Step In To Bindhu's Home Page
Calicut & Kannur

When I have to say something about my home town, there are always two pictures that come to my mind. The first one is  Kozhikode (Calicut) and  the second  one is Kannur (Cannanore).  I spent   my childhood  and school days in Kozhikode till I turned 13.  Then my family came to Kannur and settled down there.  I had spent  the rest of my school days (9th and 10th) in Kannur after which I came to Bangalore

Wanna watch Malayalam Movie clips ? Click Here

OR

Let's start with Kozhikode (Calicut)
"Calicut is a port for the whole Indian sea, which God forbid any craft to cross" these words of Athanaseus Nikiten, the Russian traveler way back in the 13th century echo even today the glory of the historical town that is 'Koyil' (palace)'Kodu' (fortified).

           

Some facts about Calicut

  • Kallai, just 2 km south of Calicut city, was once the center of world's second largest timber trade. Today, though business does take place, it is passing through difficult a phase and Kallai is just a shadow of its past.
  • Peace loving people-known for their communal harmony. One of the few cities in India, where the demolition of Babri masjid did not cause any repercussion
  • Annual Rainfall -- 254 cm       Altitude -- Sea level
    Max. Temperature -- 34 °C     Min. Temperature -- 20 °C
  • The English word CALICO, the wold renowned cotton, was originated from Calicut.
  • Payyoli, a small village in Calicut is the home town of India's best ever female athlete
  • Calicut or Kozhikode is situated in the south Indian state of Kerala on the southwest coast of the Arabian Sea. The district extends from latitude 11°15' N to 75°49' E. Basking in the idyllic setting of the serene Arabian Sea on the west and mesmeric peaks of the Wayanad hills on the east, this district has all the required ingredients to fascinate a tourist

    Click here to watch some beautifull pictures with special effects

    Kappad in Calicut is the place where Vasco da Gama set foot for the first time when he came to India on May 27, 1498. There is a small stone monument at the beach to commemorate that event.
     
    Planning a trip to Calicut (Kozhikode)?  For many tourists, Calicut (Kozhikode) is known for Kappad where Vasco da Gama set foot for the first time when he came to India. Dolphin's Point is a good place to watch dolphins playing in the sea early in the morning. On this beach are also situated Calicut Town Center, Lions Club, and a lighthouse. Two crumbling piers, more than hundred years old, stand out into sea at Kozhikode beach.. The beach is easily accessible from the city and provides a good view of the setting sun. The place also has a Marine Life Aquarium open whole day.

    Places of Interest - Picnic Spots

    Aquarium  -  Bird Sanctuary, Kadalundi  -  Kalipoika  -  Kozhikode Beach  -  Kakkayam Dam
    Kappad Beach  -  Lions Park, Beach  -  Malabar House Boats, Purakkatiri  -  Mananchira Square  -  Crocodile Park, Peruvannamuzhi  -  Thusharagiri  -  Velleri Mala  -  Velliyamkallu, Near Payyoli Beach.



    Professional Colleges Arts and Science Colleges
    Indian Institute of Management Malabar Christian College, Calicut
    National Insitute of Technology (NIT) Farook College, Feroke
    A W H College of Engineering Govt. Arts and Science College, Meenchanda
    Govt. College of Engineering St. Joseph's College, Devagiri
    Calicut Medical College Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College, Pokkunnu
    Govt. Dental College Providence Women's College, Malapparamba
    Govt. Nursing College Sree Narayana Guru College, Chelannur
    Govt. Homeopathic Medical College M. A. M. College, Mukkam
    Govt. Law College Govt. College, Koyilandi
    Govt. Training College Govt. College, Kodencheri
    Farook Training College Govt. College, Mokeri
    B.Ed. Center Govt. College, Madappalli
    Govt. Polytechnic, West Hill C.K.G. Memorial Govt. College, Perambra
    L.B.S. Center for Science and Technology M.E.S. Women's College, Calicut
    Govt. Physical Education College Sree Narayana Guru College, Calicut
    College of Communication and Journalism,
    Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan
    Though I was away from this birth place of mine for many years now, I still hold this place and the memories very dear to my heart.  If given a chance I'll give the first preference to this place to go back and settle down.  I love My birth place more than any other place in this world.
     
     
     
     
    Kannur {Cannanore}
     

    Jawaharlal Nehru once said that Kannur is the Garden of India.

    Come to Kannur! Natures bounteous beauty beckons you ! Kannur is a land with a resonant past. Myths and legends abound.  The ships of Solomon, they say anchored along our coasts to collect timber for building the Temple of the Lord.  Kannur finds mention as NAURA in the Periplus of the Erithrean Sea a Greek work of great antiquity.
    Kannur has always been a favourite destination of the intrepid foreign traveller.  Europeans, Chinese and Arabs have visited our coasts.  In his book of travels Marco Polo recounts his visit to the area circa 1250 A.D. Other visitors included Fahian, the Buddhist pilgrim and Ibn Batuta, writer and historian of Tangiers.
    The term Kannur is the compound of  two words Kannan (Lord Krishna) Ur (Place). This will make it the place of Lord Krishna.
     
    Though I have spent only two years in Kannur,  I have found this place filled with nature's beauty.  More about Kannur... Read on.

    Area: 2997 Sq. Km. Population: 2,244,819  Altitude: Sea level

     

     

     

    Tourist Places

    Parassini Kadavu Temple & Snake Park: Sri. Muthappan Temple stands on the banks of the Valapattanam River. This pilgrim centre is famous for the Muthappan Theyyam performed every morning and evening. The DTPC provides pleasure boating on the river near the temple. Accommodation is available nearby. The Snake Park is the only one of its kind in the state and perhaps, in the whole of India. There are three snakes pits, fifteen glass cases for snakes and two large glass houses for King Cobras in the park. Snake demonstrations conducted every hour draw large number of visitors.

    Sree Muthappan Temple: At Parassinikadavu

    Fort St. Angelos

    St. Angelo's Fort: This massive triangular structure, with a ditch and strong flanking bastions was built by the first Portuguese Viceroy in 1505. It later become the major military base of the British in Malabar. the fort is today the main landmark of Kannur

    Pythal Mala: This enchanting hill station situated 4,500 ft. above sea level near the Kerala - Karnataka border, is rich in flora and fauna. It is a six Km trek to the top of the hills.  Pythal Mala is the closest tourist destination from house in Kannur.  Its around 10 to 15 kms away.

    Dharmadam Island: The small 5 acre island covered with coconut palms and green bushes is a beautiful sight from the beach. Permission is required to enter this privately owned island

    Sree Ramaswami Temple, Thiruvangadi: The temple dedicated to Sree Rama is one of the most prominent temples in Malabar. The exquisite carvings in the temple are said to have been done nearly 400 years ago.

    Kottiyoor: There is a famous Siva Temple here, on the banks of the Bavail river. Lakhs of devotees attend the annual 27 day long festival during May - June.

    Valapattanam (Ballapattam): The small town on the Valapattanam river is well known for its wood-based industries and timber trade. the port of Azhikkal and Azhikkal beach are located nearby. Western India Plywood Limited, the largest wood-based industry in the country and also one of the biggest of its kind in South East Asia, is a major industrial concern here.

    Ezhimala: The beautiful beach here has a hillock nearby (286 M high). A Naval Academy is being developed here.

    Payyambalam Beach: Quiet, secluded, beautiful, this enchanting sandy beach borders Kannur - the land of ageless charms. This beautiful stretch of sand and surf is the best locale for a relaxed evening. The Payyambalam beach is a popular picnic spot of the local people and holds much potential for development into a tourist resort.

    Payyambalam Beach

    Mahe: Between Tellicherry and Badagara is Mahe, a small beautiful trading town on the West Coast established by the French in the 17th century. It is under the administrative control of the union territory of Pondicherry and several historical hangovers of French influence are evident it is about 9 sq. Kms in area. The feast of St. Theresa's Church in Mahe attracts a large number of devotees. This beautiful church proclaims the glory of French architecture in Kerala.

    Kannur has become my home town now because that's where my parents and brothers stay.