“Mountains are calling and I must go”.
This is the signboard you will be watching when you heading Attappadi through the hairpins. Attappadi is a paradise for nature lovers. This gem is located in the Palakkad district of Kerala, India. Palakkad is pretty famous for its unique village beauty and serene nature. It is one of the pride belongs to this dist which attracted many local and foreign tourists around the globe. Reserved forests, peak mountains, rivers, curvy hairpins, and exotic flora and fauna together constitute Attappadi beautiful.
A road trip to Attappadi surely gives you a unique experience you never had before. The journey through the curvy hairpins filled with thick forest and steep valley along a side by listening chirping birds brings you an awesome feeling to your soul. Attappadi is not just one place but it is constitutes of many beautiful small places together contribute home to several hamlets, endangered species, birds, and animals.
Silent valley national park is one of the famous attractions around here which is shelter to the great population of lion-tailed macaques and unique flora and fauna. This protected rain forest having 148 sq.km and considered it as a buffer zone. You need to take a diversion from Mukkali and get the tickets from the govt tourism counter to get there. Silent valley is a perfect gift for adventurous seekers.
River Bhavani, the second largest river in Tamilnadu is the other major attraction here. It starts from Silent valley and flows to Tamilnadu which people depend mostly on irrigation and electricity. A dip in the clear freshwater in the breezy weather surely soothes your mind. Windmills, plain meadows, deep forests are the specific views you going to watch when you travel throughout Attappadi. Due to its enchanting natural beauty, there are many movies in Malayalam has been shot here.
Attappadi got several unknown spots which are attractive, less crowded, and not popular among tourists. Ambannoor, Narasimukku, Pathrakadavu, Mulli, and a lot of places which are beautiful, less explored, and not that much known to the outsiders. There are around 192 hamlets in Attappadi. Irulas, Mudugas, and Kurumbas are the main three community tribes you can see here. Shivaratri festival is the famous cultural festival celebrated by the tribals at Chemmannur Mallewswaram temple during February/March. Malleswaram peak is worshipped as Sivalanga by these tribes in relation to the Shivratri festival.
When to visit?
You can visit Attappadi at any time. Due to landfall, it is better to avoid during the rainy season. You can see the spooky foggy view on the road if you are heading at early morning or evening. Since Attapadi constitutes several places, it is better to prepare your itinerary thoroughly before you go.
How to get there?
If you have a plan to travel by air, Calicut and Cochin airports are nearby airport which is located around 95 km and 164 km respectively. Palakkad and Shornur are the nearby railway station which is around 57 km and 76 km respectively from Attappadi. It is sharing a border with Kerala and Tamilnadu, Mannarkkad(24 km) in Kerala and Coimbatore(104km) in Tamilnadu are the nearest main cities. ATM, Petrol bunk, Hotels, Textiles and groceries, etc available in the areas nearby there. Since it is a protected and buffer zone, alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited by the govt.
Happy Exploring !!