INFORMATION ABOUT KANNUR

Kannur, the sea coast town in the northern Malabar area was for many centuries the capital of the Kolathiri Rajas, the rivals of the Zamorins of Kozhikode. Formerly a major port area, Kannur is now a city known for its handloom and beedi industries.

Some of Kerala's finest weavers come from this district. Kannur is also the headquarters of the country's largest and best-run beedi cooperative. Marco Polo is supposed to have referred to Kannur as a great emporium of spices.

Kannur lies between Calicut and Kasargod districts. The place is blessed with a lengthy seaside with many rivers and is a center of various cultures and traditional arts and crafts.

KANNUR TOURISM

The Places of Interest and Sight Seeing



• Aaralam Wildlife Sanctuary : Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is a tranquil little sanctuary on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The highest peak of Katti Betta, covered with tropical and semi- evergreen forests rises to a majestic height of 1145 m above sea level.



• Dharmadam Island :A Buddhist stronghold, Dharmadam Island is located beside the Muzhappilangad beach, 100 metres offshore surrounded by rivers and sea. A conjunction of beach & island, it was earlier known as Dharmapattanam.



• Jagannatha Festival :Jagannatha Festival is a colourful eight-day festival, which is held in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February/ March) at the Jagannatha Temple at Madathiparambu, near Thalassery in Kannur.



• Madayi Mosque :Originally built in 1124 AD by Malic Iben Dinar, a Muslim preacher, it is a beautiful ancient mosque. A block of white marble in the mosque is believed to have been brought from Mecca by its founder, who came to India to spread the word of the prophet.



• Moppila Bay :Moppila bay, the famous fishing harbour is situated near the St.Angelo's Fort. The beach is a natural and now a modernised fishing harbour built with assistance under the Indo Norwegian pact



• Palotukavu Festival : Vishuvilakkutsavam, the eight-day annual festival at Palotukavu temple, falls in the Malayalam month of Medam (April/May).



• Parassinikkadavu Festival :Parassini Madappura is perhaps the only shrine in Kerala to celebrate a festival round the year.



• St. Angelo'S Fort :It was built in 1505 by the first Portuguese Viceroy, Don Francisco De Almeida, with the permission of the Kolathiris.



• Ezhimala Beach :The Ezhimala Mountain and Beach lie at the northern boundary of Kannur. Rare medical herbs (Ramayana) with mythological significance grow on Ezhimala, the strange seven-peaked range.



• Muzhappilangad Beach :One of the longest beaches in Kerala is located 15 kms south of Kannur. The long beach is the only drive-in beach in India.



• Payyambalam Beach :The long, lovely beach is a local picnic spot. Flat lateric cliffs jut into the sea at one end. Picturesque and incredibly beautiful, the beach is only walking distance from Fort St. Angelo. The Naura Cafeteria and well laid out gardens greet the visitor to Payyambalam.



• Thalassery Fort :Thalaserry fort, located at a distance of 22 kms from Kannur constructed in 1708 AD was the military centre of the British.

ACCOMODATION/STAY OPTIONS IN KANNUR

• KAMALA INTERNATIONAL TOURIST HOTEL
• MALABAR RESIDENCY


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