Kannur

Kannur

On to the North of Kerala, sandwitched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, lies Kannur, anglicised as Cannanore. This stretch of land, with every inch in history, has been a melting pot of races, religions and cultures from time immemorial. Relics, right from the Neolothic age through the Aryan invasion, Cheran Conquests, Arab and European inroads, stand testimony to this. Apart from greenery and beaches, Kannur invites tourists to these monuments of Time-to feel the grave quietness and the tranquility of the past and to share the warmth and cordiality of its peaceful and soft spoken people. Kannur is the centre of 'Theyyam' the famous temple flok art form of Northern Kerala. Theyyam provides a rare cultural treat in the ritual tradition which no tourist can afford to miss.

Sightseeing in Kannur

Fort St. Angelos
Fort St. Angelos is in the west of Kannur town. It was built in 1505 by the first Portuguese Viceroy, Don Francisco De Almeida, with the permission of the Kolathiris, on a promontory jutting into the Lakshadweep sea. The Dutch captured the fort in 1663 and sold it to the Ali Raja of Kannur in 1772 and in 1790 it came into the possession of the British. The British rebuilt it and made it their most important station in Malabar. This fort is in a fairly good state of preservation, though parts of it have collapsed. A few obsolete guns are seen at the place. The fort is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Thalassery Fort
The British arrived in Thalassery in 1683 and erected goods shed there. They shifted their commercial capital to Thalassery from Kozhikkode, following obstruction from the Dutch. In 1700, the British built the Thalassery Fort on a small hill called Tiruvellapadkunnu and in 1708, it was strengthened by increasing its height and with bastions. The fort is square structure built of laterite and is distinguished by its massive ventilated walls and strong flanking bastions. It was here that Raider' captain was imprisoned. The famous St. John's Anglican church is behind this fort.

Muzhappilangad Beach
Muzhappilangad beach is 15.K.M from Kannur and 8 K.M from Thalasseri. Perhaps this is Kerala’s only drive- in beach. Where you can drive entire length of 4 K.m. Black rocks protect this long, clean beach from the currents of the deep, making it shallows waters a swimmer's paradise.

Payyambalam Beach
The Payyambalam beach is one of the beautiful beaches in the State and is an ideal place to spend evenings, irrespective of seasons. It is very near Kannur town. ,The mortal remains or' Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pilla, A.K. Gopalan, K.P. Gopalan, Pamban Madhavan and K.G. Marar are laid to rest near this beach.

Snake Park at Parassinikkadavu
The Snake Park at Parassinikkadavu is situated 18 km away from Kannur town. It Is one of the known snake parks in the country. The park is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of snakes, most of which are becoming extinct gradually. There is a large collection of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes.

Moppila Bay
Moppila Bay is a natural fishing harbour, lying near Fort St. Angelos. A sea wall projecting from the fort separates the rough sea and inland water. The bay was famous during the Kolathiris' regime as a commercial harbour that linked Kolathunadu with Lakshadweep and foreign countries, in imports. Today, Mopilla bay has turned into a modernized fishing harbour, developed under the Indo-Norwegian Pact.

Things to do in Kannur

Visit to beach
Payyambalam beach, located just 2 km from Kannur town is the largest beach in Kannur district, is a craze for the visitors. Its flat laterite cliffs jut into the sea, a novel sight. A garden with a massive sculpture of mother and child adds glamour to the beach.

Snake Park visit
The Parassinikkadavu Snake park near the Muthappan temple has almost all types of reptiles found in the world. There is a large collection of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes.

Drive on the Beach
The thrilling drive at Muzhappilangad beach is the best part in Kannur. The only drive in beach in Kerala which stretches 4 km is dream for every driver.

Visit Arakkal Palace
Only 3 kms from Kannur, is the beautiful palace of the former Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala that controlled parts of the coast and Lakshadweep.

Visit to Water Park
Vismaya Water Theme Park, Parassinikkadavu is one of the best amusement parks in India. Spread across acres, it is filled with thrilling rides and water sports. A treat for both children and adults of all age groups.

Watch Theyyam
Theyyam is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state. As a living cult with several thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs, it embraces almost all the castes and classes of the Hindu religion in this region. The performers of Theyyam belong to the indigenous tribal community, and have an important position in Theyyam. This is unique, since only in Kerala, do both the upper-caste Brahmins and lower-caste tribals share an important position in a major form of worship.

How to reach Kannur

Nearest bus stations: Kannur has both private and KSRTC bus stands.
Nearest railway station: Kannur, in the town itself.
Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport, about 105 km away