Kunhimangalam is a census town situated in the northern coastal part of Kannur District in Kerala state on the outskirt of Payyanur.

The local myth of the origin of Kunhimangalam is that a Namboodiri family known as "Kunhaangalam Taravadu" were the village leaders.

They ruled the village in an acceptable manner but over the time the family line ended, there was only a mother and son left.

On their way back to the village, they saw from the Gadikuzhi hills some soldiers of the ruler of Chirakkal town taking Kunhimangalam.

The local people built a temple, the "Kunhimangalam Molom" at the site of the "tharavad" (ancestral home).

Along with the years, " Kunji Man Kalam " went on to become " Kunhimangalam" (also called as Kunjongalam while saying fast, although it is not the correct name).

In Sangam literature, the area was called "Ezhil Malai" meaning "high hillock".

According to mythological stories, it is believed that Lord Hanuman had passed over here while carrying the mountain with sanjeevani for Rama and Lakshmana at Lanka, a chunk fell there.

The western approach to Kunhimangalam is called "Changoorichal" after a Chinese ship, the Changu which visited the area in the 12th century CE.

[3] Kunhimangalam is located in the northern part of Kerala state on the south-eastern outskirts of Payyanur.

Kunhimangalam census town has an area of 15.34 square kilometres (5.92 sq mi) with 2,606 families residing in it.

Clothes are made at Saliya theru (weavers' market), and bronze vessels such as lamps and sculptures at Moosarikkovval.