Vallikkunnu

As of 2001 India census, Vallikkunnu had a population of 22853 with 11057 males and 11796 females.[1] It comes under Thirurangadi thaluk. The northern boundary is kadalundi river and southern side with parappanangadi panchyath. The village has a coastline of 8 kilometers with arabian sea in the west. The east is covered with Chelembra, Tenhipalam and Moonniyoor Panchayaths.[3][4]

The greenery of Vallikkunnu

Vallikunnu Panchayat came into existence in 1962. Vallikunnu got its name after the river "Valliyar", which flowed encompassing the hilly area. This gramam got a place in many old kinds of the literature of Kerala. Ullur S Parameswara Iyer mentioned in his great work "Kerala Sahithya Charithram", that the "Valli Gramam" referred in "Basha Naishadam Chambu" of Mazhmangalam is Vallikunnu Desam. This Desam was under the administration of the Royal Family of Parappanad. The headquarters of Parappanad Kovilakam was in Neduva village of Parappanangadi panchayath. We can see Remains of Parappanad palace, Oottupura, and Kolappura in Neduva village. For administration purposes, this place had been divided into five "Tharakoottangal" by the rulers. This tharakoottangal was centered on Siva temples. These Tharakoottams are: 1. Vallikunnu(Thekkil SivaTemple) 2. Mannur( Mannur Siva Temple) 3. Chelembra (Elannummal Siva Temple) 4. Thenhipalam(Pappannur Siva Temple) 5. Vennayoor(Vennayoor Siva Temple)

According to some historians, ancestors of Velu Thampi Dalava belong to Vallikunnu, and later they migrated to Tiruvithamkur. The old port named 'Thindis 'belongs to vallikunnu. Now the place is known as Kadalundi Nagaram. It is to be believed that the birthplace of A.R. Raja Raja Varma, the famous Malayalam Pandit was in vallikkunnu.

Azhimugham

This is in the northern end of Vallikkunnu panchayath where the Kadalundi river joins the arabian sea. This place is famous for seasonal birds that come from several places during the whole year, and the area is also famous for Kandalkadu. This has become a place for sightseeing after the opening of kadalundi kadavu bridge.[5][6]

Niramkaithakkotta Temple

Niram Kaitha Kotta Temple is an important pilgrim center of Malabar. The Ayyappa temple is thought to be about a thousand years old. The temple is among the most important Dharma Sastha temples of Malabar region. The Pattulsavam in every Makaram (a month in Kolla varsham) performs in the premise of this temple with special rituals and ‘Seeveli’. So many monkeys are living near this temple. The well which provides the holy water (theertham) to the temple also has some special features. The holy water from this well which never dry or overflow is believed that the water is from the holy river Ganges. The water in the well never gets sunlight. There is a way to this underground well from inside the temple for collecting the holy water by the priest.

Higher than this temple the famous Mekkotta Bhagavathi Temple situates on the top of the hill. One will feel how beauty and solitude provides mental relaxation when staying here for worship. The vast area around this temple provides the scope for forestation. The peak of the hill and the river which flows round the hill is a really beautiful sight. The beauty, elegance and the peacefulness of this area have the scope of developing into a shooting location and a tourist center.

The armory and training center of Parappanadu Kingdom was situated in the place where Mekkotta Bhagavathy Temple now exists. The remains like tunnels and trenches seen around Mekkotta Temple are evidence for this. According to some historians, the ancestors of Velu Thampi Dalava belong to Vallikunnu, and later they migrated to Tiruvithamkur.

Olipram Kadavu Junction is an important town in the Vallikkunnu panchayath. The town is situated 100 meters down the Olipram Kadavu bridge. The town is the meeting point of three panchayath jurisdictions—Vallikkunnu, Tenhippalam, and Chelembra. There are two riverside temples in Olipram Kadavu: Alamchira Muthappan Temple and its associate structure Olipramkadavu Bhagavathy Temple situated 600 meters west of the former temple. There is also one Ayyappa temple near the junction. AKG Bhavan Thiruthy, Jnanodhayam Library and C.M.Higher Secondary School are other landmarks in this area. Olipram Kadavu junction is connected to Feroke, Ramanattukara and Chelari towns.

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  Vallikkunnu Railway Station

Vallikkunnu village connects to other parts of India through Parappanangadi town. National Highway No.66 passes through Ramanattukara 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. The nearest airport is at Kozhikode. The nearest major railway station is at Parappanangadi.

The proposed Vallikunnu Municipality comprises:

• Vallikunnu panchayat
• Tenhipalam panchayat
• Chelembra panchayat

Total Area: 77.18 km²

Total Population (1991 Census): 108,792

• Chelari
• Tenhipalam
• Chelembra
• Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
• Chaliyar