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Vatakara is a small coastal town in Kozhikode district of Kerala, a southern state in India. It is the administrative centre of a municipal corporation of the same name.

Geographically, Vatakara is situated about 48 km to the north of Kozhikode city. The town lies by the side of a river known by different names as Moorad river, Kuttiadi river or Kotakkal river. Originally known as Vadakkekara (north shore) due to its position with respect to the Kottakkal puzha, the place came to be called as Vatakara by popular usage later.

History

Vatakara is the capital of old Kurumbranadu which was inhabited by a tribal folk known as Kurumbrar. The name Kurumbranadu has its origin in the name of this tribe.

Vadakara is known as the birth place of Thacholi Othenan, the legendary hero of the Vadakkanpattu (ballads of North Malabar). These ballads of oral tradition are considered to be of great literary and aesthetic value. Thacholi tharavadu (the original thacholi family home) is still preserved and the birth anniversary of thacholi othenan is celebrated. Lokanarkavu is one of the famous temples in this area. Also the temple for the memory of legend Thacholi Othenan is located at Vadakara. This temple is named as Thacholi Manikkothu Kavu temple.

In 1934 Mahatma Gandhi visited Vatakara as part of a fund raising trip to Malabar.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,Template:GR Vadakara had a population of 75,740. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Vadakara has an average literacy rate of 83%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 80%. In Vadakara, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Economy

Vadakara is a coastal town with fishing as one of its main commercial activities. The river mouth where Moorad river flows into the Arabian Sea is close to the town. Sand Banks, a sunset spot and a place of tourist interest is located at the river mouth.

Vadakara is a commercial focal point in Kozhikode district with all the amenities vital for a modern township. There are hospitals, colleges, schools, technical education centres, and recreation facilities. The martial art form Kalarippayattu had most popularity and largest number of exponents in Vatakara.

Transportation

• Railway Station- Vadakara Railway station.
• Nearest Airport- Calicut International Airport, approx. 80 km away.
• Road- Vadakara is well connected by road as the National Highway 17 passes through Vadakara town. NH 17 connects Vadakara to Calicut (Kozhikode) to the south (47 km) and to Mangalore to the North (202 km). Survey is under progress for a National Highway Connecting Vadakara to Bangalore through Nadapuram.

People

Most of the people are labours and farmers and some are goverment employees. A vast number of people are working in Gulf Countries. Majority of the population are Hindus. Muslims are also a major community. The largest political parties are CPM and Indian Union Muslim League.

Tourist Places

Birth Place of Kunjali Marakkar The Marakars were admirals of Zamorines, who valiantly resisted the Portuguese on the high seas. Kunhali Marakars built a fort on the southern bank of the Moorad river, which was subsequently completely destroyed by Portuguese with the help of Zamorins for various reasons. The place is known today as Kottakkal. It is 46 km. North of Kozhikode. A small hut that belonged to Kunhali Marakkar with collections of ancient swords, canon balls and knives can be seen here. Marakkar Bhavanam can be seen in the Photo Gallery.

Lokanarkavu Temple This is situated 5 km. from Vatakara. This temple is associated with the heroes and heroines of Vadakkanpattu. In the vicinity of the temple there are three rock-cut caves. The candid murals and carvings here are of great fascination to visitors. The main deity is Goddess Durga. The festival, locally called Pooram, is celebrated during March/April. The temple is 1500 years old. There are two temples adjacent to the Lokanarkavu with Vishnu and Shiva as deities. Buses run frequently from Kochi to Vatakara. From Vatakara there are frequent buses to Lokanarkavu. Lokanarkavu goddess is named as Lokanarkavilamma which was the dearest god of Thacholi Othenan a hero of Kadathanadu.

Velliyamkallu A massive rock, Velliyamkallu associated with the valiant Kunhali Marakkar is located 13&nbspkm. off Payyoli Beach. The rock though much dreaded by navigators was safe ground for the Marakar to attack the invading Portuguese. The fisher folk look at it with awe and fear. However, it is worth exploring to see the beautiful figures nature has engraved on it. It was on this rock that Marakars killed the whole crew of a ship belonging to the Portuguese.

Siddasramam Situated near the Payam Kuttimala, Siddasrama is a spiritual centre. Siddasramam has branches in Kerala as well as outside Kerala.

Sand banks Sandbanks is a famous beach which supplements the seaside beauty of Vatakara. This beach where Kottakkal puzha reaches the sea is a stunningly beautiful beach. There is a Bungalow of Birla opposite to the sandbanks beach. There are buses plying to the beach every five minutes from Vatakara.

Silent Beach South of sandbanks is silent beach.

Shivapuram Temple Located between Madapally College and Kannokkara on NH 17, Shivapuram is a failry old temple now under rennovation and construction. Please visit Shivapuram blog for more information.

Colleges

• Govt. Arts and Science College, Madapally (ESTD: 1964)
• Co-operative Engineering College, Vadakara
• Govt. College, Mokeri
• MES College, Villiappalli
• MET College, Kallachi
• SN College Vatakara

Schools

• Government Technical High School, Vatakara.
• BEM High School, Vatakara.
• Amrutha Public School, Vatakara
• Govt.higher secondary school, Vadakara, Puthoor (PO) (BTS)
• Emjay V H S S Villiappalli, Villiappalli.
• Perambra Higher Secondary School, Perambra.
• Kadathanad Rajas High School, Purameri.
• RNM High School, Narippatta.
• Memunda Higher Secondary School, Memunda.
• RAC Higher Secondary School, Katameri.
• Shanthi Niketan School, Thiruvalloor.
• Govt Higher Secondary School, Choorode.
• Vidya Prakash Public School, Thodannoor.
• Govt. Sanskrit Higher Secondary School, Puthiappa.
• Sree Narayana English High School, Vatakara.
• Rani Public School, Vatakara.
• Sree Gokulam Public School, Vatakara
• Islamic Academy English High School, Kottakkal.
• St. Anthony's Girls High School, Vatakara.
• Government Fisheries Higher Secondary School (boys & girls), Madappally.
• Manarul Ulum Madrassa High School, Thazhe Angadi
• Government Higher Secondary School,Orkkatery
• Maniyur Panchayath Higher Secondary School,Palayad Nada
• Govt. Higher Secondary School Orkkattery, Eramala.
• JNM higher Secondary School, Puthuppanam
• Karakkadu L.P School Nadapuram Road
• Athma Vidya Sangam L P School Madappally
• Govt H.S Madappally
• Avikkal Senior Basic School,Avikkal
• Technical High School, Badagara

• Misplaced Pages articles needing copy edit from April 2007
• Cities and towns in Kerala