Vatakara

Last updated

Vatakara
Badagara
City, Municipality
Vadakara aerial view.jpg
a sky view of vadakara byepass aera
Nickname: 
Kadathanad Vadakkarakkar
Vatakara Lok Sabha Constituency.jpg
India Kerala location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Vatakara
India location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Vatakara
Vatakara (India)
Coordinates: 11°34′2″N75°36′2″E / 11.56722°N 75.60056°E / 11.56722; 75.60056 Coordinates: 11°34′2″N75°36′2″E / 11.56722°N 75.60056°E / 11.56722; 75.60056
CountryIndia
State Kerala
District Kozhikode
Government
  TypeMAYOR
Area
  Total23.33 km2 (9.01 sq mi)
Population
 (2011) [1]
  Total75,295
  Density3,200/km2 (8,400/sq mi)
Demonym Vadakarakkaran
Languages
  Official Malayalam, English
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
673101
Telephone code0496
ISO 3166 code IN-KL
Vehicle registration KL-18
city Vadakara
Lok Sabha constituencyVadakara
Demonym Vadakarakkaran

Vatakara, also spelled Vadakara (formerly Badagara), IPA:  [ʋɐɖɐgɐɾɐ] , French : Bargaret, is a Municipality in the state of Kerala, India. Vatakara is located between Kannur and Kozhikode. The municipality of Vatakara covers an area of 23.33 km2 (9.01 sq mi) [2] and is bordered by Mahé to the north and Payyoli to the south. It is the headquarters of Vatakara taluk, which consists of 22 panchayats. During the reign of the Kolathiris and Zamorins, Vatakara was known as Kadathanadu. During the British Raj, it was part of the North Malabar region of Malabar District in the state of Madras. [3] The historic Lokanarkavu temple, made famous by the Vadakkan Pattukal (ballads of North Malabar), is situated in Vatakara. [4] [5] A new tardigrade (water bear) species collected from Vadakara coast has been named after Kerala State; Stygarctus keralensis . [6]

Contents

Vadakara State assembly constituency is one of the 140 state legislative assembly constituencies in Kerala state in southern India. It is also one of the 7 state legislative assembly constituencies included in the Vatakara Lok Sabha constituency.[1] As of the 2021 assembly election, the current MLA is K.K Rema of Revolutionary Marxist Party of India.

Vtk.jpg

Geography

Jetty on the Moorad river Moorad.iringal.jpg
Jetty on the Moorad river

Vatakara is located at 11°36′N75°35′E / 11.60°N 75.58°E / 11.60; 75.58 and has an average elevation of 15 m (49 ft). [7] It is situated about 49 km to the north of Kozhikode City, approximately 44 km to the south of Kannur City, and adjacent to Mahé. [8] The town lies by the side of a river variously called the Moorad river, the Kuttiady river, or Kottakkal river. The town's position relative to this river led to it being called Vadakkekara (north bank), later contracted to Vatakara. Towards the east, near the panchayats of Nadapuram and Kuttiady, Vadakara borders the Wayanad district along the Western Ghats section. In the west, like many of the towns in Kerala, Vatakara is flanked by the Arabian Sea. The Kuttiyadi river meets the sea to the south of Vatakara, forming small islands and sandbars near the river mouth.

History

The Kolathunadu emerged into independent 10 principalities i.e., Kadathanadu (Vadakara), Randathara or Poyanad (Dharmadom), Kottayam (Thalassery), Nileshwaram, Iruvazhinadu (Panoor, Kurumbranad etc., under separate royal chieftains due to the outcome of internal dissensions. [9] The Nileshwaram dynasty on the northernmost part of Kolathiri dominion, were relatives to both Kolathunadu as well as the Zamorin of Calicut, in the early medieval period. [10]

Vatakara was the capital of the historical region called Kurumba Nadu, home of the Kurumbar people. In the pre-British era, a major part of the current Vatakara taluk, including the area currently constituting the Vatakara municipality, was ruled by a chieftain as a feudatory to the Kolathiri kingdom. The remaining part of the taluk was initially part of the Polathiri kingdom and later ruled by the Zamorins of Calicut. The boundary between these kingdoms is believed to have been in the region in Vatakara known as Puduppanam, with the Moorad river forming a geographical boundary. The Kadathanad dynasty was established when a Polathiri royal was forced to cross over to Kolathunadu after an unsuccessful battle with the Zamorins, settled in the region, and married a Kolathiri princess.

Vatakara became an important trade center in the region by the early 18th century, exporting agricultural products such as coffee, pepper and coconut. Together with smaller nearby ports at Chombal, Muttungal and Kottakkal, Badagara became one of the major centers of trade at a level with those at Cannanore, Tellicherri and Calicut. Building on a thriving economy led by a strong sea trade, the Kadathanad rulers established a strong naval force which became known as the "Lord of the Seas", since it was the strongest naval force from the Malayalam-speaking region. [11]

A significant factor in the rise of Vatakara as a trade center was the rise and subsequent fall of the Kunjali Marakkars of Kottakkal. During the 16th century CE, Kunjali Marakkars were the admirals of the Zamorin's naval fleet and were famous for their valor and sea battle tactics. The Marakkars established their stronghold in Kottakkal and built a fort there. The last Marakkar, Kunjali IV, was defeated at the beginning of the 17th century by the combined forces of the Zamorin, with whom he had fallen out, and the Portuguese, who resented the interference of Kunjali and his followers in their trade route. The fort was completely destroyed by a bombardment from the sea.[ citation needed ] However, the Marakkars' knowledge of ship handling and tactics continued to be passed down in the community of seafarers in this area of Vatakara, later allowing the ruler of Kadathanad to establish his supremacy in the sea and to enforce a 'pass' system for trade ships.[ citation needed ]

The region became a separate kingdom c.1750, when the then chieftain took the title of Kadathanad Rajah. During this period, there are records of frequent skirmishes between Kadathanad and the ruler of Kottayam as well as the foreign colonial powers of the British, based in Thalassery, and the French, based in Mahé.[ citation needed ]

In legend, Vatakara is the birthplace of Unniyarcha, Aromal Chekavar, and Thacholi Othenan, the heroes of the Vadakkanpattu (ballads of North Malabar). The Thacholi family home, Thacholi Tharavadu, is still preserved and the anniversary of Thacholi Othenan's birth is celebrated in the Thacholi Manikkothu Kavu temple.

Notable temples in the area include Lokanarkavu and Kottakkal Bhagavathi Temple, the second richest temple in North Malabar. Kalari Ullathil Temple is also situated near Vatakara town.The martial art Kalaripayattu originated in Vatakara.

Demographics

Most of Vatakara's inhabitants are labourers and farmers, while some are government employees. A large number of expatriates from Vatakara work in Middle Eastern countries, and their remittances have a strong influence on the local economy. Some emigrants work in nearby states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

As of the 2011 Census of India, [12] Vatakara had a population of 75,740, with males constituting 48% of the population and females 52%. Vatakara has an average literacy rate of 83%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 80%. 11% of the population was under 6 years old.

Economy

Fishing is one of Vatakara's main commercial activities. The Moorad River flows into the Arabian Sea at a point close to the town.

Vatakara is organized around two commercial hubs, the old and new bus depots. The area around the old bus depot contains commercial establishments as old as 100 years. Recently, commerce has shifted to the area around the new bus depot and the road towards Kannur, with many new buildings, including hospitals and flats being built or planned.

Nut Street is the distribution center for nuts, including coconuts and areca nuts. Produce flows to collection outlets and is dried, packed, and transported to other states. Northern Kerala is well known for the production of coconuts.

Hospitals include the CO-OP Hospital, Asha Hospital, Janatha Hospital, Ceeyam Hospital and the Parco specialty hospital.

The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society is a unique labour cooperative initiative centered in Madappally that was inspired by the Indian sage Vagbhatananda. The society was registered in 1925. [13]

Climate

Climate data for Vatakara, Kerala
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Average high °C (°F)31.7
(89.1)
32.0
(89.6)
32.9
(91.2)
33.2
(91.8)
32.7
(90.9)
29.6
(85.3)
28.3
(82.9)
28.8
(83.8)
29.5
(85.1)
30.4
(86.7)
31.1
(88.0)
31.5
(88.7)
31.0
(87.8)
Average low °C (°F)21.9
(71.4)
23.0
(73.4)
24.6
(76.3)
25.8
(78.4)
25.7
(78.3)
23.9
(75.0)
23.4
(74.1)
23.6
(74.5)
23.7
(74.7)
23.8
(74.8)
23.3
(73.9)
22.1
(71.8)
23.7
(74.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches)2
(0.1)
4
(0.2)
15
(0.6)
78
(3.1)
292
(11.5)
905
(35.6)
1,031
(40.6)
520
(20.5)
282
(11.1)
248
(9.8)
108
(4.3)
23
(0.9)
3,508
(138.3)
Source: Climate-Data.org [14]
gateway of vadakara Moorad bri.jpg
gateway of vadakara

Transportation

Notable places

Temples

Lokanarkavu temple
Bhagavathy Temple, Lokanarkavu looknaa[?]kaav bhgvti ksseetrN 01.jpg
Bhagavathy Temple, Lokanarkavu

The Lokanarkavu temple is located at Memunda, 5 km from Vadakara. It is closely associated with the heroes and heroines of Vadakkanpattu: Thacholi Othenan, the hero of Kadathanadu, was a devotee of the Lokanarkavu goddess, Lokanarkavilamma, an aspect of Durga. [15] Three rock-cut caves near the temple are decorated with candid murals and carvings. The annual festival celebrating Durga, locally called Pooram, takes place during March/April. Two temples adjacent to the Lokanarkavu temple focus on the worship of Vishnu and Shiva.

Payamkuttimala temple
The temple of Muthappan at Memunda is managed by the tourism department of the Kerala Government. As of 2018, plans were under way for a modernization of the surroundings of the temple. [16] The Theyyam form of worship is practiced here.
Chendamangalam temple
The Chennamangalam temple is one of the oldest temples in Kerala, and also one of the very few temples which has Dhwaja Pratishtha. It is situated 2 km from Vatakara town, near to Chorode. The deities primarily worshipped are Shiva and Ayyappan. This temple is similar in nature to the Sabarimala temple. When pilgrimages to Sabarimala were impossible due to a fire, Chennamangalam temple served as an alternative destination.
Kozhukkannur Neyyamruth Madom
Kozhukkannur Neyyamruth Madom is located at Purameri. In the Kottiyoor festival, the madom forms a centre from which Neyamruthu (ghee) offerings are taken to the Kottiyoor temple on foot.

Additional temples in the region include Kizhakkedathu temple, Sivapuram Sree Mahadeva Kshethram, Arathil Bhagavathi Kottakkal temple, Thuneri Sree Vettakkorumakan Kshethram, Ponmeri Shiva temple, Kalleri Kuttichathan temple, Kaliyampalli temple and Nagath Sri Muchilottu Bhagavathi temple.

Thacholi Othenan

Thacholi Meppayil Kunjhu Othenan or Mepayil Tacholi Manikoth Kovilakathu Kunji Othena Kurup (Udayana Kurup of Thacholi Manikoth House) or more popularly Thacholi Othenan was a legendary hero who is believed to have lived during 16th century in North Malabar region of Kerala, India. He is praised in the Vadakkan Pattukal (ballads of North Malabar).[6] [7] Thacholi Ambadi, another renowned martial arts expert, was Othenan's son.

Kunjali Marakkar memorial

Kunjali Marakkar memorial Vadakara. Kunhali Marakkar Memorial.jpg
Kunjali Marakkar memorial

The location of the Marakkar fort on the southern bank of the Moorad river, 46 km south of Kozhikode, is now known as Kottakkal. A building in Kottakkal that belonged to Kunjali Marakkar serves as a small museum, with collections of ancient swords, cannonballs and knives.The Kunjali Marakkar or Kunhali Marakkar was the title given to the Muslim naval chief of the Inscriptions on the Kunjali Marakkar Memorial at Kottakkal, Vatakara.

Sandbanks recreation area

Vadakara Sandbanks Sand Banks.JPG
Vadakara Sandbanks

The Sandbanks recreation area is located on a small peninsula with the Moorad river on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west, approximately 3 km towards the south of Vatakara town. The Sandbanks Bungalow, which was built by Mr Wilfred Vincent Reilly in 1946, stands on this peninsula. The area is owned by the Aditya Birla Management Corporation Ltd and managed by Vadakara Municipality. A coastal police station is being built on the peninsula.[ citation needed ]

Theyyam

Theyyam or Thirayattam is a ritual performance art form that depict the cultural heritage of North Malabar, especially of ancient Kolathunad. Theyyam depicts Shiva bhutaganas, Kali and other deities and cultural heroes. The drama is enacted based on ancient stories and the language used is "Tottam pattu", a primitive form of Malayalam. Theyyam shows the Buddhist influence from centuries ago. Theyyam is usually held from October to May every year. The colour of Theyyam is typically red. Velan is described in the Sangam literature 500 CE. It could have been a tribal ritual art which evolved under Buddhism and the Brahminic revival of Hinduism. This art form is addressed as "Kaliyattom" North of Pazhayangadi Puzha, Kannur, as "Theyyam" South of the river and as "Tirayattom" around Vadakara (Kadathanadu).

Villages in Vatakara Taluk

Villages in Vatakara Taluk

The position of the Vatakara Taluk in Kozhikode district is given below:

The villages included in the Taluk are:

Educational institutions

There are many schools, colleges and tuition centers in Vatakara.

Vidya Prakash Public School, Rani Public School, Chorode and Gokulam Public School are the 3 main private schools in Vadakara.

1.Government College, Madappally Vadakara is a post-graduate campus affiliated with the University of Calicut.

2. The 62nd Regional Centre of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, Vadakara was established at Vatakara in January 2011, serving students from the Malabar region, including the Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts.

3. Science center is a famous tuition center located in Vadakara. More than two thousand students are studying there. They provide entrance couching along with plus one, plus two tuition classes Vadakara town has mainly 6 super markets which provide all types of groceries found in India as well as in Thailand. Grifi, DayMart, Orange, reliance smart, savoury and galaxy hypermarkets are a few besides the smaller ones and all within one and half kilometers radius of town.

4. Midet college Vadakara private institution

Among the finest Colleges in the city, Midet College Of Engineering in Vadakara is known for offering excellent patient care

5. College of Engineering Vatakara

College of Engineering Vadakara is an engineering college in Kozhikode district of Kerala, established in 1999. The first engineering college under the Co-operative Academy of Professional Education, Thiruvananthapuram, established by Govt. of Kerala, started functioning in June 1999.

6. Model polytechnic institutions

MODEL POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE VADAKARA

Model Polytechnic College, Vadakara is running under the Institute of Human Resource Development established by Government of Kerala.

7. GOVT. TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL was established in 1965 and it is managed by the Department of Education. It is located in urban area. It is located in VATAKARA ...

Notable residents

Tourism

Sargaalaya Crafts Village

Sargaalaya Crafts Village at Iringal, Vadakara sells traditional local art and crafts.

Vadakara sandbanks

Local beaches include Vadakara sandbanks,park [17] and Kolavipalam Beach at Kolavipalam between Vatakara and Payyoli, to the south of the Murad River.

Kunjali Marakkar Museum -

The Kunjali Marakkar Museum is located at about 1.5 km from the Sargaalaya Craft Village, at Kottakkal, Iringal (working hours: 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. and Monday is Holiday). It is the old residence of a legendary warrior, who fought valiantly against the Portuguese invaders. Marakkars are believed to be originally Moplas of Malabar, probably differing in exact origin and sub sect and have been traders by profession. The title of Marakkar possibly also derived from the ‘Malayala’ word, marak-kalam, meaning boat [Sea traders]. We can learn from history that the Muslim Naval Chief of the Zamorin (Samoothiri) Kingdom of Calicut (Kozhikode), namely the Kutti Mohammed Ali was bestowed the title of Kunjali in 1507. He was later succeeded by Kutti Pokker Ali (Kunhali II) and then, by the famed supporter of Kunhali II, namely Patu Marakkar (Kunhali III) and subsequently, the nephew of Kunhali III, by name Mohammed Marakar became Kunhali IV. These four Kunhali Marakkars have played such a prominent role in the Zamorin's naval wars with the Portuguese from 1502 to 1600 that they are accredited with the honour of organizing the first naval defense of the Indian coast.

Once you enter the massive gates with the ‘sword and shield’ insignia emblazoned on black cast iron door, a small and well-maintained garden with bright flowers, a porch and a handsome cottage and the Museum, renovated in 2013 welcome you. A very dedicated and soft-spoken guide is readily available there to narrate the entire episodes with patience. Some of the prominent displays include the model of the forted village of Kottakkal [Kotta (fort)] constructed by Kunjali Marakkar III, the arms such as the sword used by Kunjali Marakkar, cannonballs and many other war relics of the country's earliest naval heroes, who led the first successful defense of India's coast against the European sea power.

Payamkuttimala,ECO tourisum

A panoramic view of Vadakara and its surroundings is what Payamkuttimala in Kozhikode district has to offer. Located from Panikkotti on Vadakara – Tiruvallur road, lots of travellers come to the hill station to watch the sunrise and sunset and gaze at the Arabian Sea. Set about 2,000 feet above sea level, the small hillock also houses a Muthappan Madapura and dead laterite rocks.

Lokanarkavu Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated in Memunda 4 km from Vatakara, in Kozhikode District, North Malabar region of Kerala state of south India. Lokanarkavu is a short form of Lokamalayarkavu which means lokam (world) made of mala (mountain), aaru (river) and kavu (grove). The closest railway station is at Vatakara, which is 5 km from temple. The nearest airport is Kannur airport which is 54 km away.

Pooram is the important festival here and it is conducted with great pomp and show. The week-long festival begins with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) and concludes with Arattu. The temple dedicated to goddess Durga has great historical importance as Thacholi Othenan, the legendary martial hero of Kerala, used to worship here every day.

Lokanarkavu and Kalarippayattu

Thirty days Mandala Utsavam in Malayalam month Vrischikam (November–December) and pooram in Malayalam month meenam (March–April) are the annual festival at the Lokanarkavu Bhagavathy Temple. This is the only temple where a peculiar folk dance called Poorakkali is presented during festivals. The dance, resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu. Even today, all Kalaripayattu artists seek the blessings of the deity before their debut due to the association of Lokanarkavu Temple with legendary hero thacholi othenan.

Kakkayam Dam

Kakkayam is a dam site located at Koorachundu in, Kerala. Kakkayam is on the outskirts of the Western Ghats, and Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary, a 7,421-hectare (18,340-acre) abode of wild animals including elephants and bisons. Kakkayam has an abundant wildlife population and is also a trekking and rock climbing destination.

This reservoir is part of the Kuttiyadi Hydro Electric Project & is located at a height of about 750 m (2,460 ft) above sea level. The pen stock runs down from the dam site and goes through various tunnels and hills to the Kuttiyadi Main power house at Kakkayam with an installed capacity of 225MW. Water coming out of this power house is diverted to two small hydro electric projects namely Kuttiyadi Tail Race power house and kakkayam small hydro electric project with an installed capacity of 3.75 MW and 3 MW Respectively.After this the tail water joins the river and is utilized for Peruvannamoozhi Irrigation Project.

Kalleri Kuttichathan Temple.

Kalleri is famous and civilized village area that is belongs to Vatakara taluk, north to Kozhikode. Kalleri is located at Vatakara Thanneerpanthal route 8 km from Vatakara, near Villiappaly. It is a very beautiful place and is suitable for rest with nature.There is a canal at Kalleri, which is a part of Vadakara – Mahi canal. Land of Kalleri is encircled by Kallerikunnu at west and Aroora mala (mountain) at east. The famous Kalleri Kuttichathan temple located here. Thousands of devotees are visiting this temple every week.

Vadakara Population Census 2011 - 2022

Vadakara is a Municipality city in district of Kozhikode, Kerala. The Vadakara city is divided into 44 wards for which elections are held every 5 years. The Vadakara Municipality has population of 75,295 of which 35,531 are males while 39,764 are females as per report released by Census India 2011.

Population of Children with age of 0-6 is 7823 which is 10.39% of total population of Vadakara (M). In Vadakara Municipality, Female Sex Ratio is of 1119 against state average of 1084. Moreover, Child Sex Ratio in Vadakara is around 952 compared to Kerala state average of 964. Literacy rate of Vadakara city is 94.88% higher than state average of 94.00%. In Vadakara, Male literacy is around 97.12% while female literacy rate is 92.91%.

Vadakara Municipality has total administration over 15,787 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It is also authorize to build roads within Municipality limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction.

Vadakara Religion Data 2011

TownPopulationHinduMuslimChristianSikhBuddhistJainOthersNot Stated
Vadakara75,29564.25%34.37%0.88%0.01%0.01%0.03%0.01%0.44%
  1. "Census of India: Search Details".
  2. "ആമുഖം | Vadakara Municipality". www.vadakaramunicipality.in (in Malayalam). Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  3. Kadathanad Royal Dinasty, August 2009
  4. Lokanarkavu Temple
  5. A shrine for the heroes of Vadakkan Pattukal - Lokanarkavu
  6. Vishnudattan, N. K.; Nandan, S. Bijoy; Hansen, J. G.; Jayachandran, P. R. (2021). "A new Tardigrade species, Stygarctus keralensis sp. nov. (Arthrotardigrada: Stygarctidae) from the intertidal zone of Southwest coast of India". Zootaxa. 4985 (3): 381391. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4985.3.5. PMID   34186802. S2CID   235688035.
  7. "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Badagara, India". www.fallingrain.com.
  8. "Vatakara". Keralata Tourism.
  9. Logan, William (2010). Malabar Manual (Volume-I). New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. pp. 631–666. ISBN   9788120604476.
  10. The Hindu staff reporter (21 November 2011). "Neeleswaram fete to showcase its heritage". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  11. Logan, William (2009). Malabar manual. Low Price Publications. ISBN   978-8175364752. OCLC   946063221.
  12. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  13. "ULCCS LTD". ulccsltd.com.
  14. "CLIMATE: VATAKARA", Climate-Data.org. Web: .
  15. Meethal, Amiya (25 October 2015). "Rediscovering the historic Lokanarkavu temple". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  16. Sree, K. M. (7 December 2018). "Kerala: Payamkutty Mala hill set for a makeover". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  17. "Vadakara Sand Banks Beach at Kozhikode". Kerala Tourism.


Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kozhikode</span> City in Kerala, India

Kozhikode, also known in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and a metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second largest metropolitan area in Kerala and the 19th largest in India. Kozhikode is classified as a Tier 2 city by the Government of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kannur district</span> District in Kerala, India

Kannur, is one of the 14 districts along the west coast in the state of Kerala, India. The city of Kannur is the district headquarters and gives the district its name. The old name, Cannanore, is the anglicized form of the Malayalam name "Kannur". Kannur district is bounded by Kasaragod District to the north, Kozhikode district to the south, Mahé district to the southwest and Wayanad District to the southeast. To the east, the district is bounded by the Western Ghats, which forms the border with the state of Karnataka. The Arabian Sea lies to the west. Paithalmala is the highest point in Kannur District (1,372m). Enclosed within the southern part of the district is the Mahé district of the Union Territory of Puducherry. The district was established in 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kunjali Marakkar</span> Fleet admiral of the Samoothiri

Kunjali Marakkar was the title inherited by the Admiral of the fleet of the Samoothiri / Zamorin, the king of Kozhikode / Calicut, in present-day Kerala, India. There were four Marakkars whose war tactics defended against the Portuguese invasion from 1520 to 1600. The Kunjali Marakkars are credited with organizing the first naval defense of the Indian coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lokanarkavu Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Lokanarkavu Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated in Memunda 4 km from Vatakara, in Kozhikode District, North Malabar region of Kerala state of south India. Lokanarkavu is a short form of Lokamalayarkavu which means lokam (world) made of mala (mountain), aaru (river) and kavu (grove). The closest railway station is at Vatakara, which is 5 km from temple. The nearest airport is Kannur airport which is 54 km away.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ponnani</span> Municipality in Kerala, India +91

Ponnani is a municipality in Ponnani Taluk, Malappuram District, in the state of Kerala, India. It serves as the administrative center of the Taluk and Block Panchayat of the same name. It is situated at the estuary of Bharatappuzha, on its southern bank, and is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and a series of brackish lagoons in the south.

Memunda is a small village near Vatakara town in Kozhikode district of Kerala, south India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malabar District</span> Administrative district of British India

Malabar District, also known as Malayalam District, was an administrative district on the southwestern Malabar Coast of Bombay Presidency (1792-1800) and Madras Presidency (1800-1947) in British India, and independent India's Madras State (1947-1956). It was the most populous and the third-largest district in the erstwhile Madras State. The British district included the present-day districts of Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, Chavakad Taluk and parts of Kodungallur Taluk of Thrissur district, and Fort Kochi area of Ernakulam district in the northern and central parts of present Kerala state, the Lakshadweep Islands, and a major portion of the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu. The detached settlements of Tangasseri and Anchuthengu, which were British colonies within the kingdom of Travancore in southern Kerala, also formed part of Malabar District until 1927. Malayalam was the administrative as well as the most spoken lingua franca of Malabar District during British Rule. Jeseri, a distinct dialect of Malayalam, was spoken in the Laccadive Islands. Malabar District merged with the erstwhile state of Travancore-Cochin (1950-1956) to form Kerala according to the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. On the same day, the present Kasaragod district of South Canara District was also attached to Malabar, and the Laccadive & Minicoy Islands of Malabar were reorganised to form a new Union Territory. Malabar was trifurcated to form the districts of Kannur, Kozhikode, and Palakkad, on 1 January 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Payyoli</span> Municipality in Kerala, India

Payyoli is a municipality town on the Malabar Coast of Kozhikode district in the South Indian state of Kerala. Payyoli is famous for being the hometown of athlete PT Usha, who is nicknamed as the Payyoli Express. It is a town in Quilandy Taluk, Kozhikode District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Koyilandy</span> Place in Kerala, India

Koyilandy is a municipality and a taluk in Kozhikode district, Kerala on the Malabar Coast. The historical town is located right in the middle of the coast of Kozhikode district, between Kozhikode (Calicut) and Kannur, on National Highway 66.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanur, Malappuram</span> Municipality in Kerala, India

Tanur is a coastal town, a municipality, and a block located in Tirur Taluk, Malappuram district, Kerala, India. It is located on the Malabar Coast, 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of Tirur and 9 kilometres south of Parappanangadi. It is the 17th-most populated municipality in the state, the fourth-most populated municipality in the district, and the second-most densely populated municipality in Malappuram district, having about 3,568 residents per square kilometre as of the year 2011. Tanur town is located south of the estuary of Poorappuzha River, which is a tributary of Kadalundi River. Tanur was one of the major ports in the southwestern coast of India during the medieval period. It was ruled by the Kingdom of Tanur, also known as Vettathunadu, who were vassals to the Zamorin of Calicut. In the early medieval period, under the chiefs of Kozhikode and Tanur, Tanur developed as one of the important maritime trade centre on the Malabar Coast. Later it became a part of Vettathunadu Taluk in Malabar District under British Raj, which was merged with the Ponnani taluk in 1860–1861. Tanur railway station is a part of the oldest Railway line of Kerala laid in 1861 from Tirur to Chaliyam. Presently, the status of Tanur is reduced to a major fishing centre in Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nadapuram</span> Town in Kerala, India

Nadapuram is a census town and a special grade Panchayath located in Kozhikode District of Kerala, coming under Nadapuram assembly constituency. It is in North Malabar region of Kerala, India; spread over an area of 20.44 km2

Marakkar/Maricar/Marecar/Marikkar/Markiyar/Marican/Marecan (Sinhalese: Marakkala), is a South Asian Muslim community found in parts of the Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and in Sri Lanka. The Marakkars speak Malayalam in Kerala and Tamil in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

Kadathanadu (Vatakara) was a former feudatory city-state in present-day Kerala, on the Malabar Coast. The region is most known for being the area where the events of the Vadakkan Pattukal, a set of warrior ballads from Kerala, took place, and for being one of the heartlands of Kerala's native martial art, Kalarippayattu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zamorin</span> Hereditary monarch of historical kingdom in present-day Kerala, India (1124–1806)

The Samoothiri was the hereditary Nair monarch and ruler of the Kingdom of Kozhikode (Calicut) in the South Malabar region of India. Calicut was one of the most important trading ports on the southwest coast of India. At the peak of their reign, they ruled over a region extending from Kozhikode Kollam (Kollam) to the borders of Panthalayini Kollam (Koyilandy). The Zamorins belonged to the Eradi caste of the Samantan Nair community of medieval Kerala.

Orkkatteri is a small town in Kozhikode district in the North Malabar region of state of Kerala, India. This is the center town for Eramala grama panchayath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalariyullathil</span>

Kalariyullathil is located in India between Chekkotti Bazar and Koyilothu Thazhe, Thodannure in Thiruvallur panchayat in Kottapally village. It falls under Vatakara Taluk in Kozhikode district [also known as Calicut] which is among the 3 metropolitan cities of Kerala state. The Kalariyullathil territory is a 6 km drive from Vatakara town in the east direction by the Kerala Tourist Highway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eranad</span> Erstwhile Province in Kerala, India

Eranad also known as Ernad refers to the erstwhile province in the midland area of Malabar, consisting of Malappuram and nearby regions such as Anakkayam, Manjeri, Kondotty, Nilambur, etc. Currently Eranad Taluk is a Taluk in Malappuram district. Eranad was ruled by a Samanthan Nair clan known as Eradis, similar to the Vellodis of neighbouring Valluvanad and Nedungadis of Nedunganad. The rulers of Eranad were known by the title Eralppad/Eradi. They also used the title Thirumulpad.

Kuttiady is one of the Major towns situated in the north-eastern part of Kozhikode district of Kerala, India. It is located 24 km (15 mi) from Vadakara and 50 km (31 mi) from Kozhikode. Kuttiady is situated in the slopes of the Western Ghats.

Malappuram is one of the 14 districts in the South Indian state of Kerala. The district has a unique and eventful history starting from pre-historic times. During the early medieval period, the district was the home to two of the four major kingdoms that ruled Kerala. Perumpadappu was the original hometown of the Kingdom of Cochin, which is also known as Perumbadappu Swaroopam, and Nediyiruppu was the original hometown of the Zamorin of Calicut, which is also known as Nediyiruppu Swaroopam. Besides, the original headquarters of the Palakkad Rajas were also at Athavanad in the district.