Here’s a detailed guide on the Top 5 Best Places for Shopping in Palakkad, where both tourists and city visitors can find everything from local handicrafts to traditional Kerala spices and textiles.
1. Puthur Market
- Overview:
- Puthur Market is a hidden gem for visitors seeking a more local, off-the-beaten-path shopping experience in Palakkad. Known for its affordability and variety, this market offers an authentic Kerala shopping experience.
- What to Buy: A mix of handicrafts, local produce, fresh flowers, and spices. It’s also the place to go for sweets like Palakkad Halwa, banana chips, and jackfruit chips.
- Best for: Sweets, fresh flowers, and local handicrafts.
- Timings: Open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Tips:
- Visit in the early morning to enjoy the freshest products.
- Don’t forget to try some of the freshly made Kerala sweets—Palakkad is known for its local sweets like the Palakkad Halwa.
2. Kallettumkara Market
- Overview:
- Located in Kallettumkara, this is another local market that has become popular for its traditional offerings and unique products. It has a very local, authentic feel.
- What to Buy: It is particularly famous for spices like cardamom, cloves, and black pepper, coir products, and handwoven baskets.
- Best for: Spices, local handicrafts, and coir products.
- Timings: Typically open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Tips:
- If you’re buying spices, try to purchase in bulk for better rates.
- Many shops here also sell locally made products, which make for excellent souvenirs.
3. Kalpathy Heritage Village
- Overview:
- Kalpathy Heritage Village is not just a cultural site but also a great place to shop for traditional Brahmin culture-inspired items. This village, known for its stunning architecture, is also a shopping haven during the Kalpathy Ratholsavam Festival.
- What to Buy: Traditional Kerala textiles, including Kasavu sarees (gold-bordered traditional sarees), mementos from the festival, wooden carvings, and brass lamps. You can also find handicrafts like stone statues and clay pottery.
- Best for: Traditional Kerala garments, festival mementos, and decorative handicrafts.
- Timings: Best visited during the festival season (usually November).
- Tips:
- The festival is a great time to shop as you will find exclusive items only available during the event.
- Don’t forget to visit the small shops near the village temples where you can buy small idols, traditional jewelry, and hand-carved wooden pieces.
4. Palakkad Town Market
- Overview:
- Palakkad Town Market is one of the most vibrant and bustling shopping destinations in the city. It’s a traditional marketplace offering a blend of local and regional goods.
- What to Buy: You’ll find a variety of traditional Kerala items here, such as spices, fresh vegetables, fruits, and sweets like Halwa and banana chips. The market also offers handicrafts, textiles, fabrics, and wooden artifacts that reflect the cultural heritage of the region.
- Best for: Local produce, spices, traditional clothes, and souvenirs.
- Timings: Open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Tips:
- Bargaining is common, so feel free to negotiate prices.
- It’s best to visit in the morning when the market is lively and the produce is fresh.
5. Vidyut Nagar Market
- Overview:
- Vidyut Nagar Market is a smaller, quieter shopping area compared to the more tourist-centric markets in Palakkad, but it’s perfect for those looking for local goods at affordable prices. Here, you’ll find a selection of groceries, local snacks, and some artisanal products.
- What to Buy: Spices, including the famous Kerala cardamom and pepper. Kerala Snacks such as Pazham Pori and Unnakkaya.
- Best for: Handicrafts like wood carvings and brass items.
- Timings: Open throughout the day, generally from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
- Tips:
- You can also shop for bags and purses made from coir that are durable and stylish.
- Check out the small kiosks for local spices and sweets.
Shopping Tips for Tourists:
- Bargaining: Bargaining is common in local markets, so don’t hesitate to negotiate, especially for textiles, coir products, and souvenirs.
- Packing: Kerala is known for its humidity, so lightweight, breathable clothes are recommended, especially when shopping outdoors in the markets.
- Cash: Most markets in Palakkad accept cash, so it’s a good idea to carry enough cash for your purchases. While bigger shops may accept cards, smaller local shops may not.
- Local Culture: Respect local customs when shopping, especially in cultural places like Kalpathy Village. Be polite when photographing items.
Enjoy the rich cultural vibe and unique products Palakkad has to offer!