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| With Nilgiris in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west, Malappuram district presents a treat to the eye. Rich and evergreen forests, ravines, hills and dales, rivers and brookes, sandy surfs and palm fringed coasts, festive mood of the gayful Oonapatt - the district preserves the cultural wealth of the good old days. It has in store, a hoary past with Zamorin's rule, Mamankam festival, Vellattiri’s revenge and the resultant Chaver Pada (suicidal squad), the British rule and indiscriminate oppression of the masses in connivance with exploiting landlords, the National and the Khilafat movement, the Malabar rebellion and the such. |
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| The land of great poets and writers, political and religious leaders, this district has carved a place of it’s own in the history of Kerala. The Kings of Valluvanad, the Zamorins, the Kings of Perumpadappu Swarupam and the Kings of Vettathunadu, were the early rulers. The Portuguese, Mysore sultans and the Britishers had their sway over this place, partly or wholly. But the unique social and cultural heritage is preserved. |
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| General Features |
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| Amalgamating the distant and backward areas of the erstwhile Kozhikode, Perinthalmanna and Ponnani taluks of Palakkad, Malappuram district was formed on the 16th June 1969. The Nilgiris (blue hills) of Tamil Nadu in the east and the Arabian sea in the west, provide natural boundaries. In the north, it is bounded by Kozhikode and Wayanad and in the south, by Palakkad and Thrissur districts. The district has a geographical area of 3550 Sq. Kms |
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| Places of Interest |
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| Nilambur |
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| Nilambur is famous for its teak plantation. The oldest teak plantation of the world is in the Conolly’s plot is just 2 Kms, from Nilambur town. The plot was named in memory of HV 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, organized the hectic task of planning Teak. Chathu Menon was laid to rest in the Teak garden in the Conolly’s plot. The plot of 2.31 hectares is beside the Chaliyar River at Aruvakkode, where a country boat ferry awaits visitors |
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| Teak Museum |
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| Four Kms, away from Nilambur, on the side of Nilambur-Gudallur road, is world’s first Teak Museum and a sub center 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 |
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| Eighteen Kms, away from Nilabur, is Nedumkayam where the rain forests flourish. Form the wooden rest house built by the Britishers, elephants and deer can be viewed. An elephant-taming center is also there. Half an hour jeep journey through the thick forests from Nedumkayam, leads to Mancherri, the settlement of Chola Naickas, a primitive tribe |
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| Beyond Chaliyar river, 27 Kms. 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 art works in wood. The forest division offices (Nilambur North & South) are functioning from here. It is the terminus of Shornur-Nilambur railway and it is 40 Kms from Malappuram town |
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| One can see trace of an old fort at the base of the cantonment Hill. The fort was the first to be built by the Zamorins of Kozhikode. Nearby are the Vettakkorumakan Temple and the Siva temple with the famous murals of Malabar |
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| Adyan Para |
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| Beautiful waterfall, suitable for trekking Adyan Para, 10 Kms. away from Nilambur is fast emerging as a main tourist center |
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| Manjeri |
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| Twelve Kms. northeast Malappuram town, Manjeri is the head quarters of Eranad taluk. It was a live center of the National movement. Majeri Kovilakam was the seat of the ruling families under the Zamorins. The district hospital and District court are at Majeri. Some district offices like the District Medical Office, PWD Roads Division etc. are also functioning in this own. Anakkayam 2 Kms. from Manjeri was an important center in 1921 mass upsurge. Anti British revolts took place from 1790 itself, in and around Manjeri |
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| Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala |
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| Kottakkal is a world-renounced center of Ayurveda. The Arya Vaidya Sala, established by P.S. Warrier, the well-known physician and social reformer, has completed its hundred years of glorious existence. People from different parts of the world come for treatment, Art and culture also flourish in Kottakkal at the patronage of Arya Vaidya Sala. P.S.V. Natyasanghom has a unique place in Kathakali. 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 |
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| Annual Seminar on Ayurveda and other branches of medicine, conducted as a pert of founder’s day of Arya Vaidya Sala, are attented by experts from abroad also. A medicinal herbal garden, maintained by the Vaidya sala is a rare treasure |
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| There is an Ayurveda College at Kottakkal. The Govt. of Kerala runs the only Ayurveda Mental Hosptal of the state, here. Kottakkal is 12 Kms. west of Malappuram. National Highway-17 passes through Kottakkal. The distance from there to Calicut Airport is 13 Kms., and to Tirur Railway station is 16 Kms. The famous Kadampuzha Devi Temple is not far from Kottakkal, where devotees in and out of Kerala, come and pray to remove obstruction in life. Dry coconut is the main offering |
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| Kodikuthimala |
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| Known as Ooty of Malappuram, Kodikuthimala emerged as one of the important center of tourist attraction. 1500 feet above from sea level, this place is cooler than the height indicates. The DTPC plans some development schemes to convert this hilly area into a tourist hot spot |
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| Mamburam |
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| Muslim shrine and receptacle for dead bodies of the Thangals (the relegious leaders of the malabar muslims), situated in A.R.Nagar village; is a major pilgrimage centre of Muslims |
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