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Introduction: -
The name of my birthplace is Thavanur,
which is in Malappuram district of KeralaState.
Thavanur is a Panchyath with all kinds of preliminary
facilities for a middleclass village man to stay with. It has primary health
centers run by government and private entrepreneurs, post offices, private
and co-operative banks, schools, an agricultural engineering college, some
small scale industries etc. There are many Hindu Temples
and Muslim Mosques all over the Panchayath.
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People of Thavanur are mostly employed in government
or private enterprises, still a lesser section engaged in agricultural activities.
Rice is the main short-term crop, but people are reluctant to cultivate
this due to the increased cost of production than the returns. Coconut and
ariknut serve as the long-term crop. Other than these crops plankton plantation
and vegetables are also produced. |
The main river system
present in the Panchayath is the Bharathapuhza
(Puzha or Nadhi- means river) or otherwise known as Nila
Nadhi. Other than this, there are some noted lakes and small canals.
During the summer season most of these water sources will be drained off
and in this season open wells and deep ponds are used for irrigation purposes.
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The opposite bank of river Bharathapuhza
is Thirunava Panchayath, which is another historically
important place. On the sand banks of Bharathapuhza, between Thirunava and
Thavanur Mamamgam was conducted during the
kingly periods of Zamorien. Mamamgam was a
war between the suicidal warriors of Zamorien and the Thiruvithamcore
king. |
| Thavanur was the place of activities of Shri
K.Kelappan (the word "Shri" is used to address a person like "Sir"
in English) who was one of the great freedom fighters
of India from Kerala. Under his leadership many people fought for India's
freedom. Kelappagi founded a branch of Sarvodhaya
Sangam at Thavanur and took initiatives to start a higher secondary
school. For keeping the memories of Kelappagi, the agricultural
engineering college, the higher secondary school, primary health center
etc. are named after him and a tall pillar is constructed with a bright
lamp atop as a symbol of the light who shown to the villagers. |
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Sarvodhaya Sangam
was founded by Mahathma Ghandhi , as part of
his call to boycott all foreign goods. The main activity of Sarvodhaya Sangam
is the production of cotton clothing through hand weaving. Cloths produced
out of these handlooms are called as Khader.
Presently the Sarvodhaya Sangam is diversified their activities into the
indigenous production of consumable items and in the field of handicrafts.
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| Thirunava is a holy place for the local Hindu
people due to the presence of the Siva Temple and the Bhrahma Temple at
Thavanur and the Vishnu Temple at Thirunava. All these temples are situated
on the riverbank at the near vicinity. Due to the presence of these temples,
believers comes in scores and take holy dip in the river and give rituals
to their dead ancestors. |
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Near Thavanur, other important places are
Ponnani, Kuttippuram,
Guruvayour etc. Ponnani is about 13 Km away from Thavanur. Ponnani
had an important seaport during the past, this has been now used as a fishing
harbor. Ponnani is a holy place for Muslims, where hundreds of Mosques can
be seen within the 13 Km radius. Many people visit Ponnani to convert to
become the followers of prophet Muhammad (Muslim believers). Guruvayour
is about 30 Km from Thavanur. The famous Lord Shrikrishna Temple is situated
at Guruvayour. Thousands of worshippers visit this place every day. Kuttippuram
is 6 Km from Thavanur, where Indian Railways established a railway station.
This station is a comparatively important one because Kuttippuram is the
transit point to Guruvayour and other places. "Shornour"
has a railway junction, which is about 35 Km from Thavanur. |
Access to Thavanur: -
Thavanur can be accessed through the National Highway
17. NH 17 connects Edapally (near Eranakulam) and Sholapur (near
Pune). Even though the NH passes through Thavanur, all the traffic goes
via Edappal due to comparatively broad and straight roads. |
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Persons who come by train can board down at Kuttippuram
railway station and take a bus, Auto-riksha
(a three wheeled vehicle more like a covered bike carrying three passengers),
taxi etc. to head for Thavanur. Kuttippuram station lies on the Mangalore-Shornour-Madras
route. |
| For an air passenger Calicut
(Kozhikode) is the nearest airport, which is about 40 Km from Thavanur.
From airport one can easily access Thavanur by road via Kuttippuram. Travelers
can also make use of the Nedumbasserry (Cochin)
airport, which is about 60 Km away from Thavanur.
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ME