Widely known as Kotta Kunnu, it is situated at a height of 915 metres and is a popular tourist destination in the state of Kerala located at Malappuram.

Varakkal Paranabisan, who conquered Malappuram and the surrounding area from Valluvakonathiri, built a fort on top of Kottakunnu.

After the Zamorins conquered the part of the Kadalundi river where the Cherupuzha joins, it became necessary to pay taxes in Malappuram to bring the goods from the Valluvanadu to the Sea port or forced to sell to the traders of Calicut which resulted formation of small trade center in the area called Kootilangadi.

During the staring of 18th century the Paranambi of the time was defeated in a battle with Puntrakonathiri, the ruler of Kottakkal, and was captured by the enemy soldiers.

The beautiful view from the top of the Malappuram hill and the gentle breeze made the area a British military base.

On May 17, 1998, the Kudumbasree mission, a women's empowerment scheme of the Government of Kerala, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Kottakunnu.

On August 9, 2019, three people, including a child, died in a landslide in Kottakunnu due to heavy rain.