Welcome to the bustling and historic town of Manjeri, located in the beautiful state of Kerala in India. As the fourth-most populous municipality in the state, Manjeri has a rich and vibrant culture with a long and fascinating history. From pre-historic symbols and medieval periods to Indian independence movements, this town has seen it all. Today, it is a major commercial hub and serves as the headquarters of Eranad Taluk, while also being a popular tourist destination. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore the hidden treasures of Manjeri.
History:
Manjeri has a rich and varied history, with pre-historic symbols including Dolmens, Menhirs, and Rock-cut caves found in various parts of the town indicating human life in the region during the Stone Age. The region was under the control of Zamorins in the medieval period, and one of the five Sthanams defined in the Kingdom of Zamorins, the Etatralpadu, came to be known as Edattaranadu Nambiyathiri Thirumulpadu and used to reside in a palace near Manjeri. Manjeri Kovilakam was one of the seats of the ruling families of the Zamorins of Calicut. Manjeri was also once the headquarters and the military center of the Kingdom of Mysore under Tipu Sultan.
Under British rule, Manjeri served as the administrative headquarters of Eranad subdistrict, which was the largest subdistrict within the Malabar District. The region has been part of movements such as the Khilafat Movement and Malabar rebellion following the Manjeri conference. It was one of the strongholds of the Malabar Rebellion in 1921, and the Manjeri police station was destroyed by the rebels on 21 August 1921. After Indian independence in 1947, the region continued in the Malabar District until 1969, when it became a part of the newly formed Malappuram district.
Demographics:
The total population under municipality limits is 97,102 according to the 2011 census, with Malayalam being the widely spoken language in the town. Manjeri has been a multi-ethnic and multi-religious town since the early medieval period. The Muslims form the largest religious group, followed by Hindus and Christians. The municipality of Manjeri has an average literacy rate of 95.8%.
Geography:
Manjeri is located at 11.12°N 76.12°E and has an average elevation of 38 meters (124 feet) from sea level. It is situated 23 kilometers (14 mi) southeast to Karipur International Airport and 13 kilometers (8.1 mi) northeast to Malappuram, the district headquarters, and forms a part of Malappuram metropolitan area.
Civic Administration:
The town is administered by the Manjeri Municipality, which is a Local Self Government Institution with a jurisdiction of three villages namely Manjeri, Payyanad, and Narukara. For administrative purposes, the town is divided into 50 wards, from which the members of the municipal council are elected for five years. The municipality comes under the jurisdiction of Manjeri police station (formerly known as Eranad Police Station at the time of its formation), which was formed on 14 April 1879. The apex district court of Malappuram district is at Manjeri, and the judicial district is known as the Manjeri judicial district.
Important Institutions:
Manjeri is home to numerous important institutions, including educational and healthcare institutions. Some of the important institutions are N.S.S College, Manjeri, Government Medical College, Manjeri, Eranad Taluk Office, Manjeri, Government General Hospital, Manjeri, Malabar Hospital Manjeri, KMH Hospital Manjeri, and many more. The town is also home to important financial institutions such as Union Bank Of India, Canara Bank, Catholic Syrian Bank, Manjeri Co-operative Bank, and many more.
Sports:
The Malappuram District Sports Complex & Football Academy is situated at Payyanad, Manjeri, and the MDSC Stadium was selected as one of two stadiums, along with the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, to host the group stages of the 2013–14 Indian Federation Cup. The stadium hosted groups B and D.
Notable People:
Manjeri has been home to numerous famous people, including Freedom activist Ali Musliyar, footballer Arjun Jayaraj, politician T. K. Hamza, and actress Anikha, among many others.
So, whether you want to explore the rich history and culture of Manjeri or indulge in its delicious local cuisine, this town has something for every traveler. Book your tickets today and embark on a journey of a lifetime to the charming town of Manjeri, Kerala.