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::: Kannur (Cannanore) - The land of Looms and Lores

Kannur district derived its name from the location of its headquarters at Kannur town.The old name 'Cannanore' is the anglicised form of the Malayalam word Kannur. According to one opinion, 'Kannur' is a derivation from Kanathur, an ancient village, the name of which survives even today in one of the wards of Kannur Municipality. Kannur District is known as the Land of Looms and Lores, because of the number of looms functioning in the district and festivals held in temples. The district is a major centre of Theyyam, a ritual dance of northern Kerala, and small shrines known as kavus associated with the Theyyam dot the district. Kannur is a land with a resonant past. Myths and legends abound. The ships of Solomon, they say: anchored along the coasts of Kannur to collect timber for building the 'Temple of the Lord'. Kannur finds mention as NAURA in the 'Periplus of the Erithrean Sea' a Greek work of great antiquity. Vasco da Gama visited Kannur in 1498. Kannur is also famous for its Virgin Beaches where the scene is breathtaking and the Lakshadweep Sea washes the sands of sugary beaches laced with rows of green coconut palms.
Places of Interest
Fort St. Angelos, Kannur - Also known as Kannur Kotta, it is situated 3 km from the town of Kannur and was built in 1505 by the first Portuguese Viceroy, Don Francisco De Almeida. This laterite fort has been built in triangular shape and features flanking citadels and a moat. 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 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 ancient cannons are on display inside the fort. The fort is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.
Fort St.Angelos - Kannur, Kerala
Snake Park, Kannur - Located 18 Kms away from Kannur is the Parassinikadavu Snake Park. The park is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of snakes. There is a large collection of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. Snake demonstrations conducted every hour and is open from 0900-1730 hours everyday.
Payyambalam Beach - Kannur, Kerala
Payyambalam Beach, Kannur - Located about 2 Kms from Kannur town this vast stretch of golden sands dotted with coconut trees, is an ideal getaway for you if you want to spend a relaxed and laidback evening amidst calm surroundings. The well laid out garden and the massive landscaped sculpture of mother & child erected by noted sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman makes it extremely captivating and adds to the undeniable charm of the place. The mortal remains of Swadeshabimani Ramakrishna Pillai, A.K. Gopalan, Pamban Madavan and K.G. Marar are laid to rest near this beach. Meenkunnu Beachis an exrension of this beach.
Thalassery Fort, Kannur - Located at a distance of 22 kms from Kannur, it was constructed in 1708 AD, when the British East India Company established its settlement on the Malabar Coast, they built the Thalaserry Fort, as a testimonial to their colonial imperialism. The square fort, with its massive walls, secret tunnels to the sea and intricately carved huge doors, is an imposing structure. The fort was once the nucleus of Thalaserry's development. It is now a historical monument. There is also a lighthouse situated in the fort. The fort has a cemetery, a church and the collector's mansion nearby. Many British officials have been laid to rest in this cemetery that is named after Sir Edward Brennen.
Ezhimala, Kannur - The capital of the renowned Mooshika dynasty it is a conspicuous, isolated cluster of hills, forming a promontory, 38 kms. north of Kannur. A flourishing sea port and centre of trade in ancient Kerala, it was one of the major battle fields of the Chola-Chera war of the 11th century. It is believed that Lord Budha had visited Ezhimala. The hill is noted for rare medicinal herbs. Carved stone pillars, an old mosque believed to contain the mortal remains of Shaikh Abdul Latif, and an ancient burial chamber can be seen at the foot of the hills. The hills are noted for rare medicinal herbs. The beautiful beaches in Ezhimala are also known for its rare view of Dolphin jumping.
Ezhimala - Kannur, Kerala
Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple, Kannur - Located 20 km away from Kannur, the Parassinikadavu Muthappan (Siva) Temple on the banks of the Valapatnam River is also a popular destination for travellers and pilgrims to savour the charm of Theyyam, a ritual that is performed here on a daily basis. This magnificent temple believes in the principle of secularism. People irrespective of their caste, creed and religion can come to this temple to pray. The motto of this temple is "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam", which means the whole world is one family.
Dharmadam - Kannur, Kerala
Dharmadam Island, Kannur - Located 17 kms from Kannur, it is a small 2 hectare private island and is the epitome of beauty with tall coconut palms covering most of the land. in Kannur District. It is 100 metres away from the mainland at Dharmadam. During low tide, one can just walk to the island from the beach. It is surrounded by rivers and seas. Permission is required to enter this privately owned island. Dharmadam, earlier known as Dharmapattanam is beleived to have been a Buddhist monastry. It is believed that Buddha images have been excavated from this place.
Muzhappilangad Beach, Kannur - Located 15 km from Kannur and 8 km from Thalassery, and parallel to National Highway 17, this beautiful beach with its shallow waters is a swimmers paradise. The beach is about 5  km long and curves in a wide area, and perhaps is Kerala's only drive-in beach where you can drive down the entire length of 4 km. About 100-200 m south of the beach is the Dharmadam Island, and it is possible to walk to the island from the beach during low tide. The beach is bordered by black rocks which protect it.
Thodeekulam Shiva Temple, Kannur - Also spelled Thodikkulam, this temple is located 34 km southeast of Kannur and 2 km from Kannavam on the Thalassery-Mananthavady road, is famous for its mural paintings. There are nearly 150 mural paintings, on an area of 700 sq ft. drawn on the four walls of the sanctum sanctorum. Based on Shaivic and Vaishnavic (myths related to Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu respectively) themes, the mural paintings portray the rural life from the 16th to 18th centuries. The temple, believed to have been constructed 2000 years ago, and was closely connected with the Pazhassi Raja family of Kottayam.
Murals at Thodeekulam - Kannur, Kerala
Pythal Mala, Kannur - Located 65 km from Kannur town, this enchanting hill station, situated 4,500 ft, above sea level near the Kerala- Karnataka border, is rich in flora and fauna. It is a six kilometer terek to the top of the hills. Abundant in flora and fauna, this place is now being developed as a hill resort. One has to trek 6 kms to reach the top of the hills. There is a proposal to set up a zoo at the top of the hill. On top of the cliff is a watchtower that provides a breathtaking view of the valley.
Pazhassi Dam - Kannur, Kerala
Pazhassi Dam, Kannur - Located 37 km East of Kannur near Mattannur is Pazhassi Dam, set amidst picturesque ambience, is a tourists' hangout and the dam site is across the Kuyilurpuzha. The Pazhassi dam & reservoir offer panoramic view of the place. You can cruise down the river in boats, often crossing small islands inhabited only by riverine birds. The added attractions of the place are the gardens and amusement park that have been recently. The Buddha's mountain at Pazhassi and the sculpture of Pazhassi King are visual delights.
Madayi Para, Kannur - Located 25 km from Kannur, Madayi Para is a significant spot owing to its bio-diversity as well as histororical diversity and also as a religious point of view. The Madayi Kavu Temple, the 12th century mosque (1124 A.D) built by Malik Bin Dinar a Muslim preacher, with white marble imported from Arabia, and a pond in the shape of a hand held mirror, connected to ancient jewish setllers are historic attractions. Similarly, a temple at this site, called Vadukunda Siva Temple and the adjoining lake, about an acre in extension form yet another attraction at Madayipara.
Arakkal Kettu, Kannur - Located 3 km from Kannur, This was the residence of the former Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala, which ruled parts of the coast and Lakshadweep island. The structures are a testimony to the glory of the Arakkal dynasty which played a key role in shaping the history of Kannur. The complex contains a number of inter connected building clusters, two mosques and administrative buildings are located inside the complex. Built of laterite bricks and wood these structures are independent units arranged around courtyards.
Arakkal Kettu - Kannur, Kerala
Mappila Bay, Kannur - sometimes called Moppila Bay, is a natural fishing harbour, lying near Fort St. Angelos. The beach is a natural and now a modernised fishing harbour built with assistance under the Indo Norwegian pact. A hassea wall extending to a huge height, projecting from the fort separates the rough sea and inland water. The remnants of the temple & fort are still seen in Moppila bay. The bay was famous during the Kolathiri's regime as a commercial harbour that linked Kolathunadu with Lakshadweep and foreign countries, in imports.
Trichambaram Temple, Kannur - Located 20 km from Kannur, this temple is a sacred place of the Vaishnava cult, the deity being Sree Krishna. The temple is believed to have got the name from Thiru Shambara or the holy shambara in reverence to Maharishi Shambara. The temple also contains one of the most exquisite collection of mural paintings in south India. The temple has three ponds attached to it, with the temple for Durga being surrounded by water on all sides. There is an elinji tree just in front of the temple which bears no fruits but only flowers.
Valapattanam - Kannur, Kerala
Valapattanam, Kannur - Located about 7 km from Kannur,and Also known as Balyapattanam, this small town is well known for its wood-based industries and timber trade. It is a fascinating experience to watch the traditional mode of timber transportation - by tying long pieces of timber together and allowing them to float down the stream. This was the main ship route for trading and Valapattanam was the main town, because of this the town got this name. "Valya pattanam" means "big town" in Malayalam language though it is the smallest panchayath in Kerala. The famous Muthappan temple is in the bank of Valapattanam river.


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