Malampuzha – A Beautiful Hill Station in God’s Own Country

Malampuzha is one of the main tourist spots of God’s own country, located in Palakkad district. It is in the foothills of the Western Ghats, 14 kms from Palakkad town. The place derives its name from the Malampuzha River which flows through as a tributary of Bharathapuzha, Kerala’s second longest river. Malampuzha is a major tourist attraction for its trekking trails and the large irrigation dam. Malampuzha is also considered the headquarters of the inland fishery activities of Kerala.



How to reach Malampuzha

By Bus:-
Malampuzha is well-connected to almost all the cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu by state government public transport buses. Number of deluxe buses is available from major cities including Bangalore, Chennai, Trivandrum, Kozhikode and Cochin to Palakkad. From Bangalore, it is a comfortable drive over the Bandipur-Mudumalai Hills and the eastern face of the Western Ghats from Coimbatore.

By Train:-

Palakkad Junction, the most important junctions of the southern railways, is the nearest railway station to reach in Malampuzha. Palakkad is an important railway station which is well-connected with all cities in India. Palakkad Junction is almost 5 km away from the main city of Malampuzha.

By Air:-
Coimbatore is the nearest airport to Malampuzha which is almost 55 km away, and the taxi fair is about Rs. 1000. Cochin International Airport, which is connected with all cities in India, is the other nearest airport to reach in Malampuzha. The distance from Cochin to Malampuzha is around 160 km and the taxi fair is about Rs. 3000.

Things to see and enjoy

1. Malampuzha Dam:-

Malampuzha dam is one of the well-known dams in Kerala. The dam project was begun in the year, 1949 and ended in 1955. Malampuzha dam, the largest reservoir in Kerala, is 6,066 feet high and it crosses the Malampuzha River. The capacity of this dam is 115.06 meters and it created the largest irrigation system in Kerala with a network of canals.

2. Malampuzha Garden:-

Malampuzha garden, known as the vrindavan of Kerala, is one of the major attractions at Malampuzha. The rose garden itself is reputed to have over a hundred verities. The beauty of the river, surrounding mountains, lush green lawns, glittering pools, and water fountains attract the tourists again to this place.

3. The Reservoir and Garden House:-

The reservoir created by the dam is used as a boating destination for the tourists. The reservoir has amusement facilities. One can hire rowboats, pedal-boats, water scooters and motor-boats from 10 am to 6 pm to take you around the reservoir’s cool blue lake. There is also a fairly decent swimming pool for the people to enjoy.

4. Fantasy Park:-

Malampuzha’s Fantasy Park is the first amusement park of Kerala. It was designed by Neo Tech Amusements and Resorts Ltd. There are beautiful gardens and fountain for people to enjoy. It offers a menu of 20 rides. The largest wave pool in the park can give you some thrilling moments in your life. Zip Zap Zoop, Swing slam bob, Dragon Coaster, Oriental Express Train, Saya Trooper, and Water Merry-Go-Round, Tora Tora etc. are for adult as well as for children to try. Water Kiddy Ride, Baby Train and Battery Car are there for kid’s entertainment. Conveniently enough, there is a hygienic restaurant and ice-cream parlour in the park.

5. The Passenger Ropeway:-

The passenger ropeway, claimed to be the first and the only one in South India, will give you a clear picture of the Malampuzha gardens, the dam, the distant hills, the blue strip of the reservoir etc. from a height of 60 ft. The 20-minute ride in the sky will thrill your kids.

6. Fish Shaped Aquarium:-

The fresh water aquarium in Malampuzha is itself in the shape of a fishes .People get inside the aquarium through the wide opened mouth of the fish. The aquarium complex is artistic in architecture and is amazing in structure though only few fishes are there. The aquarium is surrounded by water with lot of fishes. We can see that fishes swim by propelling themselves in a wave-like fashion. The aquarium is opened to all visitors from 11 am to 8 pm.

7.Thread Garden:-
Thread garden in Malampuzha has been designed by Mr. Antony Joseph, using only embroidery colour threads and without the aid of needles or any special devices. Years of labour and yards of coloured embroidery thread have resulted in a rich collection of life-like replicas of plants and animals, all made of thread.

8. Snakes Park:-

Snakes Park in Malampuzha was set up in 1984 by the state government. In the park you can see a variety of vipers like rock pit viper, saw-scaled viper, hump-nosed pit viper and Russell viper. Several kinds of cobras are also there like common cobra, king cobra, spectacled cobra and monocled cobras. The rare species of snakes like the Forsten’s cat snake, the brown vine snake etc. is also in the park. Other species of snakes are krait, India rock python, wolf snake and trinket snake. Also in the park are some varieties of water snakes, crocodiles and the American green iguana.

9 .Hanging Bridge:-

Other attractions here are the beautiful hanging bridge across the river. The bridge is made up of rope. It can’t carry more than 50 people at a time. Some people are afraid to go through the bridge while some of them take it as craze.

10. Sculpture of Gigantic Yakshi:-

Another interesting feature in Malampuzha is the enormous statue of Yakshi, sculptured in concrete by Kanai Kunjiraman, Kerala’s best-known contemporary sculptor. She sits with her head flung back, hands about to tear her hair, with nary a stitch on her body. The specialty of this statue is that only one huge piece of rock is used for its construction. The Yakshi, who sits in the main part of Malampuzha Garden, attracts all the tourists mainly because of her huge naked body.

11. Rock Garden:-

Malampuzha Rock Garden is the first rock garden of South India. The garden is a master work of sculptor Padmasree Neck Chand Saini of Chandigarh. The most interesting feature of the rock garden is that the whole place of this garden is made up of unwanted and broken pieces of bangles, tiles, used plastic cans, tins and other waste materials. If you happen to visit the garden on a weekend or on a national holiday, you will find it bathed in coloured lights from 7-8 pm. On other days, if there are enough visitors, you can get the officials to turn on the lights for a fee.

12. Telescopic Tower:-

The telescopic tower in the garden with a powerful telescope provides a terrestrial view of up to 40 miles. It gives you a panoramic view of the park around the lake.

13. Japanese Garden:-

This is a small exotic garden designed in Japanese Style. The wonderful work of the human mind and its creativity mould ones mind rosy.

14 .Road Train:-

The road train is a toy train for amusement that runs on the Road with inflatable wheels. All the bogies of this train is in the shape of different types of toys. It attracts children. It takes one around Malampuzha Garden and its vicinity.

Important Places around Malampuzha
1.Palakkad
Palakkad is known as the Rice Bowel of Kerala. This quiet town is the gateway between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Palakkad Fort built by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1776, now popularly called Tippu’s Court is one of the best preserved forts of Kerala. It is protected by the Archeological Survey of India. The children’s park in Palakkad is a major amusement for children.

2.Nelliampathy
Nelliampathy is a small, beautiful tea-and-orange hill station worth a visit. It is almost 89 kms away from Malampuzha. Evergreen forests, waterfalls, valleys and tea gardens around this area attract more visitors to this place. Seethakundu at Nelliampathy is a very beautiful spot from where we can get a panoramic view of almost the whole of Palakkad town.

3.Pothundi Reservoir
The Pothundi Reservoir, a nice picnic spot, is on the way to Nelliampathy. It is 17 kms out of Palakkad. This is a good place to stop to stretch your legs on your way to Nelliampathy. There are also provisions in place for boating.

4.Chulannur
There is a Peacock Protection Centre in Chulannur. It is 22 kms away from Palakkad. The tropical forest named Kunjan Nambiar Smrudhi Forest is also in Chulannur area. (Kunjan Nambiar was one of the famous poets in Malayalam.)

5.Parambikulam Sanctuary
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 285 sq km, spread around three dams-Parambikulam, Peruvaripalam and Thoonakkadavu. The highest point in the sanctuary is Karimala Gopuram, from where several streams originate and flow down to Chalakudi River. This place is an ideal home for animals and birds. This virgin valley that is the pride of Palakkad district is 124 kms away from Palakkad town. There is also a national park and a reservoir in the location.

6.Silent Valley National Park
The Silent Valley Forest was declared as a National Park on 15th November 1984 by the Sate Government under the act of Wildlife Protection. It is located at southwest corner of Nilgiri Hills. The park is home for several exotic species of trees and plants. It is 40 km away from Mannarkkadu. (Mannarkkadu is an important town in Palakkad district). Silent Valley is home to the largest population of animals like lion tailed macaque, elephant, leopard, tiger, nilgiri thar, malabar giant squirrel, deer, gaur and large population of birds like hornbills, malabar whistling thrush etc. It is considered one of the most ecologically diverse areas on the planet.

7.JP Smrithivanam and Deer Park
JP Smrithivanam and Deer Park are located at Walayar Reserve Forest. This is situated 22 kms away from Palakkad town in Palakkad-Coimbatore road. The animals roam here as natural habitats of the region. Facilities for elephant riding are also available here.

8.Dhoni
Dhoni is a reserve forest area with its small and beautiful waterfalls. This is one among the most magnificent gift of nature to mankind. There is also a farm house, harbouring hundreds of cattle of Swiss variety.

Other Important Places
Mangalam Dam, Kottayi, Meenkara Dam, Chulliyar Dam, Thiruthala Temple, Jain Temple, Attappady, Chittur Gurumadam, Killikurissi Mangalam etc. are other important tourist spots around Malampuzha.

Where to Stay

Important Hotels in Malampuzha

Malampuzha has good place to stay. Malampuzha Hotels give you an unforgettable budget stay. The important hotels in Malampuzha are the following.

1. The Irrigation Department’s Malampuzha Resort: - It is very near to the Malampuzha gardens.
2. Malampuzha Garden House: - It offers all essential facilities needed for a comfortable stay. It arranges boating on the lake.
3. Tripenta Hotel: - It is a professionally managed three star hotel. It offers ayurvedic massages.
4. Hotel Dam Palace: - It is also a good option near the dam.
Important Hotels in Palakkad
Numbers of hotels are available in Palakkad. One can decide the hotels according to the budget. Almost all the hotels in Palakkad are famous for its hospitality. The important hotels among them are given below.
1. Sri Chakra International
Location: - 3 kms from Palakkad Bus Stand.
Facilities: - Room service, parking, laundry, travel desk, doctor, locker, business centre, foreign exchange, health club, pool, ayurvedic centre and restaurant.
2. Santhigiri Ashram
Location: - 7 km from Palakkad Town.
Facilities: - Ayurvedic treatment, taxi arrangement, room service, laundry and restaurant.
3. Fort Palace Hotel
Location: - West Fort Road.
Facilities: - Parking, doctor, room service, laundry, TV, travel desk and restaurant.
4. Hotel Indraprastha
Location: - English Church Road.
Facilities: - Travel assistance, safe deposit, foreign exchange, book shop, internet, TV and doctor.
5. Hotel Rajadhani
Location: - Near KSRTC Bus Station.
Facilities: - Travel desk, room service, doctor, parking, laundry and restaurant.
6. ATS Residency
Location: - Yakara Road, near DPO.
Facilities: - Room service, taxi arrangement, doctor, laundry, travel desk, laundry, TV and restaurant.
7. KPM International
Location: - Press Club Road.
Facilities: - Sightseeing trips, parking, room services, laundry, doctor, beauty parlour, taxi arrangement and restaurant.
8. Hotel Gazala
Location: - Town Centre, near Head Post Office.
Facilities: - Pick-up and drop to bus/station, room services, parking, laundry, travel desk, doctor and restaurant.
9. Hotel Revathy
Location: - Robinson Road, opposite of Government Hospital.
Facilities: - Room service, parking, taxi arrangement, laundry and restaurant.
Malampuzha, the beautiful hill station in God’s own country, certainly will give you some unforgettable memories and experience in your life. So get ready soon for a family picnic and enjoy your life.