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Vettakorumakan
Temple, Nilambur
The Nilambur Pattu festival held here features singing
of hymns by the members of The Royal Family along with
the tribals of Nilambur.
Poonthanam Illam, Kizhattoor, Perinthalmanna
This is the house of Poonthanam Namboothiri, an exponent
of the Krishan cult of the Bhakthi movement, known for
his work, Janappana (song of knowledge). Sreekrishna Temple
where he used to pray is situated nearby.
Sree Kadampuzha Bhagavathy Temple
Dedicated to Kirathaparvathi, this temple has no idol.
Poojas are performed at a hole (about 6 cm in diameter)
into which the Goddess is said to have disappeared after
showing Her presence to Adi Sankaracharya, Poomoodal,
offering of flowers of thecchi (Ixora indica) is an important
feature here. Mutturakkal is another offering made by
breaking coconuts.
Pazhayangadi Mosque, Kondotty
The three day long Valia Nercha feast at this 500 year
old Muslim pilgrim centre, celebrated in February/March,
is a local cultural event.
Malappuram Mosque
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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, who was the Chieftain of the
Zamorin, who ruled his headquarters at Kottappady,
were laid to rest near the mosque.
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Thirumandhamkunnu Temple, Angadipuram
Dedicated to Goddess Durga, this is an important pilgrim
centre in Malappuram. The annual pooram festival celebrated
in March/April attracts large numbers of devoteed. A unique
custom here is arrival of Vellathiri in the Pooram ground
to give audience to the Malayankutty, the headman of the
Pana tribal community. Kalampattu is an important offering
here. Mangalya pooja, Rigveda laksharchana and Chandattam
are other important Poojas.
Thali Temple, Perinthalmanna
The temple is located about 3 km west of Perinthalmanna
on the way to Malappuram.
Nilambur(Forest area)
| Nilambur is famous for its teak plantations.
The oldest teak plantation of the world, the Conolly's
Plot is just 2 Kms. from Nilambur town. The plot
was named in memory of H.V. Conolly, the then Malabar
District Collector, who was instrumental in raising
the teak plantation in the entire Nilambur area.
Sir Chathu Menon, a forest officer under Conolly,
took up the hectic task of planting Teak. |
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Chathu Menon was laid to rest in the Teak garden in Conolly's
Plot. The oldest Teak Kannimari in the plot is a rare
attraction. This plot of 2.31 Hectares is beside the Chaliyar
River at Aruvakode, where a country boat ferry is ready
for visitors.
Teak Museum Nilambur
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Four Kms. away from Nilambur on the side of Nilambur-Gudallur
road is world's first Teak Museum and sub centre
of Kerala Forest Research Institute. In the Teak
Museum, a visitor can have at hand information on
all aspects of teak. The Museum, arranged in a two
storied building, exhibits articles and details
of historic, aesthetic and scientific value. Eighteen
Kms. away from Nilambur is Nedumkayam where the
rain forests flourish. From the wooden rest house
built by the Britishers, elephants and deers can
be viewed. |
An elephant taming centre is also there. Half an hour
jeep journey through the thick forests from Nedumkayam,
leads to Mancherri, the settlement of Chola Naikas, a
primitive tribe. Beyond Chaliyar river, 27 Km from Nilambur,
is Valamthode, a hill top place where a perennial waterfall
attracts people. This too is a tribal settlement. Road
accessibility is through Kozhikode district by Areekode-Mukkam
Road. Nilambur town is famous for Kovilakams where the
Rajas resided and ruled the land. The Kovilakams have
beautiful frescoes and artworks in wood. The forest division
offices (Nilambur North & Nilambur south) are functioning
from here. It is the terminus of Shoranur- Nilambur railway
and it is 40Kms. from Malappuram town.
Kottakkal(Centre of Ayurveda)
| Kottakkal is a world renowned
centre of Ayurveda. The Arya Vaidya Sala, established
by P.S. Warrier the well known physician and social
reformer is here. People from different parts of
the world come for treatment. Art and culture also
flourish in Kottakkal with the patronage of Arya
Vaidya Sala. P.S.V. Natyasanghom has a unique place
in Kathakali. |
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A Kathakali school is run by the
sanghom. Venkata Theva temple near the Arya Vaidya sala,
is noted for Mural paintings. Kottakkal Pooram festival
attracts thousands. Connoisseurs of music, art, culture
and literature of the country, participate in the cultural
mela organized in connection with the pooram.
Annual seminar on Ayurveda and other branches of medicine,
conducted as a part of founder's day of Arya Vaidya
Sala, are attended by experts from abroad also. A medicinal
herbal garden, maintained by the Vaidyasala is the rare
treasure. There is an Ayurveda college at Kottakal.
The Govt. of Kerala runs the only Ayurveda mental Hospital
of the state, here.
Kottakkal is 12 kms. West of Malappuram. National Highway-17
passes through Kottakkal. The distance from here to
Calicut airport is 13 kms, and to Tirur Railway station
is 16 kms. The famous Kadampuzha Devi Temple is 10 kms
from Kottakkal, where devotees in and out of Kerala,
come and pray to remove obstructions in life.
Malappuram
Malappuram is the head quarter of the district. It is
26 kms. South east from Calicut Airport and 28 Kms.
north east from Tirur railway station. It was a military
head quarters from ancient times The Zamorins of Kozhikode
had their sway over this place and they stationed a
part of their militia here. Para Nambi the chieftain
of the Zamorin, ruled with head quarters at Kottappady
in Malappuram. Malappuram Nercha, celebrated in summer,
is in memory of martyrs who fought the atrocities of
the militia.
The Britishers established the Haig Barracks on top
of a hill, at the banks of Kadalundi river, to station
their forces. main barracks has now been turned into
the seat of district administration. Main district offices
are functioning here. Malappuram is the headquarters
of the Malabar special Police, established in 1921.
Pookottur near Malappuram, has a place in history, where
the Mopla warriors faught the British with their traditional
weapons and were killed in cold blood, during the Malabar
Rebellion. Panakkad, 6 km from Malappuram in Malappuram
- Parappanangadi road, is an important spiritual centre
for the Muslims of Kerala. 10 km away from Malappuram,
between Anakkayam and Mankada, is Poonkudi Mana, famous
for the traditional method of treatment of mental illness.
Seminars on modern treatment and traditional styles
are conducted here. Poonkudi Thalapoli is a Hindu religious
festival of this mania.
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