Mannarkkad

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Palakkad Kerala India
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Mannarkkad Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best Time: May- September Read More

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"Gateway to Silent Valley"

Mannarkkad Tourism

Mannarkkad is a small municipal town in the heartland of the God’s Own Country, Kerala. Surrounded by enchanting wildlife and forest, the town is home to many indigenous tribal communities. The two rivers Kunthippuzha and Nellippuzha nestle the valley of Mannarkkad, while the hills of Attappadi around the town make it a perfect scenic spot to spend the weekend. 

With over a population of just forty-four thousand, Mannarkkad lies at a distance of 366 km from the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. It has come to emerge as one of the fastest-growing municipal towns of the state. The town of Mannarkkad is the headquarters of the taluk itself and is situated at a distance of 40 km from district headquarters of Palakkad.

The name ‘Mannarkkad’ is derived from three words, ‘mannu’ meaning soil, ‘aaru’ meaning river and ‘kaadu’ meaning forest. The area was Mannakkad Nair Veedu which ultimately led to the term from which the town got its name. Lying at the foothills of the Western Ghats, the town prides itself on its hill produce and is soon set to become the commercial hub in the state, already being one of the largest revenue taluks in Kerala. Being an agricultural market, the main products in the town include rubber, plantain, cinnamon, pepper etc.

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Places to Visit

1. Silent Valley National Park
Located on the outskirts of the town, at a distance of 20 km, Silent Valley National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 2012, with a history that dates back to the stories from Mahabharata. Flora and fauna of this ecosystem make up an enchanting getaway to the tropical rain forest that is adorned with high, continuous ridges and steep slopes with a special microclimate.

2. Kanhjirapuzha Dam
Constructed on the Kanjirapuzha River to meet the irrigational requirements of the area, the Kanjirapuzha Dam is 13 km away from Mannarkkad, surrounded by the serene Vakkodan Hills. One of the fascinating features of the area is the farming of fishes done using coracles as a part of the commercial fisheries development programme. The Kanjirapuzha Gardens nearby is another notable attraction in the region. The sight is the most picturesque during a winter morning or at dusk when the mountains nearby are enveloped with mist.

3. Atla Waterfalls
At a distance of 23 km from Mannarkkad, the Atla Waterfalls is one of the highest falls in the state and allows you a trek through nature for about 5 km.

4. Meenvallam Waterfalls
Located 20 km away from Mannarkkad, the Meenvallam Waterfalls is commonly referred to as one of Kerala's best-kept secrets. It is the last of the ten waterfalls made by Thuppanadu River on its course through the Kalladikode Hills. With a height of 45 metres, it is by far, the most beautiful. The best time to visit the fall is after the monsoon, while if one chooses a dry season, the rocks allow a better trek site.

5. Siruvani Reservoir
Constructed by the Kerala Government in typical Kerala and Tamil architecture, the Siruvani Reservoir is a major picnic spot among the locals and the tourists alike. An adjacent natural waterfall and the old Pattiyar Bungalow on the river banks are other notable attractions. The area is known for its calm and tranquil environment offering trekking trails while Siruvani River is known to be the second sweetest lake water in the world.

6. Agali Hills
A small hill station and a tribal village, the Agali town lie at the base of the Malleshwaram Peak in the Attappadi Forest Reserve bordering the Silent Valley.

Things to Do In and Around Mannarkkad

  • Most places in Mannarkkad are apt for trekking through the forest areas.
  • The elevation in this area is relatively low, and it offers a picturesque sight to trek through.
  • A visit to the Anamooly village provides a view of the Silent Valley, and it is quite an excellent place to meditate and rest.
  • There is a gaming centre too, called, XD World 9D Magic, which is not much compared to a city but suffices for the town.

Local Food and Restaurants

Being close to Tamil Nadu, Mannarkkad offers an amalgamation of cuisines from both Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The staple food is rice while rasam, sambhar, koottucurry, injippuli, and a variety of pickles and “vatthals” are quite a few common dishes on the plate. Madhura dosa, Vatthal Kozhambu, Ada, Sukhiyan, Kozhukkatta etc. form a few of the special delicacies. Coconut oil and pieces form an essential ingredient of every dish. Mazali Restaurant and Hiraeth Biryani Junction are two of the famous restaurants in the town.

Culture of Mannarkkad

While Malayalam is the state language and spoken by a majority of the population, Mannarkkad is no less than any metropolitan city for its demography with people from across the country which includes Tamils, Telegus, Kannadigas, Goan and various North Indians residing there. There are numerous tribals communities such as the rulers, kurumba, and mugudars.

History of Mannarkkad

Originally a part of Valluvanad Swaroopam dynasty, Mannarkkad has been subjected to British invasions and the reign of Tipu Sultan. There are remnants of the historical architecture such as the old British iron bridge and a road named after Tipu Sultan.

Itinerary

If you plan to reach Mannarkkad in the morning, you can rest well for a while and spend the rest of the day sightseeing around and visiting the waterfalls. The next day can be devoted to trekking around and visiting the Silent Valley.

Traveller Tips

  • While visiting Mannarkkad, it is advised to trace out your itinerary keeping in mind the time taken to travel between each attraction and book your accommodation in advance.
  • The language would not be much of a problem since the majority of the population understands English.
  • It is best to keep cash in hand as a lot of places may not accept any online mode of payment or cards.
  • One should wear comfortable clothes and footwear while visiting the site.

Best Time to Visit Mannarkkad

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How to Reach Mannarkkad

How to Reach Overview

The nearest airport to Mannarkkad is the Calicut International airport which is 57 km away, while the nearest railway station is the Melattur Railway Station which is 22 km away. Regular public transport such as buses and taxis ply from both the airport as well as the railway station. One can hire a private cab too. Busses connect Mannarkkad from Mannarkkad Bus Terminal to all significant places around Kerala such as Palakkad, Thrissur, Coimbatore, Kozhikode etc.

Local transport in Mannarkkad

Public buses are available in and around the city for cheap travelling of INR 7 per km while auto-rickshaws cost INR 15 per km on an average. One can even hire air-conditioned jeeps which, albeit costly, are a mode of comfortable travelling. There are numerous taxi services in the town which offer both AC and non-AC cabs. Visitors can even hire Gozo cabs as an outstation rental.

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FAQs on Mannarkkad

What is famous about Mannarkkad?

Scenic beauty, trekking spots, and waterfalls are some of the attractive elements of the region.

What is not so good about Mannarkkad?

Modes of transportation and reaching the town can be quite challenging within Mannarkkad.

Who should visit Mannarkkad?

Mannarkkad is an apt destination to visit as a weekend getaway for people in and around Kerala as well as backpackers, trekkers, or travellers looking for a short, budget trip.

What is the best time to visit Mannarkkad?

The temperature in Mannarkkad is almost always pleasant, ranging from 36° C to 24° C as the maximum and minimum noted temperature since there is more precipitation during the months of January, February and March since your plans could well go into vain.
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What is the best way to reach Mannarkkad?

The nearest airport to Mannarkkad is the Calicut International airport which is 57 km away, while the nearest railway station is the Melattur Railway Station which is 22 km away. Regular public transport such as buses and taxis ply from both the airport as well as the railway station. One can hire a private cab too. Busses connect Mannarkkad from Mannarkkad Bus Terminal to all significant places around Kerala such as Palakkad, Thrissur, Coimbatore, Kozhikode etc.
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What are the places near Mannarkkad?

The top places near to Mannarkkad are Ooty which is 44 km from Mannarkkad, Wayanad which is located 87 km from Mannarkkad, Munnar which is located 121 km from Mannarkkad, Palakkad which is located 32 km from Mannarkkad, Nilambur which is located 40 km from Mannarkkad

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