In Malayalam, "Athavanad" is an abbreviation of "Azhvanchery Thambrakkal Vazhunna Nadu". The region was under the rule of the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal feudal lords in ancient times. Azhvanchery Thamprakkal were usually present at the Ariyittu Vazhchaof a new Zamorin of Calicut. The original headquarters of Palakkad Rajas were also at Athavanad.^[2]

Athavanad has some industries.^[3] Athavanad is home to several public enterprises in the textile industry.^[3]

• The MALCOTEX (Malabar Co-operative Textiles Limited) is headquartered at Athavanad.^[4]
• KELTEX (Kerala Hi-Tech Textile Cooperative Limited) is also located here.^[5]

As of the 2011 Census of India, Athavanad had a population of 20480. 9612 (47%) are men, and around 10868 (53%) are women. Children under the age of six make up 13.63% of Athavanad's population.^[6]

Malayalam is the most spoken language.

Athavanad is predominantly Hindu and Muslim;^{[citation needed]} Duff Muttu, Kolkali, and Aravanamuttu are local traditions. ^[7]

The Kerala Cattle Race (known as Kalappoottu and Maramadi) is a traditional event. It was banned in 2014 by a court ruling, as it was deemed to violate a 1960 law pertaining to preventing animal cruelty.^[8]

• Ayyapanov Waterfall is situated in Athavanad Kattilangadi.

Athavanad is a major educational hub. It has several educational institutions ranging from primary to post-secondary. It also has several libraries and a literacy rate of over 90%. The majority of books are written Malayalam, English, and Sanskrit. Some are written in Arabi-Malayalam, a version of the Malayalam language written in the Arabic script.

• Markaz College of Arts and Science

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• Athavanad Mattummal Higher Secondary School
• Athavanad Parithi High school
• Badariyya Arabic College, Palathani
• KMCT Law College
• KMCT Polytechnic College
• Majmau Higher Secondary School
• Majmau Orphanage
• Majmau Thazkiyath Islamiya
• Markaz Residential School
• Markazu Tharbiyathul Islam B-Ed
• Markazu Tharbiyathul Islam Higher Secondary School
• Markazu Tharbiyathul Islam
• Markazu Tharbiyathul Teachers Training Center
• Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal Memorial Arts And Science College
• PMSA Orphanage Hospital, Athavanad Kattilangadi
• Z.M.H.S Poolamangalam

• Athavanad is connected to other parts of India through valanchery.
• National highway No.66 passes through valanchery, Malappuram 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 Karipur International Airport.

• Kuttippuram railway station is major railway station 10 km from Athavanad
• Tirunnavaya railway station
• Perashshannur railway station
• Tirur railway station

• Puthanathani Bus Station
• Valanchery Bus Station

• Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri
• Mohsin Peramban

• Athavanad Gram Panchayat
• Ayyapanov Waterfalls
• vairankode vela