Nileshwaram

History

Neeleswaram, or Nileswaram, is the abbreviated form of Neelakanteshweram. The  Kolathiri  Dominion  emerged  into  independent 10 principalities in the late medieval period, i.e., Kadathanadu (Vadakara), Randathara or Poyanad (Dharmadom), Kottayam (Thalassery), Nileshwaram, Iruvazhinadu (Panoor), Kurumbranad etc., under separate royal chieftains due to the outcome of internal dissensions. Many portions of the present-day Hosdurg taluk (Kanhangad) and Vellarikundu were parts of the Nileshwaram dynasty, who were relatives to both Kolathunadu as well as Zamorin of Calicut, in the early medieval period. Nileshwaram was historically the  seat of the Neeleswaram Rajahs, who belonged to the clans of the Kolathiri and Zamorins. The Nileshwar Rajahs and the Bednore Nayaks battled in this area.

The grand finale of the annual temple festival season takes place in this area, which is known for its "kavus", or sacred groves. The most famous of the sacred groves is the Mannampurathu Kavu. The town is also known for Theyyam, the ritualistic art forms. Also Nileshwar is the first town in Kerala famous for cultivating 'Chengthengu' (red dwarf coconut).

In 1918, the Rajah's High School was established, it was one of the first north Kerala schools of its kind. The school retains a letter written to the students by Mahatma Gandhi on his way in 1928 to Mangalore. It was part of a broad appeal for people to rally behind the national movement.

in 2024, 150 people were injured by fireworks at Theru Anjootambalam Veererkavu temple.

Administration

Nileshwar municipal town is administered by the Nileshwar Municipality, headed by a chairperson and vice chairperson.

Nileshwar surrounding Panchayats are administered by Nileshwar Block Panchayat. Nileshwaram is politically a part of Thrikaripur Assembly constituency under Kasaragod Loksabha constituency.{{cite web |url-status = dead

Municipal Wards

Nileshwar Municipality is composed of following 32 wards:

Religion

Most of the people are Hindus, followed by Christians and Muslims. To a lesser extent, there are Jain and Buddhists. The name Nileshwaram is derived from the name of a temple Thaliyil Siva Temple (Neelakanteshwaran), and the culture of the town is based in large part by its temples, like Thaliyil Siva Temple, Mannam Purath Kaavu, Shri Gopalakrishna Temple and Vaikunda Temple.

Transportation

Nileshwar Town is between Kochi and Panvel on the National Highway 66 ( previously NH-17). Private and KSRTC buses provide routes to many cities like Ernakulam, Calicut, Mangalore, Mysore and Bangalore. There are rail services at Nileshwar railway station. There are airports at Mangalore to the north and Kannur to the south.

Image Gallery

File:Nileshwar Chira.jpg|Kovilakam Chira (Pond) File:Thali Shiva Temple-Nileshwar-Kasaragod-kerala 10.jpg|Thali Shiva Temple-Nileshwaram File:Shree Gopalakrishna Deity, Nileshwaram.jpg|Statue of Shri Gopalakrishna in Nileshwaram File:Railway Station Nileshwar.jpg|Railway Station Nileshwaram File:Nileshwar palace.jpg|Nileshwaram palace File:Kottappuram-nileshwaram-house-boat.jpg|A Kettuvallam in Nileshwaram backwaters File:skyline from municipal bus stand raja road.jpg|Nileshwaram bus station

References

References

1. "Profile - Nileshwar Municipality".
2. "Nileshwar".
3. (7 April 2016). "Who is Kavya Madhavan campaigning for?".
4. "There are 38 Grama Panchayats in Kasaragod District".
5. The Hindu staff reporter. (21 November 2011). "Neeleswaram fete to showcase its heritage".
6. Logan, William. (2010). "Malabar Manual (Volume-I)". Asian Educational Services.
7. "Explosion at fireworks storage unit in Kasargod’s Anjoottambalam Veerarkavu Kaliyattam Festival, 154 injured". The South First.
8. https://nileshwarmunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in/en
9. "Council - Nileshwar Municipality".
10. "People of Nileshwar".
11. "Temple".