Malom

Malom,മാലോം Maloth
Hill Town
Malom,മാലോം Location of Malom Town in Kerala, India
Coordinates: 12°22′0″N 75°21′0″E / 12.36667°N 75.35000°E / 12.36667; 75.35000Coordinates: 12°22′0″N 75°21′0″E / 12.36667°N 75.35000°E / 12.36667; 75.35000
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Kasaragod
Languages
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	671533
Telephone code	0467 2247---,0467 2248---
Vehicle registration	KL-60-
Nearest city	Kannur,Mangalore
Nearest Airport	Mangalore International Airport (Bajpe Airport),Kannur Airport(Under Construction)
Website	www.malom.in
Malom, an attractive location between Malabar & coorg

Malom (Malayalam: മാലോം) ) also Known as Maloth is a Cool green Village town located in the valley of Western Ghats (Coorg hills) in Kasaragod district of Kerala, India. And it is known as “The coorg of kerala” because of its cool climate and location adjacent to the coorg. Malom town, A small town in this area is the commercial center of Maloth village and nearby areas which is located on the proposed Hill Highway (Kerala)(SH 59) that passes through mountain ranges in Western Ghats of kerala. Malom is situated in the Balal Panchayath. It is included in the Kasaragod Parliament constituency and in the Kanhangad assembly constituency. Malom is a border area of Kerala and an entrance to the Thick evergreen forest of coorg district in Karnataka State. Main streets in malom town are Kolumkal junction, Mandalam Kavala, Vallikadavu, and Sanjose junctions. Being a hillside area in western Ghats Malom also has many tourist spots or attractive locations and resorts. One can hire Tourist taxis from malom town to visit these nearby locations.

History and culture

The name Malom originated from "Mahalokam" - known as "Great country". Malom is the Cultural Capital of Hillside Areas in Kasaragod district. Malom village is located between two world famous hill stations in India; Ranipuram and Kottanchery. Malom is also known for its cultural heritage, as being referred to in the history of many temples and taravadus in Kasaragod district. A Muslim theyyam (known as "Mukri-Poker") along with other theyyams are practiced in Malom kuloom temple and other templs. Malom is also an early Christian (especially Roman Catholic Syrian Christian) migrated area in Kasaragod district itself and have a number of Roman Catholic Syrian churches.

Ancient Stone Scripts

Recently Some of ancient stone scripts are founded from the maruthom hills of malom. This stone scripts conform that the existence of people in BC 300.Archaeologists thought that the place was on the ancient spice way between Mysore and the costal areas of north malabar.

Migration from the South

The famine after World War II incited a large-scale migration of Roman Catholic Syrian Christians (Saint Thomas Christians, also called Nasrani) from Central-South Kerala to this area. The migration continued well into the 1970s and 80s. A vast majority of these migrants are from Pala and Kottayam who had a completely different social and agricultural background. These people brought new agricultural practices to this area. They introduced cash crops like rubber and daily staples like tapioca to the region. The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church gave significant support to this migration by providing churches, discipline, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure. Malom is one of the end points of Syrian Christians migration to North Malabar

The migrants also brought a new attitude to the region, one that challenged the established Janmi-Kudian feudal system. The immigrants bought large tracts of land outright from the Janmies and putdown permanent crops heralding an era of prosperity for the area. The immigrants, despite their cultural and social difference, soon became an integral part of social fabric.

Climate

The Evergreen forest covering regions and Green Estates creates a cold climate in the region.malom is also lies adjacent to coorg. The year is divided into four seasons; cold weather (December to February) hot weather (March to May) South West monsoon (June to September) and North East monsoon (October to November). Malom has a high amount of rainfall because of its large forest area including kerala-karnataka reserve forest, rain forest near konnakkad, Malom Wildlife Sauntuary, and The Ranipuram-Kottencheri Belt. The average annual rainfall of Malom and Nearby places is more than 300 cm.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Malom (Maloth Village Of Balal Panchayath) had a population of 14,727 with 7,351 males and 7,376 females.

Commerce

Malom Town is the commercial center of the Maloth village and Balal Panchayath, Malom is primarily a trading town. The Malom town is located in the lap of several adjoining hilly human habitations. The majority of those who resides here are farmers, agricultural laborers and petty traders. Puncha, eleri, Konnakkad, Karuvankayam, Chully, Pullody, Maruthom, Padayankallu, parambha are the surrounding areas or sub-villages. All these rural places are connected with rural roads. Malom is one of the major Hillside town of the Kasaragod district with nearby villages which produce cash crops and plantation crops. Malom is famous for its cash crops such as areca nut, Rubber and Cashew nuts, some of which are sold under regional brands in various auction houses and commodities markets. The farmers and the merchants have to reach Malom Town to buy provisions and to sell their agricultural products.

Education

Government Higher Secondary School Maloth Kasba is the higher Secondary School In Malom. The school is situated in Vallikkadavu area of Malom Town. It has the largest number of students in Kasaragod district. Besides GHSS Maloth Kasba there is the St Savio English Medium School, very near to the St George church Malom. Students generally prefer E K Nayanar Memmorial Government college Elerithattu, St. Pius X College, Rajapuram and Nehru Arts and Science College Kanhangad for their higher studies. A large number of students from these area go out to nearby cities such as Manglore, Mysore for school. Students also go out to Banglore, Cochin, cheenai etc. as a part of pursuing some new generation courses.

Famous Personalities From Malom

Mar Jose Porunnedom - Bishop of Mananthavady Diocese
Shermi Ulahannan - Member in the Indian kabadi Team (Gold Medal Winners of the Asian Games 2010)

Tourism

Presently tourism is a growing sector in malom,The cool climate and attractive hills with seasonal waterfalls makes it a perfect holiday spot for travelers. Trucking through dense forest and snow fold hills make mind cool.Main attraction includes Kottancheri hills,Theanvarikallu Falls,Ancient scripts founded at Maruthom hills,Everygreen Reserve forests etc.

Malom Wildlife Sanctuary (5 km2)

Maruthom Forest,Malom

Malom Wildlife Sanctuary of the Kanhagad region is popular among tourists for its tropical rainforest and many wild animals. The sanctuary is home to animals like wild pig, slender loris, rhesus monkey, flying squirrel and porcupine. The Malabar hornbill, peacock and grey-hornbill can also be seen in the sanctuary. Encroachment, hunting in night, illicite tree felling and granite mining are the main threats. It is 35 km away east of Kanhangad in Balal-Kallar panchayaths and 5 km away from malom town center. Flora': Evergreen monsoon forest, shola, orchids, medicinal plants, grass lands etc. Mammals: about 24 species mainly elephants, wild bison, leopard, wild dogs, mongoose, pangolin, jungle cats, malabar giant squirrels, flying squirrels, fox, porcupine, bonnet macaques, langur, Leopard cats, deer, wild boar, slender loris, hares, squirrels, bats etc. Birds: About 200 species mainly great Indian horn bill, paradise flying catcher, green barbet, peacock, trogon, wood pigeon, malabar grey horn bill, white bellied tree pie, heart spotted wood pecker etc.. Reptiles: King cobra, kraits, viper, rat snakes, Indian cobras, green whip snakes, monitor lizards etc. Amphibians: About 19 species, Thousands of insects and spiders About 100 species of butterflies including sword tail, forest nymph, malabar bird wing etc.

Kottancheri hills

The Kottancherry hills, about 50 km from Kanhangad,12 km from Malom town is a great place for trekking. It includes a picnic centre and is ideal for trekking. Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri mountain range of Kodagu is nearby, and This idyllic spot lies adjacent to the Tala Cauvery . It is a hilly terrain and is part of the rain forests of the village of Konnakkad in malom, which borders Coorg district in Karnataka.At Vazhathattu, the base of the trekking trail, one can see the tarred road that ends in a dirt track that winds all the way up to the peak of the hills.The Kottancherry forests are an extension of the Ranipuram forests and are teeming with wildlife. A trek to the region will offer opportunities to watch wild elephants, wild dogs, deer, wild boar, rare birds and butterflies

Sacred Groves (Kaavukal)

Sacred Groves or "Kaavukal" are miniature forms of forest or a cross section of small green forest where containing rare species small bushes and old trees. Kaavu has medicinal plants, orchids, climbers, creepers etc. Kaavu has a significant place in Malom myths. Kaavu's are places of worship of local deities and snakes in Kerala. To disrespect and ignore kaavu was considered as a great sin. Several rituals were performed in olden days in these groves. In the shadow of these divine performances the ancient people directly or indirectly preserved these Kaavus with most sanctity. Malom has many temples and kaavus. The main temples and kaavus in Malom are adukalakunnu, cheerkayam, nattakkal and parambha. The main road to malom passes through nattakkal kaavu.

Monsoon Streams

Palakolli waterfall

Malom is also the land of small streams. A high amount of rain is available here in monsoon which lead to form a number of streams from the hilly areas with high current in the rainy season. As an area in western ghats these streams originate from thick forests in mountains and flows down with a high force between big rocks and pebbles which forms bubbles and looks white in colour. In some places these streams forms small waterfalls. Farmers use water from these streams for cultivation of vegetables and fruits in months from July to January. A very small river known as "neelipuzha" flows through the outskirts of Malom, which is formed by the confluence of several small streams from the high mountains. This small river originates from the hilly area of Malom and drains into River Chythravahini which joins to River thejaswini afterwards. In rainy season the river and streams will overflow and water may rise up over the low bridges like njanikadavu, darkas and some small wooden bridges made for walking. This overflow of water and other rain hazards like landslides may block roads and traffic in some rural areas of Malom like valiyapuncha, mayikkayam, padayamkallu etc. but in summer the river and these streams may almost dry up. In olden days the water from neelipuzha was used to irrigate rice fields in malom and nearby places. Today there are a number of check-dams, bridges over this river.

Theanvarikallu falls

Theanvarikallu Water falls is a waterfall located at forest in puncha near Malom. It is a very beautiful waterfall.

Maruthom Tattu

Maruthom known as 'Maruthom tattu' is an attractive hilly area in Malom located in Kasaragod district. It is just 6 km away from Malom town.The major attractions are Maruthom hills,Pulipara, Neelambari Resorts & spa, Malom wildlife sanctuary etc. The Palakolli waterfalls and many other waterfalls formed by rainy streams are located here. The place is also known for its biodiversity. One can also see the Ranipuram hills from this place. In the rainy season the forest roads in maruthom is covered with white mist and snow.Nestling in the spice hills and quiet estates, Neelambari Resorts maruthom is set in 110 acres with spectacular views of surrounding natural forests, mountains and valleys.

Green Villages

Malom is also the land of green villages. The hilly villages like Konnakkad,Puncha,Darkas,Parambha, Maruthom, Pullody,Chully etc. are located outskirts of malom town.

Other tourist sports near Malom

Ranipuram Hill Station

Ranipuram is a tourist spot 15 km away from Malom famous for its trekking trails and varied vegetation. Evergreen Shola woods, monsoon forests and grasslands. The place was formerly known as Madathumala. This is an unexplored territory for the nature enthusiast and birdwatcher. Butterflies are in abundance and birds of the evergreen biotope like the black eagle, crested serpent eagle and little spider hunter common. Elephants pay visits in the summer months and leopards have been sighted. This palace is located in Panathady (85 km from Kasaragod town)Situated 750 m above sea level, The extensive forests of ranipuram merge with the forests of Karnataka. Ranipuram in its natural beauty is comparable to Ooty. Wild elephants can be seen wandering on the mountains. Jeep services to Ranipuram are readily available from Panathady, which is linked to Kanhangad by frequent bus services.

Attractions Nearby

Tourist destinations in kasaragod district like Bekal fort, pallikara beach, nalandha resorts at Nileshwar, kammadam kavu etc. are located around 50 km of Malom. Maloth village also shares its border with Karnataka state and many of the tourist sports in Karnataka like Talacauvery, Coorg, Pushpagiri reserve, etc., are also very close to Malom.

Shopping

Malom Town is one of the shopping center hillside areas in Balal Panchayath.The town is now growing as one of the main trade hub between panathur and chittarikkal. One can Buy forest products like honey,bamboo items which are not available in big cities.Also you can purchase fancy products and other hill spices too.

Transportation

Presently KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) And Private Operates are running Super Class Services through Malom to various destinations like Kottayam (Konnakkad-Kottayam Super Fast), and Kumily (Konnakkad-Kumily) Limited Stop Fast Passenger Along with Private Night Service Buses Like Shajees (Konnakkad-Mundakkayam), Holy Family (konnakkad- kumily etc. Mean While in the day time Buse are available to Places Like Kanhangad, Kasargod, Nileswar, Cherupuzha, payyannur etc.... Jeep Service operated by malom taxi drivers to Kolichal To get easy access to Panathur -Kanhangad route and to Maruthom Thattu.

How to reach

Being a hillside town, road transportation is the only mode of transportation available here, since the town has no air and rail links. Malom has a very good road connectivity with other towns in Kerala and Karnataka. The major road is the proposed Hill Highway (Kerala) which is connected to Kanhangad-Panathur State highway and Cherupuzha-Payyannur SH, other roads ares Malom-Konnakkad-Coorg road (proposed), Malom-Nileshwar-Kanhangad Road, etc.