Vatakara is a small town in Kozhikode district of Kerala in south India. Geographically Vatakara is situated to the west of kozhikode by the side of historical Kottakkal puzha. Initially known as Vadakkekara due to its position with respect to the Kottakkal puzha came to be called as vatakara by popular usage later.

Historically, Vatakara is the capital of old kurumbranadu, a tribal flock known as kurumbrar, where the main inhabitants of this place. This is the story behind Vatakara getting the name kurumbranadu.

Badagara is located at 11°36′N 75°35′E11.60°N 75.58°E[1]. It has an average elevation of 15 m (49 ft). Geographically, Vatakara is situated about 48 km to the north of Kozhikode city The town lies by the side of a river known by different names as Moorad river, Kuttiadi river or Kotakkal river. Originally known as Vadakkekara (north shore) due to its position with respect to the Kottakkal puzha, the place came to be called as Vatakara by popular usage later.It is also known as Badagara.

These ballads of oral tradition are considered to be of great literary and aesthetic value.[citation needed] Thacholi tharavadu (the original thacholi family home) is still preserved and the birth anniversary of thacholi othenan is celebrated. Lokanarkavu is one of the famous temples in this area. Also the temple for the memory of legend Thacholi Othenan is located at Vadakara. This temple is named as Thacholi Manikkothu Kavu temple.

In 1934 Mahatma Gandhi visited Vatakara as part of a fund raising trip to Malabar.

As of 2001 India census,[2] Vadakara had a population of 75,740. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Vadakara has an average literacy rate of 83%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 80%. In Vadakara, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Vadakara is a coastal town with fishing as one of its main commercial activities. The river mouth where Moorad river flows into the Arabian Sea is close to the town. Sand Banks, a sunset spot and a place of tourist interest is located at the river mouth.
Vadakara is a commercial focal point in Kozhikode district with all the amenities vital for a modern township. There are hospitals, colleges, schools, technical education centres, and recreation facilities. The martial art form Kalarippayattu had most popularity and largest number of exponents in Vatakara.

• Railway Station- Vadakara Railway station.
• Nearest Airport- Calicut International Airport, approx. 80 km away.
• Road- Vadakara is well connected by road as the National Highway 17 passes through Vadakara town. NH 17 connects Vadakara to Calicut (Kozhikode) to the south (47 km) and to Mangalore to the North (202 km). Survey is under progress for a National Highway Connecting Vadakara to Bangalore through Nadapuram.

Vatakara nut steet is the biggest trading market for coconuts, and the buying place for many domestic buyers for the nuts

Most of the people are labours and farmers and some are government employees. A vast number of people are working in Gulf Countries. Majority of the population are Hindus. Muslims are also a major community. A major chunk of the people are working in GCC countries which has a strong influence on the economy of vatakara.

 The Marakars were admirals of Zamorines, who valiantly resisted the Portuguese on the high seas. Kunhali Marakars built a fort on the southern bank of the Moorad river, which was subsequently completely destroyed by Portuguese with the help of Zamorins for various reasons. The place is known today as Kottakkal. It is 46 km. North of Kozhikode. A small hut that belonged to Kunhali Marakkar with collections of ancient swords, cannonballs and knives can be seen here.

This is situated in memunda 5 km. from Vatakara town. This temple is associated with the heroes and heroines of Vadakkanpattu. In the vicinity of the temple there are three rock-cut caves. The candid murals and carvings here are of great fascination to visitors. The main deity is Goddess Durga. The festival, locally called Pooram, is celebrated during March/April. The temple is 1500 years old.[citation needed] There are two temples adjacent to the Lokanarkavu with Vishnu and Shiva as deities. Buses run frequently from Kochi to Vatakara. From Vatakara there are frequent buses to Lokanarkavu. Lokanarkavu goddess is named as Lokanarkavilamma which was the dearest god of Thacholi Othenan a hero of Kadathanadu

Situated near the Payam Kuttimala,in Memunda, Siddasrama is a spiritual centre. Siddasramam has branches in Kerala as well as outside Kerala.

It is very ancient nagakshethram in Kerala. It is the temple of Nagadevatha. it is situated east of Memunda town. Daily many visitors reaches from many part of Kerala.

This temple is located near to Chorode Railway Overbridge. The main deities are Ganapathy and siva, there is also one more temple associated with this main temple called the Bhagavathy Temple. The main deitie in this temple is Bhagavathy also known as Bhadrakali accompanied with the Naga Raja and Naga Rani. There will be a festival in third week of every January for more than three days.

A massive rock, Velliyamkallu associated with the valiant Kunhali Marakkar is located 13 km. off Payyoli Beach. The rock though much dreaded by navigators was safe ground for the Marakar to attack the invading Portuguese. The fisher folk look at it with awe and fear. However, it is worth exploring to see the beautiful figures nature has engraved on it. It was on this rock that Marakars killed the whole crew of a ship belonging to the Portuguese.

Sand Banks is a famous beach which supplements the seaside beauty of Vatakara. This beach where Kottakkal puzha reaches the sea is a stunningly beautiful beach. There is a Bungalow of Birla opposite to the sandbanks beach. There are buses plying to the beach every five minutes from Vatakara.

 Located between Madapally College and Kannokkara on NH 17, Shivapuram is a fairly old temple now under renovation and construction. Please visit Shivapuram blog for more information.

Located in the heart of the town near the old bus stand, the temple is known for its festival called Thera. Thera is spread over three days starting on the next day of Vishu. The temple has 3 deities - Bhagavathy, Kali and Unnipranthan.

 About one km in the east side of the new bus stand. Thacholi tharavadu (the original thacholi family home) is still preserved and the birth anniversary of thacholi othenan is celebrated here.

Situated in a small beautiful village named edacheri. It is about 10km away from vadakara town.

Situated in Vatakara beach near Chorode Gramapanchayath. Originally, the temple was within Valiyavettil house which is more than 800 years old. Annual festival is held in the month of Feb.

• AVAH Arts and Science College, Payyoli.

• Govt. College Madapally (ESTD: 1964)

• MCA Centre Vadakara, University of Calicut (Center For Computer Science and Information Technology)

• Co-operative Engineering College, Vatakara

• Govt. College, Mokeri

• MES College Vatakara,Memunda

• Salafi Educational Institutes, Meppayyur

• MET College, Kallachi

• SN College Vatakara

• MODEL POLY TECHNIC COLLEGE,NUTSTREET,VATAKARA

• RAHMANIYA ARABIC COLLEGE KATAMEREI [TANNEER PANTHAL]

• Memunda Higher Secondary School, Memunda

• BEM High School, Vatakara

• Govt.JNM higher Secondary School, Puthuppanam

• Javahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Vadakara, Palayad Nada(PO)

• Amrutha Public School, Vatakara

• Government Technical High School, Vatakara

• Govt.higher secondary school, Vadakara, Puthoor (PO) (BTS)

• Emjay V H S S Villiappalli, Villiappalli

• Perambra Higher Secondary School, Perambra

• Kadathanad Rajas High School, Purameri

• RNM High School, Narippatta

• ChiraVattam LP School Memunda

• Memunda East LP School

• RAC Higher Secondary School,Katameri

• Shanthi Niketan School, Thiruvalloor

• Govt Higher Secondary School, Choorode

• Vidya Prakash Public School, Thodannoor

• Govt. Sanskrit Higher Secondary School, Puthiappa

• Sree Narayana English High School, Vatakara

• Rani Public School, Vatakara

• Sree Gokulam Public School, Vatakara

• Islamic Academy English High School, Kottakkal

• St. Anthony's Girls High School, Vatakara

• Government Fisheries Higher Secondary School (boys & girls), Madappally

• Manarul Ulum Madrassa High School, Thazhe Angadi

• Government Higher Secondary School,Orkkatery

• Maniyur Panchayath Higher Secondary School,Palayad Nada

• Govt. Higher Secondary School Orkkattery, Eramala

• Karakkadu L.P School Nadapuram Road

• Athma Vidya Sangam L P School Madappally

• Govt H.S Madappally

• Avikkal Senior Basic School,Avikkal

• Technical High School, Badagara

• M.U.M High School,Thazhe Angadi, Vatakara

• ES school , Orkateri

• National H.S.S.Vattoli

• Puthur J B school, vatakara

• Meppayil East J B school, vatakara

• Meppayil East Senior Basic School (MESBS), Vatakara

• Salafi Educational Institutes, Meppayyur

• Govt:Hospital vatakara

• Ceeyem Hospital

• Janatha Hospital

• Co-Operative Hospital

• Haleema Mailanchi Hospital

• Asha Hospital

• M J Hospital Villyappalli

• Jayabharath, Old Bus Stand
• Kerala Coir, Near Convent School
• Ashok, Court road
• Keerti & Mudra, Edodi

• NH 17
• Vatakara-Kavil-Memunda- Kuttiyadi Road
• Vatakara-Nadapuram-Manandavadi(SH)
• Vatakara-Villiappally-Kakkattil Road
• Vatakara-Chaniyam Kadavu-Perambra Road