Ottapalam

Ottapalam is a town situated in the Palakkad District of Kerala. It is also one of the municipalities of its district as well as the headquarters of Ottapalam Taluk. It lies at the banks of the Bharathapuzha or Nila River, Ottapalam is a popular shooting location of many southern and regional films. One of the most popular features of the town is the Chinakathoor Pooram Festival, held here every year, at the Chinakathoor Kavu Temple. The main language spoken here is Malayalam. Shri K.R. Narayanan India's first president from the dalit communities, represented Ottapalam Lok Sabha constituency in Parliament for three terms in 1984, 1989 and 1991. The renowned poet of Kerala as well as the father of the traditional dance of Ottamthullal, Kunjan Nambiar, was also born in this town.

Ottappalam is a famous town known for its numerous places of worship and their colourful festivals. It is also home to the famous Varikkasseri Mana, where Malayalam films are shot almost round the year. The colourful Chinakkathoor Pooram is held annually at the Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple in Palappuram near Ottapalam. It used to be a major town of the erstwhile Valluvanad, during the reign of the Zamorins of Calicut.