A THREE DAY COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE OF PALAKKAD

Embark on a captivating three-day community and folk expressions of Palakkad . This meticulously crafted tour aims to showcase the mesmerizing richness and vibrant essence of Palakkad, leaving you enchanted and inspired. Get ready for a truly immersive journey through breathtaking landscapes, captivating folklore, mouthwatering cuisine, captivating art forms, and fascinating stories that encapsulate the essence of this enchanting region.

Day 01

Start your day with breakfast from your respective hotel/homestay. The activities for this day are as follows:

Engaging with the ‘Ambalavasi’ community- 01:00hrs

Our trail begins with visiting the ancient temples of Thiruvalathur or Kachamkurissi and meeting the communities living around its vicinities-Ambalavasis. They are a community, in ancient times in-charge in taking care of the day-to-day activities of the temple. Most of the people in the community are expert garland makers beholding a unique pattern not known to many. Encounter one such community and get a demonstration on garland making and the challenges they face.

Meeting the traditional architects of percussion instruments- 01:00hrs

An interactive session with the makers of traditional percussion instruments of Kerala. This community has been in this trade since time immemorial. Here, you shall comprehend the various steps involved in the making of instruments like tabla, mridangam, maddalam, edakka, etc.

Lunch on a farmstead

Post meeting the instrument makers, we shall head to a farmstead and take you on a plantation walk introducing you to the various spices, herbs, and plantations cultivated here. After the walk, we shall arrange a small cooking demonstration of local dishes prepared out of the herbs and spices acquainted with the plantation. This shall be followed by lunch at the same venue.

Visiting a traditional Kerala Tharavadu- Naalu Kettu

As the day winds down, we arrive at Palliyil Tharavadu, a majestic ancestral home steeped in history. This architectural marvel, over a century old, showcases the traditional Kerala style known as "Naalu Kettu." Immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Tharavadu’s residents as they guide you through the property's wonders. Additionally, prepare to be amazed by a culinary demonstration of homemade snacks such as "poruvilnkaya," "manoharam," "panakam," and more.

Be a part of the Chuttu-Vilakku; a communal oil lamp ceremony in a temple

To further enrich your cultural experience, we'll visit a nearby temple to witness the mesmerizing tradition of "Chuttu Vilakku," the enchanting lighting of lamps around the sacred site. As you revel in the ambiance, treat your ears to the soul-stirring melodies of "Sopana Sangeetham," a classical music form accompanied by the resonating beats of the "Idakka" drum.

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Experiencing Panchavadhyam

Panchavadhyam is a temple art form. It consists of five different instruments thimila, maddalam, idakka, kombu, and elathalam respectively. This ensemble is unique to Kerala and is believed to have flourished from Palakkad. It progresses from a mellow tone and gradually takes you into high notes of trance.

Conclude the day with a journey back to your hotel/ homestay and dinner thereafter.

Day 02

We start the day with breakfast at your respective hotel/ homestay. This shall be followed activities as follows:

Encountering the graceful weavers- 01:00hrs

We shall arrive at a weaving village and meet the weaving communities settled in this land. Belonging to the Devanga community from Mysore, get an opportunity to hear their 400-year-old migration stories. These artists are notable for weaving the famous Kerala Set-mundu and double mundu. You shall get an interactive session with the community to understand the looms, techniques, culture, and types of fabrics they weave here.

Meet the sustainable mat makers of the land- 01:00hrs

Get introduced to the people who have been in the craft of making paaya- traditional mats. The female members of this community have been expert weavers of mats while the men procure the raw materials- palmyra and coconut leaves. This sustainable craft of the bygone times has been on the decline for various reasons. Comprehend their stories, techniques, and insights on this wonderful craft while getting a demonstration on the same.

This shall be followed by lunch with the community.

Relishing the - Panagallu; toddy extracted from the wild Palmyra trees- 0:45hrs

Post lunch, we shall head towards the village of Kakkayur. Here we shall organize a toddy tapping experience and get a chance to taste the famous Palakkadan Panangallu (toddies tapped out from the wild Palmyra trees). Understand the tapping process involved and comprehend the stories of our tappers. (Seasonal Activity)

Journey back to the hotel/ homestay.

Encountering Pulluvan Paatu- a folksong by the Pulluva Community

As we approach the conclusion of day 2, before dinner we shall introduce you to a folksong by the name of Pulluvan Paatu. These songs are performed by the ancient communities of the land by the name Pulluva. These folksongs are considered a dialogue between human beings and mother earth. The artists use two instruments known by the name Sullivan veenas (string instrument) and Kuttams (wind instrument).

Day 03

We start the day with breakfast at your respective hotel/ homestay. This shall be followed activities as follows:

Absorb a few morning routines from an Agraharam

Our first destination is the Agraharam, an ancient Tamil Brahmin settlement in one of the hamlets of Palakkad. Once you arrive here, we shall take you on a walk along its alleys to understand its migration story and architectural heritage. Prepare to indulge in a delightful food-tasting session featuring traditional dishes like "Koodai Idly," "Mankal Dosai," "Korada," and more. Get an insight into the Kolam drawings followed by the Iyer community living here.

Decoding the performance of Ottan Thullal in its origins

Our next stopover will be the birthplace of the late Sri. Kunjan Nambiar. Here, you shall comprehend the stories behind the evolution of this art form called ‘Ottan Thullal’ and witness a demonstration of the same. It is a traditional satirical art form invented by the legend.

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Mesmerise by the Shadow Puppet Performance of Palakkad

Experience Tholpaava Koothu. It is shadow puppetry that originated on the banks of river Nila at Palakkad. This is performed by a weaving community and here you shall have an interactive session with them followed by a demonstration of the same.

This shall be followed by a Valluvanadan Sadhya. A traditional meal served in the Valluvanad areas of Palakkad.

Meeting the Panan Community and their Olakudas

Post lunch, we shall introduce you to the Panan communities of the region. Marvel at their skills and craftsmanship as they showcase their artistry in crafting the "Olakkuda," a handwoven umbrella made from Palmyra leaves. Experience the intricate details and cultural significance of this traditional artifact.

Sail along River Nila on a traditional canoe and stories of the last boatman

Continuing our journey, we reach the captivating Nila-Gayatri Sangamam, the confluence of two rivers. Allow yourself to be transported through time as you sail aboard a traditional boat, immersing yourself in the serenity and storied history that surrounds you.

Our journey concludes and transfers back to your respective hotel/ homestays and dinner thereafter.

Price for the above is about Rs. 24,500/- per pax Ex-Palakkad. You can also choose experiences from our other tour curations and customize your plan. Group discounts available . Please send us an email to palakkadkitchenstore@gmail.com on what you you would like to experience and your preferences.

Cancellation by Organizer:

If the trip has to be cancelled due to unforeseen reasons by us, you will receive 100% refund or credit note issued