Malappuram District comprises of undulating hills with innumerable streams flowing through them and reaching the coconut fringed sea coast. These streams at places are linked with the backwaters, facilitating network of inland waterways. The hilly tracts have dense forests and extensive teak plantations. Agriculture is the mainstay of the district economy. The main crops produced are paddy, coconut, arecanut, cashew nut, pepper, ginger, pulses, banana, tapioca and rubber. Malappuram district has also enriched the Kerala’s cultural traditions immensely. It has been a centre for Hindu –Vedic learning and teaching.
Ponnani, the taluk headquarters, is an important centre for education in the philosophy of Islam. The temples and mosques of the district are known for their colorful festivals.
The town located near Perintalmanna, on the Chennai-Kozhikode route is an important religious centre for both Hindus and Muslims. The principal of the Thirumandhakunnu temple are Goddess Bhagavathi and Lord Shiva. The Tali Temple is the other important shrine in the town. The Puthanangadi mosque has Arabic inscriptions engraved on one of its planks.
It lies 31km.north west of Manjeri, on the banks of river Chaliyar and is an important centre of pottery and timber trade.Arikkod and its surrounding areas have witnessed some of the bloodiest scenes during the Malabar rebellion in 1921.There are inscriptions on stone pillars at Kottathadayi and Amalathara.
At the floor of the Cantonment Hill is the maidan called Kottappadi (Fort Gate), though today there are only traces of the old fort built by the British to protect Malappuram from the occupation of Malabar by Mysore.
This mosque at Malappuram attracts a large number of Muslim pilgrims from every nook and cranny of Kerala and more during the annual festival in April. The “Mausoleum” abutting the Mosque reminisces the heroic acts of bravery of the martyrs of Malappuram-“The Malappuram Shaheeds”.
This mosque is situated at Kondotti, 18km East of Manjeri.This important pilgrim centre of the Muslims has been built 500years ago. The annual festival unique to the place, known as the “Valia Nercha”, held in February and March is indeed a grand feast for three long days.
It is situated 25km West of Malappuram.The presence of the birth place of “Thuncath Ezhuthachan”, the father of the regional language of Kerala- Malayalam, is the pride of the place. The practice of acquainting toddlers with the alphabets of the fathomless Malayalam, on a small plane of sand taken from the revered spot which was once the abode of Ezhuthachan which later came to be known as Thunchan Parambu, has been going on for years together with unscathed enthusiasm.
History suggests this coastal fishing town as one of the settlements of the Portuguese of the very early times. It is also believed that, in 1546, St.Francis Xavier visited the place. One of the oldest temples of Kerala, “The Keraladeshapuram Temple”, dedicated to Lord Vishnu is situated about 3km from here.
The mention of the name “Kottakkal” leads invariably to the thought of “Arya Vaidyasala”,founded by Vaidyarathanam in 1902.This pioneer institution of Ayurveda, the traditional system of health and medicine which believes in “ Prevention is better than cure” though it offers lasting cure to various diseases, has branches throughout the State and in Delhi and Chennai. Relentless in research and development the Vaidyasala runs an Ayurvedic Research which also serves as a nursing home and hospital. An appointment in advance of at least 10days is mandatory to see the chief doctor.Accomodations are available .The Ayurvedic centre is famous as P.S.Warrier, “Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala”.
The sanctuary ideally studded with beautiful hillocks on a group of exhilarating islands is where the enchanting river “Kadalundipuzha” meets her destination- the Arabian Sea. It is the asylum to more than a 100species of fascinating bird- inhabitants and 60species of migratory birds. The awesome view of the magnificent river blending effortlessly into the mammoth sea can be had from the vantage points atop a hillock 200m above the sealevel.The place is also the fisherman’s favourite as it hosts a variety of fish, mussels and crabs.
Nilambur
Situated 37km from Malappuram it is an extensive forest area well known for its bamboos is the home to the world’s oldest teak plantation, known as “Canolly’s Plot”. The cholanacikans, said to be among the oldest aboringal tribes of Kerala, live in the Nilambur forests.
The Nilambur Pattu festival held here features singing of hymns by the members of The Royal Family along with the tribals of Nilambur.
On the banks of the river Bharathapuzha, 8km South of Tirur is Tirunavai, a place of historical and religious significance. In older days, the Mamamgam festival here was a grand assembly of rulers of Kerala, held once in 12years.Believed to have been founded by Cheraman Perumal, it was performed in 1766.Today the Sarvodayamela is held in the
Navamukunda Temple every Janauary.This temple is said to be founded by the nine great saints and is so called The Banares of the South.The Site of Melpatthur Illam, the home of the great poet Melpatthur Narayana Bhattathri; autor of “Narayaneyum” , is about 2km from here.
Adyanpara is famous for its waterfalls and the splendor of its lush jungles. It is situated in the Kurumbalangode village, 15km away from Nilambur Taluk.
Kadampuzha is 3km north of Vettichira on the NH-17 connecting Kozhikode and Thrissur.The town is famous for the Bhagavathy Temple, believed to have been consecrated by Jagath Guru Sree Sankaracharya.Poomoodal, offering of flowers of theechi(Ixora indica) is an important feature here.Mutturakkal is another offering made by breaking coconuts.
This beach offers a breath taking view of the confluence of the rivers Bharatha puzha and Thirurpuzha and the Arabian Sea. This is very near to Ponnani.
