Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
major port bristling with international trade - explorer Marco Polo christened it a 'great
emporium of spice trade'. Since then, the usual colonial suspects, including the Por-
tuguese, Dutch and British, have had a go at exerting their influence on the region. Today
it is an unexciting, though agreeable, town known mostly for its weaving industry and
cashew trade.
Beaches to the south and north of Kannur - some of the nicest in Kerala - and the
growing number of family homestays are the big attractions. Bear in mind you can't swim
during the monsoon season because of rough seas. This is a predominantly Muslim area,
so local sensibilities should be kept in mind: wear a sarong over your bikini on the beach.
Sights & Activities
Kannur's main town beach is the 4km-long Payyambalam Beach , which starts about 1.5km
east of the train station, just past the military cantonment.
St Angelo Fort
( 9am-6pm) The Portuguese built the St Angelo Fort in 1505 from brilliantly red
laterite stone on a promontory a few kilometres south of town.
FORT
Loknath Weavers' Co-operative
( 2726330; 8.30am-5.30pm Mon-Sat) Established in 1955, this is one of the oldest cooperat-
ives in Kannur and occupies a large building busily clicking with the sound of looms. You
can stop by for a quick (free) tour and visit the small shop here that displays the fruits of
their labours. It's 4km south of Kannur town.
HANDICRAFTS WORKSHOP
Kerala Dinesh Beedi Co-Operative
( 2835280; www.keraladinesh.com ; 8am-6pm Tue-Sat) This region is also known for the manu-
facture of beedis, those tiny Indian cigarettes deftly rolled inside green leaves. This is one
of the largest and purportedly best manufacturers, with a factory at Thottada, 7km south of
Kannur and about 4km from Thottada beach. A skilled individual can roll up to 1000 a
day! An autorickshaw should cost around ?100 return from Kannur town.
HANDICRAFTS WORKSHOP
Theyyam Rituals
The Kannur region is the best place to see the spirit-possession ritual called theyyam ; on
most nights of the year there should be a theyyam ritual on at a village temple somewhere
RELIGIOUS
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