Ponnani
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| Ponnani | |
  Ponnani
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| State - District(s) |
Kerala - Malappuram |
| Coordinates | |
| Area - Elevation |
- 0 m |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population (2001) - Density |
87,356 - |
Ponnani is a coastal town and a municipality in Malappuram district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the smallest Taluk in Malappuram. This tiny, picturesque town is bounded by the Arabian sea on the west and is a popular Malabar coast. It is the only port in Malappuram district and one of the oldest ones in Kerala. This tidal port is at the mouth of Bharathapuzha, the longest river of Kerala. This place is an important fishing centre.
Ponnani has a population which is a blend of almost equal percentage of Hindus and Muslims and has set an example for tolerant and peaceful co-existence. Malik Ibn Dinar, the first Islamic missionary who came to Kerala, is believed to have visited Ponnani. William Logan, the historian, records in his Malabar manual about the Ponnani Juma’ Masjid built in 925 Hijrah. Ponnani was considered as the second capital of Malabar during the reign of Samoothiri and was the headquarters of Kunjali Marakkar, the naval army chief of Samoothiri.
Ponnani enjoyed a status as an important centre for education in the philosophy of Islam. In the early period, Ponnani was considered the Al Azhar University of Kerala, for its great religious schools and teachers. Ponnani was called the 'small Makkah' in south India, Malaya, Indonesia etc.
Ponnani is a name very much associated with the nationalist movements in the freedom struggle. A number of prominent leaders from this taluk had contributed in soul and spirit towards realizing the dream of Independent India. Ponnani has also contributed a great deal to the cultural and literary heritage of Kerala.
Ponnani is famous among Keralites for its mosques. It is also famed for its Hindu temples such as the Thirunavaya Temple located just outside Ponnani.
Ponnani has an important role in cultural history of Kerala. The illustrious novelists like Uroob (pseudonym of P.C.Kuttikrishnan), M.T.Vasudevan Nair, Kamala Surayya (Kamala Das)and the poets like Edasseri Govindan Nair etc. are from Ponnani taluk.The well-known painters like K.C.S.Panikkar, Namboothiri too are from here. Trikkavu in Ponnani was the summer capital of Samoothiries, the rulers of Malabar.
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[edit] Geography
Ponnani is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 0 metres (0 feet).
[edit] Administration
The two administrative systems prevailing in Ponnani taluk.
1) Revenue 2) Local self-government.
Under the revenue system, the taluk is divided into 11 villages. Ponnani taluk is constituted of the following villages.
Alankode, Edappal, Ezhuvathiruthy, Kalady,Maranchery, Nannam Mukku, Perumpadappu, Ponnani, Thavannur, Vattamkulam, and Veliyancode.
The local self-government system constitutes the Municipality and Block Panchayat. Ponnani Municipality has 50 wards. Each ward is represented by an elected member in the Municipal council.
Parliamentary constituency and assembly segments.
Ponnani is one among the 20 parliament constituencies of Kerala. The constituency is rural in character, with agriculture and fishing being the main forms of livelihood. The area boasts a few NRI pockets, wherein foreign remittances have created an aura of prosperity.
The Ponnani constituency comprises the assembly segments of Tirurangadi, Tanur, Tirur, Ponnani, Mankada, Kuttipuram and Perinthalmanna.
Between 1957 and 1977, when Ponnani was a reserved constituency, it was held by the Marxists. Once it was re-labeled a general constituency in 1977, the balance of power shifted to the IUML.
General Statistics ( Municipality as per 1991 Census)
Area 199.42 sq. Km
Population 320,888
Literacy 71.3%
[edit] Tourism
The tidal mouth of Bharathappuzha in Ponnani, where 'Bharathapuzha' and 'Tirur-PonnaiPuzha' join together to traverse into the Arbian sea, is a seasonal home to hundreds of migratory birds and this attracts a large number of bird watchers and ornithologists. If one crosses the ferry of Chamravattom in March-May period one cannot but miss the lovely chain of birds. Nearly 25 varieties of birds have been identified in this area. People have awareness in protecting these beautiful gift of nature. Hence clandestine hunters are prevented by them.
Another tourist attraction is 'Biyyam Kayal'. This placid, green fringed waterway has a watersports facility. Here a boat race is conducted annually, during Onam celebrations. A permanent pavilion is built for the spectators and nearly two dozen country boats, including some rowed by women, participate in the race. A big scheme is underway to develop a tourist complex here, with hotel, park and pedal boats. The rest house on the bank of the lake, with its amenities, welcomes the tourists for a comfortable and cozy stay.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Ponnani had a population of 87,356. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Ponnani has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 71%. In Ponnani, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] References
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