malappuram

Malappuram is a small city in the south Indian state of Kerala. It was formed in 1969, and currently serves as the administrative headquarters of Malappuram district.

Malappuram has many attractions including historical and religious sites, and also many ecological attractions. Some popular places in Malappuram to see are:

• Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary – A beautifully preserved ecological space, this sanctuary is home to over a hundred species of native birds, and around 60 species of migratory birds.
• Kottakkunnu - a stunning garden situated on a hill. It also includes a Water Park, an Adventure Park, an Art Gallery, a 16D cinema, an amphi-theatre and a Balloon Park for kids! It is also a perfect picnic spot for families and a great place where children will keep entertained.

Some of the popular historical places are:

• Kadampuzha Bhagavathy Temple - A unique Hindu temple with no idol (all Hindu temples usually have an idol of deities). It was founded by Shankaracharya, a sage centuries ago.
• Arya Vaidya Sala - a famous Ayurvedic health care centre, founded by Vaidyaratnam P. S Warrier – a famous an Ayurveda (an ancient and traditional form of healing in India – popular to this day) practitioner in 1902 to promote traditional healing techniques.

Having a number of religious centres like temples, mosques & churches, and a religious and cultured population, Malappuram usually bristles with fairs and festivals .  The following are some of the important occasions that are celebrated in Malappuram:

• Kottakkal Pooram – A temple festival celebrated during March-April; It is attractive for its colourful and cultural festivity. 
• Thirumandham Kunnu Pooram – Another temple festival celebrated during March-April. A seven-day affair, this festival includes a cultural feast, which is the most attractive feature of this festival, and also a “Mangalya Pooja” involved married young women, who come in thousands, and pray for a good wedlock.
• Onam - an annual harvest festival celebrated all over the state of Kerala, during which many special local delicacies are prepared, and homes and other places are decorated with flower designs (Pookalam or rangolis with fresh flowers).
• Nilambur Pattu - An ancient festival celebrated during February, and is a week-long celebration, connected to ancient war and hunting. Tribal chieftains in the city also participate in it.
• Puthenpalli Nercha – An annual festival of Muslims, usually organized by the mosques here. Thousands of Muslims in and around the city gather at the mosque(s) to celebrate and during this festival, Neychor (Ghee Rice) is distributed to everyone, including the poor people in the city.
• Omanur Nercha - a famous mosque festival celebrated in memory of martyrs.

Malappuram has some good museums and art galleries that showcase its history and people’s talents in a beautiful way:

• Teak Museum, Nilambur – As the place consists of many teak forests, this museum was established to showcase the wonders of teak. It is one of a kind – only such museum in all of India.
• Malappuram war memorial – A memorial to war martyrs, and their mark.

Malappuram, being a commercial town, has many shopping spots like street bazaars, commercial shops and all-inclusive malls, from where you can buy souvenirs and things like ceramic items, jewelry, engineering goods and so on. Apart from these, people can also shop for the fresh local produce that includes coconut, areca, cashews, banana, ginger, pepper and tapioca. Some popular shopping spots in the city to explore are:

• Evergreen, Varangode
• Craft House, Melattur
• Arya Vaidya Sala (Ayurvedic medicines)
• Craft House, Velancherry
• City Choice, Home Bazzar Super Market
• Sadu Shopping Complex, Market Road
• The Gent’z Studio, Manjeri Road
• Stadium Shopping Complex, Palakkad Highway
• Arabian Gold Souk, Kizhakkethala
• Theyyampattil (jewellery shop)

• HeyDay Shopping Mall
• GDS Mall, Chelari

Malappuram is famous for its non-vegetarian delicacies made of mutton, pork and beef, but it also has many vegetarian specialities. The people here mostly follow Malabar cuisine. Popular foods here include:

• Kerala Biryani – A rice dish (Biryani is popularly known, but Kerala has its own version) prepared with mutton, chicken, pork etc, and coconut milk.
• Pathiris - a type of bread prepared with rice.
• Thenga Choru or Coconut rice – Boiled Matta rice (a local variety of rice) flavoured with grated coconut, shallots and fennel.

Some of the best restaurants and eateries in Malappuram where these dishes and more can be tried include the following:

• Hotel Delicia
• Food n Fun
• Shadrasa
• Chicking
• Rydges Inn
• Rice n Fish

Malappuram has many incredible hotels for a comfortable stay, and these include resorts and high-end hotels for a luxurious stay, and also many affordable as well as low-budget hotels and inns. Some of the best hotels/resorts to stay in Malappuram are:

• Karibu Residency
• Luxora Hotel & Spa
• Hotel Virad
• Reem Residency
• Le Moshe Inn
• Emerald Ayurvedic Resort
• Soorya Residency
• KTDC Tamarind, Nilambur

Malappuram STD Code – 494 (to be used before dialling numbers from a number that is not locally registered).

Common emergency numbers:

• Police Control Room: 100
• Fire and Rescue: 101
• Ambulance: 108
• Crime Stopper: 1090
• Child helpline: 1098
• Women helpline: 1091
• Highway Alert: 9846 100100
• Railway Alert: 9846200100

Malayalam is the most spoken language in Malappuram.

Malayalam:

• Welcome - Swagatam
• Hello - Namaskaram
• How are you? - Engnganuntu karyangngal?
• What's your name? - Ninte perentha?
• My name is - Ente per ... n
• Where are you from? - Angu evidennanu?