Kerala
Travel Guide
Kannur Tourism
With the Lakshadweep sea in the
west, the Western Ghats in the east, and the Kozhikode and Wayanad districts in
the south, Kannur is bounded by a wealth of natural beauty. The district itself,
which shares much of this natural splendour, has been a key contributor to the
cultural, religious, political and industrial heritage of the state. In addition,
Kannur also enjoys the credit of having been the cradle of many a colourful folk
art and folk music. Some of the popular beaches here are:
Dharmadam
Island (Beach) :
The small 5 acre island covered with coconut palms and
green bushes is a beautiful sight from the beach. Permission is required to enter
this privately owned island (100 metres away from the mainland at Dharmadam)
Kizhunna
Ezhara (Beach)
This beautiful stretch of sand is one of the most secluded
beaches in Kerala (11 km from Kannur).
Payyambalam (Beach)
The
long, secluded beach is a local picnic spot (2 km from Kannur)
Ezhimala
(Beach)
The beautiful beach here has a hillock nearby (286 M high). A
Naval Academy is being developed here.
Aqua-Tourism is one of the most
important constituent of Kerala. Aqua-Tourism in Kerala can be broadly
classified into three Zones of Kerala.
Places
To See in KannurPayyambalam Beach (2 km from Kannur): This
beach is a Local Picnic spot.
St. Angelo Fort (3 km from Kannur):
This seafront Laterite Fort was constructed in 1505 AD by the first Portuguese
Viceroy, Don Francisco De Almeda with the consent of the ruling Kolathiri Raja.
After changing hands from the Portuguese to the Dutch and then to the English,
the fort became one of the important military centres of the British in Malabar.
The fort, which is now under the Archaeological Survey of India, offers fascinating
views of the Mappila bay fishing harbour.
Arakkal Kettu (3 km from Kannur):
This was the residence of the former Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim Royal
Family of Kerala.
Kizhunna Ezhara Beach (11 km from Kannur): This
beautiful stretch of sand is one of the most secluded beaches in Kerala.
Meenkunnu
Beach (12 km from Kannur) : Uncrowded, the beach is a tourists' paradise,
with golden sand and surf.
Valapattanam (7 km from Kannur) : The
small town on the Valapattanam river is well known for its wood based industries
and timber trade. The port of Azhikkal and Azhikkal Beach are located nearby.
Western India Plywoods Limited, the largest wood based industry in the country
and also one of the largest of its kind in South East Asia, is a major industrial
concern here.
Parassinikadavu (16 km from Kannur town) Sri Muthappan
Temple stands on the banks of the Valapattanam river. This pilgrim centre
is famous for the Muthappan Theyyam performed every morning and evening. The DTPC
provides pleasure boating on the river near the temple. Accommodation is available
nearby.
The Snake Park is the only one of its kind in the State
and perhaps the whole of India. There are three snake pits, fifteen glass cases
for snakes and two large glass houses for King Cobras in the park. Snake demonstrations
conducted every hour draw large crowds of visitors. (Open 0900 - 1730 hrs everyday)
Dharmadam
Island (100 metres away from the mainland at Dharmadam) : The small 5 acre
island covered with coconut palms and dense bushes is a beautiful sight from the
beach. Permission is required to enter this privately owned island.
Muzhapilangad
Beach (15 km from Kannur and 8 km from Thalasseri) : Black rocks protect this
long, clean beach from the currents of the deep, making its shallow waters a swimmer's
paradise. Perhaps this is Kerala's only drive-in beach where you can drive down
the entire length of 4 km.
Gundert Bungalow (20 km from Kannur, near
Thalasseri town, on the National Highway at Illikunnu) : Dr. Herman Gundert,
the revered German missionary, scholar and lexicographer lived in this bungalow
for 20 years from 1839. It was here that one of the first Malayalam dictionaries
and the first Malayalam Newspaper - Paschimodayam - took shape.
Trichambaram
Temple (20 km from Kannur, near Taliparamba town on the National Highway) :
A sacred place of the Vaishnava cult, the deity of the temple is Sree Krishna.
The sculptures on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum are in a class by themselves.
The annual temple festival, usually held in March, is a colourful event.
Hill
Stations in KannurPythal Mala (65 km from Kannur town):
This enchanting hill staion, situated 4,500 ft.above sea level near the Kerala
- Karnataka border is rich in flora and fauna. It is a six kilometer trek to the
top of the hills.
Ezhimala (50 km from Kannur): The beautiful
beach here has a hillock nearby (286 m high). A Naval Academy is being developed
here.
Kasaragod District Ranipuram (55 km from Kasaragod):
Situated 750 m above sea level, Ranipuram is famous for its trekking trails and
varied vegetation - evergreen shoal woods, monsoon forests grasslands.
