Geography and map
Trikaripur
Trikaripur Grama Panchayat is a village panchayat located in the Nileshwar Block of Hosdurg Taluk in Kasaragod district. It comprises the villages of Trikaripur South and Trikaripur North. Spread across an area of 23.31 square kilometers, the Panchayat is bordered by Pilicode and Padanna Panchayats and Karivellur-Peralam Panchayat of Kannur district to the north; Payyanur Municipality to the south and east; and Valiyaparamba and Padanna Panchayats to the west.
Situated on the southern border of Kasaragod district, Trikaripur belongs to the Northern Midland agricultural zone. Geographically, the region lies entirely within the coastal belt. Before the formation of the state of Kerala, the area formed part of the southern border villages of the South Canara district under the old Madras Presidency. Present-day Trikaripur Grama Panchayat was formed by combining North Trikaripur village and most parts of South Trikaripur village. Going further back in history, these villages were once the southernmost regions of the old Nileshwar royal dynasty.
The Panchayat is bounded by Ayittipuzha on the west, Padiyil Puzha and Kuniyanthodu on the east, Kavvayipuzha on the south, and Pilicode and Padanna Panchayats on the north. Trikaripur possesses a rich and ancient cultural heritage. In earlier times, much of the land in the region was under the ownership of the Thazhakkattu Mana family and the Udumbunthala Nalupurappattu tharavadu. The administration of Vasudevan Valiya Thirumulpad, the senior head of Thazhakkattu Mana, was particularly notable. During his period, the Kathakali troupe under the leadership of Thazhakkattu Mana was established.
Former Panchayat President V.P.P. Muhammad Kunhi Patel played a significant role in the developmental history of Trikaripur Panchayat. He served as President for nearly two decades and made remarkable contributions to the Panchayat’s growth.
Trikaripur is also the birthplace of the renowned Kathakali master Guru Chandu Panikkar. Born as Thekke Karakkadan Chandu in South Trikaripur, he attained mastery in Kathakali through years of dedication and practice. His extraordinary ability to perform all Kathakali roles earned him widespread admiration. He trained many disciples, including Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. Guru Chandu Panikkar received numerous honors, including the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1958.
The Panchayat is home to many famous temples and places of worship, including Sree Chakrapani Temple, Elambachi Thiruvambadi Temple, Uthamandil Kshethrapalaka Temple, Kaleeswara Temple, Sreeramavilasam Kazhakam, Kannamangalam Kazhakam, and Trikaripur Muchilottu Kavu.
Among the important Muslim places of worship are Beericheri Juma Masjid, Valvakkad Juma Masjid, Ayity Juma Masjid, Town Juma Masjid, and Udumbunthala Juma Masjid. Temples and mosques in the Panchayat stand as shining examples of communal harmony. The Valvakkad Juma Masjid holds an important role in the festival celebrations of Kannamangalam Kazhakam. Likewise, Beericheri Mana and Beericheri Juma Masjid share a longstanding relationship of mutual respect and cooperation.
Traditional art forms such as Poorakkali and Marathukali are still performed in Kazhakams and certain Mundyas. Prominent masters of Poorakkali from the Panchayat included Kottan Panikkar of Kunnacheri, Kannan Panikkar of Pekkad, Kunjitheeyan Panikkar of Vaikkam, and Kanakkeel Karunakaran Panikkar of Elambachi.
Trikaripur is also widely known as a stronghold of football, earning a reputation as one of the prominent football-loving regions in Kerala.
