Malappuram (literally, a land atop hills) is situated 50 kms southeast of kozhikode. Bounded by the nilgiri hills on the east, the arabian sea on the west and Thrissur and Palakkad districts on the south, malappuram is enriched by three great rivers flowing through it - the Chaliyar, the Kadalundi and the Bharathapuzha. Malappuram has a rich and eventful history. It was the military headquarters of the samorins of Kozhikode (Calicut) since ancient times. This district was the venue for many of the Mappila revolts (uprisings against the British east india company in Kerala) between 1792 and 1921. The hill country has also contributed much to cultural heritage of Kerala. It was a famous centre for hindu-vedic learning and Islamic philosophy.

Area - 3550 sq. Km
Population - 3,096,000

Access :

Air - Nearest Airport : Kozhikode (36 kms)
Rail - Nearest main railway station is kozhikode (calicut).
Road - Malappuram is well connected to all the major towns in kerala. Karnataka and Tamilnadu by an excellent road network.

Places to visit :

The jama-at mosque - This is an important pilgrim centre of the muslims of Kerala. The four day annual festival at the mosque (Nercha) is celebrated in april. Adjoining the mosque is the mausoleum of the malappuram shaheeds (Martyrs)whose brave exploits have been immortalised in the Mappila ballads.

Thali Temple, Perinthalmanna - The temple is located about 3 kms west of angadipuram on the way to malappuram from perinthalmanna.

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 the world's oldest teak plantation and bamboo woods.

Tanur - The small coastal fishing town of tanur was one of the earliest settlements of the portuguese. It is belived that st. Francis xavier visited the place in 1546. About 3 km south of tanur town is keraladeshapuram temple, dedicated to lort vishnu and believed to be one of the oldest temples in kerala.

Kottakkal - 12 kms southwest of malappuram, this small town is home to the famed kottakkal arya vaidyasala, one of the pioneer institutions of ayurveda, the traditional system of health and medicine, in kerala.

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.

Thirunavaya
This ancient and famous temple on the banks of the Bharathapuzha dedicated to Lord Shiva was the traditional venue of the ritual of Mamankam an enactment of traditional martial arts by suicide squades.

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.

Valiya Juma Masjid Malappuram
This is an important pilgrim centre of the Muslims of Kerala. The four day annual festival at the mosque(nercha) is celebrated in April. Adjoining the mosque is the mausoleum of the Malappuram shaheeds (martys) whose brave exploits have been immortalised in the Mappila ballads.

Pazhayangadi Mosque, Kondotti
(18km east of Manjeri. On the way to Malappuram): The three day long Valia Nercha feat at this 500 year old Muslim pilgrim centre, celebrated in February/March, is a local cultural event. Moyin Kutty Vaidyar- Kondotty, the finest exponanent of Mappila Pattu. His Badral Muneer - Husn-Ul-Jamal, the earliest romantic piece is praised for its craft.

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. DTPC has plan to develop Kottakunnu in to an attractive park and the District Sports Council to establish a stadium nearby. There is a beautiful helipad at Kottakunnu.

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

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
Located 19kms from Kozhikode and 7kms from Beypore port, the sanctuary which is spread over a cluster of islands covers an area surrounded by hillocks where the Kadalundipuzha flows in to the Arabian sea. Over a 100 varieties of native birds and over 60 varieties of migratory birds flock here.

Excursions :

» Kadalundi bird sanctuary (48 kms)
» Pazhayangadi mosque
» Kondotti (18 kms).