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Places
to Visit: Kannur
Payyambalam 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 Parkis
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.
