Mannarkkad

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Mannarkkad (Malayalam: മണ്ണാ൪ക്കാട്),(visit www.mannarkkad.info for more details) formerly known as Mannarghat is a town in Palakkad district of Kerala State, South India. It is the headquarters of Mannarkkad Taluk, and is one of the largest revenue Taluks in Kerala. It is situated 40 km north-east of the district headquarters Palakkad, on the way to Kozhikkode (NH 213) and in the foothills of the Western Ghats. Silent Valley (a tropical evergreen rain forest with an unbroken evolutionary history of 50 million years) is only 35 km from Mannarkkad.

The land of beauty

As the name suggests, it has
Mannu -> soil
Aaru -> River
Kaadu -> Forest,but i think that the name did not get in that way.There are many places with these components.They didn't have the name 'mannarkkad'!!actually its 'mannar kaadu'that is mannar means masters or rulers and kaadu means forest.this area was ruled by mannarkkad nair veedu who were called as mannar by aadivasis,and attappadi,where these aadivasis lived was (one of the rain forest in kerala) partially controlled by these mannarkkad nair tharavaadu(household).Maybe this lead to the formation of place name'Mannarkkadu'.Manarkaaadu changed to mannarkkadu. Or we can also say that the ruler Valluvakonathiri was called mannan.That formed the place name Manarkaadu to mannarkkadu. The evergreen forest SilentValley is here in Mannarkkad.
Great place to visit.

edited: Hamza Parappuram

Mannarkkad (also known as Mannarghat or Manarghat) is a beautiful town in Palakkad district of Kerala state, south India. It is the headquarters of Mannarkkad Taluk, and is the biggest revenue village in Kerala. It is situated 40 km from the district headquarters, at the north east end of the district, on the way to Kozhikkode(NH213) and on the foots of Western Ghats. Silent Valley (a tropical evergreen rain forest with an unbroken evolutionary history of 50 million years) is only 66 km from Mannarkkad.

Mannarkkad has memories of the invasion of Tippu Sultan and Mopila riot. In 1921, hundreds of people lost their lives.The former Ruler/Desavazhi of Mannarkkad is known as 'Mannarkkadu Muppil Nair'. He was a 'Samantha' under 'Valluvakonathiri' of Valluvanadu. The famous novel of Malayatoor Ramakrishnan 'Ponni' is based on the 'Adivasis' of Mannarkkadu. The Sandalwood smuggler 'Veerappan' used 'Shiruvanni Forests' of Mannarkkadu Muppil Nairs as his shelter.

The population of Mannarkkad is estimated at 150,000+. Mannarkkad has an agri-based economy; main agriculture produce consists of natural rubber, coconut, areca nut, banana, plantain, nutmeg, pepper and rice. But due to inordinate use of chemicals, the natural ecosystem has been adversely affected. But over a decade of control, the town has revived many almost extinct natural species of reptile, butter flies, fresh water fish and other organisms.

70%-80% of the agri-income is earned by 20%-25% of the population. Of the rest, 10% are into trading and the remaining 65% of the total population are below slightly above or below the poverty line.

The town has for ages attracted immigrants from all over and is an amazing community of people who speak multiple languages including Kannada, Telugu, Tulu, Tamil etc. For this reason, you will find shades of a metropolitan city in terms of harmony among multiple cultures in this rather small town. Within Kerala, it had been also a destination for immigrants from southern Kerala seeking their fortune in rubber plantation sector.

Nestled between two rivers kunthippuzha and nellippuzha, Mannarkkad (Mannarghat) valley is famous for its natural beauty. Silent Valley Rain forests and the Attappadi high range add grandeur to the scenery. It is a common destination for trekkers.

Present Mannarkkad M.L.A is Mr. Jose Baby who is also the deputy speaker of Kerala Legislative assembly.Shri.T.Sivadasa Menon,Former Kerala Finance Minister also born in Mannarkkad.

Mannarkkad is famous for Mannarkkad Pooram. It is the festival celebrated Kumbha masam of every year. The Adivasis from Attappadi will reach the UdayarKunnu temple where the pooram happens to see Devi.

Notable nearby locations

Kandamangalam Residential Areas: 6 km
Kanjirappuzha Dam & Gardens: 15 km
Silent Valley National Park: 23 km
Malampuzha Dam & Gardens: 45 km
Tippu Sultan's Fort (Palakkad): 40 km
Meenvallam and Attila Waterfalls: 30 km
Paathrakkadavu (Mylamapadam): 10 km
Changaleeri : 3km
Sreekrishnapuram : 16 km

Transport

Mannarkkad is well connected by road to all other parts of Kerala. NH 213 connecting Kozhikkode and Palakkad passes through the town. The nearest railway stations to the town are Palakkad Jn (40 km), Ottapalam (40 km) and Shornur Jn (44Km). The nearest airports to the town areCalicut Airport (80 km), and Coimbatore Airport (90 km).
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannarkkad
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   10°59'19"N   76°27'0"E

Comments

  • It is such a nice place to live.
  • Mundekarad, Our birth place... We belongs to Chullimunda Family.
  • The biggest vehicles passed through mannarkad are the trailers which has 106 wheels carrying transformers to Areekod on 24th may and 27th may 08.
  • nice place
  • Mannarkkad town is the only taluk Head Quarter in Kerala having no Govt High Scool, Govt: VHSS,HSS ,ITI/ ITC,POly Technic(govt./Aided),Professional Colleges,TTI,B.Ed Centre,Nursing College etc. The town is the only bottle neck in kozhikkode- Palakkad( NH 213 ).In Emergency situation it is better to avoid this rout. Most interestig thing is that,It is the only town in Kerala which was reverted to Grama panchayat from Municippal status as recommended by the Local Self Govt of the area.!!
  • Iam Balararissan, belongs to mannarkkad now settled in Bangalore
  • Mannarkkad s one of the nicest place infact it has enriched with a variety of culture & di imp featur s tat its a fast developing town...............
  • mannarkkad is placed blessed by mother nature.its filled with exotic flora and fauna.the bluey mountains ,green carpeted mountains etc..adds to its beauty.the silent valley,kanzhirapuzha dam and other tourist places makes it a perfect holiday retreat...................................!!
  • MANNARKKADILNINNUM 10KM/KUNDURKUNNUIL ROHINIYIL PREMDAS.
  • mannarkkad is a good place to live and good climate is there my home was at kanhirapuzha.
  • i am lucky to be a person of maannarkkad i am studing in m e t
  • mannarkkadu ninn kashtich 4 km akale kottiyode enna sundaramaya oru gramamund/////aa gramathinte prathinidhiyayi njan,,,,,,,,,,,,,,unais mubarak
  • BASHEER PERINCHOLAM I CAN ALMOST AGREE WITH Mr ISSAQUE'S STATEMENT
  • IT'S A MARVELOUS PLACE I EVER SEEN BEFORE.............
  • when you say something about MANNARKKAD 1st thing that comes to our mind is mannu [soil], ar [river], kkad [forest], ic this place is blssed with those 3 . in the same way KALLADI family is an important element in development of this area,particularly in field of education
  • iam a blessed 1 to born in mannarkkad. If u get a chance u must visit here..
  • very very nice
  • Very much blessed by Goddess Udyarkunnu Bhagwathi Amma to be a resident of Arakurussi
  • BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE IN KOOMBRA
  • CHEYS YOU
  • god blessed land and beutiful sights,kanjirappuzha my hometown;
  • BORN AT MANNARKAD 34 YEARS AGO.LIVED THERE AROUND 4 YEARS,CARRYING SWEET MEMMORIES OF THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE,NOW CHANGED DRASTICALLY.LOTS OF BUILDINGS,CHANGED THE INNOCENT FACE OF OLD MANNARKAD
  • Not because I am born and brought up in Mannarkkad, I can assure anyone that visiting this beautiful place is really worth. It is yet another wonderful place in Kerala, which lies between two Rivers - Kunthipuzha on west and Nellipuzha on east. This thalook and surroundings are filled with many beautiful Hindu temples on the bank of both rivers, very old Muslim mosques and Christian Churches. Also many educational institutions, have made almost everyone literate and cultured. People are peace lovers and very friendly. Its my luck I am born in this place. Welcome to Mannarkkad.
  • I was born in Kanjirapally, My grandfather settled in Mannarkad in 1920, one of the first Nasranis to settle in Malabar looking for cheap fertile land, to cultivate.He built a prominent house on the hill which can be seen on descend from Althara down hill at the junction of the TB and Hospital road.I studied at KTM High school and is the first graduate to attend Trivandrum Medical Collge 1957-61. I later migrated to the US, married and settled there first in Chicago Illinois and retired in Carlsbad California., with my wife Linda. My father the late K.J Thomas was one of the original freedom fighters, going to jail several times as the organizer of Travancore Congress in Kanjirapally and surrounding areas. His cousin Akkamma Cherian was a Congress President who also spent time in jail, under the cruel administration of C.P. Ramaswamy. Mannarkad has equal number of Muslims and Hindus and a smaller population of Christians with their many branches, living in peace. The communist party had made inroads into the society which consist of very religious and conservative people. It has rapidly grown and the government and the local MLA s have paid little attention to its decaying bridges roads and infrastructure, a shameful situation that needs immediate attention. Many have left for higher paying jobs to the UAE , Africa and farther.God save this wonderful land.
  • am so lucky to be in mannarkkad
  • am also from mannarkkad...am so lucky to be in mannarkkad.....!
  • ITHU DAIVATHINTE SVANTHAM NADU!
  • Mannarkkad is a most beautifull place in the sorld
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This article was last modified 11 years ago