Athavanad
Village
Puthanathani town in Athavanad
Athavanad Location in Kerala, India Show map of Kerala Athavanad Athavanad (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 10°53′47″N 76°01′57″E / 10.8962722°N 76.0325253°E / 10.8962722; 76.0325253
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Malappuram
Population  (2011)
• Total	20,480
PIN	676301
Vehicle registration	KL 55

Athavanad is a village in the Tirur Taluk, in the Malappuram District of the state of Kerala, India.^[1] The town lies on the National Highway 17, between Kuttippuram and Valanchery. Puthanathani is the main town of the Athavanad village and the village office is located in Athavanad Para & Kurumbathoor. Nearby towns include Valanchery, Kalpakanchery, Tavanur, Tirunavaya, Kuttippuram, Irimbiliyam, and Edayur.

Athavanad is also famous for historical Azhvanchery Mana which built about 400 years ago.

Etymology

In Malayalam, "Athavanad" is an abbreviation of "Azhvanchery Thambrakkal Vazhunna Nadu". The region was under the rule of the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal feudal lords in ancient times. Azhvanchery Thamprakkal were usually present at the Ariyittu Vazhchaof a new Zamorin of Calicut. The original headquarters of Palakkad Rajas were also at Athavanad.^[2]

Industries

Athavanad has some industries.^[3] Athavanad is home to several public enterprises in the textile industry.^[3]

• The MALCOTEX (Malabar Co-operative Textiles Limited) is headquartered at Athavanad.^[4]
• KELTEX (Kerala Hi-Tech Textile Cooperative Limited) is also located here.^[5]

Demographics

As of the 2011 Census of India, Athavanad had a population of 20,480. 9,612 (47%) are men, and around 11,000 (53%) are women. The population density is approximately 1,524 people per square kilometer. Children under the age of six make up 14% of Athavanad's population.^{[citation needed]}

Malayalam is the most spoken language.

Culture

Religion

Athavanad is predominantly Hindu and Muslim; thus, these two religions have a strong influence on local cultural traditions. Teeyate, Thiruvathira, Duff Muttu, Kolkali, and Aravanamuttu are popular traditions. Temples and mosques are common gathering places for both social and religious reasons. ^[6]

Temples

• Pacheeri Sri Krishna Temple
• Pottekalathil Bhagwathi Kshetram
• Mahadeva Temple, Painkanur
• Kottayil Mahadeva Kshethram
• Swamy Ayyappa Temple
• Sri Parakkunnathu Bhagavathy Kshethram

Mosques

• Athavanad Old Juma Masjid
• Najath Masjid Ponnandikulambu
• Nannekara Juma Masjid
• Mattummal Town Masjid
• Athavanad Parithi Juma masjid
• Athavanad Para Town Masjid
• Thekkekulambu Masjid
• DIM Masjid Ponnandikulamb
• Vadekkekulambu Juma Masjid
• Markaz Campus Masjid
• Badariyya Masjid Plathani
• Palathani Masjid
• PMSA Campus Masjid
• Kattilangadi Town Masjid

Sports

Athavanad has a long history of playing football.

Events

The Kerala Cattle Race (known as Kalappoottu and Maramadi) is a traditional event. It was banned in 2014 by a court ruling, as it was deemed to violate a 1960 law pertaining to preventing animal cruelty.^[7]

Attractions

• Ayyapanov Waterfall, the most famous waterfall in Malappuram, and situated in Athavanad Kattilangadi.
• Chingili Mada, a natural cave 3 km from Athavanad.

Education

Athavanad is a major educational hub. It has several educational institutions ranging from primary to post-secondary. It also has several libraries and a literacy rate of over 90%. The majority of books are written Malayalam, English, and Sanskrit. Some are written in Arabi-Malayalam, a version of the Malayalam language written in the Arabic script.

Educational institutions

• Athavanad Parithi High school
• Athavanad Mattummal Higher Secondary School
• Markazu Tharbiyathul Islam Higher Secondary School
• Markaz Residential School
• Markazu Tharbiyathul Teachers Training Center
• Markazu Tharbiyathul Islam
• Markazu Tharbiyathul Islam B-Ed
• Badariyya Arabic College, Palathani
• PMSA Orphanage Hospital, Athavanad Kattilangadi
• Markaz Arts and Science College
• KMCT Polytechnic College
• KMCT Law College
• Z.M.H.S Poolamangalam
• Majmau Orphanage
• Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal Memorial Arts And Science College
• Majmau Higher Secondary School
• Majmau Thazkiyath Islamiya

Transportation

Road

• Athavanad is connected to other parts of India through Kottakkal.
• National highway No.66 passes through Tanur and the northern stretch connects to Goa and Mumbai. The southern stretch connects to Cochin and Trivandrum.
• State Highway No.28 starts from Nilambur and connects to Ooty, Mysore and Bangalore through Highways.12,29 and 181.
• National Highway No.966 connects to Palakkad and Coimbatore.

Air

• The nearest airport is at Karipur International Airport.

Rail

• Kuttippuram station
• Thirunavaya station
• Perashshannur station
• Tirur station
• Trichur is major railway station 49 km from Athavanad

Bus

• Bus lines from Kuttippuram
• Bus lines from Puthanathani
• Bus lines from Vettichira

Notable people

• Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri
• Mohsin Peramban

See also

• Azhvanchery Thamprakkal
• Athavanad Grama Panchayat
• Ayyapanov WaterFalls

References