Tourist Attractions

TIRUR

Tirur is one of the important business centers of Malappuram district. It is 41 Kms. south of Kozhikode, on the Mangalore-Madras railway line. Thunjan Paramba in Trikandiyur, 3 Kms. from Tirur railway station, is sacred for all who sepak Malayalam. This is the birth place of Thunjath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan of the 15 century AD, honoured as the father of Malayalam literature. Important works of Ezhuthachan, Adhyatma Ramayanam and Maha Bharatham are widely recited in kerala homes. A memorium for the great poet has been built at Thunjan Paramba, where weeklong literary mela is organized in last week of December. People in hundreds reach Thunjan paramba with their children, to initiate them into the world of letter on the vijayadasami day. Children are made to write on the white sands of Thunjan paramba with their fingers. Young poets of Kerala come on that day to offer their poem. A Nuxvomica tree, of which leaves are not bitter, is a surprise here. 12 Kms. south of Tirur is Chamravattom Sasta Temple, which is constructed on the Bharathapuzha. Six Kms. from Tirur, is Triprangode where the only temple of Kerala, consecrated to Garuda, the bird deity, is situated. Chandanakkavu, the birth place of the great Sanskrit poet and grammarian, Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri of 16th Century, is 10 Kms. away from Triur in Thiruvnnavaya Kottakkal road. A memoriam has been built there for the poet where small children are brought for their formal initiation into learning, on Vijayadasami day, as in Thunjan Paramba. Tirur-Koottayi road ends at Padinjharakkara, where the Bharathapuzha and Tirurpuzha converge to drain into the sea. This place is noted for migratory birds, gathering in thousands during February-April.

Tirur was a witness of the ill-famed Wagon tragedy of the 1921 rebellion. Seventy prisoners sent to Pothannur, filed up in an airtight goods wagon from Tirur railway station, died of asphyxiation. The wagons were returned with the dead bodies to Tirur. Tirur municipality has built a town hall on memory of the Wagon Tragedy.

PERINTHALMANNA

Twenty Kms. South-East of Malappuram, this town is the headquarters of Perinthalmanna Taluk. Thirumandham kunnu temple and Tali temple in Angadippuram, 2 Kms. from Perinthalmanna, are important pilgrim centers, Tiruurkad, a place 6 Kms. away from Perinthalmanna, in Kozhikode road, is famous for its Muslim educational complex and Yathimkhana. The Mankada Kovilakam, 8 Kms. away in Majeri road, was the seat of the ruling family, under old Valluvanad Kingdom. A Chaverthara, preserved near the Thirumandham kunnu temple, is a memorium for the martyrs of Mamankam. The Chaver warriors used to converge at this place before moving to Tirunnavaya. Eight Kms. from Perinthalmanna is Keezhattur, the birthplace of great poet of Malayalam, Poonthanam Namboothirit of 16th century AD. The Guruvayur Devasom preserves the house of the poet as a monument. Pariyapuram Church and Malaparamba Church are important Christian Centers. A fort of Tippu Sultan is at Paloor near Angadippuram.

In the Angadippuram Rest house premises, a monument of Francis Hamilton Buchanan;s finding of laterite stone is built by the Gelogical survey of India.

KODIKUTHIMALA

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.

KONDOTTY

The growing town of Kondotty near the Calicut Airport is famous for the nercha in the Pazhayangadi Mosque. It is the birthplace of the great Mappila poet, Moyin Kutty Vaidyar. He popularised Mappilapattu by his poems on non-religious and romantic themes. A memorium for the poet is proposed to be built in Kondotty. The history of Kondotty is connected with that of Kondotty Thangals, the Sufi exponents. Tippu of Mysore brought the first Thangal Mohammed Shah, to bring the Mappilas to the side of his rule. The Thangal first resided at Areekode and later settled in Kondotty. When the British emerged on the scene putting an end to the reign to Tippu sultan, the Thangal switched sides with them. Hence, during the 1921 upsurge, the Mappila mob attacked the house of the seventh thangal, naziruddin shah, Kondotty nercha is held at the tomb of the first Thangal.Two Kms. from Kondotty is Nediyiruppu from where the Zamorin Kingdom was expanded. In ancient time, Zamorins were known as Neiyiruppu Swaroopams.

TIRURANGADI

Tirurangadi was an important centre of the Khilaphat movement, the National movement and the Malabar rebellion. It was the Tirurangadi incident on 20th August 1921 that ignited the outbreak of the Mappila rebellion. Mampuram Kizhakkeppalli wa s the seat of Khilaphat leader, Ali Musliar and a center of religious education.

The Mampuram mosque on the other side of the Kadalundi River is a pilgrim centre. At Mampuram Nercha, people from all religious come and offer incese sticks for the fulfillment of their aspirations. Tirurangadi 24 km. west of Malappuram is now the block headquarters. A new Taluk is proposed to be formed with its headquarters at Tirurangadi. There is a PSMO College and a big YatheemKhana (Muslim Orphanage) here.

KADALUNDI NAGARAM

Kadalundi Nagarm is situated in the north western border of Malappuram district, where the Kadalundi River flows into the Arabian Sea. It is 10 Kms. north of Parappanangadi. The nearest railway station is a Vallikkunnu. Kadalundi nagaram is an above of migratory birds, which flock in on the vast stretch of water during February-April. Pooram festival in the Niramkaitha Kotta Bhagavati temple near Vallikkunnu, lasts for a week, attracting thousands.

PONNANI

Ponnani is the only port in Malappuram district and one of the oldest ones in Kerala. A tidal port at the mouth of Bharathappuzha, Ponnani is an important fishing center. Ponnani is connected by road from Kuttipputam railway station. National Highway 17 passes through this town, which is divided by the Canolly Canal, adding to its beauty.

Ponnani is a town of mosques and Khabaristans. Though described as a place of 23a mosques, there are nearly more than 50 mosques. Malik Ibnu Dinar, the first Islamic missionary who cam to Kerala, was believed to have visited Ponnani. The Huma Ath mosque, the biggest mosque in the town was built by Sheikh Zainuddin Makhodum in the 16th Century. Zainuddin was proficient in Arabic and he wrote books. Zainuddin Makhodum-II was another scholar who wrote the early history of Kerala Muslims. The religions established by the Makhodum-I, is renounced all over the country.

Trikavu in Ponnani was one among the seats of the Zamorin, from where he controlled the trade and commerce. The famous Trikavu Durga temple here, clebrates Navarathri festival.

Ten Kms. South-East of Ponnani, is the legendary Mookuthala Bhagavathi Temple, one of the ancient Durga temples of Kerala. It is believed that Sankaracharya is associated with founding of the temple. The Karthika Mahotsav, celebrated in Vrischikam (November-December) attracts thousands of devotees. The Mookkuthala stone, believed to be growing from below the idol every day, is considered sacred. Sukapuram temple near Edappal, is another important Hindu temple.

Biyyam Kayal is a spread of backwaters near Ponnani town, where a boat race is conducted annually, during Onam celebrations. A permanent pavilion is built for the spectators and nearly a dozen country boats, including some rowed by women participate. A big scheme is underway to develop a tourist complex here, with hotel, park and pedal boats.

PERUMPADAPPA

Boarding Thrissur district, perumpadappa was the seat of Cochin princes known as perumpadappa Swaroopam. It is now the headquarters of Perumpadappa Block. Puthenpalli mosque and Jaram attract devotees. Perumpadappa is about 15 Kms. from Ponnani. Veliyancode near Perumpadappa in the coastal line, is an important Islamic center from ancient times. The religious leader Umar Quasi (1757-1852) was also a social reformer. He instigated tax denial, a movement when the landlords inordinately increased land tax with government backing. He was arrested by the Kozhikode Collector and imprisoned. Another social reformer was the successor of the Qasi, sayed Makti Thangal, who preached for secular education of Muslims, for progress in life.

PADINHAREKARA BEACH

Close to Ponnani and at the end point of the Tipu Sulthan road. It offers a breath taking view of the confluence of the river Bharathapuzha and Tirur puzha with the Arabian sea.

KADAMPUZHA

In Melmuri village of Tirur taluk is situated 3 Km north of Vettichira on the NH-17 connecting Calicut and Trissur and is famous for its Bhagavathi temple said to have been set up by Jagadguru Sankaracharya.

ANGADIPURAM

About 1.5 Kms west of Perinthalmanna. This is an important place on the Madras-Calicut Trunk road through which the Shoranur-Nilambur railway line also passes. This place has two well known temples Thirumandhamkunnu and Tali.

TRIKANDIYUR

This ancient Shiva temple with an idol said to have been installed by Parasurama, is situated close to the town of Tirur, and attracts devotees from far and wide.

Mumburam: 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. Mamburam

KOTTAKUNNU

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.

BIYYAM KAYAL

Close to Ponnani, is a placed greenery fringed waterway with a watersports facility recenlty set up by the D.T.P.C.