Malabar region Malabar region Malabar region refers to the historic and geographic area of southwest India, covering the state of Kerala along with Kanyakumari district, Tulu Nadu and Kodagu district It lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. The word Malabar is derived from the Malayalam word ""mala-baram"". "Mala" in Malayalam means "hill". "Varam" means "slope" or "side of a hill". The "Malabar Coast", in historical contexts, refers to India's southwest coast, lying on the narrow coastal plain of Karnataka and Kerala states between the Western Ghats range and the Arabian Sea. The coast runs from south of Goa to
North Malabar position of Kolathiri, although immensely respected, was politically titular. In North Malabar, the Kolathiri Kings had the ritualistic status of Perumaal such that their official designates or "sthanis" retained their jurisdiction all over Kerala except for the Rajarajashwara Temple at Taliparamba. The major festival observed by Hindus in this region is Vishu rather than Onam, which remains the major celebration for Hindus in the remainder of Kerala. In North Malabar, Vishu is celebrated as New Year. Because, the Kollavarsham month Medam - which is parallel to first Tamil month Chithirai - is the first month of the year for natives