Chennara

Chennara is a village in Mangalam grama panchayath of Malappuram district in Kerala. Chennara is well known for the birthplace of Vallathol Narayana Menon, legendary Malayalam poet who lived in the late 19th and early 20th century. Vallathol’s birth place is still preserved here by Government of Kerala. Chennara which lies on Alathiyur – Purathur road near Mangalam town.

Chennara is situated on the shore of Tirur river which separates Mangalam panchayath into two parts, eastern Mangalam and Western Mangalam. Western Mangalam is Koottayi coastal area which is in western side of Mangalam Thuruth. Panchayath office and village office are situated on the eastern Mangalam and higher secondary school and primary health centre are in western part of Mangalam. Koottayikadavu bridge and a hanging bridge near Chennara connect both sides of panchayath.

Magalam hanging bridge is a local tourism destination as well as a bridge where tourists can hang out with families and kids. It is a bridge over Tirur river and i
offers stunning view of calm surroundings and slow flowing river. River here is too wide as it is only seven kilometres away from Tirur river merges with Bharatapuzha to join Arabian Sea.

Puzhayoram Poomkavanam

In 2020, Mangalam panchayath has decided to establish Puzhyoram Poomkavanam project to hounor Mahakavi Vallathol in his native place. The location of the project was chosen in Perunthiruthi near hanging bridge on the shore of Tirur river. An open library, Amphi theatre, Kavitha sthoopam, decorative lights and park benches are planned to construct here.