Kannur Tours

Scenic beauty is almost synonymous to Kannur, and adds to its reputation as a land of ageless legends and fantasies. Situated by the Lakshwadeep Sea, the imprints of a long history of conquest by many different Kingdoms remains to this day in Kannur district in the form of temples mosques, forts and folktales. Marco Polo, the Buddhist Pilgrim Fa Hian, writer and historian Ibn Batuta, the German linguist Dr. Herman Gundert, Malik Bin Dinar … the list of travelers is endless.

When talking of Kannur District one can't help but give prominence to its rich traditions before mentioning over many tourist destinations. Kannur is the birthplace of one of the best-known folk arts of Kerala - Theyyam. The experience of watching ibrant, colorful folk dance, of which there are about 400 types, is out of this world. The ancient martial art of aripayuttu also finds its origins in this region, and the rigorous systems of learning are dutifully carried out even to this day. Kalaripayuttu is focuses on the perfect synchrony of mind and body, and gives utmost importance to self-discipline.

The tourist destinations in Kannur are deeply intertwined with the history of the region. St. Angelo's Fort, for example, is a monument that is a marker of the Portugese advent on the Malabar Coast. Built on the seashore in 1505 AD by the first Portugese Viceroy of India, the fort was passed on to the Dutch, then to Ali Raja of Arakkal, and then went to the British in 1790. Apart from the sight of the barracks and cannons that are remain intact within the fort one also can also get a view of the Mappila Bay Harbour, and the Arakkal mosque (Arakkal Kettu). The Fort is just walking distance from the long and clean Payyambalam Beach in Kannur town. Also near the Fort is the Mappila bay, a fishing harbour built with Indo-Norwegian project assistance. 20 Kms away from Kannur lies the Thalassery Fort which has seen through the tumultuous history of the region since it was built in 1708.

Away from the ancient Forts, lies the Shri Muthappan Temple which is the only place where one can see Theyyam being performed all through the year. This temple at Parassinikkadavu is situated 18 kms north of Kannur on the banks of the Valapattanam River. Tourists might want to stop over at the Snake Park on way to Parassinikkadavu, where a demonstration of snakes is held every hour.

Kannur is of course not only about history and culture, and there are also avenues for tourists to relax like at the Muzhappilangad Beach which is 15 kms from Kannur. The only drive-in beach in Kerala, the presence of black rocks ensures that the water is shallow and ideal for those who want to have a swim.