Kerala Tourism - Malappuram

Malappuram district is surrounded by Arabian sea and Niligiri Hills. The meaning of the word Malappuram is on the top of the mountain. The district was formed by extracting a part of Calicut and Palakkad.Malappuram has an exemplary water base with the three river Chaliayr, Kadalundi and Bharathapuzha running over it.








Malappuram is famous for its temples and festivals with their spectacular festivals. Malappuram is a worth seeing place. The backwater destinations, hills, bird sanctuaries and rivers etc provides you with a great place to visit on holidays. Malappuram, with its rich natural beauty, lush coconut grooves and historic past, has its own tourist attractions.








¤ Tourist Attractions of Malappuram

* Addyanpara
Spread over an area of two and a half acres of mountainous region. Addyanpara is tucked away near Muttiyel at Nilambur. A half an hour ride by bus or any other vehicle from Nilambur will take one to Muttiyel. From there, another hour of trekking will lead you to Addyapara. Boulders of various shape and size dot the area. Amidst these is a small brook, the Kanjirapuzha.

* Thirunaavaya
Thirunavaya is noted for its historical and cultural importance. Thirunavaya was once the land of Mamankam-a great assembly of rulers. One among the rulers used to be selected as the Kerala emperor. It was held once in 12 years. The Zamorine of Kozhikode took away the right to conduct this, using force. This resulted in, the Kolathiri King or raja sending suicide squads or Chaver every year to kill the Zamorin ruler. The last Mamankam was believed to be conducted in the year 1755.

* Ponnani
It is one of the oldest ports of Kerala. Its the place where two rivers Bharatapuzha and Tirupuzha meet the Arabian Sea. During seasons a large number of migratory birds are seen here. The main tourist destination here is Padinjarekkara beach. Private boating services and small floating cafes are also available.

* Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
19 kms from Kozhikode and 7kms from Beypore Port, the Sanctuary are spread over a cluster of islands in a scenic area surrounded by hillocks, where the River Kadalundipuzha flows into the Arabian Sea. Over a hundred varieties of native birds flock here in large numbers and around 60 varieties of migratory birds come here every year. A hillock, which is 200m above sea level, provides a splendid view of the river-mouth and the sea.

* Padinharekara Beach
Padinharekara Beach offers a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Bharatha Puzha (River Bharatha), the Tirur Puzha (River Tirur) and the Arabian Sea.

* Tanur Beach
The small coastal fishing town of Tanur was one of the earliest settlements of the Portuguese. It is believed that St. Francis Xavier visited the place in 1546 and converted the local chieftain to Christianity. About 3 km south of Tanur is Keraladesapuram Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is said to be one of Kerala's oldest temples.

* Vallikunnu Beach
A beach resort set in the middle of a coconut grove is the main attraction here. The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is just a short distance away.

* Kodikuthimala
The perennial springs and green mountains form an alluring landscape.

* Kottakkal
It is located 12 kms south-west of Malappuram and 168 km from Kochi, site of the famed Kottakal Arya Vaidyasala, pioneering centre for Ayurveda, Kerala's traditional system of health and medicine. Founded in 1902 by Vaidyaratnam P.S. Warrier. This institution has a research centre, a nursing home, and a hospital. It has branches all over the state as well as in Delhi and Madras. This centre offers treatment for various ailments and attracts a large number of patients.

* Tirur
Birthplace of Thunchath Ezhuthachan of the 16 A.D, who is honoured as the father of Malayalam language is in Tirur, now called as Thunjan Parambu, as a memorial of this great poet, is built here. A weeklong literary fair is organised here in the last week of Dec. It is in this hallowed ground where hundreds of children are initiated into the wonders of writing, when they first trace the letters of the Malayalam alphabet in sand, taken from that revered spot, which was Ezhuthachan's home.

* Kottappadi
At the floor of the cantonment Hill, is the maiden, called Kottappadi, which means '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.

* Nilambur
This is the original home of the Cholainaickans, the oldest aboriginal tribe of Kerala. The extensively forested land is well known for Canoli's Plot. It is named after H.V.Conolly, the then Malabar District Collector. The oldest teak tree in the plot is a rare attraction. On the Nilambur-Gudallur Road are the world's first teak museum and a sub-centre of the Kerala Forest Research Institute.

* Biyyan Kayal
Located close to Ponnani, this placid, green-fringed waterway has different types of water sports facility, and attracts a lot of people here.