Palode

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)

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

Cochin International Airport - 225 km (140 mi)

There is a helipad in Palode.

Palode Helipad

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)

Mankayam Ecotourism main Entry

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. 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.

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.

Braemore Estate

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

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.

Kerala Hydel Tourism Centre, Lower Meenmutty

Boat in lower Meenmutty Hydel

The center is surrounded by forest, on the shores of the Vamanapuram river. Boating is a common activity at this destination. 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.

Tropical Botanical Garden, Palode

KSCSTE-Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (KSCSTE - JNTBGRI) was found in 1979 with the objective of establishing a Conservatory Botanic Garden of tropical plant resources in general and of the country and the Kerala state in particular. It also undertakes research programmes for the sustainable utilization of the resources. The idea of establishing the institute was conceived soon after the first United Nations Conference on human Environment, held in Stockholm in 1972 by the Founder Director, the late Professor A. Abraham and its became his commitment to conserve the waning tropical plant species of India. Consequently, the institute was established as an autonomous R&D organization by the Government of Kerala in 1979.

In 1996 Saraswathy Thangavelu Extension Centre of KSCSTE - JNTBGRI housing the Bioinformatics component become functioning. During the year 2003, JNTBGRI was bought under the newly formed society, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE).

KSCSTE - JNTBGRI is the only organization in India, which maintains a 300-acre conservatory garden for the wild tropical plant genetic resources of the country, besides a well integrated multidisciplinary R & D system dealing with conservation, management and sustainable utilization of tropical plant resources. During the past 30 years, it has flourished into one of the premier R & D organization in Asia, devoted to conservation and sustainable utilization of tropical plant diversity. The institute is recognized as a ‘National Centre of Excellence in ex situ conservation and sustainable utilization of tropical plants diversity’ by the Minister of Environment and Forests, Government of India and the Centre of Science and Technology of Non-Aligned and other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre) JNTBGRI enjoys the membership of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). The institute is arecognized centre of research for post graduate and doctoral research of several universities, within the country.

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.

Community Health Centre Palode

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.

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.

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.