Athavanad is a village and Grama Panchayat in the Malappuram district, the Indian state of Kerala.
Puthanathani is the main town there, sited on National Highway 17 between Kottakkal and Valanchery. Roads to Vailathur (and hence Tirur) and Thirunavaya run through Puthanathani. Many people from Puthanathani and surrounding areas work overseas, mostly in Persian Gulf countries.
In ancient times, the region was under the feudal lords Azhvanchery Thamprakkal. In Malayalam, "Athavanad" is the abbreviation of "Azhvanchery Thambrakkal Vazhunna Nadu". The Zamorin of Calicut also controlled the area.
As of the 2011 Census of India, Athavanad had a population of 41187, with 19298 males and 21889females.
The region is administered by the Athavanad Grama Panchayat. It is composed of 22 wards:
Athavanad village is predominantly a Muslim area. Hindus exist in comparatively smaller numbers. People gather in mosques for prayers and remain after prayers to discuss social and cultural issues.
Business and family issues are also sorted out during evening meetings. The Hindu minority of this area keeps their rich traditions by celebrating various festivals in their temples. In Athavanad, Hindu rituals are done with a regular devotion, as in other parts of Kerala.
Athavanad village connects to other parts of India through the town of valanchery. National highway No.66 passes through valanchery and the northern stretch connects to Goa and Mumbai. The southern stretch connects to Cochin and Trivandrum.
State Highway No.28 starts from Nilambur and connects to Ooty, Mysore and Bangalore through Highways.12,29 and 181. National Highway No.966 connects to Palakkad and Coimbatore. The nearest airport is at Kozhikode. The nearest major railway station is at Tirur.
The village has several educational institutions, from the school level to higher education. Institutions include:
Ayyappanov Waterfalls is an Athavanad waterfall in the Athavanad village of Tirur taluk in Kerala, India. It is 4 kilometers from Puthanathani town and attracts tourists from various parts of Kerala. This is a seasonal waterfall. During Summer, water flow is low
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