Destination Kerala-Cannanore (Kannur)
Cannanore is one of the most important coastal towns of Kerala. It lies about 310 Kms. away from Cochin and 92 Km. from Calicut. Cannanore is a town of great historical importance and was the capital of the North Kolathiri Rajas for many centuries. Like Muziris (Cranganore) and Quilon, it was once a premier port of ancient Kerala. Marco Polo has referred to Cannanore as a great Emporia of spice trade. It came into full political lime light in the 15th century with the arrival of the Portuguese. The St. Angelo Fort built by the first Portuguese Viceroy in 1505 is a landmark of Cannanore. There are many historical monuments here.
Transport
The nearest airport is at Calicut (Karipur). The Air India
(Ph : 712654) has an office near Plaza junction. Cannanore is an important railhead on the southern railway.
Cannanore is connected by road with the major centres of south India.
Private luxury coaches to Bombay and Bangalore are operated by Asoka Travels and Akbar Travels from the Plaza junction.
Travel Agents: Mamtha Tours And Travels (Ph:709320)
Tourist Office
The office of the District Tourism Promotion Council
( Ph: 706336) is situated near the Civil Station, opposite to the bus station. The DTPC has an Information Counter at the railway station also (Ph : 703121).
Places of Interest
Beaches: Kannur has very beautiful beaches. Muzhu-ppilangad is 13 kms away from the town. Accommodation is available at Beach Pavilion Resort. Payyambalam beach is located 2 kms from the town. Tourist Desk, Cochin ( Ph:0484 - 371761) operates an exclusively beach village guest house Costa Malabari, 7 kms away from the town
St. Angelo Fort : The Fort is a massive triangular structure built on laterite with a ditch and strong flanking bastions. The Dutch captured the fort from the Portuguese in 1663 and sold it to Ali Raja of Cannanore in 1772, from whom it was captured by the British in 1790. The British rebuilt the fort and made it their most important military station in Malabar.
Ezhimala : Ezhimala, situated 50 Km. away from Cannanore, is at a height of 885 feet with a conspicious isolated cluster of hills. At the foot of the hills is an old burial chamber and a cave. Further up the hill there is an ancient mosque. Sculptured stone pillars can be seen around here. Ezhimala and its suburbs are noted for some rare medicinal herbs.
Parassinikadavu (Ph:0497- 760722) : Parassinikadavu, 18 Km. away from Cannanore, is a picturesque place situated on the banks of a river. The Parassinakkadavu Madapura Sree Muthappan Temple is an important pilgrim centre of north Kerala. This is the only temple in Kerala where ‘Theyyam’, a form of folk ritual dance, is displayed daily.The Theyyam can be watched from 5.30 to 8.30 in the morning and from 6.30 to 9.00 in evening ( December 2nd to Oct 17th except 1st of Malayalam month). From October 18th December 1st, it is performed only in the evening between 3.00 to 5.00 pm. Non-Hundus are also allowed to watch the performance inside the temple. The annual festival of the temple falls in December. The Parassini Kathakali Yoga holds classes in Kathakali everyday morning from 4.30 to 6am. During week days and holidays in the evening from 5pm to 7pm. They also arrange Kathakali performance on request.
Accommodation is available at Anandan Tourist Home Ph: 781454 with tariff Rs.120.
Snake Park : The Parassinikadavu snake park is near the temple. It has three snake pits and 15 glass cases for the snakes and two big glass houses for King Cobras. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on all days.
There are frequent bus service to Parassinikadavu from Cannanore.
Tellicherry
Tellicherry is located 77 Km. north of Calicut. The English East India Company established its settlement on the Malabar coast here in 1683. The Tellicherry Fort was built in the early 18th century. The German Scholar Dr. Hermen Gundert built a church on Neltur Hill in 1889.
Dharmadam Island : This Island north of Tellicherry town was formed by the confluence of Tellicherry and Anjanakandi rivers. It has been of considerable importance to the commerce and trade in Tellicherry during the past.
Mahe
Near Tellicherry, this was a trading centre established by the French in the 17th century. It is a very small territory on the west coast between Tellicherry and Badagara under the administrative control of Pondicherry State. It is about 9 Sq. Km. in area.
The feast of St. Theresa's church in Mahe celebrated on 14th and 15th of October every year attracts a large number of devotees. This beautiful church proclaims the glory of the French architecture in Kerala.
Malayala Kalagramam, Mahe
Malayala Kalagramam is an institution to impart dance, music and painting to the young generation. The courses conducted here are :
1. Bharatha Natyam- Daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
2. Carnatic Music- Daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
3. Painting, Drawing,- 3 days a week.
Sculpturing and Murals
4. Musical Instruments- Friday,Saturday & Sunday
from 3 p.m.
5. Yoga Classes- 8 a.m. on Sunday
Visitors are allowed to watch the classes with prior permi-ssion from the Director (Ph : 0497-332961). The Malayala Kalagramam remains closed on all Thursdays. |
