Palode is a town located in Nedumangad Taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala. Palode population in 2023 is estimated to be 18,205.   Palode had a population of 14,922 in 2011^[9] with 7,005 males and 7,917 females. Total female population is 53.1%. Scheduled Tribe population is 4.2%. Scheduled caste population is 10.1%. Total Literacy rate is 84.3% (2011). Working population of Palode is 38.8%.

Palode was once a stronghold of the Venad empire, a medieval kingdom that exerted much dominance in the region. However, the onset of the colonial era saw the once-mighty empire splinter into four provinces, namely Chirava, Tripappor, Ilayidam (Kottarakara), and Perakam (also called Nedumangad).

Palode is located 8.7033N 77.0264E. Palode is 35 km (22 mi) northeast from Thiruvananthapuram city, Palode town is a small hamlet on the foothills of the Western Ghats covered by Rubber plantations and Forest. Vamanapuram river passes through Palode. Palode is surrounded by Peringammala, Nanniyode and Pangode Panchayath.

Road transport edit

Palode is well connected to major cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Thiruvananthapuram-Thenmala SH-2 passes through Palode. Kerala state road transport corporation have a bus depot in Palode connects major towns and villages in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam District. Thiruvananthapuram is 35 km (22 mi), Kollam is 66 km (41 mi) and Tenkasi is 75 km (47 mi). Main places near by Palode is Madathara 13 km (8.1 mi), Kallara is 17 km (11 mi), Vithura is 14 km (8.7 mi) and Kulathupuzha 28 km (17 mi). Palode can be reached by roads from most parts of Kerala. MC Road (State Highway 1) connected by Karette-Kallara-Palode bus route.^[1]

• Thiruvananthapuram city 35 km (22 mi)
• Nedumangad 17 km (11 mi)
• Kollam 66 km (41 mi)
• Thenmala 38 km (24 mi)
• Tenkasi 75 km (47 mi)
• Madurai 230 km (140 mi)
• Thoothukudi 190 km (120 mi)
• Attingal 37 km (23 mi)
• Punalur 45 km (28 mi)
• Pathanamthitta 95 km (59 mi)

Air transport edit

Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) - 35 km (22 mi)

Cochin International Airport - 225 km (140 mi)

There is a helipad in Palode.

Rail transport edit

There is no railway lines pass through Palode. Proposed Sabari railway line stations in phase -3 there will be a station in Palode. Nearest railway station near Palode are:

• Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station 35 km (22 mi)
• Thenmala railway station 38 km (24 mi)
• Punalur Railway station 45 km (28 mi)
• Chirayinkil Railway Station 43 km (27 mi)
• Varkala Railway Station 47 km (29 mi)
• Kollam railway Station 63 km (39 mi)

• St George Roman Catholic Latin church
• Assemblies of God Church
• Palode Juma Masjid
• Uma Maheswara Temple Palode
• Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Pacha
• Madan Thampuran Temple
• CSI Palode Church
• Seventh-day Adventist Church Palode
• Pappanamcode Juma Masjid
• St.Joseph Malankara Catholic Church Palode

Mankayam ecotourism edit

Mankayam is about 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Thiruvananthapuram City, 11 km (6.8 mi) from Palode on the way to Brimore. Mankayam is one of the popular eco-tourism spots in Kerala.^{[citation needed]} From the hill ranges of Chemunchi the Chittar River flows down through the forest, creating a tributary in the form of the Mankayam River. The various picturesque milky cascades are the major tourist attractions at Mankayam. Among the two waterfalls are the Kalakayam and Kurissadi which among the biggest waterfalls in southern Kerala. The state forest department has come up with exclusive trekking options.^{[citation needed]}

Brimore tourism edit

Brimore Marigold Estate is a 900-acre tea,rubber and coffee estate 13 km (8.1 mi) from Palode town it was established by British in 1880.

Brimore is one of the best trekking spots in Kerala and lies at a height of 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level. The forest check post at Mankayam waterfalls requires a payment of Rs 25 per vehicle. Most attractions near Brimore

• Ayyappa temple - An old termite mound converted into a granite temple
• Brimore Tea Factory - One of the oldest tea factories in Kerala
• Madame Falls - 2 km (1.2 mi) inside the Brimore estate
• Ramayana Cave - A stream originates from the cave
• Seetha waterfalls - Safe for bathing a natural bathtub.
• Braemore Estate Bungalow
• Braemore Palace
• Braemore Hills

Lower Meenmutty Hydel Tourism Centre, Nanniyode edit

The lower Meenmutty Hydel Tourism centre is 4 km (2.5 mi) from Palode in Meenmutty is related to Lower Meenmutty dam. The lower Meenmutty Hydel Tourism project is the only project working under KSEB in the southern Kerala.

The center is surrounded by forest, on the shores of the Vamanapuram river. Boating is a common activity at this destination.^{[citation needed]} Another attraction is the garden. Lower Meenmutty Hydel tourism centre has an amusement zone for children and boating, namely pedal boats and slow boats. There is a small dam in lower Meenmutty Hydel.^{[citation needed]}

Palode has a climate that lies on the border between a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) and a tropical monsoon climate (Am). As a result, its only distinct seasons relate to rainfall rather than temperature. The mean maximum temperature is 34 °C (93 °F) and the mean minimum temperature is 21 °C (70 °F). The humidity is high and rises to about 75% during the monsoon season. Palode has south-west monsoons and gets its first showers in early June. The city receives heavy rainfall of around 1,827 mm (71.9 in) per year. Palode gets rain from the receding north-east monsoons which hit the October. The dry season sets in by December. The lowest temperature recorded in the city core was 17.8 °C (64.0 °F) on 6 January 1974 and the highest temperature was 38.0 °C (100.4 °F) on 4 April 2007.

• Iqbal College^[10]
• Allama Iqbal Institute of Management (MBA)^[11]

• Crescent Central School, Panangode, Palode
• Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chettachal^[12]
• S.K.V Higher Secondary School, Pacha
• N.S.S Higher Secondary School
• Dr Ambedkar Vidya Niketan CBSE Model School, Njaraneeli^[13]

GUPS, Pacha ,Paluvally(since 1949)schoolcode 42647(SAMAGRA)

Government Community Health Centre edit

Govt. Community Health Centre is well-equipped clinic with all the modern equipment. The clinic has separate waiting and consultation areas which allow enough space for patients to wait conveniently at the clinic. Being a specialized hospital, the doctor offers a number of medical services. The clinic is operational between 00:00 - 23:59.

Brothers Medical Centre edit

Brothers Medical Centre And Diagnostic Services is a recognized name in patient care. They are one of the well-known Hospitals in Palode. Located in, this hospital is easily accessible by various means of transport. A team of well-trained medical staff, non-medical staff and experienced clinical technicians work round-the-clock to offer various services. A team of doctors on board, including specialists are equipped with the knowledge and expertise for handling various types of medical cases.

White Hospital edit

Quality health care service backed by highly qualified doctors and specialist, medical professionals , nurses with state of art equipments combined with modern technologies providing round the cloak service.

• Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute
• Kerala State Bharat Scouts and Guides Centre
• Institute of Animal Health&Veterinary Biological Institute
• Chief Disease Investigation Office
• Indian Institute Of Oil Palm Research Center(ICAR)
• Government community Health Centre.
• Palode Police Station (Circle)
• Kerala State Road Transportation Corporation Palode.
• Palode Forest Range Office.
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
• PWD Guest House Palode
• Shanthi kudeeram government public crematorium
• Tribal employment exchange career development center and model samanwaya center^[14]

India's first tribal employment exchange

Palode Town’s major economy come from Retails,There is small and big retail shops around palode .Timber and Wood related business and Tourism is another major source of economy.

Palode is predominantly an agriculture-dependent area and most of the people have directly or indirectly been involved in agriculture for their livelihood. With the spread of rubber cultivations in the 1970s and 1980s in the eastern regions of Kerala, farmers of Palode quickly moved over from Coconut and Paddy cultivations to Rubber, attracted by its high Return on Investment. In the 1990s, a lot of village youth traveled to the Middle East countries in search of jobs and, by now, a good number of adults from the village is working abroad and, therefore, remittance is also a good source of income. Flow of remittance has resulted in increase in the number of concrete buildings, replacing the old thatched and tiled houses.

Palode Mela edit

Started as a livestock fair named "Kaala Chantha" in 1962, transformed into a Grameen Mela held for 10 days.

Palode Mela one of the traditional agricultural trade fare that has been started since 1962. Now flourished as the national fest of south Kerala. February 7 to 16 people celebrate this Mela. More than 50000 people visit the mela per every year. When the period of cattles rolled the economic position of society, before the time of globalisation and economic liberation, the farmers started this mela as a trade fare.