Kottakkal


Kottakkal is a major municipal town in Malappuram district in Kerala, having 32 wards. It is one of the four municipalities in Tirur Taluk, besides Tirur, Valanchery, and Tanur. It is a part of the Malappuram metropolitan area and a growing city in Kerala. The town is best known for the Arya Vaidya Sala, one of the top Ayurvedic health centres in the world. Kottakkal is also a major growing commercial, educational, and healthcare hub in South Malabar. The town lies on the Mumbai–Kanyakumari National Highway 66.
Kottakkal is located southwest of Malappuram, the district headquarters, and from Tirur railway station.The National Highway 66 separates the municipality from Edarikode grama panchayat on some parts to the west. However, the fast-developing Kottakkal urban area is now spread up to different parts of neighboring panchayats such as Edarikkode.
Kottakkal town became famous after the establishment of Arya Vaidya Sala in 1902. Adding to the cultural heritage, Kottakkal Pooram, The popular temple festival is celebrated over seven days during March–April.

History

An Old Malayalam inscription which dates back to 932 CE found from Indianoor in Kottakkal mention the name of Goda Ravi of Chera dynasty.
Kottakkal, formerly known as Sweta Durgam in Sanskrit, Venkalikotta and Venkita Kotta in Malayalam, was a military base of the Kingdom of Valluvanadu earlier.
Two swords, medieval European in style and finish, were discovered in a well from Kottakkal, in the year 2013. The Zamorin of Calicut invaded the Kingdom of Valluvanad in 14th century CE and seized the fort at Kottakkal. The Zamorin captuted the captaincy of Mamankam festival in the same period. Karuvayoor Moosad, who was the minister of Valluvakonathiri, based at Kottakkal and also the chief marshal and preacher of the Moopil Nairs, changed his seat to Puzhakkattiri when Kottakkal came under Zamorin. It may be the forts and castles constructed by the Karuvayoor Moosad that were the origin of the name "Kottakkal".
The Kizhakke Kovilakam, where the eastern branch of the royal family of Zamorin resided, is located at Kottakkal.Gradually, Kottakkal was annexed to the kingdom of the Zamorin of Calicut. The Kizhakke Kovilakam, which was the eastern palace of the royal family of the Zamorin of Calicut, is present at Kottakkal.
Arya Vaidya Sala was established in 1902. The suburbs of Kottakkal were known as Changuvettikkadu and Eyyakkadu.

Municipal elections

The United Democratic Front won the first elections to the Kottakkal municipality. K. K. Nazar and Paroli Moosakutty Haji of Indian Union Muslim League were elected as the Chairperson and Vice-Chairman respectively of the municipality. Other major Political representatives in the Municipality include TP Subair and Nani of Left Democratic Front.

Notable people

Basic information of Kottakkal Municipality

Area
Wards32
TalukTirur
Assembly ConstituencyKottakkal
Loksabha ConstituencyPonnani
Vehicle Registration No.KL-55, KL-10 & KL-65
Neighbouring PanchayathsEdarikode, Parappur, Othukkungal, Ponmala and Marakkara
Post OfficesKottakkal, Puthoor, Indianoor, Pathayakkallu, Kuttippuram, Pandamangalam, Cherushola, Puthupparamba
Pincodes676501, 676503, 676510


Wards

Kottakkal Municipality is composed of the following 32 wards:
Ward no.NameWard no.Name
1Changuvetty Junction2Choonda
3Kottakkal Town4Kottakkal Thazhe Angadi
5Palappura6Mythrinagar
7Nayadippara8Cheenambuthur
9Kavathikalam West10Kavathikalam East
11Valiyaparamba12West Villur
13Pappayi14East Villur
15Kooriyad16Panikkarkundu
17Indianoor West18Indianoor East
19Muliyankootta20Maravettum
21Kottoor22Madrasapadi
23Amapara24Kuttippuram
25Aalinchuvadu26Poozhikkunnu
27Palathara28Kottakkulam
29Pulikkode30Thokkambara
31Changuvettykundu32Khurbani

Transportation

Bus services: Kottakkal Bus station at the heart of the town, links to all rural bus services around Kottakkal locality and Long route services connecting nearby towns like Tirur, Manjeri, Malappuram, Perinthalmanna, Valanchery etc. KSRTC service also available.Railway Station: Tirur railway station is one of the major railway stations in the Malabar region. Almost every train stops here, connecting the Malappuram district to the rest of the country. It is located 14 km away from the Kottakkal town. Passengers from Kottakkal can also access Angadippuram railway station which is about 26 km from kottakkal town.Nearest Airport: Calicut International Airport is approximately 25 kilometres away.

Nearby places