Places of Worships

We can proudly proclaim that the poisonous seeds of social evil never flourished in this small land. Hindus, Muslims and Christians are living here in a pleasant friendly atmosphere. More than mere human relationships you can find a community loving each other, depending each other and raising the value of communal harmony and cultural heritage. Christians are recently inhabited but Hindus and Muslims are integrated in most of the places. There are two main churches at this village; one at Kovvappuram and the other known as Capuchin Church at Edat. There are several mosques but the important one is the Jamayeth Mosque. A Hindu Nair family was involved in building up this mosque and a Muslim family was involved in the “utsav” of “Muchilottu Bhagavathi” which clearly shows the Communal harmony and cultural heritage of this village. Angadi and Koyappara are the most Muslim populated areas.

Also several Hindu temples are situated in this village. The “Vishu Vilakku Mahotsav” at “Mallyotte Palotte Kavu” is one of the popular celebrations where thousands of people get together in all the five days. There are also outstanding festivals at “Aneekkara Poomala Bhagavathi” temple in Thekkumbadu, Veerachamundeswari temple, Trippanikkara temple (built by Parasurama), “Kannangattu” in Edat, “Vadakkan Kovval” temple, “Vettakkorumakan” Temple, “Aalin Kottam” , etc..

The “Makkam” theyyam is performed at the Kadangotte tharavadu in Kunhimangalam every year. To see this auspicious ritual art where metaphysical thoughts and expressions of immortal souls of Kadangotte Makkam and her children are impersonated, thousands of people gather together from the districts of Kasaragod and Kannur. The lifestyle, customs and other traditions of this place before three centuries are clearly explained in the literature (thottam pattu) of Kadangot Makkam Theyyam.

“Poorakali” is conducted at “Aniyikkara Bhagawati” temple every year. Poorakali is a traditional art form performed during ‘Pooram’ season (in the malayalam month of Meenam) by group of people chanting the holy verses from ‘Ramayana’ or ‘Bhagawata’. The beauty of the art is that there are no special singers or orchestra accompanying the performance. The dancers themselves sing and keep rhythm by movements of the foot and clapping of hands.

‘Marathukali’, a sort of competition also forms part of Poorakali. This includes scholarly debates on grammar, literature and mythology. Marathukali is lead by two Panikkars (eminent poorakali artists) who are well-versed in mythology, grammar and literature.

Also the famous folk-dance “Kolkali” is performed at Vettakkorumakan Kottam every year.

Near the highway in Edanad, the Umamaheswara temple is being built-up spending lakhs of rupees and with the cooperation of all the natives. We can see the remains of many old temples which were dented due to ageing. Also we can see the remains of a temple near the highway at Edanad which had aesthetically carved doors and domes made of stones. Most of the temples do have yearly celebrations but Kannangattu Bhagavathi temple has its celebrations once in two years only. There are numerous temples of Sree Muthappan, the deity of the common man.

Libraries

The reading rooms and libraries are the light pole which throws lights on the shadow concealed narrow footpaths of the rural areas. The V.R. Nayanar Memorial Library & Reading

Room established in the year 1952 is the oldest and biggest of the libraries in Kunhimangalam. The inhabitants of Kunhimangalam make use of this library, which has hundreds of valuable books. There are numerous big and small libraries, which plays a considerable roll in building up wide range of readers to improve their vibrant tastes. To name a few are Thamban Vaidyar Memorial Library in Thekkumbad [Photo left], Thalayi Krishnappilla Smaraka Vayanasala, Red Star Library & Reading Room in Moosarikkovval, Kumar Library & Reading Room in Malliyot, Souhrida in Kovvappuram, Tisk in Koyappara, Kizhakkani Red Star, A.K.G. Memorial in Parambath, Mahatma in Edat.

Sports

Kunhimangalam is not at all behind in sports. The widely accepted sport is football. There are several leading football players who played in district level. If there is enough encouragement and high-quality training given to our school athletes who makes good performance in the school meets and other athletic events, it is quite sure that Kunhimangalam can proudly contribute several best athletes for the state of Kerala. Football, Volleyball, Shuttle, Kabadi are some of the other most popular games of Kunhimangalam.

Thamban Vaidyer (1913 - 1970)

The history of Kunhimanglam is closely associated with the well known Communist, poet and painter Thamban Vaidyer.

An instant poet, as he was well known, one day invited a saint for lunch who reached Vaidyer's residence. The only son of his parents, Kattoor Kannan, and Kanayi Pateniyil Manikkam was born with god gifted knowledge, courage and charisma. He had lost his mother just after 90 days of his birth was brought up by his maternal brother Pateniyil kannan.Thampan Vaidyer was a personality with numerous qualities found rarely in any other individual. Besides, being a poet, magician, a talented artiste of "kalari payattu" (martial arts), he was an enthusiastic researcher. As a speaker , a fighter for the common cause, and as a social worker he had no comparison. He was the soul and shrewd captain of the communist movement during 1950's in Kunhimangalam who nurtured the "Karshaka Sangham" in its early age. This versatile genius, Kunhimangalam ever witnessed died in April 6th 1970.

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VR Nayanar, who is remembers for his remarkable service offered to the Cholera epidemic victims of 1944. His area of service was not limited in Kunhimangalam but spread all over the Malabar.

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