Trekking SpotHill

Aathanad

Hill at Vallanghy near Nemmara with an Ayyappa temple on top and views over Palakkad's paddy fields

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01 — The story

Aathanad is a mountain at Vallanghy, near Nemmara in Palakkad district, Kerala. An Ayyappa temple stands on its summit, and the temple's annual festival on Dhanu 9 in the Malayalam calendar, which falls on 24 December, brings people from many places who climb the hill to receive blessings. In the valley below lies the Nellikulangara Temple, home of the well-known Vallanghy-Nenmara Vela.

The mountain is a popular hike. From the top the view takes in Vallanghy village and Nemmara town, Pothundi Dam, the Nelliyampathy hills and the spreading green paddy fields that have earned Palakkad its name as the Granary of Kerala.

Unmapia

02 — About

Coming soon

We’re still writing about Aathanad: its history, what’s there and why it’s worth the trip.