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Malappuram literally means a place atop hill. This District is situated 50 km southeast of Kozhikode. Four important rivers of Kerala flow through Malappuram district, the Chaliyar (Beypore River), Kadalundipuzha, Bharathapuzha and Tirurpuzha. The district has a total forest area of 103,417 hectares, which forms 28.47% of total geographical area. The major forest area is concentrated in Nilambur and Wandoor blocks and Melattur in the Western Ghats. This district was also the venue for many of the Mappila Revolts between 1792 and 1921 (uprisings against the British East India Company in Kerala).

Places to Visit

Kottakkal

Kottakkal is the cradle of Ayurveda. The world famous Kottakal Aryavaidyashala, which is the centre of Ayurveda, is 12kms south west of Malappuram. An Ayurvedic Research Centre, a nursery home and a hospital are run here. There is a palace at Kottakkal town, which is the palace of the kizhakke Kovilakam Kings, a wing of Zamorins. The only Government Ayurveda mental hospital in India is situated in Kottakkal.

Thirunavaya

Thirunavaya is situated on the banks of Bharathapuzha. It is about 8 kms south of Tirur and was one of the venues for Mamangam, a grand assembly of the rulers of Kerala, held once every 12 years. This was conducted for the last time in 1766. Today, Thirunavaya is the venue for the annual Sarvodaya Mela. The Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple is also a famous pilgrim centre. During karkidakavavu, people flock at the banks of Bharathapuzha here, to perform the pithrukriya for the departed souls. The site of Melpatthur Illam, the home of the great poet, Melppatthur Narayana Bhattathiri author of Narayaneeyam, is about 2 miles from here.

Valiya Juma Masjid

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

Kottakunnu

Here at Kottakunnu you can see traces of an old fort at the base of the Cantonment Hill. The fort was the first to be built by the Zamorins of Kozhikode. The Vettakkorumakan Temple and the Siva temple with the famous murals of Malabar are situated near this.

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary

The Kadalundi bird sanctuary is located 19 kms from Kozhikode and 7 kms from Beypore port. The sanctuary is spread over a cluster of islands and covers an area surrounded by hillocks where the Kadalundipuzha flows into the Arabian sea. There are over a 100 varieties of native birds and over 60 varieties of migratory birds can be found here.

Nilambur

Nilambur is situated on the Calicut - Ooty highway and is around 40 Kms from Malappuram. This is an important trading centre in hill products and is well known for its teak plantations. This is said to be the oldest in the world and there is a well-designed Teak Museum which has traces of the history and showcases the uses of the wonder wood - teak. Nilambur is also an important halting place for tourists on route to Ooty.