Tirur is a municipal town in Malappuram district in the Indian state of Kerala spread over an area of 16.55 sq km. It is one of the most important business centres of Malappuram district and is situated 26 km west of Malappuram and 41 km south of Calicut, on the Shoranur – Mangalore Section of the Mangalore-Madras railway line. Tirur is also a major trading centre of fish and betel leaf in the region. As of 2001 India census, Tirur had a population of 53,650. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%.

Tirur has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 78%. In Tirur, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age. Tirur assembly constituency is part of Ponnani (Lok Sabha constituency). Tirur was in the kingdom of Vettattnad in medieval times. Tirur is a part of the first laid railroad by the British in Kerala. Tirur is the birthplace of the 16th century poet Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan, who is considered to be the father of the Malayalam language literature. Thunchan Parambu in Tirur is highly venerated and its sand is believed to be sacred. The sand is used in Vidyāraṃbhaṃ, especially on Vijayadashami.

Places And Events Of Cultural & Social Importance:
Thunjan Paramba: The birthplace of Thunjathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, the father of Malayalam language. The famous “Thunjan Utsavam” is held here every year in the first week of February. During this festival many literary luminaries, singers and classical dancers gather here. Thunjan Paramba is located in Annara, 1.5 km away from Tirur Railway Station. A memorial for the great poet has been built at Thunjan Paramba, where a week long literary mela is organised in the last week of December. This place is sacred for all who speak Malayalam.

Thirunavaya/Mamankam Festival: The land of ancient Mamankam, Thirunavaya is 7 km south of Tirur. Situated on the banks of Bharathapuzha River, it is a place of historical importance. The place has three temples, dedicated to the Trimurtis, the gods of creation, sustenance and annihilation of life, according to the Hindu belief strewn on the banks of the Bharathapuzha. The famous vedic Vidyalaya Othanmar Madom of ancient times, is on the bank of Bharathapuzha, near the Siva Temple. This madom was a centre of Aryanisation through Sanskrit and Vedic education, as Thirunavaya was believed to be the main centre, where Parasurama brought and settled Brahmins.

Other Facts:
The first railway line of Kerala was from Beypore to Tirur commissioned on 12-Mar-1861.
The betel leaves known as Tirur Lanka Pan, largely in demand in Karachi and Lahore are exported from Tirur.
Places of Worship:
Chamravattom Sastha Temple: Chamravattom Sastha Temple is located 15 km away from Tirur, on the banks of Bharathapuzha. It is said that the legendary Perumthachan was the architect of this temple. The deity is on level with the river bed, lower than the sanctum sanctorum. In the monsoon season, the temple gets drowned by floods. This is considered as the holy bath for the deity.
Vyrankodu Bhagavathi Temple: Vyrankodu Bhagavathi temple is another famous temple near Tirur. The Theeyatt is the well known festival here. Vyrankottu Bhagavthi is worshipped as ‘Desathin Devatha’ of this part of Ernadu. The Bhagavathi’s thattakam extends from Kuttipuram to Kadalundi, Ferok. She is considered to be very powerful and is worshipped by all people irrespective of caste & creed. Another smaller Bhagavathi Thara considered to be the sister of Vyrankodu Bhagavathi is situated in Kuttur. The annual festival of this temple attracts many people.
Trikkandiyoor Maha-Siva Temple: One of the major pilgrimage centre in Tirur is the Trikkandiyoor Siva Temple situated at Trikkandiyoor. Several other temples are also there surrounding this temple such as Ambalakulangare temple, Ayyapan kavu and Krishna temlple. Vaavulsavam is the major festival associated with Trikkandiyoor temple. There is another famous Shiva temple in the same name is there at Mavelikkara. The temple is known as Kandiyoor Mahadevar temple. The worshipers and devotees call Trikandiyoor temple for this temple also.
Puthiyangadi Masjid: Puthiyangadi is a small town near Tirur and is considered sacred by Muslims. The Puthiyangadi Mosque/Jaaram is very famous and every year, in the month of January, the ‘Pudiyangadi Nercha festival is held at this mosque. Several elephants line up in the famous procession from Tirur to Pudiyangadi, during the festival. This festival has been discontinued for the past few years, due to differences of opinion among the families responsible for organising the festival. Tirur is also famous for the harmony among different religions. Its secular nature has attracted immigration from various areas in the south of India.
Tourism:
The Tirur-Koottayi road ends at Padinjarekara, better known as Padinjarekara Azhimugham, where the Bharathapuzha and Tirur River s converge to drain into the sea. This place is noted for migratory birds, gathering in their thousands during February – April. This beautiful beach is very near Tirur and is also famous for its astonishing scenic beauty. This beach has long been a favourite destination for both domestic and international travellers as well as nature lovers. Most of the travelers to Malappuram district and pilgrims who are heading to the Kadambuzha Baghavathi Temple and other temples stay here.

Transportation:
Railway Station: Tirur Railway Station is one of the major railway stations in the Malabar region. Almost every train stops here, connecting the Malappuram district to the rest of the country.
Road: Tirur is well connected to the other cities by road, eventhough no National Highway passes through the town. The Chamravattom Bridge connects Kochi with Calicut. There are regular buses plying between Tirur and cities like Malappuram, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Guruvayur, Thrissur and Coimbatore. There are a few private buses offering over night journey to Bangalore
Nearest Airport: Calicut International Airport is approximately 35 KM away.