Kannur: 7 Experiences You Don't Want to Miss

Preparations before Theyyam (Photo Credit: Dhruvaraj S.)

‘Kerala in Monsoons’ has slowly crawled up my list of experiences that I often recommend to my friends and family. This year I again found myself in the state during monsoons, when it is at its greenest and loveliest. After having explored the Southern districts way back in 2007 followed by Kochi and Calicut in Central Kerala in 2014, I was keen on exploring the lesser known gems that lied in the North- Kasaragod, Wayanad and Kannur.

While Kasaragod and Wayanad enthralled me with their pristine beauty, Kannur offered me an insight into local lives.

Kannur is best known for a ritual form of worship called Theyyam and rightly so. Theyyam is said to be several thousand-year-old tradition with very peculiar customs. Most tourists prefer to visit Kannur for this sole purpose during the season ie. November-January. This is the period when Theyyam is performed at its grandest but, it's also the time when it is most crowded.

What if I told you, it is possible to catch Theyyam all year round without getting shoved around in a huge crowd? What if I told you, there is far more to Kannur than Theyyam?

Come, let’s explore this little known and offbeat side of Kannur.

1. Experience Theyyam in a small gathering of devotees all year round

Theyyam at a Local Temple

Theyyam is traditionally performed in temples and if you want to catch the performance up close in a small gathering of devotees, visit Charappuram Sree Muthappan Kshethram. The temple holds Theyyam every Tuesday/Friday all year round. Call them at 0497-2729997 to reconfirm day and time. If you are upbeat about catching the famous mid-night performance, then you can consider visiting Muthappan Temple in Parassnikka.

2. Try local delicacies and street food

Pickled Pineapple and Amla

I had little doubt that Kerala was a treasure chest of unique delicacies and what I tasted in Kannur reaffirmed my belief. There was Pazhampuzha (ripe banana stir fried in ghee and honey), the sweet jackfruit fry, Karayappam (the sweet ball-like Kannur appams) and the best of all, tangy-sweet Pickled Pineapples and Amla sold by street vendors.

3. Visit a bidi making facility

Woman busy rolling bidis

It’s not often that one gets a chance to see a small co-operative manufacturing setup. So, when my host suggested the idea of visiting a local bidi factory, I jumped up. Watching just the sheer pace and rhythm of women cutting and rolling bidis was an interesting experience.  The women working here are quite friendly and do not be surprised if they offer you a few bidis to smoke!

4. Glimpse into the past at Arakkal museum

Arakkal Museum (Photo Credit: Oboe)

Arakkal Museum is dedicated to the Arakkal family who were the only Muslim royal family in Kerala.  The museum is very well maintained and owned by Arakkal Family Trust. The display includes furniture, vessels, weapons, artifacts and a glimpse into the history of a family that followed a matriarchal system of descent. The unique architectural design of the museum (which is a part of the palace) with generous use of wood, is also worth noticing.

5. Explore the backwaters on a passenger boat

Passenger Boat Across Kannur's Backwater

So here is a tip! If you want to navigate through the backwaters of Kannur, just hop onto a passenger boat (no, they are not at all crowded). The boat can be caught from the boat point under Valapattanam Bridge and depending on the time slot, you could choose to go in either direction. In just about Rs.20 I got a glimpse into the daily lives of locals as the boat took me around the backwaters through small hamlets, islands and lake. 

6. Delve into our heritage at Loknath Weavers

Weavers at Work in Loknath Weavers

Once, hand looms were an integral part of Indian heritage but, now they are mostly replaced by power looms and mills. Walking into old dilapidated Loknath Weavers with workers spinning their own yarn and then weaving them into fabrics was like floating back into history. My past-life work experience in the fashion industry had led to me to several large-scale top-end mills, but it was now as a traveller that I first saw a fully functional and traditional hand loom setup. I highly recommend this place to those interested in delving into our heritage and understanding the fine art of fabric making. One can also consider buying fabrics from their retail outlet and thereby, lending a supporting hand to the local community.

7. Soak in the sea view at St. Angelo Fort

View from St. Angelo Fort Grounds

This one is not really an offbeat or a secret side of Kannur. But a visit to Kannur is incomplete without visiting this gorgeous fort built by the Portuguese in 1505. It overlooks the stunning Moppila Bay and Dharmadom Island. The ASI has done a commendable job in keeping the fort and its surrounding area clean. There is nothing like spending a cloudy afternoon, under a tree, watching over the waves crashing onto the seashore.

So what do you think of my journey through Kannur? Do you have any other offbeat or lesser known experiences in Kannur? Go on share away!

Note: For my local commute I used services of Mr. Babu, a friendly local auto-rickshaw driver who also understands and speaks Hindi. His charges were very reasonable. He can be reached on +91 9526935933.

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You might also like to read:

Fort Kochi: Beyond Chinese Fishing Nets

Calicut: Revisting Historical Gem of Malabar

Without Worries in Coonoor

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