MALAPPURAM

GENERAL INFORMATION

District Area	3,550 sq. km.
District Population	3,096,330
Altitude	Lowland: Sea level Highland: 477m to 2340 m. above sea level
Climate	Humid on the coast, tropical with oppressive hot seasons in the interior
Temperature	Mean Max. - 32 to 37 deg. Cen. Mean Min. - 22 deg. Cen.
Rainfall	290 cm.
Clothing	Tropical Cotton
Tourist Season	September to March

The district of Malappuram, which literally means a terraced place atop hills, was carved out of the districts of Calicut and Palghat in 1969. Although Malappuram lags behind the State’s other districts in terms of standards of literacy and education, paradoxically the district has contributed in no small measure to Kerala’s cultural traditions. It has been a center for Hindu-Vedic learning and teaching and Ponnani enjoyed a similar status as an important center for education in the philosophy of Islam.

Malappuram district is bordered by Kozhikode district on the north,  Nilgiris on the east, Arabian Sea on the west and Thrissur and Palakkad districts on the south. Malappuram figures prominently in history as the place which frequently questioned  the British Colonial Authority. Most of the famous Mappilla revolts of Malabar, which took place between 1792 and 1921, occurred in areas now under Malappuram district. House of the Valluvanad dynasty of Chieftains who ruled over the area in ancient and medieval times, Malappuram has always enjoyed the status of a military headquarter. The Zamorin of Calicut, for instance consolidated his conquests and built a Palace of the then important Malabar Sea port of Ponnani in Malappuram. 

HOW TO GET THERE :

Air	The nearest airport is at Calicut, 36 km. away.
Rail	The main railway station is at Calicut.
Road	Malappuram is linked by motorable roads to several towns in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

PLACES OF INTEREST :

Angadippuram

Angadippuram, an important religious center for both Muslims and Hindus, has the Tirumandhankunnu Temple dedicated to Goddess Durga as well as the Puthanangadi Mosque which has Arabic inscriptions engraved on one of its planks.

Kondotti (Pilgrim Centre)

On the way to Malappuram, 18 km east of Manjeri, is Kondotti, a prominent pilgrim center for Muslims. The Valia Nercha festival at the 500 year old Pazhayangadi Mosque, celebrated for three days in February-March, draw large number of devotees.

Kottakkal: (Centre of Ayurveda)

Further away is the small town of Kottakal, 12 km south-west of Malappuram and 168 km from Cochin, the  house of the famed Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala, pioneers in Ayurveda, Kerala’s traditional science of  health and medicine. Among the best run Ayurvedic centers in the State, this institution comprises of a Ayurvedic Research Center, a nursing clinic and a hospital. Founded in 1902 by Vaidyaratnam P.S.Warier, it has branches all over the State as well as in Delhi and  Madras. Treatment of  various ailments  attract a large number of patients.

Kottappadi

At the floor of the Cantonment Hill is Kottappadi ("fort gate"), though today there are only traces of the old fort built by the British. 

Nilambur (Forest area)

Nilambur, an extensive forest area and well known for  bamboos, is the home to the world’s oldest teak plantation, known as 'Canolly’s Plot'. The Chola Naickans, said to be among the oldest aboriginal tribes of Kerala, live in the Nilambur forests.

The Jama-at mosque

The Jama-at mosque is important for Kerala’s Muslims. The annual Nercha festival of the mosque is celebrated for four days in April. Adjoining the mosque is a mausoleum of the Malappuram Shaheeds whose brave exploits have been immortalised in Mappilla Ballads.

Tirunavai

Situated on the banks of the river Bharathapuzha, 8 km South of Tirur, is Tirunavai, a place of historical and religious significance. In olden days, the Mamankam festival here, was a grand assembly of rulers of Kerala, held once in 12 years. Believed to have been founded by Cheraman Perumal, it was last performed in 1755. Today the Sarvodayamela is held in the Navamukunda Temple every January. This temple is said to be founded by the nine great saints and is so called The Banaras of the South.

Tirur Tirur is the birth place of Thunchath Ezhuthachan of the 16 century AD, honoured as the Father of Malayalam literature. This place is now called Thunchan Parambu. A memorial for the great poet is built here. A week long literary fair is organised in the last week of December. In this hallowed ground  hundreds of Malayalee children are initiated into the wonders of writing. They first trace the letters of the Malayalam alphabet in sand taken from this revered spot.

The important works of Ezhuthachan are Adhyatma Ramayanam and Adhyatma Bharatham, which are widely recited in Keralite homes. Young poets of Kerala come here to offer their first poem. A Nuxvomica tree, with leaves that are not bitter is a surprise at the Thunchan Parambu.

Malappuram Mosque Malappuram Nercha is celebrated in summer in memory of the martyrs who fought the atrocities of the militia. The British established the Haig Barracks on top of a hill, at the banks of the Kudalundi river, to station their forces. The martyrs who fought Para Nambi,  Chieftain of the Zamorin, who ruled his headquarters at Kottappady, were laid to rest near the mosque.