KANNUR | ABOUT KANNUR | PLACES TO VISIT IN KANNUR | KERALA | PLACES TO VISIT IN KERALA | KERALA DISTRICTS

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Kannur

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Identified as the ancient port town of Naura, which was known even to the early Greeks and Romans, Kannur, in northern Malabar, has been famous for its exports to the outside world from very early times. Over time, it also came to be known for its quality timber. Today, the town's rich history lives on through its ancient forts, old shrines, and many venerable institutions.

While spices, coir, wood and sandalwood were exported from Kannur, traders from places as far flung as Sumatra and Arabia brought to the town varied merchandise - sugar, opium, dry fruits, silk, camphor, and even horses. Indeed, the celebrated Venetian traveller, Marco Polo, referred to the town as a great emporium of spice trade. Kannur has some beautiful sandy beaches, the longest of which is the Payyambalam. This beach is quiet and peaceful, perhaps because there is a Hindu burial ground nearby, where the remains of people such as EK Nayanar and AK Gopalan, the famous Communist party leaders of Kerata, are interred. The Kannur cantonment, established in 1938, is the only one in the State.
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Essential Information

Area

Population

Taluks

Villages

Blocks

Telephone Code

Pincode

Vehicle Regn. Code

When To Go

:  2996 Sq.Km

:  24,19,365

:  Thalipparambu, Kannur, Thalassery

:  Kndamkunnu, Koothuparambu, Thruppangottur, Kolavalloor, Panoor, Puthoor, Cheruvanjeri,    Mananderi, Kannavam, Kolayadu, Tholampra, Vekkalam, Vellarvalli, Manathana, Padya,    Mokeri, Pnnyannoor, Thiruvangadu, Thalasseri, Kottayam, Pathiriyadu, Eruvatti, Eranjoli,    Pinarayi, Kodiyeri, Dharmmadam, Kathiroor, Chokli, Peringathoor, Koodali, Keezhalloor, Kolari,    Chavasseri, Keezhoor, Payam, Aralam, Muzhakkunnu, Thillanderi, Sivapuram, Pazhassi,    Paduvilayi, Mangattidam, Pattannoor, Vilamana, Ayyankunnu,, Kannoor, Azhikkodu, South,    Valapattanam, Chiraykal, Puzhathi, Pallikkunnu, Elayavoor, Muderi, Kanjirodu, Anjarekkandi,    Eriveli, Chelora, Kadamboor< Chembilodu, Muzhuppilangadu, Azhikkodu North, Edakkadu,    Makreri, Mavilay, Panppuzha, Chruthazham, Kadannappalli, Kunjimagalam, Madayi, Mattool,    Ezhom, Cherukunnu, Kannapuram, Pappinisseri, Narathu, Kalyasseri, Kannipparambu,    Valiyannoor, Payyannoor, Karivelloor, Perlam, Alappadambu, Peringom, Vayakkara,    Thirumeni, Kuttor, Eramam, Kangol, Koro, Velloor, Ramandali, Vellora, Perindhitta, Pulingom,    Chuzhali, Panniyoor, Kolacheri, Cheleri, Maniyoor, Mayyil, Kuttyattoor, Malappattu, Padiyoor,    Payyavoor, Vayathoor, Nuchyadu, Kayaralam, Eruvasseri, Nidiyanga,

:  Payyannoor, Thalipparambu, Erikkoor, Kannur, Edakkadu, Thalasseri, Koothupparambu, Eritti,    Peravoor.

:  +91 497

:  670 XXX

:  KL-13, KL-58, KL-59

:  May to February

Sights and Attractions

Alluring Beaches
The nearest beach is at Thaikandapuram, 5 km away. A small fishing harbour is located here, close to the estuary. Another beach at the mouth of the estuary at Azhithata is also worth a visit. Waves lashing the shore at high tide carve out large sections of the beach, literally altering its topography overnight.
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Cheruvathur Kota Palli
Although 'Kota Palli' refers to a mosque within a fort, there is actually no fort here. Nevertheless, large laterite outcroppings on the top give this little shrine, located 5.5 km from Nileswaram, a fort-like appearance. A long flight of steps meanders up the hill.
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Delightful Backwaters
Roads lead westwards into a delightful stretch of backwaters. Just 2 km west is Kottapuram on the banks of the river. The rivers, Tejaswini and Nileswar, meet a short distance away before spilling jointly into the sea at Taikadappuram,
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Ezhimalai,
Ezhimalai, near Payyanur attracted our curiosity owing to its hoary history and awe - inspiring surroundings. This mountainous area just on the brink of the sea was a great centre of political power as early as Ad 5th century. A line of kings ruled this coastal tract with Mount Eli as capital, of which the Mooshika dynasty is the most famous one. Many a references about Ezhimalai can be traced in the travelogues of earlier travellers like Marco Polo and also in the ‘Sangam’ literature. We could observe burial chambers and caves at the foot of the hills, there relics of the past that indicates the ancient glory of these strange hills near the sea. On the top of the hills there are numerous granite platforms of gigantic size and old caves with sculptures and stone pillars. However, because of the upcoming naval academy in Ezhimalai there are some restirictions to the visitors
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Fort St Angelo
In 1505, Dom Francesco do Almeida, the first Portuguese viceroy of India, built a fort here on a cliff overlooking the sea, with permission from the Raja. The fort was named 'St Angelo'. This triangular structure is surrounded on all three sides by the sea and has a moat running all along its landward side.
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Kanhirode weaving Co-operative
This is a co-operative where around 400 workers create high quality furnishing fabrics. Apart from producing exquisite bed linen, upholstery and curtain material, weavers working on huge looms produce fine shirts, colourful lungis and saris. Visitors can buy these from the attached retail outlet. The annual Onam fair at the Kannur police grounds is the best place for looking at and buying these handlooms.
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Kerala Folklore Academy
Six kilometres north of Kannur, just off NH 17, is Chirakkal, the one-time capital of the Kolathiri rajas and an erstwhile centre for folk art and culture.
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Kottiyoor Shiva Temple
This shrine at Kottiyoor, also known as the Varanasi of the South, is an important pilgrim centre. There are actually* two temples here - the Akkara and Ikkara Kottiyoor - located in a forested area on the banks of a river. During May-June every year, a 28-day festival that begins with the neyyattam and ends with the thirukulasat.hu, draws devotees from far and wide.
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Mahalingeshwara Temple
Located on the edge of green paddy fields, this 13th century temple houses an idol of Shiva. A corniced latorite wall encircles the complex, and the roofs are covered in tiles. Kxquisite carvings on wooden rafters depict scenes from the holy scripts. Colourful paintings of Ganapati and Saastha adorn the walls. During the annual pooja, Kathakali and theatrical performances are staged.
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Nileswaram
Nileswaram is not quite a tourist hub, but its delightful backwaters, meandering rivers and tranquil beaches draw visitors. A quiet, peaceful little town, it is also known for some unique attractions, such as the forest that has been created out of nothing, and the family that holds sway over an entire village.
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Parassini Kadavu Temple
Built on the banks of the Vallapattanam River and situated 18 km northeast of Kannur, the Parassini Kadavu Temple is one of the most important shrines in the region. This three-tiered temple, painted a brilliant white, is locally known as Tarassini Madapura'. It is an important centre of the muthappan cult, and the theyyam. Performances start early in the morning on all days, except when there is no moon or there is a dark moon. This celebrated shrine follows the unusual custom of offering dried fish and toddy to the deity. It is open to people of all religions.
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Payyambalam Beach
Just a stone's throw away from Fort St Angelo, is this long beach. At one end, laterite cliffs jut out into the sea with the Mascot Hotel perched atop. Close by is the beach park, with the unusual name of Baby Beach, beautifully landscaped and adorned with sculpture.
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Rajarajeshwara Temple
This Shiva temple is one of the holiest in these parts and the linga is believed to be thousands of years old. The temple follows an unusual custom - women are allowed inside only after eight in the evening as it is believed that Shiva is with Parvati at that time and will grant women devotees all that they desire.
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Thalassery
Thalassery known as the city of cakes, cricket and circus has a particular importance in the history of Kerala. It still has the imprints of the colonial rule. It was the citadel of the East India Company in the 17th and 18th century and the fort of Thalassery stands as an eternal monument of the colonial rule in Malabar. The British established their presence in Kerala in 1682 when they obtained permission to settle at Thalassery.
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The tree of Karimthandan
Sree Muthappan temple at Parassinikadavu, 16 kms. north of Kannur town attracts thousands of pilgrims. the customs and offerings of this temple are unique in every respect. The location of the temple on the banks of Valappattanam River itself is very attractive. Thsi is the only temple with Theyyam (a unique folk art form of Kerala) performance every day. The peculiarity of the offerings in the temple (toddy and dried fish) adds to the uniqueness of this temple
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Ummichipoyil and Varikulam
At Ummichipoyil, near Karinthalam Village on the banks of the Nileswaram River, blocks of laterite are said to have been hewn from a hill and used by the people of the Megalithic Age. There are a few tribal hamlets nearby, but today, the area is mostly covered with rubber plantations. The rock-cut caves, or Muniyaras, found hero, predate any other architectural structure found hi Kerala. These sepulchral monuments are at least 2,000 years old. The caves hold benches and beds, with intricately carved door frames and unique funerary offerings.
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Valiyaparamba Backwaters
Counted among the most delightful backwaters in Kerala, this large water body is fed by no less than five rivers and surrounded by lush green tongues of land. The place derives its name from Valiyaparamba Island, the longest in this region, stretching 24 km from Azhithala to Ezhimala. Ferryboats ply from a jetty at Kottapuram up to Kowal Kadapuram in Valiyaparamba. Verdant islets lie scattered in the waters and charming little villages line the leafy banks. Bekal Houseboats, leased from BRDC, caters to business and corporate clients on larger houseboats, as well as to smaller groups and families for short or overnight cruises. They also arrange bonfire dinners on nearby islands, canoeing, visits to temples, forts and tribal villages, ayurvodic massages and homestays.
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Places to Visit

Thiruvananthapuram

Aakulam Tourist Complex, Agasthayarkoodam, Anjengo Fort, Ammachiplavu, Ananthapuri, Beemapalli, Kanyakumari, Kerala State Science and Technology Museum, Kovalam Beach, Maruthwamala, Napier Museum, Neyyar, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Priyadarshini Planetarium, Puthen Malika, Shankhumugham Beach, Sree Chithra Art Gallery, Sree Chithra Enclave, Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Sucheendram temple, The Zoo and Museum Complex, Thriparappu waterfalls, Varkala, Vattakkotta, Veli, Vivekanandappara, Vyloppilly Sanskrithi Bhavan,