Ezhimala Hill

Ezhimala , a hill reaching a height of 286 metres, is located in Kannur District of Kerala, South India. As the former capital of the ancient Mushika Kingdom, it is considered to be an important historical site. It is a conspicuous, isolated cluster of hills, forming a promontory 38 km north of Kannur Town. A flourishing seaport and center of trade around the beginning of the Common Era, it was also one of the major battlefields of the Chola-Chera Wars of the 11th century. It is believed by some that Lord Buddha had visited Ezhimala. The hill was once known as Mount Delly by the English or Monte D'Ely by the Portuguese. This region is also known as Elimala, Mooshaka Sailam and Sapta Sailam.

Athulan describes the later kings of this dynasty, who are now better known as the Kolathiri Dynasty. King Ramaghata Mooshika's successors shifted their capital to Pazhi (the present-day village of Pazhayangadi), Valabhapattanam (Valapattanam), and other nearby places over the centuries.

Ezhimala, which is part of Ramanthali panchayath, is one of the most important places in the recorded history of North Kerala. Mooshika Vamsham, written by Athulan in the 10th century, throws light on the history of the Mushika Royal Family in particular and of North Kerala in general. The first recorded king of Mooshika Vamsham (the Mooshika Dynasty) was Ramaghata Mooshika, and his capital was Ezhimala.

There is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and the Mount Deli Lighthouse also located here. 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 had Indian Naval Ship (INS) Zamorin commissioned here marking Phase I of the Indian Naval Academy project, which was completed in January 2009. 

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, inaugurated the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, Kerala on the 8th of January 2009. The Prime Minister's address on the occasion began with appreciation of this place "It is my profound pleasure to be present here today at this magnificent campus overlooking the Arabian Sea. There could not have been a better place for the establishment of India’s Naval Academy. I am therefore grateful to the Government of Kerala for having made all this possible.

Location: Only 2km from Ramanthali town. Around 8 km from Payyanur Railway station.

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

The Aralam Sanctuary is spread over 55 sq km of undulating forested highlands on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The highest peak here - Katti Betta - rises to a majestic 1145 m above sea level. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1984. The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 55 square km.

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. Elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, Nilgiri langur, Hanuman langur, Malabar giant squirrel, etc can be seen here.

The vegetation in the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary consists of coast tropical evergreen forest and west coast semi evergreen forest. There are about 490 hectares of teak and eucalyptus plantations within the forest area.

 

Aralam, a village in Thalasserry, is also noted for the Central State Farm, a 3060 hectare farm started in 1971 by the Government of India. This is one of the main production centres of hybrid coconut seeds in the country.

 Location: About 35 km from Thalasserry railway Station.

Payyambalam Beach

Payyambalam beach is a major tourist spot that attracts tourists and local people. It often finds mention in tourism related publications as a beautiful beach. A long clean beach, its enchanting ambience invites you to play in water, sunbathe or just lounge around with your near and dear ones. At one end of the beach is a flat laterite cliff just into the sea. It is Picturesque and incredibly beautiful. The well laid out gardens and the massive landscaped sculpture of mother & child by Kanayi Kunhiraman greet the visitor to Payyambalam. A part of the garden is especially for children.

Many movies have been shot in this location including the Maniratnam movie Alai Payuthe.The Worldspace ad featuring A.R. Rahman was also shot here. Payambalam is the largest and most beautiful beach in Kerala

Location: It is situated around 2 km from Kannur town.

Pazhassi Dam

 Pazhassi Dam is located 11 km away from the birth place of the Pazhassi Raja, the Pazhassi Dam is nestled amidst an idyllic and picturesque setting. Famous for its scenic beauty, the Pazhassi Damn is a popular tourist hangout. The Kannur District Tourism Promotion Council boats are available to navigate through the river enjoying the silent beauty of Pazhassi dam. It is the only reservoir with gardens in Kannur district. The garden is a good attraction with sculptures. The added attractions of the place are the gardens and children's park. The Buddha’s mountain at Pazhassi and the sculpture of Pazhassi King are visual delights. 

This reservoir is mainly used for irrigation purpose. The water supply from this dam meets the drinking as well as the irrigation purpose of the whole Kannur district. This Project was

commisioned by Ex: Prime Minister Late: Mr. Moraji Desai in the yaer of 1979.

While there may not be too much to do? At the Pazhassi Dam, it continues to be a favourite with the tourists solely on the basis of its picturesque and quaint setting, which takes the breath away of any traveller. Riding on its fame for being unimaginably beautiful, the Pazhassi Dam draws tourists by a large number every year, from the across the country and different parts of the world.

Location: Located 37 km east of Kannur.

St. Angelo's Fort

St. Angelo's Fort or Kannur Fort was built in 1505 by Dom Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India and is on the Arabian Sea. It was attacked in vain by the local Indian ruler in the Siege of Cannanore (1507).

On August 1509 Almeida, refusing to recognize Afonso de Albuquerque's as the new Portuguese governor to supersede himself, arrested him in this fortress after having fought the naval Battle of Diu. Afonso de Albuquerque was released after three months' confinement, and become governor on the arrival of the grand-marshal of 

Portugal with a large fleet, in October 1509.

The fort changed hands several times. A painting of this fort and the fishing ferry behind it can be seen in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The Dutch captured the fort from the Portuguese in 1663. They modernised the fort and built the bastions Hollandia, Zeelandia and Frieslandia that are the major features of the present structure. The original Portuguese fort was pulled down later. The Dutch sold the fort to king Ali Raja of Arakkal in 1772. In 1790 the British seized it and used it as their chief military station in Malabar.  

 

The fort is in the Cannanore Cantonment area. It is fairly well preserved as a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. St Angelo's fort is a most important historical monument and a popular tourist attraction. All those who visit this fort must meet a Tourism Policeman on duty here named Sathyan Edakkad. He has done the historical research about this fort and published a book named "Vasco da Gama and the Unknown Facts of History".He has got many awards

The Moppila Bay Harbor and Arakkal Mosque are near the fort. The fort is now well-maintained under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Location: Situated 3 km from the town of Kannur.

Details: Tourists are allowed entry to the fort every day of the week between 8 am to 6 pm.

Kuruva Island

Kuruva Island is one of the important attractions in Wayanad. Kuruva Island is situated on the tributaries of the river kabani and is a fabulous picnic spot. Its serene silence and wide expanse of the evergreen forest leaves you astonishing. This island is isolated but an array of uncommon species of birds, herbs and orchids are the monarchs of Kuruva Island. To reach the island we have to cross a small stream by foot. Ferry service is available to reach the island but could not get one to reach there since it is so crowded. Water level in the river was very low we crossed the river by foot to and fro.

Kuruva Island is a vast island of 950 acres abundantly rich with green forest. It is very far from the turbulence of city life making it an exotic place for visitors to relax and enjoy the beauty of the nature.

Kuruva island or Dweep is consists of group of islands inside Kabini river and covers an area of about 950 acres of ever green dense forest. Nothing so specific over there in the island except you and the chirping sound of the birds

Location: Kuruva Island is 17 kms to the east of Mananthavady.

 

Details: If you want you can just roam around the island but leave the island before 4.30 PM. Tree top huts are available on a rent for Rs. 750/- Island has an entry fee of Rs. 10/- per each person.

Ambalavayal Heritage Museum

 The main attractions here include the rare second century artifacts. The Ambalavayal Heritage Museum is an archaeological museum. The exhibits here are evidences of an advanced civilisation that existed in the mountains of Wayanad. For people with some interest in histoy or archaeology This is must see spot; Where the greatest collection of articles are displayed rememebering the way how the inhabitants of the hills lived around two million years back. 

The articles exibited are capable of throwing light into a civilzation and culture pertaining to the tribals who inhabited here around two thousand years back. The articles on display here are a fascination for the historians, the archaeologists and the ordinary man alike. At the museum you can see articles as varied as clay sculptures, ancient hunting equipments like bows and arrows, stone weapons and other curios. The exhibits also include 14th and 16th century jewelry, hunting and fishing weapons, farming implements, ancient terracottas, rock edicts and other remnants that dates back to the 2nd century.

 

Location: Only 12 km south of Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad district.

Details:  Visiting time from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.