History of Kondotty
Kondotty is a growing town in Malappuram district, Kerala, South India. Kondotty is located near the Calicut Airport. |
| Moyin Kutty vaidyar memorial at kondotty-17 |
Kondotty is famous for the Nercha (Malayalam for 'offering') in the Pazhayangadi Mosque. Kondotty is the birthplace of the great Mappila poet, Moyinkutty Vaidyar. He popularised Mappilapattu (Mappila songs) by his poems on non-religious and romantic themes. A memorial for this poet has also been built in Kondotty.
The history of Kondotty is connected with that of the 18th century Kondotty Thangals, the Sufi exponents. Tipu Sultan of Mysore brought the first Thangal Muhammad Shah, to bring the Mappilas on his side. The Thangal first resided at Areekode and later settled in Kondotty. When the British arrived, putting an end to the reign of Tipu Sultan, the Thangal switched sides and joined the British. Hence, during the 1921 upsurge, the Mappila mob attacked the house of the seventh Thangal, Nasiruddin Shah.
Nediyiruppu is a place 2 km from Kondotty. It is from where the Zamorin kingdom was expanded. During the ancient times, Zamorins were known as Neiyiruppu Swaroopams. Calicut International Airport is residing near to kondotty (3 km). Airport is situated at karipur which is in kondotty panchayath.Kolathur paves way to calicut airport. The NH 213 road connecting Palakkad-Kozhikkode is passing through Kondotty.
Total Area: 122.99 km2
Total Population (1991 Census): 152,839
Kondotty Nercha
Venue:Kondotty Mosque, also known as Pazhayangadi Mosque, Malappuram district, North Kerala.
The mosque is believed to date back to the 18th century and is popularly known as Pazhayangadi Mosque. It is associated with the Muslim Saint, Muhammed Shah, famous as Kondotty Thangal. The festival Valiya Nercha (The Great Vow), a weeklong event, attracts thousands of devotees who participate in the religious procession and fairs.
The festival assumes carnival proportions with heavy trade and arrangements for entertainment and amusement. One of the interesting sights during Kondotty Nercha is the Petti Varavu from different places. People from all parts, irrespective of age, religion or other discrimination, walk to the Pazhayangadi mosque, with a Petti [box] to the Thangal, the ancestor of the Thangal who was the leader during the freedom fights.
Kondotty Nercha is held every year at Pazhayangadi Mosque, which contains the tomb of the first Thangal, Muhammad Shah. Thousands of devotees attend the Nercha, which consists of certain religious processions. Unconventional Muslims in Kerala are against the Nercha at the tombs of dead persons (see: Jamate Islami Kerala, Islahi Movement in Kerala). Fairs are also held during the Nercha.
