Attappadi

Attapaddi is a fairly accessible place. Coimbatore is the nearest airport to Attapaddi. You can get down at Coimbatore airport and take a bus or a taxi to Palakkad which is 55 kms away. Once in Palakkad any local transportation conveniently brings you to Attapaddi. If you prefer railways, then Palakkad railway station is at a distance of 40 kms from Attapaddi. Palakkad and Attapaddi are inter connected by means of local transport (roadways). Also Palakkad is well connected to the major cities of Kerala.

1. Bird Watching

You can enjoy bird watching at the Silent Valley National Park. More than 211 species of birds can be spotted here. Also this national park is home to many rare type of birds. For people having interest in ornithology, this is one of the most loved activities at the park.

2. Visit Religious Places

Apart from natural beauty and aesthetic significance, Attapaddi is also known for its spiritual surroundings. There are several famous temple at Attapaddi dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Rama. Diwali is celebrated with much zeal and fervour at Attapaddi. Also, Shivaratri is one of the festivals you surely must attend in case your visit to Attapaddi falls around February-March.

3. Wildlife Photography

For those who love capturing exotic animals in camera rolls, Attapaddi is your go-to destination. You can spot the Wanderoo, which is also called the lion tailed macaque. Other rare animals that you can get to see here, are spotted deer, Nilgiri langur, forest cats, various species of mammals and reptiles, etc. You can capture nature in your photographs. It is one of the most attractive locations for photographers and wanderlusts.

This beautiful hill station is an round package if you want to capture the picturesqueness of mountains, forests and rivers all at one single place. Most of the Attapaddi region is fed by the tributaries of the river Cauvery. Apart from having forests, many rivers- Attapaddi is also a semi hill station. It is the habitat of many tribal communities. Attapaddi is without doubt a ?one of its kind? tourist attraction, and you must surely visit it.The sublime climate and lush greenery of Attapaddi hills, provide for a relaxing escape from the tiresome routine life.

There is an abundance of places you would love to visit, once you are in Attapaddi, Palakkad. These worth visiting places are as follows.

1. Malleswaram Mudi

It is the highest peak of the Attapaddi hills. The malleswaram mudi or the Malleswaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic shivalinga by the local people. Festivals like shivaratri are celebrated with great enthusiasm here. Only tribal people are allowed to climb this peak, that too on the auspicious occasion of Shiva Puja.

2. Perumal Mudi

The Perumal Mudi is also called the ?Ramar Kovil?. It is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shree Rama. This temple is accessible by the PWD road followed by a trek of 6 kms till the temple. It is believed that Lord Rama visited this place on his way to Lanka, to free his wife Sita from demon Ravana's captivity. A temple was fortified here later.

3. Kunthi River

This is a perennial river. It is a rare fact that the Kunthi river never turns brown, no matter what the season is. The local tribes strongly believe that, the water of the Kunthi river has some herbal and remedial properties. The water of this river is always crystal clear. There are jeep safari rides and on-foot treks available along the length of this river. You will have to seek prior permission from the authorities who take care of the Kunthi river. The distance for the safari is approximately 3 km.

4. Nelliyampathy

It is a hill station placed within a forest reserve. It is approximately 37 minutes away from Palakkad (61.5 kms). The cloud touching hills of Nelliyampathy are absolutely mesmerizing. The route to these hills is laid with several hairpin bends.

5. Siruvani Drinking Water Reservoir

This is the main drinking water source for Coimbatore. The Siruvani drinking water reservoir falls en-route to Coimbatore via Palakkad.

6. Nilgiri Biosphere Park

The Nilgiri biosphere reserve is abundant in flora and fauna. You can gaze at rare species of wildlife here. A visit to the park is a natural breather from the busy routine life. This biosphere is open to public and lies in the Western Ghats. It was declared an International Biosphere reserve by UNESCO.  A guide will accompany you as you take a stroll through the park. He is responsible to acquaint you with important and interesting information like- the importance of certain plants, the species of birds that visit the park, the age of trees, etc.

There is also a museum within the biosphere park, that has kept models of snakes, monkeys and birds on display along with a detailed description on them. There are over 100 species of mammals, 350 species of birds and several species of amphibians, reptiles and rare insects. You can also spot two exotic species that are rarely found- the lion tailed macaque and nilgiri tahr. You need to drive and park your vehicle inside the buffer zone and from there you can take a safari ride.

The entry fee is Rs. 250. There isn't much available for drinking and eating, hence packing some light snacks would be a good idea. It is at a distance of 3 hours 27 minutes via the Thavalam-Mulli road.

7. Hanging Bridge

This bridge is built over the Kenthiphuza river. Lying exactly in Vythiri, this bridge is a 55 m long red and yellow footbridge. It rests on two concrete pillars. The Hanging Bridge is a 45 minutes drive from Attapaddi, through a hilly terrain.