Ottapalam, Palakkad

Ottapalam, a major town situated in Palakkad district, lies on the banks of River Bharathapuzha. The town is marked with a distinct culture and has a long trail of heritage which makes it different from the rest of Palakkad.

One of the major attractions around the region is Killikkurussimangalam, which lies at a distance of about 8 km from Ottapalam town. Situated near Lakkidi, Killikkurussimangalam is best known as the birthplace of Kunjan Nambiar, a renowned poet whose name is marked in the literary history of Kerala for inventing a unique dance form named Ottanthullal.

Travellers visiting Ottapalam can make a trip to Kerala Kalamandalam (a school that trains students in performing arts and music) located a few kilometres away at Cheruthuruthi. Built in 1927, Kalamandalam is committed to promoting several indigenous dance forms of Kerala such as Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, Koodiyattam and Mohiniyattam.

Ottapalam attracts visitors with its nexus of a temple that includes Chinakathoor Kavu Temple (known for Chinakathoor Pooram) and Pariyanampatta Temple (popularly referred to as Valluvanadan Mookambika).