Madayipara

Madayipara is a flat-topped laterite hillock spanning approximately 700 acres in the Madayi village of Kannur district, Kerala. Situated off National Highway 66 near Pazhayangadi, this ecologically rich plateau is renowned for its vibrant seasonal color changes and diverse biodiversity, including over 500 plant species. The site holds significant historical importance as the former administrative center of the Ezhimala kings and features ancient relics such as the Madayi Fort ruins, a historic Jewish pond, and several places of worship including the Madayi Kavu temple and Malik Ibn Dinar Mosque.

Visitors can explore a vast, flat-topped laterite plateau that changes colors with the seasons, offering golden hues in summer, green during monsoons, and blue from flowering plants in spring. The area provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the Kuppam River. Visitors can walk through the plateau to observe rare flora, butterflies, and bird species, while also encountering historical structures such as fort remnants, watchtowers, and religious sites including temples and a mosque. The recently developed Eco Park area offers designated walking paths and viewing areas.

Madayipara served as the administrative center of the Ezhimala kings and was the site where rulers of the Kolathunadu kingdom were crowned. The plateau contains remnants of the Madayi Fort built by the Vallabha king of the Kolothu dynasty, along with four surviving watchtowers. A mirror-shaped pond known as Joothakkulam indicates the presence of Jewish settlers in the area between 605 BCE and 490 CE. The British also constructed a traveler's bungalow here in 1793.

The site is a prominent pilgrim destination featuring the Madayi Kavu (Thiruvar Kadu Bhagavathi Temple) dedicated to Goddess Kali, which hosts the annual seven-day Pooram festival. It also houses the Vadukunnu Shiva Temple and the 12th-century Malik Ibn Dinar Mosque, believed to be the third oldest mosque in India. The area represents a unique confluence of Hindu, Islamic, and historical Jewish cultural heritage.