Malappuram is a district in the state of Kerala, south India.The district was formed on 16 June 1969.Malappuram district came into existence on June 16, 1969. Malappuram district is composed of portion of the erstwhile Palakkad and Kozhikode districts. It was carved out of Ernad taluk and portions of Tirur taluk of Kozhikode district and portions of Perinthalmannna and Ponnani taluks of Palakkad district.

The classic medieval center of Vedic learning and local politics, Thirunavaya, home of the traditional Ayurveda medicine, Kottakkal and one of the oldest centre of education of Islam the region, Ponnani are situated in Malappuram district. In 1921, present day Malappuram district witnessed a series of devastating revolts and massacres known as the Moplah rebellions, followed by decades of frozen economical, social, and political development. In the early years of the Communist rule in Kerala, Malappuram saw large land reforms under the Land Reform Ordinance.

Malappuram district comprises a vast wildlife collection and a number of small hills, forests, little rivers and streams flowing to the west, backwaters and paddy, arecanut, cashew nut, pepper, ginger, pulses, coconut, banana, tapioca, and rubber plantations.The Hindu temples and Moplah mosques of the region are known for their colorful festivals.

ATTRACTIONS

• Padinharekara beach: Close to Ponnani and at the end point of the Tipu Sulthan road. It offers a breath taking view of the confluence of the river Bharathapuzha and Tirur puzha with the Arabian sea.

• Kadampuzha: In Melmuri village of Tirur taluk is situated 3 Km north of Vettichira on the NH-17 connecting Calicut and Trissur and is famous for its Bhagavathi temple said to have been set up by Jagadguru Sankaracharya.

• Angadipuram: About 1.5 Kms west of Perinthalmanna. This is an important place on the Madras-Calicut Trunk road through which the Shoranur-Nilambur railway line also passes. This place has two well known temples Thirumandhamkunnu and Tali.

• Thirunavaya: This ancient and famous temple on the banks of the Bharathapuzha dedicated to Lord Shiva was the traditional venue of the ritual of Mamankam an enactment of traditional martial arts by suicide squades.

• Trikandiyur: This ancient Shiva temple with an idol said to have been installed by Parasurama, is situated close to the town of Tirur, and attracts devotees from far and wide.

• Mumburam: Muslim shrine and receptacle for dead bodies of the Thangals (the relegious leaders of the malabar muslims), situated in A.R.Nagar village; is a major pilgrimage centre of Muslims.

• Valiya Juma Masjid Malappuram: This is an important pilgrim centre of the Muslims of Kerala. The four day annual festival at the mosque(nercha) is celebrated in April. Adjoining the mosque is the mausoleum of the Malappuram shaheeds (martys) whose brave exploits have been immortalised in the Mappila ballads.

• Pazhayangadi Mosque, Kondotti: (18km east of Manjeri. On the way to Malappuram): The three day long Valia Nercha feat at this 500 year old Muslim pilgrim centre, celebrated in February/March, is a local cultural event. Moyin Kutty Vaidyar- Kondotty, the finest exponanent of Mappila Pattu. His Badral Muneer - Husn-Ul-Jamal, the earliest romantic piece is praised for its craft.

• Kottakunnu: One can see trace of an old fort at the base of the cantonment Hill. The fort was the first to be built by the Zamorins of Kozhikode. Nearby are the Vettakkorumakan Temple and the Siva temple with the famous murals of Malabar.

• Biyyam Kayal: Close to Ponnani, is a placed greenery fringed waterway with a watersports facility recenlty set up by the D.T.P.C.

• Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary: Located 19kms from Kozhikode and 7kms from Beypore port, the sanctuary which is spread over a cluster of islands covers an area surrounded by hillocks where the Kadalundipuzha flows in to the Arabian sea. Over a 100 varieties of native birds and over 60 varieties of migratory birds flock here. kadalundiKadalundi Bird Sanctuary

• Ayurveda Kottakkal, 13kms from Malappuram, is the premier centre for the traditional classical Indian medical system of Ayurveda with a renowned private institution set up in 1900. It possess a large private hospital, drugs producing centre, herbarium and even an Ayurvedic Medical College. Patients even from several foreign countries come to this world renowned centre of excellence in ayurveda for treatment.

• Tirur: 43 Kms south of Calicut,a major trading centre of fish and betel, and the birth place of Tunchan Ramanujan Ezhutassan, the founder of Malayalam Literature, Even now the Thunchan Paramba, being developed into an important research centre and literacy meeting place by the government; is considerd a place of great veneration. The site attracts a large number of people on Vijayadashami day for the ritual initiation of children into the world of learning.thunjanparamba

• Wagon Tragedy Memorial Muncipal Town Hall : A standing monument reminiscent of the notorious Wagon Tragedy during the British rule.

• Tanur: The costal town Tanur was one of the earliest Portugeese settlements situated 8 kms from Tirur. It is believed that St. Francis Xavier visited this place in 1546. The Keraladheeswarapuram temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which is one among the oldest temple of Kerala, is 3 kms, south of Tanur town. Keraladheeswarapuram is also a weavers settlement.

• Tirurangadi: Tirurangadi was an important centre of the Khilapath movement, national movement and the Malabar Rebillion. It was the Tirurangadi incident on 20th Augest, 1921, that ignited the out break of Mappila Rebillion. Mumburam Kizhakke Palli was the seat of Khilapath leader Ali Musliar.

• Ponnani: Ponnani is the only port in Malappuram District and one of the oldest in Kerala. A tidal port at the mouth of Bharathapuzha.

• Nilambur: on the Calicut - Ootty highway, 40 Kms from Malappuram, this is an important halting place for tourists on route to Ootty, a trading centre in hill products and is well known for its teak plantations, said to the oldest in the world (Connolly's plot) and a well desingned Teak Museum, which traces the history and uses of the wonder wood.

• Adyanpara: Adyanpara lies in Kurumbalangode village of Nilambur taluk and is famous for its water falls and the splendour of its wooded jungles.