Dharmadom is a scenic coastal town that was earlier known as "Dharmapattanam". It was an active Buddhist area in ancient times. Arabs called it as
Darmaftan. Dharmadom is also home to famous
Andalurkavu temple. The annual festival here draws thousands of devotees. A variety of
Theyyam is performed at this event. India’s premier circus Academy, Circus Academy Thalassery is also located in Dharmadom. Dharmadom was selected as location for the prominent British
Thalassery fort that was built in 1703 but landowners did not want to sell the land. According to
Qissat Shakarwati Farmad, a
mosque was built in
Dharmadam during the era of
Malik Dinar. The island of Dharmapattanam was claimed by all of the
Kolattu Rajas,
Kottayam Rajas, and
Arakkal Bibi in the late medieval period. The island of Dharmadam was ceded to the
East India Company in 1734, along with
Thalassery. ==Demographics==