Places of Tourist Interest
The
tourism potential for Kannur district is high. The St.Angelos
Fort in the Kannur Cantonment, which was constructed in
1505, is a symbol of Portuguese architecture and attracts
plenty of tourists. The Thalassery Fort is an important
tourist centre. Kannur beach and Ezhimala are known for
scenic beauty. Places of historic importance, like the
house of Gundert, who composed the first Malayalam -English
Dictionary and the mosque at Madayi constructed in 1124,
using marble brought from Mecca attract many tourists.
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 errected a goods
shed there. They shifted their commercial capital to Thalassery
from Kozhikode, 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
a square structure built of laterite and is distinguished
by its massive ventilated walls and strong flanking bastions.
It was here that Haider's captain was imprisoned.The
famous St.John's Anglican church is behind this fort.
Snake
Park at Parassinikkadavu
The
Snake Park at Parassinikkadavu is situated 18 kms. 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.
Payyambalam
Beach
| The
Payyambalam beach is one of the beautiful beaches in this
State and is an ideal place to spend evenings, irrespective
of seasons. It is very near to Kannur town. The mortal
remains of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pilla, A.K.Gopalan,
K.P.Gopalan, Pamban Madhavan and K.G.Marar are laid to rest
near this resort.
Ezhimala
Ezhimala,
the capital of the ancient Mooshika kings, is considered
to be an ancient historical site. 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. An old
mosque believed to contain the mortal remains of Shaikh
Abdul Latif, a Muslim reformist, is also located here. The
hill is noted for rare medicinal herbs.Bordered
by sea on three sides, Ezhimala is set to occupy a prominent
place in the naval history of the country, consequent to
the proposal for commissioning the Naval Academy here.
Moppila
Bay
Moppila
Bay is a natural fishing harbour, lying near to 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 Ladshadweep and foreign
countries, in imports. Today, Mopilla bay has turned into
a modernised fishing harbour, developed under the Indo-Norwegian
Pact.
Muzhappilangad
Drive -in Beach
It
is 15 k.m from Kannur and 8 k.m from Thalasseri. Black
rocks protect this long, clean beach from the currents of
the deep,making its shallows waters a swimmer's paradise
. Perhaps this is Kerala only drive-in beach. Where are
can drive entire length of 4 km.
Gundert
Bungalow
Gundert
Bangalow in 20 k.m away from Kannur, near Thalasseri Town
on the national high way 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.
Pazhassi
Dam
An
ideal retreat for tourists, the dam site is famous for its
scenic beauty. The D.T.P.C provides pleasure boating facilities
at the reservoir. Accommodation is available at the Project
Inspection Bungalow and its dormitories.
Pythal
Mala
This
enchanting hill station 65 km from Kannur Town, situated
4,500 ft. above sea level near the Kerala- Karnataka border,
is rich in flora and fauna. It is a 6 km trek to the top
of the hills.
Important
Religious Centres
Parassinikadavu
Muthappan Temple
The
famous Muthappan (Siva) Temple (Parassinikadavu Madappura)
is on the banks of the Valapatanam river.
According
to tradition, the main abode of Muthappan was Puralimala near Mattannur.
The story goes that Muthappan appeared in the form of a
child before one Padikutti Amma. The child had an insatiable
appetite for liquor, fish and meat and became a nuisance
to the family was therefore turned out from the house.
Armed
with a bow and arrow Muthappan wandered from place to place
and eventually reached Puralimala. At Kunnathurpadi, on
his way to Puralimala, he climbed on to the top of a palmyra
tree near the house of one Chandan and drank toddy.
Chandan
who happened to arrive on the scene, is said to have been
turned into a rock at the gaze of Muthappan. Here Muthappan
completely disappeared from the scene and nothing more was
heard of completely disappeared from the scene and nothing
more was heard of him. It is believed that he came down
to Parassinikadavu.
According
to tradition, a member of the Vannan community at Parassinikadavu
found a metallic arrow on the trunk of a Kangira tree and
having felt something divine about the place, reported the
matter to the senior member of an ancient Thiyya family
in the neighbourhood. The latter, who felt the divine presence
of Muthappan, immediately performed the necessary ceremonies
and offered worship to him.
It
is an accepted dictum here, that whatever is received by
way of gifts or offerings should be spent for the benefits
of the pilgrims. The daily offerings made to Muthappan
are also different from what they are in other temples.
It has been customary to offer toddy, fish and meat as 'nivedyams'
to this deity. People of all castes and communities including
People
of all castes and communities including members of the Muslim
as well as Christian communities are known to donate sums
of money as vazhipadu of Muthappam. The annual festival
which falls on December 1st, provides a special occasion
for pilgrims to throng the Parassinikadavu temple.
The temple is situated 20 kms, north of Kannur town.
Thiruvangad
Temple.
The Thiruvangad temple, dedicated to Sree Rama, is an important
temple. The temple is generally known as the Brass Pagoda
from the copper sheeting of its roof.
A part of the temple was damaged by Tipu's troops in the
18th century, but the temple itself is believed to have
been saved from destruction by a miracle.
It was one of the outposts of the Thalassery fort in the
eighteenth century. In its precincts were held many conferences
between the officials of the East India Company and local
leaders, at which political treaties and agreements were
signed.
The temple contains some interesting sculptures and lithic
records.
The annual festival of temple commences on Vishu day in
Medam (April-May) and lasts for seven days.
Trichambaram
temple
The Trichambaram temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The
pratishta here was performed by Sambara Maharshi
and hence the temple is known as Trichambaram.
The presumption is that the temple is situated in Dwaraka.
It is significant that all around the temple, the water
level is high. There is an elinji tree just in front of
the temple which bears no fruits but only flowers.
The
annual festival at Trichambaram takes place during Kumbham-Meenam
months (March).
The temple vazhipadus like payasam and thousand breads
are believed to bless the devotees with santhanavardhanavu.
The temple is located about 5 kms. south of Thaliparamba.
Mosque
at Thalassery
The Juma Masjid situated near the Maidan in the heart of
Thalassery town is one of the most beautiful mosques in
the district. It is said to be more than a thousand years
old and has been rebuilt in the Indo-Saracenic style of
architecture.
Mosque
at Madayi
The most interesting building at Madayi is the beautiful
old mosque which was founded by Malik Ibin Dinar.
A block of white marble in the mosque is believed to have
been brought from Mecca by the founder himself. The grave
of an Arab divine, who renovated this mosque, is also seen
here.
Kottiyur.
The most important pilgrim centre in this district is Kottiyur,
otherwise known as the 'Varanasi of the South".
There are two temples at Kottiyur, viz., Akkara
Kottiyur, lying in the deep forests.
The annual festival commences with Neyyattam on the swati
day in Edavam (May-June) and ends with Thirukalasattu,
after 28 days.
A sword from the Muthirikavu, Tavinal village, is brought
to Ikkara Kottiyur and this marks the beginning of the festival.
It is believed that this sword is the one with which Daksha
is believed to have been hacked to death and it is an object
of daily workship of Muthirikavu. This festival is akin
to the yaga performed by Daksha.
The special ceremonies connected with the festival are Neyyattam
and Elaneerattam, literally meaning the pouring of
ghee and water of tender coconut respectively.
Jagannatha
Temple
The Jagannatha Temple, set up by Sree Narayana Guru in 1908,
is another important temple. It is situated on a raised
ground in the midst of paddy fields and was built by raising
funds from the rich and the poor alike.
The scheduled caste and tribe men were admitted to this
temple in 1924. Pooja is performed here by non-Brahmins,
according to ancient Hindu rites. Marriage including inter-caste
marriages are conducted inside the temple. Annual festival
falls in Kumbham (February - March).
St.
John's Church
The St. John's church, situated beneath the walls of the
Thalassery Fort, was built in 1869 with the funds provided
by the Master Attendent, Mr.Edward Brennen.
Situated on a summit near the sea, this church is one of
the most beautiful Anglican churches in India. In this churchyard
lies the tomb of Edward Brennen.
Annapurneswari
Temple
The Annapurneswari temple, situated at Cherukunnu near Thaliparamba,
is believed to have been constructed by Parasurama. According
to tradition, Annapurneswari of Kasi (Banaras) came to Cherukunnu
in a ship with three maid servants and a number of their
followers. Later, the goddess proceeded to the spot where
the temple is now situated.
