Ponnani of
Malappuram District is one of the oldest ports in
Kerala. It is an important fishing center, located at the mouth of the
Bharathapuzha. Ponnani is associated with many political upheavals during the freedom struggle. Earlier, Ponnani enjoyed a status as an important center for education in the philosophy of Islam. About 50 mosques are present in this place of which the Human Ath mosque is the biggest. It was built by Sheikh Zainuddin Makhdoom in the 16th century.
The famous Mookkuthala Bhagavathi Temple is situated at a distance of about 10 km from Ponnani. It is one of the oldest Durga temples of Kerala. The main festival celebrated here is the Karthika Mahotsava. Other important pilgrimage spots found in the place are the Sukapuram temple and the Trikavu Durga temple. The backwater found near the place is the Biyyam Kayal, which is an ideal place for boat race.
The nearest airport is at Kozhikode,36 km away. The main railway station is at Kozhikode. Malappuram is linked by motorable roads to several towns within the state as well as to those in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
