Athavanad is a village and Gram Panchayath in the Tirur Taluk, in the Malappuram District of the state of Kerala, India.

Nearby towns include Valanchery, Tavanur, Tirunavaya, and Kuttippuram, 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.

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

It was banned in 2014 by a court ruling, as it was deemed to violate a 1960 law pertaining to preventing animal cruelty.