Vatakara
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Vatakara, also known as Vadakara () (formerly Badagara, ), is a municipality, taluk and a major town in the Kozhikode district in Indian state of
Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
. The municipality of Vatakara covers an area of and is bordered by Mahé to the north and
Payyoli 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 Talu ...
to the south. It is the headquarters of Vatakara
taluk A tehsil (, also known as tahsil, taluk, or taluka () is a local unit of administrative division in India and Pakistan. It is a subdistrict of the area within a district including the designated populated place that serves as its administrative ...
, which consists of 22 panchayats. During the reign of the Kolathiris and Zamorins, Vatakara was known as Kadathanadu. During the
British Raj The British Raj ( ; from Hindustani language, Hindustani , 'reign', 'rule' or 'government') was the colonial rule of the British The Crown, Crown on the Indian subcontinent, * * lasting from 1858 to 1947. * * It is also called Crown rule ...
, it was part of the
North Malabar North Malabar refers to the geographic area of southwest India covering the state of Kerala State, Kerala's present day Kasaragod district, Kasaragod and Kannur district, Kannur districts, Mananthavady taluk of the Wayanad District, Wayanad distr ...
region of
Malabar District Malabar District, also known as British Malabar or simply Malabar was an administrative district on the southwestern Malabar Coast of Bombay Presidency (1792–1800), Madras Presidency (1800–1950) and finally, Madras State (1950–1956) in ...
in the state of
Madras Chennai, also known as Madras ( its official name until 1996), is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. According to the 2011 Indian ce ...
. The historic Lokanarkavu temple, made famous by the Vadakkan Pattukal (ballads of North Malabar), is situated in Vatakara. A new tardigrade (water bear) species collected from Vadakara coast has been named after Kerala State; '' Stygarctus keralensis''. Vatakara State assembly constituency is one of the 140 state legislative assembly constituencies in Kerala state in southern India. It is also one of the seven state legislative assembly constituencies included in the Vatakara Lok Sabha constituency. As of the 2021 assembly election, the current MLA is K.K Rema of Revolutionary Marxist Party of India.


Geography

Vatakara is located at and has an average elevation of . It is situated about 49 km to the north of
Kozhikode Kozhikode (), also known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is listed among the City of Literature, UNESCO's Cities of Literature. It is the nineteenth large ...
City, approximately 44 km to the south of
Kannur Kannur (), formerly known in English as Cannanore, is a city and Municipal corporation (India), municipal corporation in the state of Kerala, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Kannur district and situated north of the maj ...
City, and adjacent to Mahé. The town lies by the side of a river variously called the Moorad river, the
Kuttiady Kuttiady is a Major town situated in Kozhikode district of Kerala, India. It is located from Vadakara, from Kozhikode. Kuttiady is situated in the slopes of the Western Ghats. The four-sided junction of Kuttiady helps travelers to reach dif ...
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 Nadapuram is a census town and a special grade panchayath located in Kozhikode District of Kerala, coming under Nadapuram Constituency#India, assembly constituency. It is in the North Malabar region of Kerala, India. History In the past, Nadapur ...
and Kuttiady, Vadakara borders the
Wayanad district Wayanad () is a district in the north-east of the Indian state of Kerala, with its administrative headquarters at the municipality of Kalpetta. It is the only plateau in Kerala. The Wayanad Plateau forms a continuation of the Mysore Plateau, ...
along the Western Ghats section. In the west, like many of the towns in Kerala, Vatakara is flanked by the
Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea () is a region of sea in the northern Indian Ocean, bounded on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, Gulf of Aden and Guardafui Channel, on the northwest by Gulf of Oman and Iran, on the north by Pakistan, on the east by India, and ...
. The Kuttiyadi river meets the sea to the south of Vatakara, forming small islands and sandbars near the river mouth.


History

The
Kolathunadu Kolattunādu () (Kola Swarupam, as Kingdom of Cannanore in foreign accounts, Chirakkal (Chericul) in later times) was one of the four most powerful kingdoms on the Malabar Coast during the arrival of the Portuguese Armadas in India, along w ...
emerged into independent 10 principalities i.e., Kadathanadu (Vadakara), Randathara or Poyanad ( Dharmadom),
Kottayam Kottayam () is a city in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is the district headquarters of the district and is located about north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Kottayam has a population of ...
(
Thalassery Thalassery () (also called Tellicherry) is a city and municipality on the Malabar Coast in Kannur district in the state of Kerala, India, bordered by the districts of Mahe and Kozhikode. Thalassery municipality has a population of just under ...
), Nileshwaram, Iruvazhinadu ( Panoor, Kurumbranad etc., under separate royal chieftains due to the outcome of internal dissensions. The Nileshwaram dynasty on the northernmost part of Kolathiri dominion, were relatives to both Kolathunadu as well as the
Zamorin The Samoothiri (Anglicised as Zamorin; Malayalam: , , Arabic: ''Sāmuri'', Portuguese: ''Samorim'', Dutch: ''Samorijn'', Chinese: ''Shamitihsi''Ma Huan's Ying-yai Sheng-lan: 'The Overall Survey of the Ocean's Shores' 433 Translated and Edi ...
of
Calicut Kozhikode (), also known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is listed among the City of Literature, UNESCO's Cities of Literature. It is the nineteenth large ...
, in the early medieval period. 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 Kozhikode (), also known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is listed among the City of Literature, UNESCO's Cities of Literature. It is the nineteenth large ...
. 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 Kottakkal (literally-''Land of the Fort'') is a major municipality, municipal town in Malappuram district in Kerala, having 32 Ward (country subdivision), wards. It is one of the four municipalities in Tirur Taluk, besides Tirur, Valanchery, and ...
, Badagara became one of the major centers of trade at a level with those at
Cannanore Kannur (), formerly known in English as Cannanore, is a city and municipal corporation in the state of Kerala, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Kannur district and situated north of the major port city and commercial hub ...
, 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. A significant factor in the rise of Vatakara as a trade center was the rise and subsequent fall of the
Kunjali Marakkar Kunjali Marakkar was the title inherited by the Admiral of the fleet of the Zamorin, King Samoothiri / Zamorin, the King of Calicut, in present-day Kerala, India. There were four Marakkars whose war tactics defended against the Portuguese Emp ...
s 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. 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. The region became a separate kingdom , 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 Kottayam () is a city in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is the district headquarters of the district and is located about north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Kottayam has a population of ...
as well as the foreign colonial powers of the British, based in
Thalassery Thalassery () (also called Tellicherry) is a city and municipality on the Malabar Coast in Kannur district in the state of Kerala, India, bordered by the districts of Mahe and Kozhikode. Thalassery municipality has a population of just under ...
, and the French, based in Mahé. In legend, Vatakara is the birthplace of Unniyarcha, Aromal Chekavar, and Thacholi Othenan, the heroes of the Vadakkanpattu (
ballads A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and song of Great Britain and Ireland from the Late Middle Ages until the 19th century. They were widely used across Eur ...
of
North Malabar North Malabar refers to the geographic area of southwest India covering the state of Kerala State, Kerala's present day Kasaragod district, Kasaragod and Kannur district, Kannur districts, Mananthavady taluk of the Wayanad District, Wayanad distr ...
). 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 Kalaripayattu (), also known simply as Kalari, is an Indian martial art that originated on the southwestern coast of India, in what is now Kerala, during the 3rd century BCE. Etymology Kalaripayattu is a martial art which developed out of co ...
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 Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...
,
Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...
and
Maharashtra Maharashtra () is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa to the south, Telangana to th ...
. As of the 2011 Census of India, 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 The Arabian Sea () is a region of sea in the northern Indian Ocean, bounded on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, Gulf of Aden and Guardafui Channel, on the northwest by Gulf of Oman and Iran, on the north by Pakistan, on the east by India, and ...
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 ''Areca'' is a genus of 51 species of Arecaceae, palms in the family (biology), family Arecaceae, found in humid tropical forests from the islands of the Philippines and Malaysia, India, and across Southeast Asia to Melanesia. The generic name ' ...
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 Vayaleri Kunhikkannan Gurukkal, popularly known as Vagbhatananda (1885 – October 1939), was a Hindu religious leader and Reform movement in British India. He was the founder of the Atmavidya Sangham, which was fundamentally a group of pr ...
. The society was registered in 1925.


Climate


Transportation

* Train: Vatakara Railway Station is one of India's model railway stations, and connected to all major metros * Air:
Kannur International Airport Kannur International Airport is an international airport serving the city of Kannur, the Mahé district, Mahé district of Puducherry and the rest of northern Kerala in India. It is located in Mattanur, east of Kannur and east of Thalassery. ...
is the closest airport, approximately 45 km away.
Calicut International Airport Kozhikode International Airport , also known as Calicut International Airport (locally referred to as Karipur Airport), is an international airport serving the cities of Kozhikode and Malappuram in the state of Kerala, India. It also serves ot ...
is approximately 71 km away. * Road:
National Highway 66 The following highways are numbered 66: International * European route E66 Australia * Barkly Highway (Northern Territory) * Riddoch Highway Canada * Alberta Highway 66 * Highway 66 (Ontario) Cuba * Autopista Sancti Spiritus (4-6 ...
(NH66) passes through Vatakara town, connecting Vatakara to
Kozhikode Kozhikode (), also known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is listed among the City of Literature, UNESCO's Cities of Literature. It is the nineteenth large ...
to the south (45 km) and to
Kannur Kannur (), formerly known in English as Cannanore, is a city and Municipal corporation (India), municipal corporation in the state of Kerala, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Kannur district and situated north of the maj ...
(44 km) and
Mangalore Mangaluru (), formerly called Mangalore ( ), is a major industrial port city in the Indian state of Karnataka and on the west coast of India. It is located between the Laccadive Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bengaluru, the st ...
(188 km) to the north. A preliminary survey is being performed for a National Highway to connect Vatakara to
Bangalore Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore (List of renamed places in India#Karnataka, its official name until 1 November 2014), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the southern States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kar ...
through
Nadapuram Nadapuram is a census town and a special grade panchayath located in Kozhikode District of Kerala, coming under Nadapuram Constituency#India, assembly constituency. It is in the North Malabar region of Kerala, India. History In the past, Nadapur ...
. *
Vadakara Vatakara, also known as Vadakara () (formerly Badagara, ), is a municipality, taluk and a major town in the Kozhikode district in Indian state of Kerala. The municipality of Vatakara covers an area of and is bordered by Mahé to the north and ...
distance between Vadakara to Mananthavady by bus is approximately 65 km. Bus travelling is one of the ways to reach from Vadakara to Mananthavady
Wayanad Wayanad () is a district in the north-east of the Indian state of Kerala, with its administrative headquarters at the municipality of Kalpetta. It is the only plateau in Kerala. The Wayanad Plateau forms a continuation of the Mysore Plateau, ...
*
Perambra Perambra is a major town in Koyilandy taluk of Kozhikode district in North Malabar region of Kerala state, India. Perambra is the anglicized form of the original name 'Payyormala' from the British rule. It is one of the 140 assembly constituen ...
via Thamarassery 55 km and 83 km from *
Vadakara Vatakara, also known as Vadakara () (formerly Badagara, ), is a municipality, taluk and a major town in the Kozhikode district in Indian state of Kerala. The municipality of Vatakara covers an area of and is bordered by Mahé to the north and ...
to *
Kalpetta Kalpetta is a city and town and Grade 2 municipality in the Wayanad district of the Indian state of Kerala. Kalpetta is the headquarters of the Wayanad district, as well as the headquarters of Vythiri taluk. It is surrounded by dense coffee ...


Notable places


Temples

; Lokanarkavu temple 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 Durga (, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around combating evils and demonic ...
. Three rock-cut caves near the temple are decorated with candid murals and carvings. The annual Hindu festival celebrating Durga, locally called
Pooram Pooram pronounced is an annual festival, which is celebrated in temples dedicated to goddesses Durga or Kali, held especially in the old Valluvanad area, and to a lesser extent in other places, covering Kerala State's present-day Palakkad, ...
, 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 modernization of the surroundings of the temple. The
Theyyam Theyyam is a Hindu religious ritual practised in the North Malabar Region of Kerala and some parts of Karnataka. Theyyam is a ritual performance involving extended chanting of mantras and ceremonial preparations that typically span 8 to 10 hou ...
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 Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
and
Ayyappan Ayyappan, also known as Dharmasastha and Manikandan, is the Hindu deity of truth and righteousness. According to Hindu theology, he is described as the son of Shiva and Mohini (the female avatar of Vishnu), thus representing a bridge between S ...
. This temple is similar in nature to the
Sabarimala The Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple () is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Ayyappan, who is also known as Dharma Shasta and is the son of the deities Shiva and Mohini (female avatar of the god Vishnu). The temple is situated atop th ...
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 Purameri is a Village Panchayat in Kozhikode district of North Malabar region in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located in the north-western part of the district, on the way from Vatakara to Nadapuram. Demographics India census, Puramer ...
. In the
Kottiyoor Kottiyoor is a village and gram panchayat in the easterly hills of Kannur district in Kerala state. Kottiyoor is the twenty third wildlife sanctuary of Kerala, located in the hills of Western Ghats. The ancient pilgrimage conducted here year ...
festival, the madom forms a centre from which Neyamruthu (
ghee Ghee is a type of clarified butter, originating from South Asia. It is commonly used for cooking, as a Traditional medicine of India, traditional medicine, and for Hinduism, Hindu religious rituals. Description Ghee is typically prepared by ...
) 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). Thacholi Ambadi, another renowned martial arts expert, was Othenan's son.


Kunjali Marakkar memorial

The location of the
Marakkar The Marakkars are of diverse origins with some tracing their ancestry to Arab traders with historical presence across the Indian Subcontinent and Indonesian Archipelago. Their contemporary populations are primarily concentrated in the Indian st ...
fort on the southern bank of the Moorad river, 44 km from Kozhikode and 51 Km from Kannur, is now known as Kottakkal. A building in Kottakkal that belonged to
Kunjali Marakkar Kunjali Marakkar was the title inherited by the Admiral of the fleet of the Zamorin, King Samoothiri / Zamorin, the King of Calicut, in present-day Kerala, India. There were four Marakkars whose war tactics defended against the Portuguese Emp ...
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

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 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.


Theyyam

Theyyam Theyyam is a Hindu religious ritual practised in the North Malabar Region of Kerala and some parts of Karnataka. Theyyam is a ritual performance involving extended chanting of mantras and ceremonial preparations that typically span 8 to 10 hou ...
or Thirayattam is a ritual performance art form that depict the cultural heritage of North Malabar, especially of ancient
Kolathunad Kolattunādu () (Kola Swarupam, as Kingdom of Cannanore in foreign accounts, Chirakkal (Chericul) in later times) was one of the four most powerful kingdoms on the Malabar Coast during the arrival of the Portuguese Armadas in India, along w ...
. Theyyam depicts Shiva bhutaganas,
Kali Kali (; , ), also called Kalika, is a major goddess in Hinduism, primarily associated with time, death and destruction. Kali is also connected with transcendental knowledge and is the first of the ten Mahavidyas, a group of goddesses who p ...
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 The Sangam literature (Tamil language, Tamil: சங்க இலக்கியம், ''caṅka ilakkiyam''), historically known as 'the poetry of the noble ones' (Tamil language, Tamil: சான்றோர் செய்யுள், ''Cā ...
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 Kozhikode (), is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala, along its southwestern Malabar Coast. The city of Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is the district headquarters. The Kozhikode Municipal Corporation has a corporation l ...
is given below: The villages included in the Taluk are: * Ayancheri * Azhiyur * Chekkiad * Chorode *
Edachery Edacheri is a small panchayath in the district of Kozhikode in the South Indian state of Kerala. Location It is part of the North Malabar province of Kerala, and is situated east of Vatakara. Purameri Panchayat borders it to the east, Eramala Pa ...
* Edathumkara *
Eramala Eramala is a village in Kozhikode district, Kerala, India. The village is the site of a popular annual celebration called Orkkatteri Chantha. Demographics As of 2011, the total population of Eramala is 26,293 (12,372 being male and 13,921 bein ...
*
Kavilumpara Kavilumpara is an agricultural village in northeastern Kozhikode district in Kerala. It shares a border with Wayanad District. Geography The village is surrounded by mountains and forest reserves and it is near the origin of the Kuttiady River ...
* Kayakkodi * Kottappally * Kunnummal *
Kuttiady Kuttiady is a Major town situated in Kozhikode district of Kerala, India. It is located from Vadakara, from Kozhikode. Kuttiady is situated in the slopes of the Western Ghats. The four-sided junction of Kuttiady helps travelers to reach dif ...
* Maniyur * Maruthonkara * Nadakkuthazha *
Nadapuram Nadapuram is a census town and a special grade panchayath located in Kozhikode District of Kerala, coming under Nadapuram Constituency#India, assembly constituency. It is in the North Malabar region of Kerala, India. History In the past, Nadapur ...
* Narippatta * Onchiam * Palayad *
Purameri Purameri is a Village Panchayat in Kozhikode district of North Malabar region in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located in the north-western part of the district, on the way from Vatakara to Nadapuram. Demographics India census, Puramer ...
* Thinur *
Thiruvallur Tiruvallur is a Grade I municipality in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the banks of Coovum river about from downtown Chennai ( Madras) in the western part of the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA). It is a satellite tow ...
* Thuneri *
Valayam Valayam is a town in Kozhikode district in the state of Kerala, India. Etymology The Panchayat is said to have acquired its name 'Valayam', meaning 'circle', as the place is surrounded by hills and mountains. The Panchayat was formed in the ...
* Vanimal * Velom * Vilangad *
Villiappally Villiappally is a census town in Kozhikode district in the Indian state of Kerala. Villiappally is the headquarters of Villiappally Panchayath, which contains two villages, Memunda and Villiappally. There is a Vocational Higher Secondary School ...


Educational institutions

There are many schools, colleges and tuition centers in Vatakara. Amrita Vidyalayam, Arakkilad, Amrutha Public School,Pathiyarakkara, Vidya Prakash Public School, Rani Public School, Chorode and Gokulam Public School are the 5 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. 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. 4. Model Polytechnic College Model Polytechnic College, Vadakara is running under the
Institute of Human Resources Development An institute is an organizational body created for a certain purpose. They are often research organisations (research institutes) created to do research on specific topics, or can also be a professional body. In some countries, institutes ca ...
established by Government of Kerala. 5. Government Technical High School was established in 1965 and it is managed by the Department of Education. 6. Busthaniya Women's College


Notable residents

*
Parakkal Abdulla Parakkal Abdulla is an Indian politician and former MLA of Kuttiady. He was born on 15 November 1958 at Eramala to Moithu Haji and Kunhami. He was also the district committee treasurer of IUML. His wife is Jameela and has two sons and two da ...
* P. K. Basheer * T. P. Chandrasekharan * Meenakshi Amma Gurukkal * Kuniyil Kailashnathan * Akbar Kakkattil *
Shabeer Kallarakkal Shabeer Kallarakkal, also known as Dancing Rose Shabeer, is an Indian actor who works mainly in Tamil films and plays. He is best known for his roles in the Tamil film '' Sarpatta Parambarai'' (2021) and the Malayalam film '' King of Kotha'' (2 ...
* Punathil Kunjabdulla * K. K. N. Kurup * V. T. Murali *
Cherusseri Namboothiri Cherusseri Namboothiri was a 15th-century Malayalam poet who belonged to Kolathunadu, in present-day North Malabar region of Kerala. He was a court poet of Udaya Varma (1446–1475) and the author of '' Krishna Gadha'', a poem which is consider ...
* C. K. Nanu *
Mullappally Ramachandran Mullappally Ramachandran (born 7 November 1944) is an Indian politician and former president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). He is a member of the Indian National Congress, and the son of Congress leader Mullappally Gopalan. ...
* K. K. Rema * V. R. Sudheesh * Unniyarcha *
Chembai Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar (born Vaidyanatha Iyer, 28 August 1896 – 16 October 1974) was an Indian Carnatic music singer from Kerala. He was born in Vatakara, Kerala, and moved to Palakkad along with his family during his childhood.L. R. ...
* Vadakkan Pattukal *
Chandu Chekavar Chandu Chekavar (''Chathiyan Chanthu'', also known as Chandu Panicker), was a sixteenth-century ''chekavar'' of the Chekavar family from Kerala folklore, mentioned in the folk songs of Northern Kerala called ''Vadakkan Pattukal''. Popular cultu ...
* Aromal Chekavar *
Kunjali Marakkar Kunjali Marakkar was the title inherited by the Admiral of the fleet of the Zamorin, King Samoothiri / Zamorin, the King of Calicut, in present-day Kerala, India. There were four Marakkars whose war tactics defended against the Portuguese Emp ...


Tourism

Sargaalaya Crafts Village at Iringal, Vadakara sells traditional local art and crafts. Local beaches include Sandbanks and Kolavipalam Beach at Kolavipalam between Vatakara and Payyoli, to the south of the Murad River. Sandbanks Beach features the Sandbanks Beach Park operated by KTDC. Kunjali Marakkar MuseumKunjali Marakkar Museum
/ref> 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 a 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 ea 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. Prominent displays include the model of the forted village of Kottakkal otta (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. 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 Kozhikode (), is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala, along its southwestern Malabar Coast. The city of Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is the district headquarters. The Kozhikode Municipal Corporation has a corporation l ...
,
North Malabar North Malabar refers to the geographic area of southwest India covering the state of Kerala State, Kerala's present day Kasaragod district, Kasaragod and Kannur district, Kannur districts, Mananthavady taluk of the Wayanad District, Wayanad distr ...
region of
Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
state of south
India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
. 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 Kannur International Airport is an international airport serving the city of Kannur, the Mahé district of Puducherry and the rest of northern Kerala in India. It is located in Mattanur, east of Kannur and east of Thalassery. It is owned an ...
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 Durga (, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around combating evils and demonic ...
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 Poorakkali (meaning Festival Performance) is a traditional dance ritual performed by men during the nine-day Pooram festival in Bhagavathy temples across North Malabar in Kerala State of south India. The Pooram festival begins with the Kart ...
is presented during festivals. The dance, resembles the martial art
Kalarippayattu Kalaripayattu (), also known simply as Kalari, is an Indian martial art that originated on the southwestern coast of India, in what is now Kerala, during the 3rd century BCE. Etymology Kalaripayattu is a martial art which developed out of co ...
. 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 is a
dam A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aqua ...
site located at
Koorachundu Koorachundu is a village towards the north east of Kozhikode district of Kerala in India. Location Koorachundu is about 39 km from Kozhikkode city and lies in between the tourist spot Peruvannamuzhi and the Hydroelectricity, hydro electric power ...
in,
Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
. 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 Elephants are the Largest and heaviest animals, largest living land animals. Three living species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant (''Loxodonta africana''), the African forest elephant (''L. cyclotis''), and the Asian ele ...
and
bisons A bison (: bison) is a large bovine in the genus ''Bison'' (from Greek, meaning 'wild ox') within the tribe Bovini. Two extant and numerous extinct species are recognised. Of the two surviving species, the American bison, ''B. bison'', ...
. Kakkayam has an abundant wildlife population and is also a
trekking Backpacking is the outdoor recreation of carrying gear on one's back while hiking for more than a day. It is often an extended journey and may involve camping outdoors. In North America, tenting is common, where simple shelters and mountain hu ...
and
rock climbing Rock climbing is a climbing sports discipline that involves ascending climbing routes, routes consisting of natural rock in an outdoor environment, or on artificial resin climbing walls in a mostly indoor environment. Routes are documented in c ...
destination. This reservoir is part of the Kuttiyadi Hydro Electric Project and is located at 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 is in Kalleri, a 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. Kottathuruthi Bhagavathi Temple is one of the beautiful temples in
Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
situated near the
Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea () is a region of sea in the northern Indian Ocean, bounded on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, Gulf of Aden and Guardafui Channel, on the northwest by Gulf of Oman and Iran, on the north by Pakistan, on the east by India, and ...
. This temple is located in a small island called Kottathuruthi. It is an island village situated in the Kuttyadi river near Moorad bridge.


See also

* lokanarkavu temple * Unniyarcha


References

{{Palakkad Railway Division Cities and towns in Kozhikode district Vatakara area