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INTRODUCTION

Kottakkal at Eranaud Taluk in Malappuram is one of the oldest Panchayath in the state of Kerala.Kottakal is noted worldwide for its Ayurvedic treatment.Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala is one of the leading institutions of Ayurveda which is the traditional system of health and medicine. People come from different parts of the country for ayurvedic treatment. The Venkata Theva temple situated in the vicinity of the Arya Vaidyasala has beautiful natural paintings. Another major attraction of Kottakal is the Pooram festival during which thousands of people throng the temple. There is a very famous school for Kathakali dance run by the Kathakali group namely the PSV Natyasangham.

HISTORY

In Sanskrit Kottakkal means White Fort and in Malayalam it either means Venkalikotta and Venkitta Kotta.Till the mid half of the 18th century CE Kottakkal served as a small military base for the Kingdom of Valluvanad.Kottakkal gets its name from the forts and castles constructed by a renowned person Karuvayoor Moosad who was the chief marshal and preacher of Moopil Nair. However the history of Kottakkal witnessed a change only after the invasion of Tippu Sultan of Mysore.After the death of Tippu Sultan in 1799 a kinsman of the Zamorin of Kozhikode shifted his home from Travancore to Kottakkal, fearing the Mysore invasion.Kottakkal however remained as a big challenge for the British for a long period by its cultural confrontation.

LOCATION

Kottakkal in Malappuram District of Kerala state. It is an Eranadan town located 12 km south-west of Malappuram, the district headquarters, and 12 km from Tirur.It coordinates at 10.9995434°N 76.0019588°E.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

In the Venkata Theva temple the annual festival of Kottakal Pooram is celebrated with great pomp and show. The Lord Dhanvanthiri popularly known as the patron god of health and medicine is worshipped here. During the time of Kottakal Pooram there is a cultural fair held here in which various art forms like music, handiwork and literature are performed.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Vishwambhara Temple

Dhanvanthiri the incarnation of Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the Vishwambhara Temple in Kottakal.Lot of tourists make it a point to visit the temple for it is believed that Lord Dhanvanthiri helps in curing many diseases.

Manjeri

Manjeri is one of the renowned commercial centre in Malappuram near Kottakkal for it houses most of the Government institutions and many offices such as District Court, District Hospital, District Medical Office.

Manjeri which had a prominent place in the history of Malabar is also one of the Muslim majority area of Kerala state.

Perinthalmanna

Perinthalmanna is situated at a distance of about 20 Kms from Malappuram is one of the cultural center in the district. One of the main attraction of Perinthalmanna is the Thali temple located on the way to Malappuram from Perinthalmanna.

There is also another temple which is dedicated to goddess Durga,the Thirumandhamkunnu temple is visited by lot of devotees every year especially during the pooram festival celebrated in March/April.

Close to the Thirumandhamkunnu temple there is a memorial for the martyrs of Mamankam.

Thirunavaya

Thirunavaya is a small village in Malappuram district of Kerala, south India. This village is famed as the theatre of the Mamankam festival held in the Thirunavaya Temple on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River.

Thirunavaya was once the capital of Perumpadapu Swaroopam.Mamankam festival - a major Hindu festival of the Bhagvati deity held at Thirunavaya.

Tirur

Tirur takes the pride of and has a historical significance for it has the first laid railroad in Kerala.It is situated in the Malappuram district at a distance of 41 km south of Kozhikode.It is a major trading centre of fish and betel leaf. Major attraction of Tirur is the famous Trikkandiyur Lord Shiva Temple. Very close to this town is another small town named Puthiyangadi which is considered sacred by Muslims. The Pudiyangadi Nercha festival is celebrated in the month of January, in the Pudiyangadi mosque.

Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala

Ayurveda is the only science which deals in bringing a perfect balance of the body, mind and the soul.Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala is one of the ideal destination for Ayurveda is said to be rich in medicinal herbs and oils. A visit to Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala promises one of the most successful natural therapy AYurveda in healing the soul, mind and the body. This age old medicinal practice heals all your body and mental suffering and imparts vigour and strength to the body.It gives a feeling of magical experience of Ayurveda in Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala apart from giving an excellent opportunity in relaxing and rejuvenating your mind and body. The Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala also runs an Ayurvedic research centre, a nursing home and a hospital.Vaidyarathnam P.S.Variar takes the credit of establishing this Arya Vaidyasala.The medicinal herb garden nurtured by the Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala forms the focus of attraction of hundreds of people. This Vaidyasala not only draws the attention of people from India but also from different parts of the country. Meeting the physician is done only by prior appointments. Accommodation options at the nursing home include family blocks, double rooms, single rooms and suites.

SHOPPING

Though there is nothing much to shop in Kottakkal for it is basically a centre for ayurveda, there are quite a number of furniture shops in and around Malappuram.

EAT OUTS 1.Collectorate Canteen Malappuram - 0483 2739944 2.Hotal Delicia Kottakkal Malappuram Road, Malappuram - 0483 2739124 3.HOTEL AIRLINES Malappuram - 0483 2738664 4.Chick Buns A V S Road, Ruby Residency, Kottakal, Malappuram 5.Sopanam Angadippuram, Perinthalmanna, Malappuram 6.Food n Fun Changuvetty, Kottakkal, Malappuram 7.Midwest Foods Kinfra Food Park, Kakkanchery, Malappuram ACCOMMODATION 1.Ruby Residency AVS Road Junction Main Road, Kottakkal Malappuram,Kerala,India. Ph:+91-483-2742174 / 2743374 2.Hotel Grace Residency Kottakkal Malappuram Road, Malappuram 0483 2736201 3.Hillfort Hotel NH 213, Malappuram Kerala 4.Emerald Silent Valley Perinthalmanna,Near silent valley Malappuram 5.Hotel Mahendrapuri Kavungal, Malappuram-676505 Kerala, India. 6.Ambady Tourist Home Kondotty, Malappuram-673638, Kerala, India. 7.Sinai Tourist Home Nilambur, Malappuram-679329, Kerala, India. 8.Sagar Tourist Home Chemmad, Thirurangadi, Malappuram-676306, Kerala, India. 9.Gulf Tourist Home T.B. Road, Tirur, Malappuram-676101, Kerala, India. 10.Star Tourist Home Hospital Road, Angadipuram, Perinthalmanna, Malappuram-679322, Kerala, India.

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GETTING THERE

By Air

Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, about 36 km from Malappuram town.

By Rail

Tirur, about 16 km from Kottakkal.

By Road

There are frequent bus services from nearby towns like Kozhikode, Malappuram and Tirur to Kottakkal.