Vattamkulam Explained

Vattamkulam
Settlement Type:town
Pushpin Map:India Kerala#India
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates:10.7833°N 76.025°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Kerala
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Malappuram
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Malayalam, English
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:679578
Area Code Type:Telephone code
Area Code:0494
Registration Plate:KL-10, KL-54
Blank1 Name Sec1:Nearest city
Blank1 Info Sec1:Edappal
Blank2 Name Sec1:Lok Sabha constituency
Blank2 Info Sec1:Ponnani

Vattamkulam is a village in Malappuram district of the Indian state of Kerala. Vattamkulam means "Round Pond".

Geography

Vattamkulam is located near Edappal. A village in the fertile valley of the Bharatapuzha/Nila River. Sukapuram is a nearby village. Many hills and mountains are nearby.

History

It was important as a marketing hub for areca nut (kooradakka) in the 1960s. In the 1970s, the once-sleepy village sent most of its able bodied men to the Persian Gulf countries. Almost every family sent one or more men to the Gulf. The name reportedly derives from the "valiya vattamkulam" (Big round pond) located at Chembazha Thazham.[1] The Panchayat was formed in 1962 covering 56 square kilometres and a population of 38,254.[1] Illams abound in this place and the historic Veda Gramam of Sukapuram is there.

Festivals and religion

The Dhakshina Moorthi Temple and Kulankara Devi Temple are situated in Sukapuram. Sukapuram is well known for vedhagramam and yagas.

Kulamkara pooram is a local festival. In 2009 December people came from as far away as Germany. A helicopter ride is offered.

Potturkavu makaram is known for Vanibham (trade festival) and Kaazhcha Varavukal by various villages. Eringikkal pattu mahotsavam is celebrated during Malayalam month Meenam. Bhagawati Pattu.

Kundurummal Masjid is centuries old and has tombstones dating to the British Raj. It has a Madrasa with dozens of students from across Kerala. Neeliyad juma masjid is there. The main Juma Masjid at Vattamkulam center is reputed to be over 150 years old. It has a Madrasa with dozens of students. Its head Ustad Abdul Vadood Nizami has a PhD which is rare among the Ulema.

Economy

The main agriculture activity is rice production, along with areca nut, pepper, banana, etc.

Landmarks

Culture

The Public library named Grameena Vayanashala holds gatherings and dialogues.

Transport

Vattamkulam connects to other parts of India through Kuttippuram town. National highway No.66 passes through Edappal and connects to Goa and Mumbai. The southern stretch connects to Cochin and Trivandrum. National Highway No.966 connects to Palakkad and Coimbatore. The nearest airport is at Kozhikode. The nearest major railway station is at Kuttippuram.

Notes and References

  1. Mathrubhoomi News paper 16th November 2020