Thamarassery

Situated snugly near the towering hills and vrrdant forests of Western Ghat mountains of Kerala, a picturesque town that seems to have sprung from the very essence of nature itself. Wayanad Ghat, a famous tourism destination and road passage between Bangalore and Kozhikode, is named after Thamarassery town. Earlier known as Thazhmalachery, now a fast growing town, and rapid expansion to neighbouring areas that characterize its development. Thamarassery has grown from Perumbally – Malapuram area in the north to Parappanpoyil in the south and from Korangadu in the west to Kudukkilammaram in the east.

Thamarassery is situated at the convergence of major national and state highways. It serves as a vital transportation hub, connecting travelers and goods from near and far. National Highway 766 which connects Kozhikode and Kollegal via Mysore, is the lifeline of Thamarassery. More than 60 percent of total business, commercial and transportation infrastructures are located on both sides of NH 766. Kerala state highway 34 which connects Koyilandy and Edavanna via Balussery and Mukkam is another major road passing through Thamarassery. SH 34 intersects with NH 766 at Chunkam. Thamarassery has a KSRTC Depot which is running bus services to different parts of Kerala. Frequent bus services to Mysore, Bangalore and Kozhikode are available at every ten minutes.

Thamarassery is comparatively a big township than neighbouring towns. It possesses all the necessary criteria to be upgraded to muncipality but remains classified as a grama panchayath. In 2015, neighbouring Koduvally and Mukkam grama panchayaths both of which are towns in the same category of Thamarassery, were upgraded to muncipality. But Thamarassery was given taluk status in 2014 bifurcating Kozhikode taluk. Taluk headquarters and Taluk hospital are located in Thamarassery town.

Thamarassery is a commercial and business hub of the area. People from Thamarassery, Kattippara, Puthuppadi, Kodanchery and Unnikulam panchayaths as well as parts of Omassery, Thiruvambady, Panangad and Kizhakkoth panchayaths completely depend on Thamarassery for their commerce, business and transportation needs.

Thamarassery is a multicultural panchayath with a muslim majority population. There is a signigicant Hindu and Christian communities live here.

Thamarassery Churam

Thamarassery Churam or a mountain pass which is known for its unique beauty, engineering marvel, and historical significance. Churam is a scenic mountain pass locates in the Western Ghats of Kerala. While it traverses through picturesque landscapes that are often associated with Wayanad district, the pass itself falls within the jurisdiction of Kozhikode district. Earlier the area was part of Thamarassery grama panchayath until Puthuppadi panchayath was formed. It’s vital route connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts, offering travelers breathtaking views of the Western Ghats as yhey wind their way through the lush greenery and mist-clad hills. The route is famous for its nine hairpin bends and the panoramic views it provides to those who traverse it.

It is believed that British officers found the ghat road with the help of Karinthandan, a tribal in Lakkidi.According to British archives, it was recorded Lakkidikotta was the first place to reach after climbing Thamarassery Churam. A mysterious chain locked old tree on the side of the road is the most intriguing attraction of Lakkidi. There are many speculations about the origin of the chained tree. Tribal communities worship here and annual special poojas are performed. Two dominant, opposing narratives are prevalent about chained tree. One is the most prominant story of Karinthandan, a Paniya tribal chieftain who helped an English man of British East India Company to find way to Mysore Kingdom from Kozhikode. It is widely believed that Karinthandan had wide knowledge about the steep and rough hilly terrains of Lakkidi. British engineers who were tasked to find path to , fell in vain and resorted Karinthandan and his men. They guided them to ascend to the top until Lakkidi from where Karinthandan became a victim of cruel deception by engineers in order to claim the fame and reward that they discovered moutain path. Earlier a reward had been announced to those who finds a way to top.

British engineers pushed him off the cliff and fell into gorges of mountain ranges. It was one of the terrible betrayal in the history of Kerala during British Empire. All of the followers of his tribe were overwhelmed with grief. Soon after the death of Karinthandan, brutal revenges of his restless soul haunted many in the form of tragedies. and accidents. People scared to travel through Churam. Finally priests found out that Karinthandan was making troubles to all who pass through. They captured restless spirit of Karinthandan and enchained it to a nearby tree.