A trip to Malabar

2012-06-08T22:40:00.000+05:30

Kerala

2012-06-07T13:06:00.000+05:30

Kerala is a state on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India. To its east and northeast, Kerala borders Tamil Nadu and Karnataka; to its west and south lie the Indian Ocean islands of Lakshadweep and the Maldives, respectively. Kerala nearly envelops Mahé, a coastal exclave of Pondicherry. Kerala is one of four states that compose the linguistic-cultural region known as South India.
First settled in the 10th century BCE by speakers of Proto-South Dravidian, Kerala was influenced by the Mauryan Empire. Later, the Cheran kingdom and feudal Namboothiri Brahminical city-states became major powers in the region.Early contact with overseas lands culminated in struggles between colonial and native powers. The States Reorganisation Act of 1 November 1956 elevated Kerala to statehood.
Social reforms enacted in the late 19th century by Cochin and Travancore were expanded upon by post-independence governments, making Kerala among the Third World's longest-lived, healthiest, most gender-equitable, and most literate regions. Though the state's basic human development indices are roughly equivalent to those in the developed world, the state is substantially more environmentally sustainable than Europe and North America. Nevertheless, Kerala's suicide, alcoholism, and unemployment rates rank among India's highest. A survey conducted in 2005 by Transparency International ranked Kerala as the least corrupt state in the country.
The widely disputed etymology of Kerala is a matter of conjecture. In the prevailing theory, Kerala is an imperfect Malayalam portmanteau that fuses kera ("coconut palm tree") and alam ("land" or "location"). Another theory is that the name originated from the phrase chera alam ("Land of the Chera").Natives of Kerala, known as Keralites or Malayalees, thus refer to their land as Keralam. Kerala's tourism industry, among others, also use the phrase God's Own Country.

History of Kerala
Lord Parshuram with settlers commanding Lord Varuna to make the seas recede to make the Kerala. According to a legend, Parasurama, an avatar of Mahavishnu, threw his battle axe into the sea. As a result, the land of Kerala arose and was reclaimed from the waters. During Neolithic times, humans largely avoided Kerala's rainforests and wetlands. There is evidence of the emergence of prehistoric pottery and granite burial monuments in the 10th century BC that resemble their counterparts in Western Europe and the rest of Asia. These were produced by speakers of a proto-Tamil language. Thus, Kerala and Tamil Nadu once shared a common language, ethnicity and culture; this common area was known as Tamilakam. Kerala became a linguistically separate region by the early 14th century. The ancient Cherans, whose mother tongue and court language was Tamil, ruled Kerala from their capital at Vanchi and was the first major recorded kingdom. Allied with the Pallavas, they continually warred against the neighbouring Chola and Pandya kingdoms. A Keralite identity—distinct from the Tamils and associated with the second Chera empire—and the development of Malayalam evolved between the 8th and 14th centuries. In written records, Kerala was first mentioned in the Sanskrit epic Aitareya Aranyaka. Later, figures such as Katyayana, Patanjali, Pliny the Elder, and the unknown author of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea displayed familiarity with Kerala.
Malabar
Malabar is a region of southern India, lying between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.The name is thought to be derived from the Malayalam word Mala (Hill) and Persian word Bar(Kingdom). This part of India was originally a part of the British East India company controlled Madras State,when it was designated as Malabar District . It included the northern half of the state of Kerala and some coastal regions of present day Karnataka. And most important, the majority of Kerala's muslim population known as Mappila live in this area. The name is sometimes extended to the entire southwestern coast of the peninsula, called the Malabar Coast. Malabar is also used by ecologists to refer to the tropical moist forests of southwestern India (present day Kerala).
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2012-06-07T00:30:00.000+05:30

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Bekal Fort

2012-06-07T00:00:00.000+05:30

Bekal Fort is the biggest fort in Kerala, spreading over forty acres. The important features of this fort are the tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening towards the south, the magazine for keeping ammunition and the broad and wide steps leading to the Observation Tower which is a rarity. From there one has ample view of towns in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikare, Bekal, Kottikkulam ,Uduma etc. This observation centre had strategic significance in finding out even the smallest movements of the enemy and ascertaining safety of the Fort.

The Fort appears to have been built up from the sea since almost three fourth of its exteriors is drenched and the waves stroke the citadel. The Hanuman temple and the ancient Muslim Mosque nearby hold testimony to the age-old religious harmony that prevailed in the area. The zigzag entrance and the trenches around the fort show the defense strategy connected with the fort.

Unlike most other Indian Forts, Bekal fort was not a center of administration for no remains of a palace are found within the fort. Arguably the fort was built exclusively for fulfilling the defense requirements. The holes on the outer walls of the fort are specially designed to defend the fort effectively. The holes at top are meant for aiming at the farthest points; the holes below are meant for hitting when the enemy is nearer and the holes underneath facilitate attacking when the enemy is very near to the fort. This is a remarkable evidence of medieval technology in defense strategy.

Bekal Fort Beach

::History::

During the Perumal Age Bekal was a part of Mahodayapuram. The Kodavalam inscription (Pullur, 7 KM from Kanhangad) of Bhasakara Ravi II (the King of Mahodayapuram) illustrate the undisputed political sway of Mahodayapuram over this region. Following the political decline of Mahodayapuram Perumals by the 12th century AD, North Kerala including Bekal came under the sovereignty of Kolathunadu. The maritime importance of Bekal increased much under Kolathiries and it became an important port town of Thulunadu.

Battle of Talikota in 1565 led to the decline of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire and many feudatory chieftains rose in political prominence including the Keladi Nayakas (Ikkeri Nayaks). The Nayakas realised the political and economic importance of Tulunadu (Kasaragod District) and attacked and annexed this part of the country. Bekal served as a nucleus in establishing the domination of Nayakas in Malabar. The economic importance of the port town prompted the Nayakas to fortify Bekal subsequently. Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka initiated the construction of the fort and it was completed during the period of Shivappa Nayaka. The speedy completion of the port was aimed at the defence of the fort from overseas attack and to strengthen their attack on Malabar. Chandragiri fort near Kasaragod was also constructed during this period.

Somashekhara Nayak captured Manjeswar and Thaliparamba and built a fort at Kanhangad Hosdurg which means new fort. The other forts found in Kasaragod are constructed on the coastal region and on the route to Madikeri (Mercara in Coorg). It is believed that the 'Kotteyar' community found in Bekal, Panayal and other places in Kasaragod were brought to this land by the Nayaks to build and defend the fort. There was a prolonged struggle between the Kolathiries and Nayaks to recapture and maintain their hold over this area. These unending battles came to an end with the rise of Hyder Ali who conquered and defeated the Nayakas. Subsequently Bekal fell into the hands of Mysore kings.

Bekal served as an important military station of Tipu Sultan when he led the great military expedition to capture Malabar. The coins and other artifacts unearthed by the archaeological excavation conducted recently at Bekal fort is a manifestation of the strong presence of the Mysore Sulthans. The martyrdom of Tipu Sulthan who died fighting against the British in 1799 saw the end of Mysorean control and subsequently the fort came under the British East India Company.

During the reign of the Company Bekal became the headquarters of the newly organized Bekal Taluk of South Canara District in Bombay presidency. South Canara became a part of the Madras presidency in 1862 and Kasaragod Taluk was up in the place of Bekal Taluk. Gradually the political and economic importance of Bekal and its port declined considerably. Kasaragod became part of Kerala with the state reorganization in 1956.

Its solid construction resembles the St. Angelo Fort at Kannur built by Portuguese and also the Thalassery fort.The Ikkeri Nayakas had not developed guns to defend themselves from the invaders approaching from the Arabean sea route. But the western part of the fort is built in a solid manner with numerous slits on the walls for defending the fort from the naval power of other rulers. So it is believed that the present look of fort was the outcome of the conflict between European powers. Modification to the fort was made by all the rulers who ruled the land from the time of the Ikkeri Nayakas. Moreover a number of forts built by the Ikkeri Nayakas have failed to stand the test of time and perished. Located at the centre of the fort is an Observation Tower built by Tipu Sultan which offers a breathtaking view of the coastline as well as that of neighbouring places like Kanhangad and Pallikare. Also in existence is a rest house built by the British Government.

Presently the protection and preservation of Bekal fort has been entrusted to the Archaeological Survey of India.

::Tourism::

Tourism promotion activities are happening in the areas surrounding the fort now, under the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC), which is an initiative by the Government of Kerala.

::Place of interest near Bekal::

Pallikere beach

Kappil beach

Chandragiri fort

Chandragiri Cruise

Anandashram

Ananthapura lake temple

Valiyaparamba backwaters

Ranipuram

::How to reach there::

Nearest town is at Kanhangad, Kasargod - 8 km

Nearest airports

Mangalore - 50 km

Karipur International Airport - 180 km

::See also::

Kannur Fort

Thalassery Fort

::External links::

BRDC (Bekal Resorts Development Corporation)

Bekal Holidays

2012-06-06T23:30:00.001+05:30

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Malabar

2012-06-06T23:30:00.000+05:30

Malabar is a region of southern India, lying between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.The name is thought to be derived from the Malayalam word Mala (Hill) and Persian word Bar(Kingdom). This part of India was originally a part of the British East India company controlled Madras State,when it was designated as Malabar District . It included the northern half of the state of Kerala and some coastal regions of present day Karnataka. And most important, the majority of Kerala's muslim population known as Mappila live in this area. The name is sometimes extended to the entire southwestern coast of the peninsula, called the Malabar Coast. Malabar is also used by ecologists to refer to the tropical moist forests of southwestern India (present day Kerala).

Malabar regionThe Malabar region lies along the southwest coast of the Indian peninsula and forms the northern part of present-day Kerala state. Malayalam is the chief language of the region, and the ancestors of today's Dravidian population have inhabited the region for centuries. The region formed part of the ancient kingdom of Chera for centuries. It became part of the Hindu Vijayanagara empire in the 15th century. with the breakup of the empire in the mid-16t century, the region came under the rule of a number of local chieftains notably the Kolathiris of Kasargod, Zamorins of Calicut and the Valluvokonathiris of Walluvanad. The region came under British rule in the 18th century, during the Anglo-Mysore Wars.

At the conclusion of the Anglo-Mysore wars, the region was organized into a district of Madras Presidency. The British district included the present-day districts of Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, much of Palakkad and a small porion of Thrissur. The administrative headquarters were at Calicut (Kozhikode). With India's independence, Madras presidency became Madras State, which was divided along linguistic lines on November 1, 1956, when Malabar district was merged with the Kasaragod district immediately to the north and the state of Travancore-Cochin to the south to form the state of Kerala.

Malabar CoastThe Malabar Coast, in historical contexts, refers to India's southwest coast, lying on the narrow coastal plain of Karnataka and Kerala states between the Western Ghats range and the Arabian Sea. The coast runs from south of Goa to Cape Comorin on India's southern tip.

The Malabar Coast is also sometimes used as an all encompassing term for the entire Indian coast from the western coast of Konkan to the tip of the subcontinent at Cape Comorin. It is over 525 miles or 845 km long. It spans from the South - Western coast of Maharashtra and goes along the coastal region of Goa, through the entire western coast of Karnataka and Kerala and reaches till Kanyakumari. It is flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. The Southern part of this narrow coast is the South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests.

The Malabar Coast features a number of historic port cities, notably Kozhikode (Calicut), Cochin, and Quilon, that have served as centers of the Indian Ocean trade for centuries. Because of their orientation to the sea and to maritime commerce, the Malabar coast cities feel very cosmopolitan, and hosted some of the first groups of Christians (now known as Syrian Malabar Nasranis), Jews (today called as Cochin Jews), and Muslims (at present known as Mappilas) in India.

Geographically, the Malabar Coast, especially on its westward-facing mountain slopes, comprises the wettest region of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains.

Two imprtant Malabar Districts are:

KASARAGOD
KANNUR

Kasaragod

2012-06-06T11:31:00.000+05:30

Kasaragod (occasionally spelt Kasarkode) is a city and a municipality in Kasaragod district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of Kasargod district. The city was formerly called as kanjirakuttom.Kasaragod is also the northernmost municipality of Kerala.

::Geography::

Kasaragod is located at 12.5° N 75.0° E. It has an average elevation of 19 metres (62 feet).Kasaragod district consists of two taluks viz, Kasaragod and Hosdurg (Kanhangad).

::Demographics::

As of 2001 India census,Kasaragod had a population of 12,03342. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kasaragod has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 76%. In Kasaragod, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. The main languages are Malayalam and Tulu.Besides this languages,Konkani and Kannada are spoken here too . The Malayalam spoken here has influences from Tulu, Kannada, Konkani and Tulu spoken here is influenced by Malayalam.

::Kasaragod Town::

Kasaragod Town consists of following places knit together.

Adkathabail is the northern most centre of Kasaragod Town.S ome famous landmarks are G.U.P.S School, a Beedi Factory and the Gudde Temple.

Karandakkad is noted for its short 4-lane N.H-17. Kasaragod B.S.N.L is situated here.

Ashwini Nagar another suburb of the town.

New Bustand(Bus-stand) the central Bus-stand of Kasaragode town.

Anangoor part of the town has the Kasaragod Government College and Doordarshan Relay centre.

Kasaragod District Collecterate is situated at Vidyanagar.

M.G Road is the commercial part of Kasaragod City. It is the most crowded area of Kasaragod town.

Court Road often called as the "Heart of Kasaragod City". Mallikarjuna Temple, Kasaragod Taluk Office is situated here. As the name suggests,the Kasaragod District Court is also situated here.

Thalankara is the Muslim cultural place in Kasaragod. Few noted landmarks are Malik Deenar Mosque, Malik Deenar Hospital, Govt. Homeo Dispensary, Veterinary Hospital and Kasaragod Railway Station.

Kallangai is on NH17 in between Kasaragod and Kumbala towns. Office of Mogral Puthur Panchayat, A.L.P. School Kallangai, Office of Kallangai Ansarul Muslimeen Sangham, Muhideen Masjid, Subramanya Bhajana Mandir and Chandragiri Guest House are situated here.

Mogral puthur town is highly reputed area of the district.ghss mogral puthur,north malabar gramin bank,krishibhavan,al madarasathul islamiya,&many temples are situated here.chaithotam is the only vip area in the district.many football players are born here .arafath arts &sports club is on of the no.1 club of kasaragod. By rifu

::Tourism In and Around::

Kasaragod has many tourist destinations.Few are given below:

Mallikkarjuna Temple dedicated to lord Siva and lord Ganapathi, is situated in the heart of Kasaragod city. During Ganesh Chathurthi and Shivaratri, there are special celebrations in temple premises.

Theruvatthu Mosque situated on M.G road Kasaragod, is an important pilgrimage center for Muslims. During Uroos, the Mosque draws people from all over India.

Malik Deenar Mosque If today, Kasaragod is known as center of Muslim pilgrimage on western coast, it is all due to this mosque. The Mosque was founded by Malik Ibn Dinar and is situated in the part of city called Thalankara. It is distinguished for its unique architectural style, which strongly resembles a traditional Kerala kovilakam. An important local celebration takes place every year in commemoration of the arrival of Malik Ibn Dinar. The uroos attracts pilgrims from all around India and world.

Madhur Temple

Madhur Temple, is 6.5 km from Kasaragod. On the banks of serene Madhuvahini river, stands the imposing structure of Madhur Ananteshwara Vinayaka Temple, with its turrets and gables and the copper plate roofing, standing tall in front of paddy fields and gardens. It is a Shiva temple with Srimad Anantheshwara as its presiding deity. The sivalingam of the temple is said to be founded by a harijan woman, Madharu. Main festival is Moodappaseva, which involves a huge figure of Ganapathy being covered with appam. It requires lakhs of rupees for its conduct thus making it a periodic festival. The architecture is unique. This temple is said to have been attacked by Tippu Sultan, but not harmed out of devotion. The mark of his sword is still found in the Temple.

Chandragiri Fort' was built in 17th century by Shivappa Naik, is just 3 km from the city.

Edneer Mutt Situated about 8 km north-east of the city, this ancient mutt is a reputed seat of learning .It attracts devotees from all over India.

C.P.C.R.ICentral Plantation Crops Research Institute shortly termed as C.P.C.R.I, is an international research institute under I.C.A.R (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), which promotes research on plantation crops. It is just 4 km from city. The nearby beach called C.P.C.R.I beach is beautiful and is famous for its beautiful sunset. Also the fishing village nearby, situated on shore of a natural lake is an awesome sight.

Arikkady Hanuman Temple15 km north of Kasaragod, near Kumbala, lies the famous Hanuman Kovil known popularly as Arikkady Temple. At the entrance of the Temple lies the giant statue of lord Hanuman. The temple as a whole lies on the foot of an old-ruined Fort popularly known to locals as the Kumbala Fort, which is as old as the Bekal Fort and was built by the founder of the same. A Siva Temple is situated nearby. Sri Gopalakrishna Temple, with the presiding deity as lord Krishna,is situated 1 km south of this Temple.

::Fairs and Festivals::

Onam, like in any part of Kerala, is celebrated with pomp and much enthusiasm. Eid, Bakrid, Mohrum etc are celebrated in accordance with time of Kozhikode(Calicut). There are local festivals like Kumbala veddikettu(fireworks display). Shivaratri and Dasara are also celebrated with vigor. Christmas is also celebrated by people. Another festival that is important here is Moodappaseva, a local festival celebrated in the Madhur Temple periodically.

::Folk Dances and Traditions::

The region is rich in traditional folk art forms. Theyyam is the dominant folk art form. Kathakali, Yakshagana, Bhuta Kola are also common, but only on sidelines. Muslims have their own common folk and celebration art forms such as Oppana, Kolkalli, Dauf muttal etc. Oppana is a celebration dance held on the eve of Muslim marriage,where the women to be married is decorated, with whom her friends and relatives do this ritual dance. Kolkali, poorakkali, mangalam kali, maruthkali, etc are folk arts performrd in connection with the temple festivals.highly performace period time

::Developments::

Recent developments include the construction of a "Children's park". Also the railway station of Kasaragod has risen to the status of "Model Railway station". The Railway station at Kasaragod is one of the oldest in India, constructed at the time of British rule in India. In Kerala Budget 2007, Government proposed to set up a Tulu academy at Kasaragod (Manjeshwar).

::Transport::

Kasaragod city lies on the path of N.H-17. It is well connected by road to Cannanore (Kannur), Bangalore, Mangalore, Calicut etc. Kasaragod is well connected by rail to parts of India such as Trivandrum, Kochi, Calicut, Cannanore, Mangalore, Goa, Surat, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Jammu Tawi, Kanyakumari etc. Nearest Airport is at Mangalore(49km).

::Economy::

Kasaragod economy is mainly agrarian. However Beedi work is a thriving industry. Cash crops such as Coconut, Rubber are grown and commercially exploited. Other industries include Tile manufacture, Timber industry etc. Foreign investment or N.R.I Income is high in this part of the state.

Also interesting is that Kasaragod Cap, worn by Arabs is an old cottage industry, which is on the verge of extinction. The caps are hand stitched by artisans and exported to South East Asia and West Asia.

Kannur

2012-06-05T13:24:00.000+05:30

Kannur is a city and a municipality in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of Kannur district.

Kannur is the fourth largest urban agglomeration in Kerala after Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode with a population of 498,175. According to data compiled by economics research firm Indicus Analytics on residences, earnings and investments, Kannur is one of the best ten cities in India to reside. Indicus considered six parameters — health, education, environment, safety, public facilities and entertainment — for preparing the 'reside-in' index. It is popularly known as the city of Looms and Lores. Theyyam is the famous performing art of Kannur. Kannur is also famous for its beautiful virgin beaches. Another attraction of Kannur is the Handlooms. Kannur is of strategic military importance. It houses one of the 62 cantonments in the country and is the current seat of the Defence Security Corps.

History

Kannur was an important port on the Arabian Sea which carried out trade with Persia and Arabia in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries and it was the British military headquarters on India's west coast up to 1887. In conjunction with her elder sister Tellicherry it was the third largest city on the western coast of British India in the eighteenth century, after Bombay and Karachi.

St. Angelo's Fort was built in 1505 by Sir Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India and is on the Arabian sea about 3 km from Kannur town. The fort changed hands several times. In 1663 the Dutch captured it and sold it to the Arakkal royal family. The British conquered it in 1790 and transformed it into one of their major military stations on the Malabar Coast. It is fairly well preserved as a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. A painting of this fort and the fishing ferry behind it can be seen in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The body of Kunjali Marakkar was exhibited in this Fort after his assassination.

During the British rule in India, Kannur was known by the English name Cannanore. However, the usage of the name Cannanore is still not uncommon.

Medical science

Pariyaram Medical College

Kannur Medical College

Koyli Hospital, Kannur

AKG hospital Kannur

Danalakshmi Hospital Kannur

Co.Op Hospital Thalassery

Indhira Gandhi Hospital Thalassery

St. Camillus Hospital Kelakam

Lourde Hospital, Taliparamba

Lourde College of Nursing, Taliparamba

Speciality hospital, Thana Kannur

Media

Private FM Radio stations

Radio Mango (the Malayala Manorama Co Ltd) -91.9

Club Fm (the Mathrubhumi Printing And Publishing Co Ltd) -94.3

S Fm (kal Radio,sun Network) 93.5

Best Fm (asianet Communications Ltd) - 95.0
Air Fm Radio Station

Kannur - 101.5

Payyanur

2008-03-21T14:51:00.000+05:30

Payyanur is a town situated in the Kannur district of Kerala, India, in the valley of the Ezhimala Hills. The place derives its name from the renowned Sri Subrahmanya Swami Temple located here. Payyan is an appellation of Lord Subrahmanya and ooru means the place. Thus Payyanur means the land of Lord Subrahmanya. Payyanur is also well known for Pavithra Mothiram, Astrology, art forms like Theyyam and Poorakkali.
Payyanur is also well known for Pavithra Mothiram, astrology, art forms such as Theyyam and Poorakkali.

Ancient HistoryPayyanur is one of the ancient civilized places in Kerala. This north end town of Kerala claims a rich and glorious heritage . The archeological remaining excavated from Payyanur and nearby places prove the existence of a civilized city in this area centuries ago.
The famous travelers, who visited here, have described about this area in high words. The famous traveler Ibn Bathutha visited Ezhimala in AD 1342 and wrote about the big seaport and the Chinese ships anchored here. 1n AD 1273 Abul Fida and in AD 1293 the world famous traveler Marco Polo, and in 15th century the Italian traveler Nicholo Kondi also visited this place and had given a very good impression about Ezhimala port which was called by the name “Heli”. The Portuguese Scholar and traveler Barbosa who made lot of researches and studies on Kerala and its People had described a lot about this place

Ezhimala KindgdomCenturies back Payyanur was a part of the Ezhimala Rajya. King Nandan who ruled this Ezhimala Rajya was very famous and mighty. The books written during Sang Time describe about this country and this king with much importance. Later Ezhimala became under the regime of the Chera Dynasty and thereafter the Mooshaka Dynasty. Ramanthali was the headquarters of the Mooshaka Dynasty.

Evolution of Payyanur TownDuring the past the city centre was Kachil Patanam (present Kavvayi) was the main town because of the waterways through Kavvayi River and its big Seaport. It was the administrative as well as business centre during that time. According to historians ships from China and other countries used to visit this port and anchored in the nearby river Changoorichal. Kavvayi retained its position even during the rule of British East India Company also. They established the first Magistrate court and Registrar’s Office in Kavvayi only.
Later Kokkanisseri became the city centre. The main road, which starts from Perumba, divided the town into two. The south of this road was called Payyanur village and the north Kokkanisseri village. The business centre was called Kokkanisseri Bazaar. Later the name Payyanur became common and thus the developed city of today came into existence.
Payyanur, which is located in the northern part of Kerala, is one of the ancient civilized places in the state. It claims a rich and glorious heritage. The archeological remains excavated from Payyanur and nearby places prove the existence of a civilized city in this area centuries ago.Payyanur is also famous for Pavithra Mothiram.Its is special kind of ring made in the shape of pavithram.

About Theyyams
SREE KAPPATTU KAZAKAM Is one of the important kazhakam in payyanur, Lost of important theyyams are playing during the Kaliyattam(festival). The Kaliyattam will held only between 75 years. poorakkali is another traditional artform, every year it will play in the kazakam during the month of may.
During the regime of the Kolathiri Dynasty Payyanur was a part of Kolathu Nadu ruled by the Kolathiri Rajas based in Chirakkal near Kannur. During the British Rule, Payyanur was considered as a "farka" which in term is a part of the Chirakkal Taluk. Till the formation of the Kerala State in 1957 Payyanur remained in the Malabar District of the Madras State. The famous scholar and author Dr. Herman Gundert , Willima Logan,the Malabar District collector during the British Rule who wrote Malabar Manual also visited Payyanur and did a lot of studies on the rich heritage of Payyanur

Sree Muchilot Bagavathi RamanthaliRamanthali [near Payyanur]also came into the fore in 2008 January as a result of the Muchilot Bagavathi Perumkaliyattam.Varachuvaykkal and Kalavaraniraykkal are already over. Muchilot Bagavathi is one of the most popular deity worshipped in North Kerala. There is a practice for suppling food to thousands of devotees in connection with the Muchilot Bagavathi. Another work 'Muchilot Bagavathi' narrates the origin and establishment of Muchilot Kavu in different parts of Kannur and Kasaragod District. Highly decorative figure of Muchilot Bagavathi attracts the minds of devotees and the men of esthetic sense. In Cherukunnu and Kannapuram yearly Muchilot Bagavathi Theyyam performed. But in several other Kavus [worshipping place] Muchilot Bagavathi Theyyam performing in a gap of 12 to several years like one at Kayyur[near Nileshwar] in Jan 2008 after a term of 47 years. Perumkaliyattam at Muyyam near Taliparamba was a great experience to the devotees in the month of December 2007.

Pavithra MothiramPayyanur Pavithram or Pavithra Mothiram is internationally famous like" Aranmula Mirror "or "Ambalapuzha Palpayasam". Pavithram is the particular ring worn during performing vedic or holy rituals or during the "pithrubali" (ceremony performed for the well being of the forefathers or departed souls) in the Hindu tradition. The traditional Pavitram is usually made of "dharba" grass. The formation of Payyanur Pavitram is closely related with Payyanur Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple. According to the legends, Pavitram made of gold was recommended to avoid the inconvenience of making it many times a day for the various poojas and rituals.
Payyanur Pavithra Mothiram is a uniquely crafted ring shaped like a knot and considered being a sacred ornament. Usually Payyanur Pavithram is being made of Gold and Silver. The Pavithram is to be worn on the right ring finger by the person performing Vedic Karmas. It is believed that this ring will bring luck and grace to anyone who wears it with the deep devotion. The three lines on the top of the ring represents the three vital "nadees"(nerves) of the human body, Ida, Pingala and Sushumna. The knot between these three nerves together can awake or arose the "Kundalini sakthi" (vital energy of the body) of the human body. It is believed that the Pavithram brings the "Trimoorthi Chaithanyam" ( the vigor or the effect due to the presence of the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).The person who wear Pavithram as well as the Goldsmith who makes it has to have to impose some sort of self control or discipline over themselves. They should be pure vegetarian and shouldn't take alcohol and should keep way from immoral activities. If wore by women, they have to remove the ring during the period of menstruation.
According to tradition, the Pavithram, before handed over to the customer, is taken to Payyanur Perumal Temple for special poojas and a part of the cost of the ring will be given to the temple as an offering. Payyanur Pavithram is being exhibited in many of the museums of India as well as abroad. It is relevant to mention the name of late C.V. Kunhambu, who ws an expert in the making of Payyanur Pavithram and was also a great freedom fighter.

Arts & Culture

2008-03-19T14:29:00.000+05:30

Theyyam
Yakshagana
Kolkali
Poorakali
Oppana
Mappila Paattu
Duff Mutt

Nileshwaram

2008-03-19T14:14:00.000+05:30

Nileshwaram, also known as Nileshwar, is a town in the Kasaragode District of Kerala with an area of 14.14 km² and population of 22,661 (1991 census)popularly known as Cultural capital of Kasargod.
Arts and Culture
Nileshwar is the cultural capital of Kasaragod district. There are a large number of socio -cultural organizations across the length and breadth of the town. The place is also famous for its communal harmony. In the realm of cultural and social activities here lived several eminent leaders . Several activists from Nileshwar participated in the freedom struggle , movement against Endo-sulphan , anti-liquor campaign etc. The new generation helps Nileshwar to stand proudly in Kasaragod district as its cultural capital. The calmness and beauty of Nileshwar is incomparable. Arts Forms It is famous for its folk arts, temple festivals, palace, sacred grooves, old markets, and weaver street. Famous festival in Nileshwar is Pooram and Kalasam in Mannampurathukavu and festival in Thaliyil temple. Porat (ശാലീയ പൊറാട്ട്), in Anjoottabalam Veerarkavu and the Pooram festival in Cheermakkavu attracts thousands of people in the month of Meenam. The temple premises are filled with red cloth as the devotees present to the goddess in gratitude and also for curing severe diseases like chicken-pox. The famous artists who lived here and spread the name of the town include Kanayi Kunhiraman,Kavya Madhavan and Sri.Krishnan Anjoottan. The Theyyam festival performed in several kavus, tharavads and 'temples'[ not the right term to call as temple]invite the attention of large number of foreigners. The festivities start from Thulam-10 [Theyyam in Anjoottambalam] and continue till Idavam. In Nileshwar alone Theyyam in different forms performed like Padarkulangara Bhagavathi,Padinhare Chamundi, Moovalamkuzhi Chamundi, Kundor Chamundi, Raktha Chamundi, Vishnumoorthi, Palot Bhagavathi, Muchilot Bhagavathi, Vairajathan, Vairavan, several Bhagavathis, and Gulikans.

Kolkali,poorakkali, alamikali etc
Kolkali in praise of gods performed by the nayars of kizakkan kozuval from the biginning of the 19th century. Poorakkali performed by the kazhakams in nileshwar and produced eminent panikkers like Maicha Govindan. In the month of march poorakkali was performed in a competituion basis and known as marathukali.Alamikali performed in connection with the Porat in memory of the art form performed near manthop maidan in the past.

Naming Nileshwaram
The name "Nileshwaram" derives from "Neelakandeswaran" means Lord Siva, the deity of the Thaliyil temple. There is another folklore that the place was named so after Sage Neela who installed the deity of Lord Siva thousands of years ago. The name Nileshwaram derives from Neelichutta Idam[now called as Karuvacherry]Nileshwar lies between two rivers, Nileshwaram river and Karyangodu river. To the west is the Arabian Sea.
The Thekke Kovilakam, Kinavoor Kovilakam, Kovilakam Chira, Tali Temple etc. associated with the Nileshwar Raja family attracts thousands of tourists from different corners of the world.

Tali Shiva Temple[ Neelakandeswara Temple
Believed to be enshrined by Sree Parasurama the temple plys a great role in shaping the history of Nileshwar. From the name of the temple Neelakandeswara derives Nileshwar.

Kadanjathoor Sree Krishna Temple
Presents utmost divinity with the big pond. Considers to be the birth place of Sree Krishna. The temple had a rich past before the invasion of Tipu Sultan. Neglect from the part of the natives led to the sorry state of the temple. But the devotees expect the revival of the temple surpassing all other Krishna temples maily because of its rich past.It stands in the middle of Neelakandeswara temple and the Arabean sea.

Mannanpurathu Kavu [Chathayamangalam Temple]
Mannampurathu Kavu[Chadayamangalam Baghavathi Temple] filled with trees in the centre of the town becomes wonder to the tourists. The temples history is related to Mannan , a notorious figure, and his assassination by Mannampurath Baghavathi. The temple also tells us the story of the migration of Nair families to Nileshwar from the South. Then they invited a priestly class[non-vegitarian] to do the rituals of the temple. During the Pooram festival large number of devotees came to the temble and worship the 'Thidamp' and got the blessings of Kavilamma and 'Eruvattachan' and 'Mailittachan'. The 'Kavilachans' with 'Olakkudas' express the divinity assured to them.

Anjootambalam Veerkavu
Famous for Movalamkuzhi Chamundi Theyyam and Saliya porat and Pooram festival. Sacred place of saliya caste in and around Nileshwar. Residents have been making famous cotton clothes.

Cheerma Kavu
Natives worshipped sree Kurumba Bagavathi for curing chicken pox and other contaminable diseases.

Sree Muthappan Temple Nileshwar
There is an interesting story regarding the construction of Sree Muthappan Temple, Nileshwar.The Sree Muthappan temple near National Highway No 17 in Nileshwar has a rich heritage. It tells philosophical, devotional and educational importance of Nileshwar.
As a result of the formation of a committee and the great work done by the members of the committee the temple developed as famouse a daily hundreds of people visited there. There is a strong belief that the God will cure all diseases and will give prosperity to the devotees. The devotees will get Payakutti from the temple and stood developing as a great temple like the Sree Muthappan temple at Parassini kadavu.

Muchilot Bagavathi Temple Puthukai
Muchilot Bagavathi Muchilot Bagavathi is one of the most popular deity worshipped in North Kerala. There is a practice for suppling food to thousands of devotees in connection with the Muchilot Bagavathi. Another work 'Muchilot Bagavathi' narrates the origin and establishment of Muchilot Kavu in different parts of Kannur and Kasaragod District. Highly decorative figure of Muchilot Bagavathi attracts the minds of devotees and the men of esthetic sense. In Cherukunnu and Kannapuram yearly Muchilot Bagavathi Theyyam performed. But in several other Kavus [worshipping place] Muchilot Bagavathi Theyyam performing in a gap of 12 to several years like one at Kayyur[near Nileshwar] in Jan 2008 after a term of 47 years. Ramanthali [near Payyanur]also came into the fore in 2008 January as a result of the Muchilot Bagavathi Perumkaliyattam. Perumkaliyattam at Muyyam near Taliparamba was a great experience to the devotees in the month of December 2007.

Nearby Attractions
Guru Vanam 3 km from Nileshwar Anandasramam 10km north of Nileshwar Hosdurg Fort 8km north of Nileshwar Bekal Fort 19 km north of Nileshwar Veeramalakunnu 5 km south of Nileshwar Valia Pramba island is near Nileshwar. It is a thin strip of land which has sea on one side and the river on the other side. There are boat services from Nileshwar to Valiya Paramba.

Manjeshwaram

2008-03-19T14:11:00.000+05:30

Manjeshwaram (also known as Manjeshwara, Manjeshwar or Bangra Manjeshwara) is the northern tip of Kerala, bordering Karnataka. It is a small coastal village in Kasaragod district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is 21 km from Mangalore ( Kudla in Tulu ) town. Srimad Anantheshwara Temple is situated in Manjeshwaram. Manjeshwaram is also called 'Pancha Bhasha bhumi' means land of five languages namely Malayalam,Kannada,Tulu,Urdu and Konkani. In 2007, the Government set up a Tulu academy.

Kumbla

2008-03-19T14:04:00.000+05:30

Kumbla, locally spelt as Kumble or Kumbala, is a small town located 14 km north of Kasaragod town in Kasaragod District, Kerala. It is located on the mouth of a lagoon formed by the Shiriya river.

History and Religion
Kumbala was once the seat of the Kumbala Kings, who ruled the southern part of Tuluva Kingdom. It was a small port in ancient times. In the 16th century A.D. (1514), Duarte Borbosa, the Portuguese traveller, visited Kumbala and he had recorded that he had found people exporting rice to the Maldives in exchange of coir. When Tippu Sultan captured Mangalore, the Kumble Raja fled to Thalassery; but he returned in 1799 and after an unsuccessful fight for independence, submitted to the British Empire and accepted a small pension of Rs. 11,788 per annum in 1804. Parthishubha, the great Yakshagana exponent, known as Father of Yakshagana was born here in the 18th century
The most important shrines of Kumbala are:
Sri Parthasarathi Temple, Mujungavu.
Ananthapura Temple, the only lake temple of Kerala, believed to be the Moola Sthanam of Padmanabhaswamy temple of Thiruvananthapuram.
Arikkady Hanuman Kovil, which lies on the foot of Kumble Fort, which was built by the Keladi Nayakas who built Bekal Fort.
Sri Gopalakrishna Temple,situated at the heart of the town.
Kumbala is also famous for its annual festival called kumble bedi,celebrated at Sri Gopalakrishna Temple.
Anil Kumble, presently the captain of the Indian national test cricket team takes his last name, indicating ancestry or family origins, from this town.

Kanhangad

2008-02-29T13:03:00.000+05:30

Kanhangad is a city and a municipality in Kasaragod district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is 28km from the district headquarters of Kasargod. Kanhangad is also known as the Commercial Hub of Kasaragod district.

::Kanhangad Town::
Hosdurg (or Hosa Durga / Puthiya Kotta meaning New Fort), half a kilometre south of the town center Kottachery, hosts the Municipal office, other administrative offices, police station, court and the government hospital.From here to Nileshwar there is parralal road through kallooravi, crossing the railway gate in Kushal Nagar. This road is named Shavaparambu road.

::Demographics::
As of 2001 India census, Kanhangad had a population of 65,499. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Kanhangad has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 74%. In Kanhangad, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Most widely spoken language is Malayalam.

::Tourism::
A prominent feature that attracts the attention of travelers in Kanhangad town center is a tall minaret, a contribution from the wealthy merchants of the town who are predominantly Muslim.

Anandashram (5 km from Kanhangad) is an internationally renowned spiritual center founded by Swami Ramdas in 1939. It offers a quiet, peaceful ambiance best suited for meditation and spiritual studies.
Hosdurg Fort (half a kilometre south of Kanhangad) is renowned for its chain of forts built by Somashekara Nayak of Keladi Nayaka dynasty of Ikkeri.
Nithyanandashram is a spiritual center near Hosdurg Fort.
Karpooreshwara Temple, built there in 1963, was constructed after the style and design of the famous Somnatha Temple in Gujarat. A full size statue of Swami Nityananda in sitting posture made of pancha-loha is one of the attractions of the ashram.

Bekal Fort BeachBekal Fort is a 300-year old fort, which is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala lies 10 km north of Kanhangad. With its admirable beaches, it has become the focal point for the development of tourism in north Kerala. The Bekal Fort is the biggest fort in Kerala. A controversy exists regarding the origin of the fort. Some argue that the fort was built by Ikkeri Nayakas.
In the book History of Bekal written by Nandakumar Koroth gives credit to all the rulers who ruled the tract of land from the 15th century. The solid construction resembles the one at Kannur St.Angelo fort built by Portuguese.

Adot Vana durga Temple, Bellikoth where the Sahashrachandika Yaagam was conducted for the prosperity of the people living all over the world.
Ranipuram is a small place in Kasargod district of Kerala state, south India. This place was formerly known as Madathumalauntil 1970s. About 48 km east of Kanhangad on the panathoor road branching off at panathady. Lying 1016 m (Google earth) above sea level adjacent to Bhagamandala forest range.

::Schools and Colleges::
Little Flower Higher Secondary School
Durga Higher Secondary School,Hosdurg
Christ C.M.I public school,Mavungal
Government High School Hosdurg
Iqbal Higher Secondary School
Chinmaya Vidyalaya Kanhangad
Jamaath Higher Secondary School, Centre Chithari
Govt. U.P. School, Melangot
Govt Higher Secondary School, Pallikara
Govt Higher Secondary School, Periya
Crescent English medium school, ajanoor
GHS Balla East,Chemmattamvayal
GVHS Kottappuram,
Nileshwar Institutions for higher education include Nehru Arts & Science College, Agricultural College and Swamy Nithyananda Polytechnic.And many more private institutions. One of the Private Paramedical Institution among them is
SES
It is one of the paramedical institution, which conducts Medical Lab technician course and Ass.Nusrsing Courses. It is Located in bustand view building Nileshwar, on third floor. It is established in 1991 By Abdul Hameed.

::Personalities::
Kanhangad has been the home town of many great personalities such as Maha Kavi P. Kunhiraman Nair-famous poet , Sri. K. Madhavan-Veteran Communist leader, Vidwan P. Kelu Nair-Author/Freedom Fighter, C.M.Padmanabhan Nair-Leader of socialist party and so forth.

Taliparamba

2008-01-10T14:58:00.000+05:30

Taliparamba is a city and a municipality in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It consists of 47 villages which are spread over an area of 1330.56 square kilometers (513.73 square miles). It stretches from the coastal area of Ramanthali to Nuchiyard and Vayathur villages, touching the Karnataka border. The total population of Taliparamba is 458,580 of which 162,013 are males and 158,143 are females.

Taliparamba is a small town of only 67,000 people crowded into a small area of 43 squire kilometers. But the undulating hills that surround this little town make it exceptionally beautiful. The surrounding villages of Pattuvam, Kuttikkol and Karimbam are filled with lush green fields and little rolling hills. The rivers of Kuppam and Valapattanam surround the towns from all sides and the Arabian sea is only 14 kilometres to the western side. The hanging bridge at Kuttiyeri and the beautiful riverside temple at Parassinikkadavu attaract a large number of toruists. The Kannur University, Pariyaram Medical College and Sir Syed College are a few famous institutions in and around Taliparamba. The origin of Taliparamba is from the Perinchalloor brahminical settlement. Of the original 2,000 Brahmin families, only 45 remain now. The old name of Taliparamba was 'Lakshmipura' as this place was considered as an abode of prosperity. The 'Raja Rajeswara Temple' and the 'Trichambaram temple' are renowned places of worship. Today Muslims and Christians also form a sizeable portion of the population.

Rajarajeshwara Temple

Festival during Shivarathri in the Rajarajeshwara Temple

One of the prominent Hindu temples in Taliparamba is the Rajarajeshwara Temple, where Shiva is the reigning deity. It is believed to be very ancient and was supposedly renovated by Parashurama. Also nearby is the centuries old Srikrishna Temple at Thrichambaram. The month long "Utsava" celebrated yearly is witnessed by thousands.

Trichambaram Temple

Trichambaram Temple is situated about 1 km from Taliparamba town. The deity of the temple is Sree Krishna. The sculptures on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum are a class by themselves. The annual temple festival (Utsavam) is a colourful event. The fortnight-long festival begins on Kumbham 22 of Malayalam calendar (which generally falls on March 6) every year with the kodiyettam (hoisting of a religious flag) and comes to an end on Meenam 6 (which generallay falls on March 20) with Koodipiriyal (Ending of this festival). In between these dates, for 11 days, thitambu nriththam (a sort of dance with deities of Krishna and Balarama) is held at Pookoth Nada (1 km from Trichambaram temple).

Keladi Nayakas

2007-11-26T13:18:00.000+05:30

Keladi Nayaka(1499 - 1763 CE) were an important ruling clan of post-medieval Karnataka, India. They initially started to rule as a feudatory of the Vijayanagar Empire. After the fall of the empire in 1565, they gained independence and ruled significant parts of Karnataka including Shivamogga, practically the whole of coastal districts and parts of central districts of present day Karnataka till 1763 when they were overthrown by Hyder Ali, the king of Mysore. They played an important part in the history of Karnataka, during a time of confusion and fragmentation that generally prevailed in South India after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire.

::Contents::
1 The Nayaka clan
2 Decline and the end
3 Literature
4 Architecture

::The Nayaka clan::
Chaudappa (1499 - 1530) from Keladi was the earliest chieftain to rule the area surrounding Shivamogga.
Sadashiva Nayaka (1530 - 1566) was an important chieftain in the Vijayanagar Empire and earned the title Kotekolahala from emperor Aliya Rama Raya for his heroics in the battle of Kalyani. The coastal provinces of Karnataka came under his direct rule. He moved the capital to Ikkeri some 20 km. from Keladi.
Sankanna Nayaka (1566 - 1570)
Chikkasankanna (1570 - 1580) was an opportunistic ruler who took advantage of the confusion in the Vijayanagar Empire following its defeat at Tallikota and grabbed a few provinces in Uttara Kannada district.
Ramaraja Nayaka (1580 - 1586)
Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka (1586 - 1629) is considered by scholars as ablest monarch of the clan. He completely freed himself from the overlordship of the relocated Vijayanagar rulers of Penugonda. Portuguese traveller Pietro Della Valle, who visited his kingdom in 1623, called him an able soldier and administrator. In his reign the kingdom expanded so that it covered coastal regions, malnad regions, and some regions to the east of the western Ghats of present day Karnataka. He is also known to have defeated the Adilshahis of Bijapur in Hanagal. Though a Virashaiva by faith, he built many temples for Vaishnavas and Jains and a mosque for Muslims.
Virabhadra Nayaka (1629 - 1645) faced many troubles from the start, including competition from rival chieftains for the throne of Ikkeri and invasion by the Sultanate armies of Bijapur. Ikkeri was plundered by the Bijapur army during his time.
Shivappa Nayaka (1645 - 1660) is widely considered as the ablest and greatest of the Keladi rulers. He was not only an able administrator; he also patronised literature and fine arts. His successful campaigns against the Bijapur sultans, the Mysore kings, the Portuguese, and other Nayakas of the neighbouring territories east of the western ghats helped expand the kingdom to its greatest extent, covering large areas of present day Karnataka. He gave importance to agriculture and developed new schemes for collection of taxes and revenues which earned him much praise from later British officials. A statue of him and the palace built by him containing many artifacts of his times are reminders of the respect he has earned even from the present generation of people of the region.
Chikkavenkatappa Nayaka (1660 - 1662)
Bhadrappa Nayaka (1662 - 1664)
Somashekara (1664 - 1672) The King who was once a good administrator, gave up his interest in administration after his associastion with a dancer named Kalavati. Bharame Mavuta, a relative of Kalavati slow poisoned the king which eventually led to his death.
Keladi Chennamma (1672 - 1697 was an able ruler who some scholars say allied with the Maratha Shivaji and later his son Sambhaji to defeat all rival claimants to the throne. She gave shelter to Chhatrapathi Rajaram when he fled from the Mugal army. Chennamma of Keladi is well remembered by local people through tales of her bravery.
Basavappa (1697 - 1714)
Somashekara (1714 - 1739)
Kiriya Basavappa (1739 - 1754)
Chennabasappa (1754 - 1757)
Queen Virammaji (1757 - 1763) was defeated by Hyder Ali and the Keladi kingdom merged with the Kingdom of Mysore.

::Decline and the end::
For more than two hundred years the kingdom controlled the coastal and malnad regions of present day Karnataka and fostered a rich tradition of trade with the English, the Portuguese, and the Dutch. However, in the period of gloom brought about by the fall of the last great Hindu empire, the Vijayanagar empire, constant wars -- campaigns against local chieftains and the Mysore Kingdom and the harassment of the Marathas -- finally drained the treasury and resulted in the end of the kingdom.

::Literature::
Kannada

Linganna wrote Keladinripavijayam, Shivagita by Tirumalabhatta are important works of literature.
Sanskrit

Shivatattvaratnakara of king Basavappa, Bhattoji Dikshita wrote Tattva Kausthuba, Ashvapandita wrote Manapriya.

::Architecture::
The Keladi Nayakas built some fine temples in Ikkeri and Keladi using a combination of late Kadamba, Hoysala, Vijayanagar, and Dravida styles. The use of granite for their construction shows they simply followed the Vijayanagar model of architecture. The Aghoreshwara temple at Ikkeri and the Rameshwara temple at Keladi are the best examples of the Nayakas' art. Vijayanagar-style pillars with hippogryphs are common; called yali columns (depiction of horses and lions as seen in Hampi) is found here. These are pillars with lions, either with their forepaws raised or simply in a sitting position, and pillars with a mythical horse-like animal with front legs raised, balancing on its rear legs, and with an armed rider on its back which are worth seeing at Ikkeri. A roof sculpture depicting a Gandaberunda, the mythical two-headed bird of Karnataka, is found in Keladi. Also, in the Rameshwara temple, a pillar sculpture shows Maratha Rajaram with Keladi Chennamma (history has it that Rajaram was protected by the queen when he was on the run from the Mugals).

Kolathunadu

2007-11-26T13:03:00.000+05:30

Mooshaka kingdom, present Kasaragod, Kannur and other nearby places of north Kerala state in India, had come to be known as Kolathunad and the rulers known as Kolathiris. The Kovilakam (Palace in the Malayalam language) of Kolathiris were in Chirakkal, 6 km from the present Kannur town. Kolathiri were also known as Chirakkal Raja or King of Chirakkal. The southern branch of this family ruled over Venad and is today known as the Travancore Royal family.Kolathiris are the successors of Mooshiks Kings who ruled Northern Kerala in AD First Century. The detailed history of this dynasty and Hidden history of this region is mentioned in "Mooshika Vamsham" a Sanskrit poetic Text, written by Athulan in the AD 10th century. Mooshika Vamsham is believed to be one of the earliest Sanskrit Books written based on the History of Northern Kerala.Kolathiris were political and commercial rivals of the Zamorins of Kozhikode.Bekal Fort now in Kararagod and Chandragiri Fort were originally under the Chirakkal Rajas until the time of Shivappa Naik's Invasion of Kolathunadu as cited by Nandakumar Koroth in his 'History of Forts in North Malabar'.::Contents::1 Portuguese in Kolathunad 2 Kolathiries and Zamorins

Portuguese in KolathunadSt. Angelo Fort in Kannur was constructed in 1505 by Don Francisco De Almeida, Portuguese admiral. The fort was under the Portuguese until the Dutch captured the fort in 1663. The Dutch then sold the fort to the king Ali Raja of the Arakkal kingdom. After this the history of Chirakkal was connected to the Arakkal Kingdom.

Kolathiries and ZamorinsThe Portuguese followed a policy of religious persecution and forcible conversion. They therefore clashed with most of the native princes and chieftains.[citation needed]The Zamorin was able to convince the Kolathiri of the real motives of the Portuguese in India and the perils inherent in his policy of befriending them.By providing support to the Kunjali Marrikkars of Kozhikode,in 1558 AD the Kolathiri came openly into the field against the Portuguese. In 1564 AD the Kolathiri and the Zamorin fought war against the Portuguese and they besieged the fort of St. Angelo at Kannur. The Portuguese continued to maintain a precarious foothold at Kannur till 1663.