Tattamangalam

Chittur is a town in Palakkad district of Kerala, South India. It is the headquarters of Chittur taluk, situated 13 km away from Palakkad towards the south-east, on the banks of Kannadipuzha, a major headstream of Bharathapuzha, the second longest river in Kerala. It was once part of the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin.TemplesChittur Thathamangalam town consists of the famous Chittur Bhagavathi temple, which is under the Cochin Devaswom board. The other major temples are the Pazhayannur Bhagavathi temple, Durga temple, and Sivakshethram (in Lankeswaram agraharam). The municipality consists of Chittur, Thathamangalam, Pallimokku, Kannanthara, Puzhampalam, Kacherimedu, Anicode, Thekkegramam and Kadambidi. Chittur's M.L.A is K. Krishnan Kutty of Janata Dal(Secular).EconomyAgriculture is the main occupation of the people. The town is home to some of the major Menon Tharavads of Kerala. There are also many agraharams (settlement of Iyers) and Moothan tharas.HistoryThe Sokanashini river flows through Chittur, and it is on the banks of this river that Thunjathu Ramanujan Ezuthachan, the father of Malayalam language, spent his last days. His final resting place is famous for Vidyarambham celebrations, where young children are initiated into the world of words and knowledge.Chittur was formerly a military cantonment.FestivalsMusic is a part of the lifestyle of the people here, with the Government College training students towards higher degrees in music. 'Kongan pada' is the main celebration of Chittur and it is celebrated in the month of March. Sooranporu, Niramala and Ayyappan vilakku are also celebrated here. Others include Onam, Pongal, Vishu, Deepavali and Navarathri. At the time of Vishu, Vishu vela is also celebrated. There are music concerts in Chittur Kavu at the time of Navarathri and Konganpada.