Kerala is a state on the west coast of South India. There are 14 unique districts within the state. This post is one part of a series of posts sharing the 14 districts in Kerala, India. Today I am sharing my short visit to Malappuram district, which is located in the upper central area of the state of Kerala. Malappuram in local Malayalam language stands for “the place of the hills or mountains”. And throughout the district, small hills dot around the green and lush lands, with interwinding rivers, bridges and forests. A very peaceful and natural place, yet the land where many businesses operate from. Also hence also why many of the big ayurveda treatment centers originated and still operate from. Google Maps location (https://goo.gl/maps/HLPFiJKmzsNmrGPx7 )
I traveled very quickly through the district, meeting friends along the way, and unfortunately didn’t manage to capture too many photos. So, i have both Riyas (karakkam) and Hyder (hyderali) to thank for some of the images they have so kindly allowed me to use in this post. I had arrived from up in Kozhikode and one can easily catch buses from Kozhikode Palayam bus station (https://goo.gl/maps/ch8ULuV87LfGZVaw9 ) directly through to main Malappuram town (https://goo.gl/maps/HLPFiJKmzsNmrGPx7 ).
When I first arrived at Malappuram town, it was in stark contrast to the journey, where long green trails give way to a very busy business focused town center. Malappuram town is like the heart of the district, providing business links to all the smaller towns supplying goods to the district and rest of the state. I had taken some walks around town just to be be acquainted. The main business stretch of town starts from the “Down Hill” area of Kottappadi (https://goo.gl/maps/mPyi4Z8k9xnWs64d9 ) , through “Middle Hill”, up to “Up Hill” near the KSRTC bus station (https://goo.gl/maps/gB9GQyaz8xLKX55N7 ). Walking through this route gives a good insight on businesses and how life is like in the “place of the hill” Malappuram.
(Picture above) One of the most important places for recreation and get together for locals and visitors is Kottakunnu (https://goo.gl/maps/kss9GXQkN3moi7dC8 ), right in the middle of Malappuram town. Which name basically means the city on the hill. It’s a park on the hill, with many interesting attractions and activities like an open air water park, outdoor theme park, relaxation area, and in the weekend, there are fountains and light shows. I was fortunate that I was able to visit and catch a glimpse of the show, amid huge crowds.
To see more of Malappuram district, one has to travel out of the main town. I wanted to get to some of the attractions on the higher end of the district, so, I had got on a local bus from Malappuram town center through to Manjeri (https://goo.gl/maps/ronUQtTeNtbddmTq7 ), another main business town in the district, and taken another bus towards the North East. Truth is travelling via local public transportation is not difficult, but could involve a lot of walking, asking around, as different buses may start and stop from different points or stations, but ultimately, it was such an experience and opportunity to connect with local folks who are kind and most willing to help. Enroute, I had passed through Edavanna (https://goo.gl/maps/FbvH17BxNFsnF2Vd8 ), where some friends are from, and managed to catch some glimpses of the main town’s Jumma Masjid (https://goo.gl/maps/oZnQrP8yeLAGVoNY9 ). Picture above.
From Edavanna, my journey brought me through Mampad town (https://goo.gl/maps/M6nQq2qx4gUbHDix7 ) (picture above) which is a very peaceful and serene town area en route to where I wanted to get to, Nilambur. From here onwards, the route turned even more lush green as we head through to beautiful forests in the land of Malappuram.
(Picture above) One of the beautiful places one passes through will be the Edavanna-Mundengara Bridge ( https://goo.gl/maps/UxUXSpcTYUwKwKzY7 ) and Vadapuram bridge (https://goo.gl/maps/WWy6JHo831NsQ9kY8 ) and surrounding areas. Peaceful view of the Chaliyar river running below, and seeing the peace and slowness of life where local people move around is most calming.
Just after the Vadapuram bridge is one great place to stop for one of the best place to appreciate nature and trees which is the Conolly’s Plot (https://goo.gl/maps/Ez5rbQRjUZbq1kWY8 ) and the Hanging Bridge (https://goo.gl/maps/qgULEYF3ukmJ3g2J9 ). Stopping by and spending a few hours here very quickly takes us back to nature, and we leave the hustles and bustles of the city behind.
And finally when we get to Nilambur main town (https://goo.gl/maps/14QwvqKy3bpoaEnE7 ), the one most important place to visit is the Teak Museum and Nature Park (https://goo.gl/maps/n2Z5LV52ALKv5WRW6 ). Here one can spend a few hours just admiring and reading about teak trees. Teak is a tropical hardwood tree, and used a lot in local construction and furniture-making industry, and is well known for durability, weatherproof-ness and quality. Hence also why Malappuram is well known for furniture industry. Here in the Teak Museum, one can also learn how teak trees are managed and grown sustainably to meet ever more demand not only locally by from all over the world.
(Picture above) From the center of town, a quick journey about 12kms to one of the best recreational spots near Nilambur, which is the Adyanpara Waterfall (https://goo.gl/maps/939NQSGSyNLX7r1BA ). Locals are fond of this place, providing a great natural setting of clean natural stream with places to relax with family and friends.
(Picture above) One other thing to mention is that from Nilambur town, whilst being in a very hilly area, as a separate train track which is totally separate from the coastal route in Kerala, and connects Nilambur Road station (https://goo.gl/maps/irJvhTe6Pw775akb7 ) to Shoranur Junction (https://goo.gl/maps/XXdPZnnh9vwF7fKq7 ) down south, passing through many places in Malappuram district. This provides an easy way of transportation directly from the other end of Malappuram district down south. As I remembered, there is only one daily train service and may have changed.
(Picture above) No, i didn’t head back through Shoranur, and i had double backed on my journey passing back through Malappuram town to head to Kotakkal (https://goo.gl/maps/K4Z4MxgGsT5M2st89 ), one could consider to be one of the most important Ayurveda treatment locations in Kerala. Ayurveda is the traditional medical practice that is believed to be passed down from sages to medical practitioners and is a thriving industry all around the world. Many ayurveda treatment centers, spas and hospitals can be found in Kottakal. Many tourists visit and stay for treatment which can last for days, or weeks, of course some just come for relaxation.
All journeys must come to a close, and my journey through Malappuram ended when I headed back through to Tirur (https://goo.gl/maps/CdtTJCHWHYqDckyH6 ), as that’s where the coastal railway line stops within Malappuram. It’s s small business town, and one of the main connection town to the backbone railway line from south Kerala to north Kerala.
Some photos shared in this post are self captured, others are shared with kind permission from Riyas @KARAKKAM and Hyder @Hyderali . Special thanks to both friends from Malappuram for sharing photos with me. I had traveled myself through the places, but was not able to capture some photos at that particular time.
Check out my other posts about other districts in Kerala (work in progress, going to cover all 14 districts)
