Kerala is a state on the west coast of South India. There are 14 unique districts within the state. This post is one part of a series of posts sharing the 14 districts in Kerala, India. This post details my short visit to Kannur district, well known for old forts, local beaches and amazing Malabari biryani. Google Maps location (https://goo.gl/maps/GDq6rFmow9KGS31U6 )
Kannur district is located on the northern side of the state of Kerala, between Kasargod in the north, and Kozhikode and Wayanad to the south. The coastal area around is also well known as the Malabar coast. Here we find good local beaches, great eateries especially for Malabari biryani, and many old forts.
I arrived at Kannur town (https://goo.gl/maps/27awsgxFTVf4MrLH6 ) through the Kannur train station. Surprisingly bumping into people I know in the train, which serves as a good reunion opportunity. It’s a fairly busy station. Walking out of the train station, the town is bustling with activity. A quick walk around town gave an opportunity for me to see many shops and stalls all the around the area. It was summer time, and the afternoon heat was a little relentless. In the heat of the sun, I could not miss Kannur’s St. Angelo Fort built by the Portugese in the early 1500s (https://goo.gl/maps/J9g9GmJrcEi17Ruv7 )
Towards the evening when the weather began to cool, it gave me more opportunities to visit localities. One great place was the Kannur market (https://goo.gl/maps/q2opZuP6HxHZJJXQ7 ). Walking around small stalls and seeing all the fresh produce and good was a great experience in town. The town continues to be rather busy with cars and auto rickshaws.
The next day, a quick local train ride down south to the famous town of Thalassery (https://goo.gl/maps/kWqAU4Zq2adWZ418A ). I was just walking through the town, visited the Seaview Park (https://goo.gl/maps/KzxtHJX3GiHnHAqK8 ), and also the important Thalassery Fort (https://goo.gl/maps/Eechr1RfnMn58NC38 ). Most of my time was spent just looking at the old rock stuctures of the fort.
Having met some friends there, we had taken a quick drive to Muzhuppilangad Drive in beach (https://goo.gl/maps/ZYaTwEcYvdkPTmJa7 ). It’s one of the few beaches around the state that cars can safe drive through the long compact sand for about 3kms long stretch. I couldn’t remember if I had ever been in a car in a beach ever. It was memorable.
Kannur district along the Malabar coast is famous of Malabari biryani, especially in the town of Thalassery. Many in the state would probably say Thalassery has the most well known biryani. I had many servings, only stopping to try other foods like stuffed deep fried mussels (kallumakkay) which was equally delicious. And visiting friends, we had great snacks of dried jackfruit, dates, figs which was amazing as well.
Anyone from around Malabar can also share other important places and photos around Kannur district, or if you are a visitor there, it would be amazing to hear others’ experiences.
*all photos are self captured.
Check out my other posts about other districts in Kerala (work in progress, going to cover all 14 districts)