Tourist Places in Malampuzha

Malampuzha is a town located at the border of Palakkad city in Kerala. The town is commonly known for the Malampuzha dam, located at a distance of about 3.5 km from it, and its scenic gardens. Officially, the town is a part of Kerala state in India.

Here are some renowned tourist places you can visit in Malampuzha:

1. Malampuzha Dam

Malampuzha Dam is known to be one of the largest reservoirs in Kerala. It is situated in the Palakkad district, encircled by the Western Ghats from all sides. The construction of the dam started in 1949. Sri M Bhaktavatsalam, former Public Works Minister, set the foundation of this wonderous water collector. Malampuzha Dam covers an area of about 145 square km. This dam is known to be a combination of two different types of dams: a masonry dam with an area of 1849m and an earthen dam with an area of 220m.

The dam is built over the Malampuzha River, which is known to be a branch of the Bharathappuzha River, the second-largest river in Kerala. If the serene view of the reservoir is not enough to attract tourists, there are many other picturesque places nearby, such as Yakshi Garden, Upper Garden, and many more.

2. Rock Garden

The Rock Garden in Malampuzha functions under the control of the District Tourism Promotion Council. The rock gardens are peculiar artistic locations in India, so the rock garden in Malampuzha is an exquisite place to visit. District Nirmithi Kendra took responsibility for the rock garden in Palakkad, and it was officially opened to the public on 7 January 1996. The rocks for the structures were collected from the Malampuzha dam when the flow of the dam was decreased.

The different stone structures in the garden are made not just from rocks and concrete but mostly from waste materials like plastic bottles, broken tiles, fuse wires, glass pieces, bangles, waste wooden parts, etc. Mr. Nek Chand Saini, the refined sculptor who crafted these intricate sculptures out of thrown-away materials, was awarded Padmashri as he was also the designer of the first rock garden established in India. Children, in particular, will find this garden fascinating as they will learn the best and most artistic ways to recycle things.

3. Udan Khatola

Udan Khatola is a renowned ropeway famous for being the first and only one found in South India. The ropeway is situated in Malampuzha Gardens. Once the ropeway starts moving upwards, you quite literally feel like flying, and when you look down, you can see many scenic gardens surrounding the Malampuzha dam. The ropeway is almost 2000 ft long and elevates up to the height of 60 ft. People from all over India come to ropeway to experience this adventurous journey of 20 minutes, and the ropeway doesn't disappoint. The ride is completely safe as the professionals provide the proper instructions, and the pieces of equipment provided by them are secure. The total number of rope cars available for the ride is 64, and each rope car can carry 2 people across the Malampuzha dam. You can visit the place with your family and enjoy the beautiful view offered from high above the ground.

4. Fantasy Park

As the name itself suggests, Fantasy Park is an amusement park with fun rides, swimming pools, and a planetarium. This theme park covers over 17 acres and is surrounded by the green fields of the Western Ghats. The water and land rides in the park are exciting, and the place provides a little haven for adventure in the peaceful countryside. The kids, particularly, are going to enjoy their time in the park. There are about 35 amusement park rides, including Harakiri, Super Splash, Dragon Coaster, Para Trooper, Water Merry-Go-Round, and so on. It is located close to the infamous Malampuzha Dam and Gardens.

The Fantasy Park is owned and managed by Neo Tech Amusements and Resorts Private Limited. This beautiful amusement park was founded in 1996, and since then, it has developed into a perfect location to hang out if you are looking for a place to relax on a summer day.

5. Snake Park

The Malampuzha Snake Park comes under the jurisdiction of the Kerala Forest Department. The park is located in Palakkad district and is designed to provide a safe environment for various species of snakes. The phrase "Snake Park" sounds as peculiar as the place itself, but the snakes are kept in the place with the utmost care, and there hasn't been a time when they were not considered a fascinating species. The heritage site consists of a wide variety of snakes, but other species of tortoise and crocodiles also reside here.

A large number of people come to the park to get a glimpse of the King Cobras that are kept in an air-conditioned cell to provide them with a comfortable environment to survive. There is a shopping stall called Pugmark Green Shop in the park from where tourists can buy souvenirs. In the shop, there are edible and natural products such as coffee, honey, sandalwood oil, and Cocoa, which are produced by tribal communities. The forest caretakers and officers make sure that the visitors keep a distance from the reptiles, and a board is set up to caution the public to take required measures in case they are bitten by a snake.

Some of the different species of snakes that are found in the park are the Black Cobra, Forest Cat Snake, Banded Kukri, Indian Rock Python, Russell's Viper, Golden Tree Snake, Wolf Snake, and so on. Nature lovers are always up for a little exploration, even if it's in a snake park. If you are one, try this place.

6. Japanese Garden

The Japanese garden is one among many Malampuzha gardens and is famous for its unique style. The garden is developed in the form of Japanese structures. The garden also has a hanging bridge that is located in the middle of the river that flows through the garden. This is an exotic location where you can have a picnic on a sunny weekend and relax for a few hours.

7. Malampuzha Yakshi

The infamous Yakshi statue in the Malampuzha Gardens has been a topic of controversy since it was made in 1969. However, for artistic minds, it really is a beautiful sight to behold. The statue was designed by Kanai Kunhiraman, a prominent sculptor who has built spectacular models like Sagarakanyaka and Mukkola Perumal Trinity. Each year, many tourists come to Malampuzha to look at this fascinating giant figurine.

The statue is located in the backdrop of the Western Ghats and surrounding gardens with murky trees. The colossal figure is the bold representation of a mythological creature, Yakshi, blurring the lines between our ancient roots and modern imagination. The statue may make some people uncomfortable, but few can understand the creativity of the makers behind its amazing construction and work of art.

8. Thread Garden

In the age of technology, handmade artifacts and carefully woven materials hold a special place in the market as well as in the hearts of the public. The thread garden in Malampuzha Gardens is best known for the flowers that are found in it, as they are not grown but meticulously woven out of threads. The handmade flowers are beautiful, and the best part is that they can magnify the beauty of the garden for a long time as they wouldn't be easily plucked or shed at the change of season. The formation of the garden is possible because of the team of workers who work tirelessly to bring this lovely sight to us.

The garden is located near the Fantasy Park. The park is managed by Joseph Anthony. The flowers and the plants are arranged in a well-organized manner. A large number of tourists visit the Malampuzha Gardens to have a look at this extraordinary place.

Conclusion

The town of Malampuzha is a perfect location to spend your summer vacation around the luscious green forest and sparking waters. The dam might be the hotspot of the town, but the gardens and ropeway are not far behind. Additionally, Snake Park is filled with deadly reptiles, but it is actually a tourist attraction full of specific natural creatures.