MALAPURAM AND OTHER PARTS - HERE THE HISTORY SLEEPS

Submitted by prasanna prabhu on Tue, 2007-01-02 22:13. Tourist_places
(photo:kadalundy bird sanctuary by the veteran photographer Dhruvaraj
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhruvaraj/
under a creative commons attribution license)

Malappuram: Malappuram is a small town situated on the Calicut - Madras road, 12 km. south - west of Manjeri. Malappurarm literlly means a terraced place stop the hills. The area covered by the district was carved out of Kozhi kode and Palakkad districts in 1969.Malappuram was the head quarters of European and British troops and later it became the head quarters of the Malabar Special Police. The district was first ruled by the Kings of Valluvanad, the Zamorins, the Kings of Perumpadappu Swarupam and the Kings of Vettathunadu, later the Portuguese, Mysore sultans and the Britishers had their throne over this place.

(Another photoof malppuram by the veteran photographer Dhruvaraj
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhruvaraj/
under a creative commons attribution license)

But the unique social and cultural heritage is preserved. Presently Malappuram District consists of 2 Revenue Divisions, 6 Taluks, 135 Villages, 14 blocks, 5 Municipalities and 100 Panchayats. With rich and evergreen forests, hills, rivers and brookes, sandy surfs and palm fringed coasts, the district preserves the cultural wealth of the good old days. This district was the venue for many of the Mappila revolts between 1792 and 1921. The place has also contributed much to the cultural heritage of Kerala. It was a famous centre for Hindu-Vedic learning and Islamic philosophy. The temples and the mosques of this district are well-known for their spectacular festivals. Along with historic monuments and diverse natural attractions, a range of cultural and ritual art forms add to its value as a destination worth visiting.The land is also home for great poets and writers, political and religious leaders. The birth place of Thunchath Ezuthachan, the father of the Malayalam language, now called Thunchan Parambu, is in Tirur. Onam is the festival, that the entire city celebrates with great enthusiasm, which marks Kerala's new year and harvest season, and comes around in August-September. The other spectacular event that transfigures the entire city is Thrissur Pooram, the annual temple festival.The Jamaat Mosque built by hindu took the style of temple before 280 years ago which happened to be everybody’s attraction here is a master-piece in architecture.
Like most of the other districts of Kerala, Malappuram too consists of three natural divisions; lowland, midland and highland. The low land stretches along the sea coast, the midland in the centre and the highland region towards the east and north eastern parts. The topography of the district is highly undulating; starting from the hill tops covered with thick forests on the east along the Nilgiris, it gradually slopes down to the valleys and the small hills , before finally ending on the sandy flat of luxuriant coconut groves in the west.The district has more or less the same climatic conditions as that of other places in Kerala, dry season from December to February, hot season from March to May, the Southwest Monsoon from June to September and the North East Monsoon from October to November. The South West Monsoon is usually very heavy and nearly 75% of the annual rains is received during this season. The climate is generally hot and humid; the range of temperature varying between 30 °C and 20 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2900 mm. Four important rivers of Kerala, flow through Malappuram district. They are, Chaliyar (Beypore river), Kadalundipuzha, Bharathapuzha and Tirurpuzha.
The district has a total forest area of 1,03,417 hectares, i.e.,28.47% of total geographical area. The major forest area is concentrated in Nilambur and Wandoor blocks and Melattur in the Western ghats. 80% of the forest is deciduous and the rest is evergreen. Teak ,rosewood, venteak, choropin, mahogoni, etc. are the important trees. Other varieties like kulamavu and villapine are used in the plywood industry. Bamboo is extensively grown in all parts of the forest. The district has also several man made plantations, mainly of teak. A huge effort under the Nilgiri Biosphere Project is underway to protect and regenerate the natural forests. Afforestation is also being done under the Wasteland Development Programme. There is the world's first Teak Museum near Nilambur operated by the Kerala Forest Research Institute.

Elephants, deers, tigers, blue monkeys, dears, boars, rabbits etc. are found in the forests along with a variety of birds and reptiles. Forests are the main source of raw material for a number of wood-based industrial units. Besides timber, firewood and green manure, forest produces like honey, medicinal herbs, spices etc. are collected. Minor forest produces are collected by the tribals. The forests are protected by two forest divisions-Nilambur North and Nilambur South. The social forestry division promotes planting of trees outside forest lands, for protecting the forests

Thirunavaya: Thirunavaya is located 8 km south of Tirur near Ponnani in Malappuram district on the banks of the river Bharathapuzha. . Navamukundan temple here is 6000-year old temple and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Holding immense historical importance, this is the place where 'Mamangam', a grand assembly of the rulers of Kerala was held here once every 12 years, in olden times. This extravagant festival was held for the last time in 1755 AD. The ten-day annual festival at the Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple, dedicated to Navamukunda (Lord Vishnu), begins with Kodiyettam and concludes with Arattu. The last three days are the most auspicious.

Kottakkal: Kottakkal is located 12 km south west of Malappuram. Kottakkal is a famous place known world over. Kottakkal is came up to fame by the renowned Kottakkal Aryavaidya Sala, a pioneering institution in Ayurveda. The great P.S. Varier gave the local practice of medicine a new shape and dimension. He established a school of medicine in 1917 at Calicut with the idea of education and practice to the Arya Vaidya doctors and later transferred this institution to Kottakkal.Many cultural, intellectual and other activities were centered in this institution. This highly acclaimed institution runs an Ayurveda Research Centre, an Ayurveda Nursing Home and an Ayurveda Hospital, besides being a leading producer of Ayurveda medicines in large scale. Over 5 lac tpatients get treatments every year in the hospital. The quantum of in-patients is also impressive.
A relief committee and an orphanage were set up in Kottakkal with the help of Servants of India Society to help the orphans left by cholera. This seemingly impossible feat was achieved with the power of unity even while the country was suffering from the perils of 2nd world war and famine. A Co-operative society was established under the Presidency of P.K. Varier on this grounds.
Kottakkal, the heart of Ayurvedic treatment is also famous for its temple festival. Kottakkal pooram, celebrated during March-April is attractive for its cultural festivity. During the seven days, famous classical artistes of the country perform here. Also PSV Natysangham Kathakali School is located at Kottakkal. which is also found by. The students occasionally display their talents for the benefit of tourists. The products of this School are perfect in the Kathakali arts.

Angadipuram: Angadipuram is located 3 km from Perinthalmanna, off NH 213. Angadipuram is famous for its two temples, the famous Thirumandhamkunnu temple devoted to Shiva and Parvathi and the Tali temple. Thirumandhamkunnu is a hill. The Thirumandhamkunnu temple precincts offer lovely view of the surrounding village beauty. The idols here have an interesting past to reveal. Lord Shiva rewarded King Mandhatha of the Surya Dynasty a Shivalinga. The King returning with the Linga from Kailas, the abode of Shiva, decided to install it in Thirumandhamkunnu as he felt the place is ideal. On hearing the parting of the Linga by Shiva goddess Parvathi reached here to take back the Linga as it was dearer to her. A battle aroused and at the end of the battle the Linga split into two. Impressed by the devotion of the King to the Linga, Parvathi felt sympathy and allowed him to keep the Linga but at the same time she decided to stay with the Linga. The mural paintings in the temple depict the story behind the idol. On the ceiling of the temple scripts from Ramayana is beautifully sculpture-carved.

Ponnani: Ponnani is a coastal town in Malappuram district. This tiny, picturesque town is bounded by the Arabian sea on the west and is a popular Malabar coast is a heaven for heritage lovers. Ponnani population has a blend of almost equal percentage of Hindus and Muslims and has set an example for unity for tolerant and peaceful co-existence. Malik Ibn Dinar, the first Islamic missionary who came to Kerala, is believed to have visited Ponnani. William Logan, the historian, records in his Malabar manual about the Ponnani Juma’ Masjid built in 925 Hijrah that’s why Ponnani is famous for its mosques. Ponnani was called the 'small Makkah' in south India, Malaya, Indonesia etc.
Ponnani has the status of an important centre for education in the philosophy of Islam. In the early period, Ponnani was considered the Al Azhar University of Kerala, for its great religious schools and teachers. Ponnani is also very much associated with the nationalist movements in the freedom struggle and many prominent leaders participated in the freedom movment. Ponnani has also contributed a great deal to the cultural and literary heritage of Kerala. Ponnani was considered as the second capital of Malabar during the reign of Samoothiri and was the headquarters of Kunjali Marakkar, the naval army chief of Samoothiri.
The tidal mouth of Bharathappuzha, where 'Bharathapuzha' and 'Tirur-PonnaiPuzha' join together to traverse into the Arbian sea, is a seasonal home to hundreds of migratory birds and this attracts a large number of bird watchers. Nearly 25 varieties of birds have been identified in this area. People have awareness in protecting these beautiful gift of nature.
Another tourist attraction is 'Biyyam Kayal'. This placid, green fringed waterway has a watersports facility. Here a boat race is conducted annually, during Onam celebrations. A permanent pavilion is built for the spectators and nearly two dozen country boats, including some rowed by women, participate in the race. A big scheme is underway to develop a tourist complex here, with hotel, park and pedal boats.

Triparangode: Triparangode is known for its Garuda temple located in Chamravattom Road, the only temple in India for Garuda (kite), the carrier of Lord Vishnu. The temple set in picturesque surroundings also accommodates a rare shrine in which Vishnu is worshipped in his Koorma (tortoise) avatar poisture. The Garuda shrine is sculptured with golden snakes around.

Chamravattom: Chamravattom, located 15 km west of Tirur,is famous for Sastha temple in the banks of Bharathapuzha. The temple built by legendary sculptor Perunthachan lies amidst wide paddy fields. The idol is placed in the level of river as sanctum sanctorum is well below. During monsoon the temple is flooded but it is considered auspicious. Most of the pilgrims proceeding to Sabarimala through this route stop here and worship.

Navamukundan Temple: This is an ancient temple of Kerala - considered equivalent to Banares, located on the Bharatapuzhaa river at Thirunavaya. The temple is a 6000-year old temple. The deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu. It is very famous and popular for the performance of last rituals for the dead, since the Bharatapuzha river flows over the temple steps, making it very convenient.. Ten avatars of Lord Vishnu are carved on the top row against the wall as below the slopped roof. The base of the temple is built of stone, while the superstructure above is of timberwork. The temple is considered to have built in Kerala type of architecture, dating back to the 13th -14th centuries although in a comparatively poor state of existence today. There is a separate shrine for Malarmangai Naachiyaar unlike the other Divya Desam temples in Kerala.
There is a structure left side of the gate which was built for the Zamorin kings to watch the cultural mega event called Mamankam once in every 12-year on the sprawling banks of Bharatapuzha. The Mamankam was originally initiated at Ponnani port as a trade fair. The event used to witness by all the rulers under Samuthiri. The people of Malappuram insist that the Mamankam was originated by a Valluvanad king who ruled that region and the Samuthiri was in fact wresting the right to conduct it. The rivalry between the two was a historical fact. There is a stage called Nilapadu Thara where the Samuthiri used to sit. His soldiers used to position around him. Valluvanadu king on his part will send his soldiers to challenge Samuthiri. The fight always was a losing one to the king. To humiliate the king, bodies of the soldiers were dumped into a well nearby. When the well overfilled with corpses an elephant was ordered to foot them down. Today this well is known as Mani Kinar. The remains of well is reduced to a slab of stone which too is not noticeable as the weeds rest on it.

Thunchan Smarakam Memorial: It is located 2-km away from Tirur Railway station on Kuttipuram Road. Thunchathu Ramanuja Ezhuthachan was a legendary Malayalam poet of 16th century. This is a favourite spot and always crowded by the student community. There is a big Nax Vomica tree here. It was under this tree Thunchan taught his students. The leaves of Nax Vomica tree usually are bitter, but to the utter surprise of all, the leaves of the tree here are not bitter. Annual Thunchan Festival is held in January or February when cultural events such as poetry reading and seminars take place among other programmes. Vijayadashami day(a Hindu auspicious day) when Vidyarambam (initiation to letters) is celebrated all over Kerala. Over 10000 get initiation to letters during this day here.

Kadampuzha Bhagavathi Temple: The deity here is goddess Durga, who, it is believed possesses immense curative and rewarding powers, thousands of pilgrims coming daily to seek blessings. The idol placed in the sanctum, below several stairs, is small and always flower covered. Though the temple is very famous all over Kerala, there is no major festival. The only festival, if it is a festival, is on Karthika day celebrated during the months of November-December . During this day there is food offering festival to over 10000 devotees.

Perinthalmanna: Perinthalmanna is the most developed town in Malappuram district. A temple on top of a hill is star attraction. Below the hill, a platform stating “ I am here as a memorial to the valiant soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the Valluvanad kingdom.” It was always a losing battle against Samuthiri.
Venkattathevar Temple: Located at Kottakkal. The deity is Shiva. The walls of sanctum sanctorum are beautified with 64 types of mural paintings. Paintings of birds in garland form and paintings of flower-garland form divide the murals. The sculptured walls portray Arjuna praying for the Pashupathi Astra. The annual festival called Venkattathevar Utsavam during April attracts many.
Teak Museum: The museum is located at Nilambur. This is the first museum of its kind in the entire world. The museum narrates the history and life of teak. An exhibit Christined, “moods of a teak tree,” explains the life-style and growth culture of traak without speaking. Narration about world’s oldest teak tree still in good health and homed in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is very interesting.

Kumbam Village: The village is located at Aruvacode. Main occupation of the Kumbaran community people in this village is making pottery items. Lack of buisness the population faces starvation and mal-nutrition problems which further forced some women to resort to prostitution. Due to some volutary missions and some social workers counselling was done and the life style had got better now a days. Now the village is in limelight and thriving with activities related to pottery making.
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