Malappuram District, Kerela
Location: Malappuram shares boundary with Thrissur district in the south, Palakkad district in the south and east, Kozikode district and Wayanad district in the north, Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu in the east and Arabian sea in the west.
District Headquarter: Malappuram
Distance: 334 km from Bangalore, 296 km from Thiruvananthapuram, 105 km from Wayanad, 98 km from Coimbatore
Journey time: Around 7 hours by bus
How to reach there: KSRTC bus, KSTC (kerela) bus, By train via Kozhikode (Calicut) Railway Station, by flight via Karipur Airport (calicut) 36 km away
Route: Bangalore – Mandya – Mysore – Gundlupet – Gudalur – Manjeri – Malappuram
Where to stay:
1. NC Gardens & Beach Resort
Ariyailur, (vallikkunnu)
Malappuram dist. Kerala state, India-676 312
Tel-91494-2471480, 81, 82
E-mail : ncgardens@sify.com
Website: http://www.ncbeachresort.com/
2. Embassy Hotel
1/377 Makkara Paramba,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:04933-282086
3. Downhill Hotel
14/239 C Down Hill Po,
Near Register Office Malappuram,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:0483-2736418
4. Emarald Hotel
2/777 Kottakkal Nr Bus Stand,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:0483-2740374
5. Golden Palace Hotel
19/162, Jubilee Road,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:0483-2735487
6. Hill Top Hotel
3/243 Wandoor Po,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:04931-248387
7. Hill Fort Hotel
UP Hill, Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:0483-2732025
8. Malabar Hotel
5/708 Kollarathodika House
Nilambur Chungathara. Po. Edakkara,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:04931-230479, 04931-231808
Where to eat:
1. Hotel Delicia
Delicia Complex
Near Municipal Bus Stand
Malappuram, Kerala – 676 519
Mobile :+919605 500500
Phone : 0483 2734432
E-Mail : info@deliciacaterers.com
Website: http://www.deliciacaterers.com
2. Metro Restaurant
Star Malappuram Restaurants – Metro Restaurant
2/380 Aravankara Pallippadi Pookkottur Po
Malapuram, India – 676517
Phone: 0483-2774425
and 19/462H Metrosquare Pandikkad Road Manjri
Malapuram, India – 676121
Phone: 0483-2766358
Language spoken: Mappila dialect of Malayalam, Hindi and English
Malappuram district was formed on 16th of June 1969. It was earlier a part of the large Malabar district of the Madras presidency of British India. Malappuram is popular for various art and cultural forms. Geographically too it is very rich with green forest, rivers, hills etc.
What to See:
1. Padinharekara beach: Padinharekara Beach, also known as Padinjarekara Beach is located at the end of Tippu Sultan road near poonnani. Here one can view the confluence of river Bharathapuzha, the Tirur puzha and the Arabian sea.
2. Kadampuzha Bhagavathi temple: At the Kadampuzha Sree Parvathy Temple the presiding deity is Sri Vana Durga. For more info, click here.
3. Thirunavaya: Thirunavaya is a small pilgrimage center located around 8 km from Tirur near Ponnani. Here the famous Mamankam festival takes place. Also, the popular Thirunavaya Temple is located here on the banks of Bharathapuzha river dedicated to lord Navamukundan Vishnu, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.
4. Nilambur: Nilambur taluk in Malappuram district is rich in wildlife, forests, climate etc. It is located near to the Nilgiri hills and on the banks of river Chaliyar around 40 km from Malappuram town and 24 km from Manjeri on the Kozhikode–Ooty road.
It offers various sightseeing options:
1. Conolly’s Plot: It is a teak plationation area near Chaliyar river. This called as Conolly’s Plot as the then British collector of malabar district planted this teak plants. It is said to be the oldest teak plantation.
2. The Teak Museum: Located around 4 km away from Nilambur town on the Nilambur-Ooty state highway, you can find various information on Teak trees and experience first hand information at the world’s first teak museum.
3. Bio Resources Park: Near the Teak museum, is the Bio resource park and a butterfly park.
4. Nedumkayam: Nedumkayam is located around 18 km from Nilambur on the way to Karulai. It is famous for its rain forest and wildlife and panoramic views one can get of the surroundings.
5. Adyan Para: Adyan Para waterfalls is located at Kurmbalangod village on the other side of Chaliyar river around 14 km from Nilambur.
6. Aruvacode: Located near Nilambur, it is popular for pottery works.
7. Central Forest Nursery: It was established the Kerela forest department in 1997 at Valluvassery for culture of seeds and saplings of various trees.
8. Primitive Tribes of Valamthode – Cholanaickers: It is located around 27 km from Nilambur at Valamthode.
9. Kovilikakams: These are residence of the earlier kings of this place.
Nilambur is also popular for the Nilambur Pattu festival which showscase the drawings with power (rongoli).
One can eat at restaurants like Vazhiyoram, wild Bine, Chicken Broast Hut and stay at KTDC Tamarind Easy Hotel, Forest Rest House and Dormitory, Nasar’s Hotel, Peevees Nilambur Manor or Hotel Redfort.
5. Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala: Late Vaidyaratnam P.S. Varier established Arya Vaidya Sala in 1902 at Kottakkal. It is a Charitable Institution engaged in the ancient Indian medicinal practice and propagation of Ayurveda.
website: www.aryavaidyasala.com
6. Kodikuthimala: Located around 1500 meters above sea level, Kodikuthimala is know Ooty of Malappuram.
7. Kondotty: It is popular for the Pazhayangadi Mosque
8. Tirurangadi: Here one can visit Mampuram mosque.
9. Kadalundi Nagaram: At Kadalundi Nagarm, Kadalundi river meets the Arabian sea. Here hordes of migratory birds visits every year during February to March. It is also popular for Pooram festival.
14. Tanur: Tanur located around 8 km from Tirur is said to be the oldest Portuguese settlement. 3 km from Tanur is the Keraladhesswarapuram temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
15. Ponnani: Ponnani is unique as it is the only port in Malappuram district. This town has large number of mosques. Biyyam Kayal near Ponnani is a beautiful backwaters.
Pic by sandep