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2025-05-19T14:40:09Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kunhimangalam
| settlement_type = [[Census Town]]
| image_skyline = File:Village Junction, Kunhimangalam (4471658593).jpg
| image_caption = Kunhimangalam Junction
| pushpin_map = India Kerala#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|12|3|10|N|75|14|20|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kannur district|Kannur]]
| established_title =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Panchayati raj (India)]]
| governing_body = Kunhimangalam Grama Panchayat
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 15.34
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 18,965
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], English
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 670309
| registration_plate = KL-86
| website =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Kunhimangalam''' is a [[census town]] situated in the northern coastal part of [[Kannur District]] in [[Kerala]] state on the outskirt of [[Payyanur]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kunhimangalam - heritage village near Payyanur in Kannur|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/kunhimangalam-village-payyanur/532|access-date=2021-06-25|website=Kerala Tourism|language=en}}</ref> The population in 2011 was around 19,000 including Hindus, Christians and Muslim residents. The village lies in an agricultural region.

==History==
The local myth of the origin of Kunhimangalam is that a [[Namboodiri]] family known as "Kunhaangalam Taravadu" were the village leaders. They ruled the village in an acceptable manner but over the time the family line ended, there was only a mother and son left. One day, the mother and son went to the [[Kaveri]] river to pray for their deceased relatives. On their way back to the village, they saw from the Gadikuzhi hills some soldiers of [[Chirakkal, Kannur|the ruler of Chirakkal]] town taking Kunhimangalam. The mother and son ended their life in [[self-immolation|fire]]. The mother emerged as the Goddess "Veerachamundi"<ref>Kumar S. [https://books.google.com/books?id=tvOpCgAAQBAJ&dq=kunhimangalam&pg=PT244 ''The Gods, Demons and People of Kunhimangalam''] Leadstart Publishing 2015. {{ISBN|9352013808}}, 9789352013807 Accessed 25 June 2017.</ref> and the son as the God "Veeran". The local people built a temple, the "Kunhimangalam Molom" at the site of the "[[tharavad]]" (ancestral home).

Furthermore, some recent myths say that a ruler wanted to hide his ornaments while being chased by enemies. He arrived at this location and discovered an ideal spot to hide his ornaments. He concealed his ornaments in a small mud pot known as "Kunji Man Kalam". Over the years, "Kunji Man Kalam" evolved into "Kunhimangalam," which is sometimes pronounced as "Kunjongalam" when spoken quickly, although that pronunciation is incorrect.

An early ruler in the area of Kunhimangalam was Ezhimannan of [[Ezhimala]]. In [[Sangam literature]], the area was called "Ezhil Malai" meaning "high hillock". Other terms have included "Elimala", "Mooshika Sailam", "Sapta Sailam", "Mount Eli" and "Mount the Eli".

From the 6th century CE to the 11th century CE, Kunhimangalam lay in the lands of the [[Mushika Kingdom]]. Those were the years of economic stability. The Ezhimala port came into existence. The Ezhimala hills were known for their rare medicinal herbs that had with [[mythological]] significance. Some say the mythogical [[Sanjeevani (plant)]] herb is found here. According to mythological stories, it is believed that Lord [[Hanuman]] had passed over here while carrying the mountain with sanjeevani for Rama and Lakshmana at [[Lanka]], a chunk fell there. The chunk separated into seven parts and fell. Thus formed seven hills or [[Ezhimala (hill, Kannur)|Ezhimala]] Carved stone pillars, prehistoric stone forms, burial chambers, caves and granite platforms are visible at the foot of the hills. Sailors came to Ezhimala for the beach and views from the hills. A [[lighthouse]] was built at nearby Mount Dili.

The western approach to Kunhimangalam is called "Changoorichal" after a Chinese ship, the ''Changu'' which visited the area in the 12th century CE. The 13th century CE merchant traveler, [[Marco Polo]] (1254 - 1324) recorded the place name "Ezhimala".

In 1962, the village of Kunhimangalam was granted its own [[panchayat raj|panchayat]] (local council). The council met in a rented building in Theru. The first council chairman was U. Kunhiraman who held office for twenty-four years. administered the panchayat for more than 24 years. A recent council chairman is M. Kunhiraman.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kunhimangalam.com|url=https://kunhimangalam.com/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=kunhimangalam.com}}</ref>

==Location==
Kunhimangalam is located in the northern part of Kerala state on the south-eastern outskirts of [[Payyanur]]. The village lies on the south shore of the [[Perumba River]]. The village lies on [[National Highway 66 (India)|National Highway 66]] The village's railway station is the [[Ezhimala|Ezhimala station]]. The nearest cities to Kunhimangalam are [[payyannur]] (8 km) [[Mangalore]] (114 km) and [[Kannur]] (31 km).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://indiarailinfo.com/search/maq-mangalore-central-to-malliyottu-palottu-kavu-kunhimangalam/1470/269410 |title=Mangalore to Malliyottu Palottu Kavu, Kunhimangalam |access-date=8 October 2017 |publisher=India Rail Info}}</ref>

==Demographics==
As of [[2011 Census of India|2011 Census]], Kunhimangalam had population of 18,965, of which 8,438 (44.5%) are males and 10,527 (55.5%) are females. Kunhimangalam [[census town]] has an area of {{convert|15.34|km2}} with 2,606 families residing in it. The sex ratio was 1,248 females to 1,000 males which is higher than state average of 1,084. 10.37% of the population were children under six years. Kunhimangalam had overall literacy of 94.4% higher than state average of 94%. The male literacy stands at 97.3% and female literacy was 92%.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kerala |first1=Directorate of Census Operations |title=District Census Handbook, Kannur |publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala |location=Thiruvananthapuram |page=186,187 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/3202_PART_B_KANNUR.pdf |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref>

==Religion==
[[File:Aneekkara temple.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Aneekkara Temple, Kunhimangalam]]
[[File:Palott Kavu, Kunhimangalam (4601223552).jpg|thumb|200px|right|Malliyot Palott Kavu]]
As of 2011 Indian census, Kunhimangalam census town had total population of 18,965, of which 14,874 (78.4%) are Hindus, 3,726 (19.6%) are Muslims, 335 (1.8%) are Christians and 0.16% others.<ref name=census2011>{{cite web |title=Religion – Kerala, Districts and Sub-districts |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW32C-01%20MDDS.XLS |work=Census of India 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General}}</ref>

Kunhimangalam is home to [[Hindus]], [[Muslims]] and [[Christians]]. There are two main churches in the village, at Kovvappuram and the Capuchin Church at Edat. The main mosque is the Jamayeth Mosque. The two main Hindu temples is the Veerachamundeshwari temple and Malliyot Palot Kavu. There are also temples such as [[Sree Muthappan]], the deity of the common man, Sree Trippanikkara Shiva Kshetra and the [[Aneekkara Poomala Bhagavathi Temple]].

==Temples==
*Anikara
*Ayyankoolam
*Veerachamundeshwari(Moloth) temple
*sree malliyotte pallottu kavu
*Kadamkot Makkam bagavathi temple

==Economy==
The village is the centre of a fertile [[agriculture|agricultural region]]. There are [[paddy fields]], [[coconut trees]], [[cashew nut]] trees and [[areca nuts]] plants. Other sources of employment are [[Beedi]]-[[cigar]] works, [[weaving]], earthen ware pottery (at Koyappara). Clothes are made at [[Saliya]] theru (weavers' market), and [[Bronze|bronze vessels]] such as lamps and [[sculpture]]s at Moosarikkovval.<ref>Logan W. [https://www.google.com.au/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=t4RPWbzCIeHc8weJ2aeoBg&gws_rd=ssl#q=saliya&spf=1498383542850 ''Malabar Manual''] Asian Educational Services, 1887. {{ISBN|8120604466}}, 9788120604469 Accessed 25 June 2017.</ref> The Moosharies (Bronzesmiths) make excellent art ware from bronze. Fish are caught in the Pullankode river.

==Education==
[[File:Gopal UP School.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Gopal School, Kunhimangalam]]
Kunhimangalam has seen changes in education related to the [[Indian nationalism|Indian nationalist movement]] and the [[Green Revolution in India|Indian agricultural movement]]. In 2011, at the Indian census, the rate of literacy in the village was 94.39 percent. The rate in women was 92.09 percent.<ref name="census">[http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/627220-kunhimangalam-kerala.html Kunhimangalam] Census 2011. Accessed 25 June 2017</ref>

The schools in the village include:
* Government Lower Primary School. The first school in Kunhimangalam
* GHSS KUNHIMANGALAM
* Edanad West Lower Primary School
* Edanad Upper Primary School
* Gopal Upper Primary School
* [[Kendriya Vidyalaya]]

==See also==
* [[Payyannur]]
* [[Valiyaparamba]] Backwaters 15 km from Payyanur
* [[Peringome]] 20 km from Payyanur
* [[Ezhimala]] 12 km from Payyanur Town
* [[Kavvayi|Kavvayi Island]] 3 km from Payyanur
* [[Ramanthali]] 7 km from Payyanur
* [[Karivellur]] 10 km from Payyanur
* [[Trikarpur]] 6 km from Payyanur

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Kannur district}}

[[Category:Villages near Payyanur]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Kannur district]]

Kunhimangalam - Revision history

imported>Schtiapht at 14:40, 19 May 2025