Malappuram is a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 33.61 km2 (12.98 sq mi). The first municipality in the district formed in 1970, Malappuram serves as the administrative headquarters of Malappuram district. Divided into 40 electoral wards, the city has a population density of 2,083 per square kilometre (5,390 per square mile). As per the 2011 census Malappuram Urban Agglomeration is the fourth largest urban agglomeration in Kerala state with a total population of 1,698,645.Malappuram is situated 54 km southeast of Calicut and 90 km northwest of Palghat.
History
Malappuram was a military headquarters from ancient times though the ancient history of the city is hardly seen recorded.
However, there are some pre-historic relics, particularly Rock-cut caves found in some parts of the city like Oorakam,
Melmuri, Ponmala, Vengara etc. manifesting the inhabitancy. Locality named like Valiyangadi, Kootilangadi, Pallipuram
etc. points to the Jain - Buddhist history of Malappuram. Notably, the 1500 year old Jain Temple above 2000 ft sea level
at Oorakam Hill of Malappuram undoubtedly proves the same. During the Sangam period, Eranadan Malappuram was under the
Chera Empire. Places like Pattar Kadav, Panakkad etc. are possibly evolved out of Pattars and Panars having lived there.
But no further details are available about the life and culture of the people either during the Sangam age or in the
post-Sangam age. Archeological relics found in Malappuram also include the remnants of palaces of the eastern branch of
the Zamorin reign. Details of the rulers of erstwhile Malappuram, who were the ancestors of later Zamorins, figure in
the Jewish copper plates of Bhaskara Ravi Varman (1000 AD) and in the Kottayam copper plates of Veera Raghava Chakravarthy
(1225 AD). The later history of the city is interwoven with the history of Zamorin's rule.
Malappuram is situated in the mid land area of the state. As the name suggests, it is covered with small beautiful
mountains of lush greenery, bonded with several fresh water streams flowing through the city bestows a harmony of natural
beauty. Kadalundi Puzha, a major river in Kerala is flowing around the city. Malappuram is one of the few municipalities
in the state with a tremendous track record of keeping city clean. The recognition as 'best municipality' in up keeping
the cleanliness and health' by state government acknowledges this sincere efforts of municipality.Malappuram is 'cenhe
biggest potential nod of the district. Unlike other district headquarters, Malappuram holds significant position in
west-east transit along with north-south. It makes the city accessible for everyone in the district through either
National Highway or State Highway. The strategical location of the city is yet to be exploited in many aspects.
The city has more or less the same climatic conditions prevalent else-where the state. The climate is generally mild hot
and humid in nature. However the South West Monsoon is usually very heavy. The best season to visit Malappuram is during
the months of September to March as the weather conditions are quite pleasant. Owing to its natural habitat, Malappuram
is also a city of fresh air. According to the Central Pollution Control Board data for the year 2010, of the 180 cities
monitored for SO2, NO2 and PM10, Malappuram was one of the two cities which met the criteria of low pollution
(i.e. 50% below the standard) for all air pollutants.
KSRTC bus terminal (Govt. buses) is located at Up-Hill on NH 966 (formerly NH 213). Buses are available to different
cities of Kerala, Tamil Nadu Karnataka and Puducherry. Municipal Bus stand for private buses is at Down Hill on Ahmed
Kurikkal Road. NH 66 (formerly NH 17) is just 12 km from city center.
City is served by Angadipuram railway station (17 km away), Parappanangadi Railway Station and Tirur Railway Station both
(26 km, 40 minute drive away). Whereas Calicut railway station is 50 km from Malappuram. Other railway stations are
Kuttippuram and Tanur. However Ministry of railways have included the railway line connecting Feroke-Malappuram-Angadippuram
in its Vision 2020 as socially desirable railway line.[11] Multiple surveys have been done on the line already. Indian
Railway computerised reservation counter is available at Friends Janasevana Kendram, Down Hill. Reservation for any
train can be done from here.
Karipur Airport located in the periphery of the city in Malappuram district is just 25 km away. It is the seventh busiest
airport in the country in terms of international passenger traffic. Domestic flight services are available to major
cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Trivandrum while International flight services connects the
city with Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Muscat, Salalah and Kuwait.
Kottakunnu is famous for the ruins of an old fort, which is situated at the base of the cantonment hill. It is believed
that the fort was constructed by the Zamorins of Kozhikode and houses Vettakkorumakan Temple and the Shiva Temple.
Renowned for its architecture, these temples are famous for housing murals of Malabar.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is one of the attractions of the region from where river Kadalundipuzha flows into the Arabian
Sea. Situated at a distance of around 19 km from Kozhikode, the sanctuary is around 7 km from Beypore port. The sanctuary
is popularly known by the name of Kadalundi Nagaram.
Padinharekara Beach, one of the prominent tourist attractions of Malappuram, sprawls over a wide area and is located at
the end of the Tipu Sultan Road. The beach is renowned for its views of the River Bharathapuzha and the River Tirurpuzha
before entering the Arabian Sea. The beach has palm trees and soft white sand and attracts tourists in large numbers.
Biyyam Kayal, one of the backwater lakes of the district, is located close to Ponnani in the Malappuram district ofKerala.
The District Tourism Promotion Councils have recently set up many water sports facilities here. Speedboats and water
scooter rides being the activities here.
Nedumkayam, situated about 18 km from the Nilambur town, is known for its rich and dense rain forests, wide variety of
flora and fauna. Among the animal species found in the forest are elephants, bison, tiger, rabbit, blue monkey, bear,
wildcat and deer.
Kadampuzha Temple, one of the ancient temples of the region is situated in the remote village named Melmuri of Tirur
taluk. Although there is no historic evidence for the construction of this temple but a strong belief states that it was
constructed by Jagadguru Shri Shankara Acharya of Kalady. The main deity enshrined in the temple is Goddess Kadampuzha,
an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva.
Angadipuram Temple, also known as Angadipuram Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy or Bhadrakali Temple, is situated on the
Madras-Calicut Trunk road. Being located on a 60 ft high hillock, the temple can be seen from the main road, renowned as
Palghat-Calicut highway. Travellers and devotees can experience the chanting of ved mantras and pujas regularly at fixed
timing.
Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi, Madhyamam, Chandrika, Deshabhimani, Suprabhaatham dailies have their printing centres in
and around the city. The Hindu has an edition and printing press at Malappuram. A few periodicals-monthlies, fortnightlies
and weeklies-mostly devoted to religion and culture are also published. Almost all Malayalam channels and newspapers have
their bureau at Up Hill. There are some local cable TV channels including (MCV), (ACV) etc. Malappuram Press Club is also
situated at UP Hill adjacent to Municipal Town Hall. Doordarshan has its major relay station in the district at
Malappuram. Government of India's Prasarbharati National Public Service Broadcaster has FM station in the district,
broadcasting on 102.7 Mhtz. Even without any private FM stations, Malappuram finds a place in Top Ten Towns with Highest
Radio Listenership in India.There are three main cinema halls that screen movies in Malayalam, Tamil, English and Hindi.
A multiplex theater is expected in the city in the near future. Rasmi Film Society, one of the kerala's oldest film
forum is from Malappuram. The 72nd International film festival of Malappuram was conducted in March, 2011.
Malappuram is well known for its sports enthusiasm and spirit. Popularly known as the 'Soccer Capital' of Kerala,
Malappuram gets invariably applauded for its outpouring spectators during any tournaments and matches held here.
Football is in the nerves of the public of Malappuram. Malappuram has a long history with football, its bond with the
game dates back to British Era in India. Then people of the town grew up seeing the elders playing barefoot with the
British army men. The historic Kottapadi Maidan, now the municipal stadium, has witnessed endless football battles
between the natives and Britishers. It also has contributed many football players to national and state teams. Late
Irumban Moideen who started playing at Kottappadi joined Royal Indian Air Force and represented India as well as Pakistan
and was a team captain. International Moideenkutty, who played for the State in Santosh Trophy and Railways football team
worn Indian jersey against Myanmar and Russia. Malappuram Azees, Former Santosh Trophy star M.R.C Chekku, Ali Akbar and
Goalkeeper Manjakandan Aboobackar etc. are few others who made in to the fame league. So is the case of present
generation, School teams in the city holds countless accolades from several major and minor competitions. Malabar Special
Police HSS, which is the current champion of State Mahindra Youth Football Challenge is an all time achiever in the inter
school tournaments.It is also the runner up team of 53rd and 55th Subroto Cup international football tournament held at
Delhi.Hockey is another major sports in which malappuram excels with GBHSS Kottapadi and PMSAMHS Chemmankadav Hockey
teams, however lack of a proper hockey turf is adversely affecting the practices. Like elsewhere in Kerala, Cricket is
also widely played. But city is yet to have a stadium of International stature. Currently a stadium under Kerala Cricket
Association at perinthalmanna near here is used for National level matches like Ranji-trophy. Kottappadi Football Stadium,
Malappuram, MSP Police ground, MSP Kootilangadi Ground, Indira Priyadarshini Indoor stadium along with several mini
stadiums where sevens tournaments are conducted by local committees serves the city. Malappuram District Sports Complex
Stadium which comprises a Football stadium and Malappuram Football Academy is under construction at Payyanad, on
Pandikkad Road Manjeri and is just 13 km from the city centre.
Geography
Climate
Healthcare
There are various hospitals in the city such as Government Medical College, Malappuram, District Co-operative hospital,
District Homeopathic hospital, Govt. Taluk Hospital, Mass Ayurvedic Hospital, Orchid Institute of Health Care & Research
(Orchid Hospital), MB Hospital, Christian Mission Hospital, MM Chest Hospital, Vasan Eye Care Hospital, Malabar Eye
Hospital etc. Apart from these aplenty Dental Specialty clinics and general health centres in the city serves the people.
Transportation
By Road
By Rail
By Air
Tourists Places in Malappuram
Kottakunnu
Possessing rich historical significance, the site is renowned as the death place of Variyan kunnath Kunjahammed Haji, a
revolutionary. In 1921, he was shot dead by British savagery in the premises of this site. Kottakunnu is planned to be
transformed into an attractive park by District Tourism Promotion Councils and plans are driven to establish a stadium
in its vicinity.
Tourists can reach the destination by helicopters as the site also possesses a helipad. It also has an art gallery, which
exhibits various artistic works of tribal as well as trained artisans.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
Providing shelter to over 100 and 60 varieties of native birds and migratory birds respectively, the sanctuary attracts
tourists for witnessing rare species of avifauna. Migratory birds such as terns, seagulls, sand plovers, sandpipers,
green shanks and turn stones can been seen in the sanctuary during the months starting from October to March. Whimbrels
and brahminy kites are the prominent species of the region spotted in the sanctuary. Furthermore, tourists can also
witness a wide variety of fishes, mussels and crabs in and around water bodies.
Visitors can reach the site by the state-owned buses that operate on regular intervals. In addition, travellers can also
hire private cruises or boats, which are easily available at Kadalundi.
Pasinharekara Beach
Tourists can engage themselves in various rejuvenating activities like ayurvedic massages and spa baths along the beach side.
Biyyam Kayal
The lakes have many rest houses situated on its banks and is frequently visitedby travellers during the celebrations of
Onam, as the region organises boat races in its extensive stretch of water.
Nedumkayam
There is an elephant taming camp in the forest, which attracts large number of visitors every year. This forest is an
integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
One of the main attractions in the forest is the wooden rest house built during the colonial period. This wooden rest
house offers a panoramic view of the animals, particularly elephants and deer grazing in the forest. The tourists can
also have a picturesque view of the green surroundings.
Tourists, nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and photographers will find a visit to Nedumkayam worthwhile. However, the
visitors will have to get prior permission of the Forest Department to enter the forestland. Heavy restrictions are there
as a measure to save the existing forest land.
With wide tracts of landscape, Nedumkayam forest serves as an ideal trekking trail. The forest, which can be visited
throughout the year, is easily accessible from Nilambur.
Kadampuzha Temple
The name of the place is derived from the combination of two different words namely, kadavu and puzha meaning bathing
spot and river, respectively. Though there is no river on the site but it is believed that there was a river that dried
up as time passed. The idol enshrined in the temple is of panchaloha, an alloy of five metals, while the stone carved
images of Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu can also be seen in the temple. Apart from this, idols of Narasimha moorthi and
Sudharshanam are also installed in the outside area of the sreekovil.
Angadipuram Temple
The idol enshrined in the temple is identical to that at Kodungallur but the idol at Angadipuram is taller. Owing to
this, it is considered that Angadipuram Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy was the elder sister of Kodungallur Bhagavathy.
It is also believed that both these temples were built by the same king named Cheraman Perumal. Furthermore, a strong
belief of the region states that Madurai Meenakshi, known as Kannagi, is the Goddess of these temples along with other
temples located in the region.
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