KANNUR

PARASSINIKADAVU

Parassinikadavu on the banks of the river Valapattanam is 18 km away from Kannur. It is here the well known Sri Muthappan Temple and the Snake Park are located.

THE SNAKE PARK AT PARASSINIKADAVU

The park aims at preserving and conserving snakes from extinction. There are king cobras. Spectacled cobras, monosialed cobras, pythons and non-poisonous snakes kept in pits and glass cases.

SRI MUTHAPPAN TEMPLE

The presiding deity of this popular temple is Muthappan, the reincarnation of Lord Shiva. This is the only temple in the state where Theyyam, the ritual dance form is performed daily. Another distinguishing feature of the temple is its unusual ritual of offering fish and toddy to the deity. Kathakali is also performed at the temple by the Kathakali Club on request.

THALIPARAMBU

Thaliparambu, about 20 km north-east of Kannur, is famous for its Thiruchambaram Vishnu Temple dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu. This temple, which dates back to the 10^th century, is an example of medieval temple architecture.

EZHIMALA

The Ezhimala hills are about 55 km north of Kannur. The hills are having some rare medicianal herbs used for Ayurvedic formulations. The scenic hills and the sandy beach below make Ezhimala a popular picnic spot. Ezhimala has gained a prominent place in the map of India with the proposed Naval Academy here.

THALASSERI

Thalasseri (Tellicherry) is a small town about 20km. south of Cannanore (Kannur) from where most of India’s circus artistes come. The gymnastic tradition was introduced in school here by German missionaries.

Rev. Dr. Herman Gundert who compiled the first Malayalam Dictionary spent a lifetime around Tellicherry in his educational and literary work. He also built a church on Nettur Hill in 1889.