Thamarassery


Thamarassery, formerly known as Thazhmalachery, is a major town and bishopric in the Kozhikode district of Kerala, India, 30 km east of Kozhikode City and 29 km east of Koyilandy. It lies on the Calicut - Wayanad - Mysore route.

History

Thamarassery belonged to the Kingdom of Kottayam before India became independent. It has witnessed the departure of the British and the great march of Tipu Sultan. Kottayam Kings who died fighting the British were given part of the land of Thamarassery in the days before freedom. The tomb of Payyampally Chandu, who was a warrior under the Kottayam Raja, is located at the Thamarassery Kotayil Sree Bhagavathi Temple.
In 1936 the Thamarassery panchayat was formed, although a public health center had already been operating for some time prior. Attakoya Thangal was the first panchayat president, Hajara Kollarukkandi is the current President of the Thamarassery Panchayath.

Administration

Thamarassery constitutes a taluk within the Kozhikode district.

Location

The town of Thamarassery is strategically placed, being connected by road to four nearby towns, all of which are around 30 km from Thamarassery. Apart from the National Highway NH 766 Kozhikode -Bangalore, the Koyilandy - Nilambur State Highway also passes through Thamarassery. Nearby places include Omassery, Koduvally, Mukkam, Thiruvambady, Balussery, Engapuzha, Kodencheri.

Landmarks

Landmarks include the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Thamarassery, the Thamarassery Public Library, the Mini Civil Station, the Kadavoor Juma Masjid, the Mary Matha Cathedral Church and the New Bus Stand. Thamarassery also has Civil Courts, the office of the DYSP, the office of the Circle Inspector of Police, Taluk Hospital, Govt. Veterinary Hospital, the rural District Treasury, Head Post office, the BSNL divisional office, the office of the Forest Range, Excise Range office and the KSEB Major Section office. City Mall is the new shopping and entertainment centre which has a multiplex theatre also.

Religion

Its Mary Matha Cathedral is the episcopal see of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Thamarassery.

Economy

Thamarassery is an agricultural area, and a large portion of its population are farmers. Coconut and rubber are the major products. Kerala's first rubber estate, now in the hands of AV Thomas and Co., is located here.

Transportation

Thamarassery is well connected to its surrounding areas via roads, which reach from it to Kozhikode, Kalpetta, Koyilandy, and Mukkam. Bus service is also available regularly. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has a bus stand and depot at Thamarassery. All private buses operate from the New Bus Stand at Karadi nearby the KSRTC depot. The nearest airport, Calicut International Airport is 56 km away, while the Kozhikode Railway Station is 30km away.
The KSRTC bus service provides good connections to Kasargod, Kannur, Palakkad, Thrissur, Kottayam and Trivandrum. Several interstate bus services pass through Thamarassery, providing connections to Bengaluru, Mysuru, Ooty, Devala, Gundalpet and other places.

Tourism

Many tourist attractions are located nearby the town, like Thamarassery Churam, Thusharagiri Falls, Vayalada Viewpoint, Kakkayam Dam, Thonikadavu, Vanaparvam Biodiversity Park, etc..

In popular culture

The Thamarassery Churam, a scenic hill highway with several hairpin bends, became well known across the state due to repeated references to it by the actor Kuthiravattam Pappu in Vellanakalude Nadu.
Thamarassery is also the birthplace of the award-winning film director Hariharan who directed hits like Pazhassi Raja and Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha. The sports reporter VM Balachandran also hails from Thamarassery.
The guest house, the Chungam Check Post, the Public Hospital, and the weekly Chanda Market date back to the 19th century. The treasury, the police station, the Judicial Magistrate Court, the Public Library, the KSRTC Bus Depot, the Panchayat Bus Stands, banks, schools and the Mini Civil Station are located in the heart of the town.

Villages in Thamarassery Taluk

The position of the Thamarassery Taluk in Kozhikode district is given below:
There are 20 villages in Thamarassery Taluk :