Manjalur


Manjalur is a village with a lot of tradition in the district of Palakkad in Kerala, India. It belongs to the Thenkurissy panchayat. Remarked by the tradition and the popular folk ritual kanyarkali. Majalur Samudiri palace now demolished was the venue for holding Krishnattam kali. Manjalur was the only place in the world to hold this 10 day ballet of Krishnas life, with the exception of Guruvayur temple. Kaankku Veedu Family was the de facto ruler's of this area

Geography and religion

Land of some of the very old temples. The religious beliefs are pretty strong in this part of the area. The home goddess is 'Shree Chirathura Bhagavati'. The other main temples in the locality are Manjalur Ayyappan Kavu & Shree Dura Devi Kshethram. If people are to be believed, Nair/Menon Kings ruled this area and had a lot of wealth earlier. Another famous king of India plundered the wealth and the remains of the wealth are hidden in this are which is unexplored due to unknowing beliefs. Known for Mannalur Kummati and Mannalur Kanniyarkali The majority of natives/residents in the village are Hindus.

Economics

The income is mainly from agriculture and the cultivation namely paddy and coconut. The well known dynasty or the ancient orthodox family with great ancestry are the Kanakku Veedu, Nallur Tharavad, Vaniam parambathu Tharavadu, Thazhathu Veedu, Pallichirayath & Puliakkode. Late Shri K.P Padmanabha Menon and Late Shri K.P Bhaskara Menon were the important personalities who played a vital role in the development of Manjalur Desam. Late Shri K.P Padmanabha Menon was also the founder and promoter of the Manjalur Co-operative bank as well as the first post master & developer. They also played a vital role in taking the Kanayarkali' team to represent the state of Kerala' and took part in republic day parade.

Attractions

The major attractions of the village, apart from the temples, are the great 'Mananchira' a man-made freshwater pond built by the dynasty Samoothiri the feudal ruler of Kozhikode in around the 14th century. The Samoothiri Raja had a Kovilakam in the village of Manjalur. Manjalur is the only place to have the Manachira Pond after Kozhikode. The pond, being the pride of the villagers, is still being used by the natives and is well preserved.
'Kota Mala' is another attraction which is a small hill which is home to numerous peacocks, wild boars, hares, and golden jackal.
Kota Mala had the first ever windmill installed at the highest point in the district, the windmill having degenerated over time. Kotta Palla, is an area of green paddy fields. 'Sowparnika Garden', a flower garden in a coconut farm along with a wide variety of other cultivation like, vanilla, pepper, and a few medicinal plants and fruits, also hosts a place to witness the traditional way of coconut tapping and has a certified home-stay within.
Manjalur is the place where a Malayalam movies, Mazhayethum Munpe, was shot at a very old ancestral house 'Panikker Kunnath Veedu' alias which is about 150 year old.