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From Wikitravel

Kannur (Malayalam: കണ്ണൂര്‍) is a city in Kerala in India.

[edit] Understand

Kannur is the administrative headquarters of the district of Kannur. It is known as Land of Looms and Lores. During British rule in India, Kannur was known by its portuguese name of Cannanore, which is still in fairly common usage. This is the largest city of north Malabar and claimed to be one of the ten best cities in India to live.

Other cities administered from Kannur include Tellicherry (21 km south), Thaliparamba (20 km north), Payyannur (40 km north), Mattannur (25 km east), Koothuparamba (22 km southeast), Chakarakkal (16 km south east) and Iritty (42 km).

The main language spoken is Malayalam. However, English, Hindi and Tamil are the other languages which are also spoken and understood by majority of the people.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

The nearest airport is Mangalore in Karnataka state. The nearest International Airport is Kozhikode (Calicut).

Alternatively, you can go to Kochi International Airport [1] or Thiruvananthapuram airport with direct flights from the Middle East, Singapore, Maldives and Sri Lanka then catch a train or bus to Kannur. You can alos go to Chennai (Madras), Bangalore, Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, or other Indian cities and then by train.

[edit] By train

Kannur is well serviced by rail from all major cities in India like Kozhikode, Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Coimbatore.

[edit] By bus

You can also reach Kannur by bus from big cities like Mangalore, Kochi, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Mumbai, Coimbatore.

[edit] By road

Kannur is well connected to other cities Kochi, Kozhikode, Madras, Bangalore, Mangalore, Coimbatore, and Madurai by roads. NH 17 connecting Kochi and Mumbai passes through Kannur.

[edit] Get around

• Bus - local bus service system is cheap.
• Autorickshaw - This is cheap way of transportation between tourist attractions.Autodrivers here are the most trust worthy compared to any where else in India. They have a good reputation for being truthful and reliable in their dealings.
• Taxi - Local taxis are also available at cheap rates.
• Car - There are many Car rental companies offering cars with drivers or self drive.

Many places of attractions are near by to each other so you could walk between them.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Kannur City

Kannur is mentioned as a great emporia of spice trade by explorer Marco Polo.

• St. Angelo's Fort. Don Francisco De Almeida of Portuguese constructed this fort in 1505 AD. The Dutch captured the fort from Portuguese in 1663 they sold the fort to the king Ali Raja of Arakkal kingdom. In 1790 the British seized the control over this fort and became one of the important military centres of the British in Malabar. Inside St.Angelo's fort,many people believe that there is a secret tunnel in this fort. This tunnel was built underneath the sea to the Thalassery Fort which is 21 km from Kannur fort. This under passage is said to be used by soldiers to escape. Grilled off from the general public, the percieved entrance is located 10 metres form the shore within the walls and is understood to be able to provide a potential escape route to horse-mounted soldiers with channels at regular points to provide air circulation. The Moppila Bay Harbor and Arakkal Mosque are near the fort. A painting of this fort and the fishing ferry behind the fort can be seen in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The fort is now under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India.  edit

• Arackal Kottaram. Palace of Arackal Ali Rajas a Muslim royal family.  edit

• Moppila Bay, (Near the St. Angelo’s Fort). Centuries ago, this was the seat of Kolathiri Kings. The Kadalayi Fort and Sree Krishna Temple were quite famous. The remnants of the fort and the temple are still seen in Mopila Bay. A fishing harbour, built with Indo Norwegian project assistance, can be seen at this bay. Boating in the sea, if the weather permits, will be an unforgettable experience.  edit

• Azhikkal Ferry, (Near Azhikode, around 10 km from Kannur). There is the Valapattanam river joining the Arabian sea. Azhikkal ferry gives a magnificient view of the sunset. There is a granite pathway around 2 km into the sea at this place, once you reach the edge of the pathway you are surrounded by sea from all sides.  edit

• Sree Noonchikavu Siva Temple, (100 metres away from the mainland at Dharmadam).  edit

• Dharmadam Island, Dharmadam,Thalassery (4 km from TLY town centre). The small 5 acre (20,000 m²) island covered with coconut palms and dense bushes is a beautiful sight from the Muzhappilangad beach. 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 was a Buddhist stronghold.  edit

• Parassini Muthappa Temple, (On the bank of Baliapattam River at Parassinikkadavu, 20 km away from Kannur). Avery famous old temple in North Malbar. No Religious bar in this temple. Here you will get the tea, lunch and dinner and boarding in free of cost.  edit

• Peralassery Sree Subrahmanya Temple, (Towards Koothuparamba, 14 km from Kannur).  edit

[edit] Tellicherry City

• Gundert Bungalow. Residence of Rev. Dr. Herman Gundert, a German missionary and great scholar, author of malayalam dictionary.  edit

• Nettur Hill Church. Build by Rev. Dr. Herman Gundert.  edit

• Thalassery Fort. 18th century fort built by british, and a light house.  edit

• Odathil Mosque (Odathil Palli). A 200 year old mosque in Thalassery. The mosque was built around 1806. In the heart of Thalassery stands the 200 year old Odathil Palli and the Garden Mosque. The site of the Odathil Palli used to be a sugarcane garden of the Dutch. It changed hands to the British-owned East India Company.Moosakaka, a Muslim keralite, was the contractor of the East India Company. Moosakaka hailed from the Keyi family of Thalassery. The Keyis were was one of the prominent traders of the time.Moosakaka was considered to be very honest and trustworthy. Hence the company wanted to gift him for his loyalty. As per his request he was given the sugar garden of the Dutch. Musakaka bought this land for a small price as he did not want it free.He constructed a beautiful mosque in Thalassery in the 'Karimbin-odam' Sugarcane plantation formerly belonged to the Dutch, occupied by the British. Odam means 'garden' in Dutch language. Since it was constructed in Odam the mosque came to be called Odathil Palli, meaning 'mosque in Odam'. The mosque had copper plate roofing and golden dome in the minor and share the scenic features as the ones noted in the Brahmin|Brahminical tradition. There was opposition in laying the dome - a privilege enjoyed by the temples so Zamorin gave speed permission to lay the domes and the minaret. It highlights the communal harmony that prevailed in those days and the policy of enlightened toleration followed by the Kerala rulers. All the Muslims can offer prayers but in the graveyard|Kabaristan (graveyard adjacent to the mosque) where only the dead bodies of the Keyis, their wives and children are buried.  edit

• Holy Rosary Church, (In Thalassery Fort). Famous for stained glass works brought from London.  edit

[edit] Other places nearby

• Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, (Near Iritty, a small town about 55km from Kannur). Spread over 55 square kilometres of undulating forested highlands on the slopes of the Western Ghats. It was established in 1984. The sanctuary adjoins the Central state Farm at Aralam. Aralam wild life is situating in Muzhakkunnu panchayathu and Aralam panchayath. Muzhakkunnu is also a tourist spot. The elevation varies from 50 m to 1145 m. The highest peak here, Katti Betta, rises to a majestic 1145 m above sea level. Covered with tropical and semi evergreen forests, the Aralam Sanctuary is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats. Herds of deer, elephant, boar and bison are common sights. Leopards, jungle cats and various types of squirrels are also seen here.  edit

• Ezhimala, (38 km north of Kannur). 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. 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 Buddha 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. There is an old tower of great antiquity here, the Mount Deli Light House. It is maintained by the Indian Navy and is a restricted area. The beach sand is of a different texture and the sea is bluer than in other areas. At the Ettikulam bay, one can enjoy watching dolphins. 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 there.  edit

• Kizhunna Ezhara Beach.  edit

• Kottiyoor. At Kottiyur, there are two temples– Akkare Kottiyur and Ikkare Kottiyur, located on the opposite banks of Bavali river. The festivities at Kottiyur begin with a sword from the Muthirikavu Temple in Tavinal village being taken to the Ikkare Kottiyur temple. It is believed that this sword was the one with which the mythical character Dakshan was hacked to death by Lord Shiva and is today an object of daily worship at the Muthirikavu Temple. The temple is believed to be located on the spot of the ancient Dakshayaga.  edit

• Madayi. This beautiful ancient mosque was originally built in 1124 by Malik Ibn Dinar, a Muslim preacher. 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. Near by, lies a dilapidated fort believed to have been built by Tipu Sultan, the Ruler of Mysore.  edit

• Mahe. French coloney, now part of Pondicherry State.  edit

• Malayalakalagramam. Centre for arts and culture.  edit

• Parassini Kadavu, (At Parassinikkadavu, en route from Kannur to Taliparamba, 2 km from National Highway(NH) 17). Snake Park is a famous landmark in the district of Snake Park . Here one gets to see a large genre of snakes and other small animals and there is even a live show, where trained personnel play and 'interact' with a variety of snakes, including cobras and vipers, and seek to quell mythical fears and superstitions about snakes. The Snake Park set up by the Visha Chikista Kendra at Pappinisseri, has been a centre of attraction to both foreign and domestic tourists. This Kendra(center) offers effective treatment for snake bites with almost 100% cure. This is the only place, perhaps where Ayurveda and Allopathy are effectively combined for curing snake bites. The snake park here houses about 150 varieties of snakes including the Spectacled Cobra, King Cobra, Russell's viper, Krait and various pit vipers. There is also a large collection of non-poisonous snakes including Pythons. A research laboratory to extract venom from snakes is proposed to be set up here. The park is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of snakes, many species of which are getting extinct gradually. It is located 16 km from Kannur. Parassinikkadavu is also noted for the famous Muthappan temple. This is the only temple in Kerala where a Theyyam performance is a daily ritual offering.  edit

• Pazhazzi Dam. Favours for its scenic beauty, pleasure boating, accommodation at Inspection Bungalow.  edit

• Payyambalam Beach Resort.  edit

• Pythal Mala, (on the Kerala-Karnataka border is 65 km north of Kannur). Ideal for trekking, it is around 1,450 metres above sea level. A base reception centre and a watchtower atop the cliff function for the benefit of tourists and trekkers.  edit

• Thiruvangad Sree Ramaswami Temple,, Thalassery. A prominent temple with carvings as old as 400 years.  edit

• Taliparambu. A small town of only 67,000 people crowded into a small area of 43 square kilometers. But the undulating hills that surround this little town make it exceptionally beautiful. The surrounding villages of Pattuvam, Kuttikkol and Karimbam are filled with lush green fields and little rolling hills. The rivers of Kuppam and Valapattanam surround the towns from all sides and the Arabian sea is only 14km to the western side. The hanging bridge at Kuttiyeri and the beautiful riverside temple at Parassinikkadavu attaract a large number of toruists. The Kannur University, Pariyaram Medical College and Sir Syed College are a few famous institutions in and around Taliparamba. The origin of Taliparamba is from the Perinchalloor brahminical settlement. Of the original 2,000 Brahmin families, only 45 remain now. The old name of Taliparamba was 'Lakshmipura' as this place was considered as an abode of prosperity. The 'Raja Rajeswari Temple' and the 'Trichambaram temple' are renowned places of worship. Today Muslims and Christians also form a sizeable portion of the population.  edit

• Thodikalam Siva Temple. Believed to be 2,000 years old and famous for its mural paintings. This temple is believed to have been Constucted by the Pazhassi Raja Family of Kottayam.  edit

• Valapattanam (Ballapattam, Balyapattanam), (7 km from Kannur). A small town on the banks of Valapattanam river. This town is well known for its wood-based industries and timber trade. Centuries back Valapattanam puzha river 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 port of Azhikkal is located nearby. In the bank of Valapattanam river you see Western India Plywoods Ltd., the largest wood-based industry in the country and which was the biggest plywood factory in Asia till few years back.The famous Muthappan temple is in the bank of Valapattanam river.  edit

• Karivellur. Famous for the Communist movement and martyrdom.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• ulumbhan kunnu, kuttiattor (kannur mayyil chalode road). only 4km in mayyil town,  edit

[edit] Beaches

• Baby Beach. It is called so as it is smaller than its bigger neighbourhood, Payyambalam Beach. The famous St. Angelo Fort is adjacent to it.  edit

• Meenkunnu Beach, (At Azhikode, a few kilometres from the town). The virgin beach is a tourist's paradise with golden sand and surf.  edit

• Muzhappilangad Beach, (5 km north of Thalassery and 15 km from Kannur). A long clean beach, its enchanting ambiance invites you to swim sunbathe or just lounge around. Its Kerala's only drive-in beach and one could drive the entire length of 4 km. There is an unpaved road winding through coconut groves, leading to the beach. The beach is about 5 kilometers long and curves in a wide area providing a good view of Kannur beach on the north. To the South and about 200 metres away from the beach there is a beautiful island called the "Green Island" which adds to the allure of the beach. Such a conjunction of beach and island is rare.  edit

• Payyambalam Beach, (2 km from Kannur). Widely admired for its beauty. From the beach, one can see ships in transit along the Malabar coast, that is, beyond Calicut (Kozhikode) and moving towards Mangalore, Goa and Mumbai (Bombay). One can see a sculpture (Mother and Child) by Kanayi Kunhiraman near this beach.  edit

• Thottada Beach, (At Thottada, 2 km from the NH 17 connecting Kannur and Thalassery, 7 km from Kannur). The virgin beach is ideal for sun bathing. Tourists could stay at the beach house or guest house near the beach.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Airlines Restaurant, Fort Road.  edit

• Bharath Restaurant, Railway Station Road (Opposite to the petrol pump, near Central Bank of India, in Abhilash Tourist Home). Best vegetarian restaurant, though small and cheap. Taste the real Kerala Parotta from here.  edit

• Cita Pani, Payyambalam Road.  edit

• Cool Land, SN Park Road.  edit

• Indian Coffee House, (Near KSRTC Bus Stand).  edit

• Komalavilasam.  edit

• Marina Bakery Poothappara, Azhikode.  edit

• Mascot.  edit

• MVK, SM Road.  edit

• Paris, Thalassery.  edit

• Paris Presidency, Logans Road,Thalassery.  edit

• Royal Omars, Thavakkara.  edit

• Royal Treat, (Near SN Park).  edit

• Sagar.  edit

• Taj Restaurant, SM Road Kannur.  edit
• Othens Restaurant (Delicious Fish), Onden Road Kannur.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Baker Boy's, Kumar Tower, Bellard Road, ☎ 0497-2707821.  edit

• The Grand Savoy.  edit

• Malayala Sadhya, S.N Park Road (drive towards chalad from S.N Park Road. Before Savitah/Saritha Cinemas). Visit Malayala Sadhy for a wide variety of local and international cuisine. Veg and Non veg served. Old tharavadu style house converted to a restaurant. AC and Non AC dining areas available.  edit

• Velocity Pub, Puthiyatheru. near to amana wholesale shope  edit
• sona, bank road kannur. near to nikshan electronics  edit
• sadhoo hotel, puthiyatheru (kannur kasargode road just 4 km in kannur town). you can get tasty and spicy treditional keral food  edit
• Rara Avis Restaurant, Narangapuram,Thalassery. Spacious A/c & non A/c Hall.Tasty Special Thalasserian Cuisine  edit
• Park View Restaurant, Near Rly Foot Overbridge,Thalassery.  edit
• Sheen Confectionery, Opp railway Statuon kannur.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Kairali Heritage, Kattampally, Kannur-670 603, Kerala, India, ☎ +91 4602 241665 / 243460/61/62/63, [2]. Kairali Heritage Resort is set along the banks of the Kattampally River in Kannur, India. It is 8 km from the city centre. The nearest airport, which is in Calicut, is 115 km away. Bask in solitude as you settle down in any of the rooms at Kairali Heritage Resort. Each accommodation has a private toilet and bath with shower, dining area, and balcony/ deck. Rates start at INR 3500.  edit

• Karimbam Kallu Shapu.  edit

• Pearl View Pub, Venus Junction,Near City Centre,Telicherry.  edit

• Sannidhan.  edit

• The Sky Palace.  edit

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

• happy bakery, puthiyatheru.  edit
• Iceberg Cool Bar, Thalassery.  edit