Manjeri

Manjeri
—  town  —
Manjeri Location of Manjeri in Kerala and India
Coordinates	11°07′N 76°07′E / 11.12°N 76.12°E / 11.12; 76.12Coordinates: 11°07′N 76°07′E / 11.12°N 76.12°E / 11.12; 76.12
Country	India
State	Kerala
District(s)	Malappuram
Population	83,704 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 38 metres (125 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 676121 • Telephone • +0483 • Vehicle • KL10

Manjeri (Malayalam: മഞ്ചേരി) is a largest city and municipality in Malappuram District in the state of Kerala, India. It is the commercial capital of Malappuram District^{[citation needed]} and is 28 km from an international airport and 50 km from Kozhikode railway station.

Manjeri was a centre of Indian national movements. Anakkayam, 4 km from Manjeri, and Nellikuth, 6 km from Manjeri were major centres of Malabar Rebellion of 1921. Nellikuth is the birth place of Ali Musliyar, the rebel leader. Anti-British revolts tool place in 1790 in and around Manjeri.

Overview

Manjeri is the one of Kerala’s biggest municipalities. Manjeri Municipality is a local self-government institution with a jurisdiction of three villages, Manjeri, Payyanad and Narukara. It is the trade hub of Malappuram district and its industrial capital^{[citation needed]}. Most of the government institutions and many offices such as district court, General hospital^[1], district medical office are located at Manjeri.

Ali Musliyar Erikunnan who fought against the British rule was a native of Nellikkuth near Manjeri.

The eastern side of Manjeri town is a hilly area. FM station of All India Radio "College Kunnu" is a located on hill, where the N.S.S. College is also situated. Towards the south lie Vettekode and Pullancheri. Prominent schools such as Chinmaya Vidyalaya , and Noble Public School are located at Vettekode. The famous Kunnath Temple is on the way to Vettekode. Pullancheri is a beautiful place with hills, lush scenery, dam and Kadalundy River. This river starts from the eastern border of Malappuram district called Karuvarakundu and flows into the Arabian Sea.

Manjeri Municipality came into existence on April 1, 1978. MPM Ishaque Kurikkal was the first chairman. He was the youngest person to be elected as a municipal chairman in India. Manjeri is located 30 miles away from Kozhikode and is the headquarters of Ernad Taluk and is a Grade-II Municipality. Manjeri was a stronghold of the rebels during the Malabar rebellion of 1921 and hosted the Malabar District Political conference in 1920. The leaders of the movement Erikunnan Ali Musaliar and Variamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji belonged to Nellikkunnam in Manjeri.

The municipality covers an area of 53.06 km² and is divided into 39 electoral wards. The municipality has a total population of 69,334 with a population density of 1306 per km². The male population is 27,072 and the female population is 26,092. Pulpetta, Thrikkalangode, Pandikkadu, Anakkayam and Pookattur Panchayaths are situated adjacent to Manjeri Municipality.

Manjeri

Manjeri 12 km from Malappuram. The new municipal bus stand of Manjeri is located near the Pandikkad Road. There is no rail access to Manjeri, but it is well connected by road to Kozhikode, Nilambur, Tirur, Kottakkal and Perinthalmanna and is well accessible by bus.

Composed of hill slopes, flatlands and fields, Manjeri has rice, coconut, rubber, arecunut, tubercrops, plantain, green vegetables and cashew as the main crops. The major commercial and business sectors in Manjeri are the motor transport sector, beedi industries and matches manufacturing.

Manjeri has five colleges: the NSS College, Unity Women's College, HM College Alukkal, the Eranadu Taluk Co-perative Arts College. There is a vocational higher secondary school functioning in Manjeri.

There is a district hospital, five sub-centres, a TB centre , a Taluk Ayurvedic hospital at Mullampara, an Ayurvedic dispensery at Nellikutthu and a Homoeopathic taluk hospital in the municipality. In addition to these, there are other seven allopathic, eight ayurvedic and three homeopathic hospitals functioning in the private sector.

Politics

Manjeri assembly constituency was part of the Manjeri (Lok Sabha constituency).^[2]

Prior to the 2009 Lok Sabha Elections, this constituency was changed and shifted to the Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency, of which Manjeri assembly is now a part.

E Ahamed is the sitting Member of Parliament, and is the Union Minister of State, External Affairs. Notable politicians who had represented Manjeri in the past include Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait and C. H. Mohammed Koya.

The member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Manjeri is Adv. M Ummer. In the past, M.P.M. Ishaq Kurikkal had represented Manjeri for 22 years.

The Chairman of Manjeri Municipality is M.P.M. Ishaq Kurikkal, and the Deputy Chairmperson is Smt. E.K. Visalakshi. In the 2010 election UDF won the Municipality by 41/9.

Wards and present councillors

In ward number order, with councilor and party indicated:

1. Kidangazhi - Kanniyan Aboobacker (Indian Union Muslim League, IUML)
2. Erambra - Nafeesa Anas Manzil (IUML)
3. Pullur - Chirakkal Rajan (UDF)
4. Chettiyangadi - K.P. Asia (IUML)
5. Cherani - N.K. Umer (IUML)
6. Nelliparamba - Ismayil, a/s Kakkante Kunhappu (IUML)
7. Melakkam - Beena Joseph (UDF)
8. Chullakkad - Vilakkumadathil Zubaida (IUML)
9. Thadathikkuzhi - Poozhikkuth Abdurahman, a/s Avaru (Indian National Congress, INC)
10. Kozhikkottukunnu - Vadakkepatt Sudha Devi (Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPIM)
11. Punnakkuzhi - Vallanchira Mohammedali (IUML)
12. Mangalasseri - Perapurath Sabna (IUML)
13. Palakkulam - Nottithodi Zulaikha (INC)
14. Thanippara - M. Naseera (IUML)
15. College Kunnu - Cherumannil Asia (IUML)
16. Kizhakkethala - Karippali Ibrahim (IUML)
17. Vadakkangara - Marunnan Sajid Babu (LDF)
18. Payyanad - Marunnan Fathimna (IUML)
19. Elambra - M.P.M. Ishaq Kurikkal (IUML)
20. Athanikkal - Palottil Viswanadhan, a/s Kuttan (CPIM)
21. Thamarassery - Musthafa Kolleri (IUML)
22. Nellikkuth - P.P. Abdul Kabeer (IUML)
23. Nellikuth School - Fousina Mannakkampally (Rebel IUML)
24. Chalukulam - Kalathingalthodi Indira (CPIM)
25. Kizhakkekunnu - Mancheri Fazla (CPIM)
26. Pilakkal - K.P. Ayyoob (IUML)
27. Amayamkode - Puthukkolli Abdurahim (IUML)
28. Pullancheri - Sajida Aboobacker (IUML)
29. Vettecode - Lathika Jayaraj (INC)
30. Vellarangal - C. Sakkeena (UDF)
31. Vayapparappadi - T. Shobhana (INC)
32. Kovilakamkundu - Puthanmadam Ramani (CPIM)
33. Manjeri Town - Nandini Vijayakumar (INC)
34. Santhigram - Chinthuraja (CPIM)
35. Arukizhaya - E.K. Visalakshi (INC)
36. Ulladamkunnu - A.P. Abdul Majeed Master (IUML)
37. Mullampara - T.M. Abdul Nazar (IUML)
38. Vakkethodi - Vilakkumadathil Abdul Jaleel (IUML)
39. Thadathipparamba - Athimannil Abdurahman, a/s Bapputty (INC)
40. Vattappara - Mecheri Yashiq (IUML)
41. Puliyanthodi - Mannisseri Saleem (IUML)
42. Thurakkal - P.C Hafsath (IUML)
43. Pottammal - V.P. Firoz (INC)
44. Pattarkkulam - M.K. Muneer (IUML)
45. Mariyad - Zuhra Thekkethodi (IUML)
46. Veembur - Kuttikkadan Safoora (IUML)
47. Narukara - Adangampurath Sini (UDF)
48. Ambalappadi - Pandappilakkal Madana Mohini (CPIM)
49. Karuvambram - K.P. Ravunni (CPIM)
50. Ramankulam - A.M. Moideen (IUML)

Geography

Manjeri is located at 11°07′N 76°07′E / 11.12°N 76.12°E / 11.12; 76.12.^[3] It has an average elevation of 38 metres (124 feet). Nearby villages include:

Commercial capital

Manjeri is the commercial capital^{[citation needed]} and trade hub of Malappuram district. Government institutions and many offices of Malappuram district such as the district court, the General Hospital are situated at Manjeri.

Composed of hill slopes, flat lands and fields, Manjeri has rice, coconut, rubber, areaconut, tuber crops, plantain, green vegetables and cashew as the main crops. The major component of the commercial and business sector in Manjeri consists of the motor transport sector, beedi industries and matches manufacturing units and plastic water storage tanks factories.

There is a rubber-based industrial estate located in Payyanadu.

Places of interest

• Manjeri Town: Manjeri lies at the foothills of the Western Ghats nestled in between the Arabian Sea and the Nilgiris. And that’s what makes it such a lush, cool place. The humidity never crosses 72%. The headquarters of Ernad Taluk, a place rich in history, is a witness to the vicissitudes of the Malabar rebellion (Moplah Riots) and the independence struggle, Manjeri Chanda functions at Nellipparambu near Vijayadhara Auditorium on every Wednesday. Manjeri Daily Market is one of the important vegetable importing and exporting markets of Malabar and now an important administrative and commercial centre.

• Radio Station: The eastern side of Manjeri town is a hilly area. FM Station of All India Radio is at College Kunnu, which is a hill where the NSS College is situated.

• Dhoordarshan relay Station: The eastern side of Manjeri town is a hilly area. The Television Relay Station Dhoordarshan is at College Kunnu, which is a hill where the NSS College is situated.

• Vettekode: Also a hill area. Famous schools such as Chinmaya Vidyalaya and Noble Public School are located here.

• Pullancheri: Pullancheri is a beautiful place with hills, scenery, dam and Kadalundy River. This river starts from the eastern border of Malappuram district called Karuvarakkundu and flows into the Arabian Sea

• Anakkayam: 4 km from Manjeri, was an important centre of 1921 uprising, “Anakkayam Puzha” is the nearest river from Manjeri town.

• Nellikkuth: 6 km from Manjeri was also a centre of the 1921 Malabar Revolt and the birth place of independence fighter Nellikkuth Aali Musliyar.

• Pandallur Hills: A scenic hilltop with a beautiful dam and rocks near Manjeri town.

• Poonkudi Mana: Poonkudi Mana is situated 6 km from Manjeri towards Perinthalmanna. The Mana provides traditional method of treatment for mental ailments. It also conducts seminars on combining modern treatment and traditional techniques. The famous Poonkudi Thalapoli, a Hindu religious festival is conducted with pomp and splendor at this Mana.

• Pookkottur: The written history of Pookkottur, an agricultural village starts from 1900. Pookkottur which belonged to Nilamboor Kovilakam after Tippu’s invasion became a place of renown in 1921. The war between natives of Pookkottur and its supporters with British Army made Pookkottur very famous. It became the first place in British India where people directly battled with British Raj. During this period the landlord –tenant issue flared up and the spirit of independent movement spread among the people. The combined movement of Khilafat and Non co-operation led a number of people in to the path of independence struggle. This struggle against the British rule and the arrest of a large number of people made them more determined and spirited in fighting the then local administration.

• Pullara, located 5 km towards on Kozhikode road.
• Central Juma Masjid is one of oldest Juma Masjids in Manjeri. It is located at Pandikkad Road.
• Melakkam Juma Masjid: one of the oldest Juma Masjids in Manjeri.
• Narukara Madhura Devi Temple in Narukara is one of the oldest temples in Manjeri.
• Payyanadu Juma Masjid: an old and famous Juma Masjid.
• Pattarkulam: a 2000 year-old umbrella stone (kudakkallu)
• Melakkam Kalikavu Temple: an old and famous temple

Transport

Air

Calicut International Airport (Karipur), the nearest airport is a 30-minute drive away (23 km).

By Road

Manjeri is on the State Highway (Tirur-Malappuram-Gudallur) and is well-connected. Manjeri is the hub of the private sector bus industry in the district. There are two municipal bus terminals and the work on the third bus terminal project is in progress. There is a bus every two minutes plying between Manjeri and places such as Calicut, Malappuram, Tirur, Parappanangadi, Perinthalmanna, Pandikkad,Wandoor, and Nilamboor.

There is no exclusive KSRTC bus stand at Manjeri, even though there are KSRTC buses plying to and fro.

KSRTC buses from Manjeri operate to Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thrissur, Guruvayur, Ernakulam, Trivandrum, Thamarassery, Kalpetta, Manathavady & Sulthan Bathery. KSRTC Interstate buses to Gudalur, Ooty, Mysore and Bangalore are also in operation.

• Malappuram - 12 km
• Perinthalmanna - 26 km
• Kozhikode - 47 km
• Palakkad - 90k
• Kochi - 176 km
• Ooty - 126 km
• Nilambur - 20 km
• Calicut International Airport- 23 km
• Thiruvambady - 40 km.

By Train
* Angadippuram railway station is a 30-minute drive away
* Nilambur railway station is a 30-minute drive away by road

* Tirur railway station is 1:30 hours' drive away by road - this is the closest major railway station.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census^[4], Manjeri had a population of 83,704. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Manjeri has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 78%. In Manjeri, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Hospitals

• General Hospital, Manjeri (Malppuram District Reference Hospital)
• District TB Hospital, Cherani, Manjeri.
• Govt. Homeopathic Hospital, Payyanad, Manjeri.
• Korambayil Hospital,Manjeri.
• Malabar Hospital, Rajiv Ghandhi Road, Manjeri.
• Prashanthi Hi-Tech Hospital, Manjeri.
• Maanu Memorial Hospital, Melakkam, Manjeri.
• Manjeri [Eye Hospital, Manjeri.
• Manasneha Hospital, Muttipalam, Manjeri.

Important sectors

• District TB Hospital, Cherani, Manjeri.
• District Court
• Head Post Office
• FM Radio Station
• Dhoordarshan Relay Station
• BSNL SDCA Office
• PWD Divisional Office
• Industrial Estate
• Ernad Taluk Head Qurters

• NSS College,Manjeri.
• Unity Women's College, Narukara, Manjeri.
• H.M Academy of Arts & Commerce
• H.M Orphanage ITC Manjeri,
• H.M College of Science and Technology, Alukkal, Manjeri.
• Vocational Higher Secondary School, Manjeri
• Technical High School,Manjeri (First Technical School in the Malppuram Dt.)
• NSS English Medium Higher Secondary School, Manjeri
• HMY Higher Secondary School, Manjeri.
• Govt. Boys Higher Secondary School, Manjeri. (The First School in Malppuram Dt.)
• Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School, Manjeri
• Khadeeja English Medium School(KEMS)

See also

• Malappuram (Lok Sabha constituency)
• List of hospitals in Manjeri
• District Hospital, Manjeri

References

1. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_Hospital,_Manjeri
2. ^ "Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies". Kerala. Election Commission of India. http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S11/KL_Dist_PC_AC.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-19. 
3. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Manjeri
4. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 

^{[original research?]}