Vatakara
Vatakara, Badagara or Vadagara is a town in the Kozhikode District of the Malabar region, in the state of Kerala, India.
Understand
Vatakara has a local muncipal government. They can be reached at secretaryvatakara@yahoo.co.in or telephone number 0496-2512378
Get in
Vatakara is accessible by bus from Kozhikode and Kannur. There's a major railway station at Vatakara. The nearest airports are in Kondotty and Mangalore.
Get around
Use taxis, buses and autorickshaws.
Buy
- Vatakara Halva. This very sweet and colorful solid stuff made from maida (highly refined wheat) is available at a few shops near Palayam Junction and comes in various flavors, such as banana, ghee, coconut, cashew, date, tender coconut, pineapple and jack-fruit. However, karutha haluva (black haluva) made from rice is the most popular variety. If you are health conscious, simply keep away from all halvas.
See
- Basel Evangelical Church, on the bank of Moorad river (Established in 1864).
- Chennamangalam Temple (2 km). Famous for the Dhwaja Prathishta
- 1 Lokanarkavu Temple, Memunda (5 km). Rock-cut caves, murals and carvings. 1500 years old. Very famous temple in Malabar side, having associated with famous Kerala Ballards (Vakkum Pattu), is associated with heroic deeds of Thacholi Family (A knight family during Feudal era).The goddess Durga here, is believed to sit in a War form, eagerly waiting to cry for battle. Numerous of myths and stories exist with the temple.
- Payam Kuttimala Temple, Memunda. Scenic hill top ideal to watch the sunset.
- Peruvannamuzhi Gardens, Kuttiady. The dam site is open for visitors from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
- Sandbanks Bungalow (Beautiful sunsets).
- Silent Beach, Opp Sand Banks (7km).
- 2 Sargaalaya Kerala Arts & Crafts Village, Iringal (22 km), ☏ +91 94463 04222, sargaalaya@gmail.com. 10 am to 6 pm. Sprawling 20 acre property with 60 cottage shaped stalls. Articles made of banana fibre, coir, bamboo, sand, coconut shells, husk, palm leaves, coconut leaves and screw-pine are exhibited and sold here. Performance of classical and folk art forms are also organized regularly. Boating facility is available in the river.
- Sidha Samaj Siddhasaram Commune, ☏ +91 98843 08999. It is sort of free society where they carry out many agricultural activities including cultivation of medicinal plants and manufacture of Ayurvedic medicines. Children are brought up without parental tags. They have branches in other cities of India.
- Uralungal Society (ULCCS), Madappilly College, ☏ ̟914962514042, uralungal@ulccsltd.com. Unique experimental labor initiative.
Eat
- Imperial Hotel, Puthiyappa.
- Indian Coffee House, Nut Street, ☏ +91 496 2525588.
- New Aryabhavan Vegetarian, Near Bus station.
- Rakesh Hotel (Veerancheri).
- Rinsha Hotel, Near Railway Station, ☏ +91 99469 78224.
Drink
- Dwaraka Restaurant, Near Bus Station.
Sleep
- Motel Aaram, ☏ +91-496-2523391. ₹500.00.
- Opal Inn, Edodi.
- Sreemani Tourist Home, Busstand Building.
- Queens Tourist Home, Queens Road (opp old bus stand), ☏ 0496 2522921, 2522922, queensvtk@gmail.com. ₹999 onwards.
Stay safe
Vatakara is the vigilante capital of Kerala state. Kerala people are on the whole very conservative, but in Vatakara, they have made it a fashion to attack young couples going out together. Young people have been were attacked several times for walking together before getting married. Even married couples were attacked under the assumption that they are a pair in love. So bring your passport, air ticket and marriage certificate. Avoid such commonplace expressions as girlfriend, living together and LGBT.