Mallapuram Travel Gudie
¤ Angadippuram
Angadippuram is a place of great religious significance for both the
Hindus and the Muslims. It houses the Tirumandhamkunnu Temple
dedicated to Durga (Goddess of War) as well as the Puthanangadi
Mosque. The annual Pooram festival which is celebrated in March or
April, attracts large crowds.
¤ The Tirumandhankunnu Temple
The Tirumandhankunnu Temple is situated atop a hillock and there is
an interesting legend associated with origin of the temple.
Apparently, a woman belonging to the Cheruma caste was lopping the
branches of a tree. As she sharpened her knife on a rock, the rock
began to bleed. The news spread like wildfire throughout the town, and
a certain Katilamittah Namboodri erected a temple on the spot.
¤ The Puthanangadi Mosque
The Puthanangadi Mosque is situated one mile from Angadippuram on the
Kolathur road. The complex houses two mosques, although it is believed
that originally there was only one. As the story goes, alarmed by the
incursions of the Zamorins into his territory, the local ruler
Walluvanad Raja invited 10 Mapilla families to settle here. One of the
first acts of the Mapillas was to build a mosque – which incurred
the displeasure of Karuvayur Mussad, the Prime Minister of Walluvanad
Raja. He swore to pull down the mosque if erected and the Mapillas, in
turn, vowed to decapitate him if he commited the foul deed. They
further proclaimed that they would build two mosques instead of one –
if the original mosque was harmed. Well, there are two mosques inside
the compound – which leads one to believe that both Karuvayur
Mussad and the Mapillas carried out their threat.
¤ Manjeri
A predominantly Muslim town, Manjeri was a centre of political
mobilisation in the early part of the 20 th century. It served as a
venue of the Malabar Political District Conference, held in 1920. It
was also the stronghold of the rebels during the Malabar rebellion of
1921. The shrine of Srimutrakunnu or Kunnath Ambalam at Manjeri, was
built by Mana Vikrama Manavikraman in 1652, and is dedicated to Durga,
the Goddess of War.
An annual festival called the Manjeri Pooram is held here in
March-April, and the festivities last for seven days. On the last two
days, the celebrations reach a crescendo and there is a spectacular
display of fireworks. However, the highlight of the festival is a
colourful procession that is taken out to the accompaniment of the
beating of drums, while an exquisitely caparisoned pachyderm bears an
idol of the deity.
¤ Kottakal
Distance : 11 km from
Mallapuram
The eastern branch of the Zamorins
called the Khizhekke Kovilakkam built the fortified palace at
Kottakal. Ponmala, halfway between Kottakal and Mallapuram, contains a
rock-cut cave and an important Hindu Temple.
¤ Kottakkal Arya Vaidyashala
Currently it houses the Kottakkal Arya Vaidyashala – a highly
renowned centre dispensing Ayurvedic medicine, which receives visitors
from all over India. Kottakal also houses a fully functional Ayurvedic
College, and much research in field of Ayurveda (traditional Indian
system of healing) is conducted at the institute.
¤ Kondotti
Distance : 18 km from
Manjeri
The chief attraction of the small town
of Kondotti is the Pazhayangadi Mosque, which is about five centuries
old. The place is also famous for the Kondotti Valia Nercha – a
festival celebrated by the Muslims with great gusto in the month of
February-March. The revelry lasts three days and the festival plays an
important part in the socio-religious life of the Muslims in the area.
There is also a beautifully designed Mausoleum dedicated to the Sufi
(saint) Hazrat Mohammad Shah, who was believed to have come from
Persia.
¤ Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
Distance : 19 km from
Calicut
Spread over a cluster of islands, the
sanctuary is fenced in on all sides by hillocks. Over a 100 varieties
of native birds and about 60 species of migratory birds flock to
Kadalundi in large numbers. A hillock which is 200 metres above sea
level, provides a splendid view of the river mouth and the sea. The
place also houses a variety of fish, mussels and crabs.
¤ A Real Tourist Joint
Mallapuram district lags behind the rest of the state as a far as
standards of literacy and education are concerned. However, it is a
beautiful part of Kerala comprising of undulating hills, with
innumerable streams that meander through these knolls. It has an
exquisite coconut-fringed seacoast. At places, these streams are
linked with the backwaters, facilitating a network of inland
waterways. The hilly tracts have dense forests and extensive teak
plantations. All in all, a holiday at Mallapuram should be well worth
your time and money. |
