Valapattanam

Valapattanam is a small town in the Kannur district, located in the Indian state of Kerala. It is also the smallest panchayath in kerala.Its area is 2.04 sqr Km. Valapattanam is an important Muslim settlement area in Kannur.  Valapattanam is known for its communal harmony. On one hand one can see the "Kalarivathukkal temple" and on the other hand you have the "Kakkulangara Mosque" lying in close proximity. The long vision of the social leaders and people on the whole has made Valapattanam a land of communal harmony.

This town is also known as Balyapattanam. This town is in the on the banks of Valapattanam river. This town is well known for its wood-based industries and timber trade. Centuries back Valapattanam River (puzha) 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.

This town is named after its historical founder Vallabha II of the Mooshika dynasty (Kolathiri family) and was originally known as Vallabha-Pattanam and served as the capital of the Mooshika dynasty during the medieval ages. The fourteenth-century narrative of Ibn Battuta refers to the ruler of Ezhimala as residing at Baliapatanam and offers a clue that by this time, the centre of the political authority had shifted from Ezhimala to Baliapatanam. In the sixteenth century AD, a Portuguese official Duarte Barbosa also mentions Baliapatanam (Baliapatam in European records) as the residence of the ‘king of Cannanore’.

Valapattanam is a strong bastion of the UDF and its ally IUML. It is part the Azhkkodu Legislative assembly constituency where KM Shaji of UDF is likely to win th 2011 assembly elections with a thumping majority.

Location: It is about 7 km north of Kannur.

Parassinikkadavu Snake Park

Parassinkkadavu Snake Park is a famous landmark in Parassinikkadavu, which is 2 km away from National Highway (NH) 17, en route from Kannur to Taliparamba,

The Park houses a large variety of snakes and other small animals, 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. The park is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of snakes, many species of which are gradually becoming extinct.In a live show, trained personnel play and 'interact' with a variety of snakes, including cobras and vipers, and try to quell mythical fears and superstitions about snakes. It has also been proposed that a laboratory to extract venom from snakes for purposes of research be set up here.

The Snake Park, set up by the Visha Chikista Kendra, is regularly visited by both foreign and domestic tourists. The Kendra also offers effective treatment for snake bites.

Location: Around 16 km away from Kannur town.

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.