad fort, this is a beautiful hill station. It is famous mainly for tea and coffee cultivation. From here, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the hills and valleys. It is again a popular spot for trekking and hiking enthusiasts.
Wrapping Up!
This is one such fort in Kerala that reflects the history of the land so well. Learning about the location by witnessing this magnificent structure would be very intriguing. It is one of the most famous structures in Kerala. And there are reasons behind that, too. Whenever you visit Kerala, make sure you include this location in your list of must-visit places. The Palakkad Fort will surely leave you in awe with its architectural brilliance. And there is indeed a lot to explore here. So when are you planning a trip to this location? Let me know if this article on this fort will be helpful to you when planning a trip to this spot.
