Cannanore, India
Region: Kerala
Geographic Coordinates: 11.868900, 75.355500
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Monsoon and tropical climate.
Population: 232486
Language: Malayalam
Cannanore, Also known as Kannur, Is a coastal city located in the northern part of the Indian state of Kerala. The city is situated along the Arabian Sea and is known for its beautiful beaches and historical significance. Cannanore has a rich cultural heritage that dates back to ancient times, Making it an interesting destination for tourists who want to explore India’s history. One of the most popular attractions in Cannanore is St. Angelo Fort, Which was built by Portuguese explorers in 1505. The fort has been well-preserved over the centuries and offers visitors a glimpse into India’s colonial past.
Another important historical site is Muzhappilangad Beach, Which was once an important center for trade between India and Arabia. In addition to its historical significance, Cannanore is also home to some of Kerala’s most beautiful beaches. Payyambalam Beach is one such beach that attracts tourists from all over the world with its golden sands and crystal-clear waters. Other popular beaches include Thottada Beach and Meenkunnu Beach. Cannanore also boasts a vibrant arts scene with many traditional dance forms such as Theyyam being performed throughout the year.
Theyyam involves elaborate costumes and makeup that transform performers into gods or goddesses from Hindu mythology. For those interested in wildlife conservation efforts, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary provides an opportunity to see some of Kerala’s native animals up close while supporting conservation efforts at the same time. Foodies will enjoy exploring Cannanore’s local cuisine which includes seafood dishes like fish curry made with coconut milk and spices like turmeric and cumin seeds. Vegetarian options are also available with dishes like sambar (a lentil-based soup) being particularly popular.
Overall, Cannanore offers visitors a chance to explore India’s history while enjoying its natural beauty at the same time. With something for everyone from history buffs to foodies to nature lovers, It is not surprising that Cannanore is becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists from around the world.
Important Landmarks
- St. Angelo Fort
- Thalassery Fort
- Muzhappilangad Beach
- Payyambalam Beach
- Arakkal Museum
- Kannur Lighthouse
- Parassinikadavu Temple
- Ezhimala Hill Station
- Meenkunnu Beach
- Baby Beach
Primary Industries
- Fishing and seafood industry
- Handloom and handicrafts
- Tourism industry
- Agriculture and plantation crops such as coconut, rubber, pepper, etc.
- Small-scale manufacturing industries like coir products, woodcrafts, etc.
- Education sector with several schools and colleges
- Healthcare services with hospitals and clinics
- Retail trade including supermarkets and small shops
- Transport services including buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws etc.
- Banking services with branches of various nationalized banks
Noteable History
- The Battle of Cannanore in 1501 was a significant naval conflict between the Portuguese and the Zamorin of Calicut. The outcome resulted in a Portuguese victory, which established their dominance in the region.
- St. Angelo Fort is a 16th-century fortress constructed by the Portuguese to safeguard their trading interests in Cannanore.
- Vasco da Gama, an esteemed Portuguese explorer, landed near Cannanore at Kappad during his voyage to India in 1498.
- Kunjali Marakkar IV was a Muslim naval commander who fought against the Portuguese and became an admired hero among locals for his resistance against foreign invaders.
- Tipu Sultan was the ruler of Mysore who captured Cannanore from the British East India Company during the Third Anglo-Mysore War between 1789-1792.
- Pazhassi Raja was a local chieftain who led a rebellion against British rule in Kerala and met his end near Kannur (Cannanore) in 1805.
- Ezhimala Naval Academy is one of India’s premier naval training institutions established recently in 2009 located close to Kannur (Cannanore).
Museums and Things To See
- St. Angelo Fort: A historic fort constructed by the Portuguese during the 16th century.
- Arakkal Museum: A museum that showcases the history and culture of the Arakkal dynasty, which ruled Cannanore for several centuries.
- Mappila Bay: A picturesque beach that features a lighthouse and park.
- Kannur Beach: Another famous beach in Cannanore renowned for its golden sand and crystal-clear waters.
- Payyambalam Beach: A stunning beach with an extended stretch of golden sand ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
- Ezhimala Hill Station: A hill station situated near Cannanore that offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea and surrounding hills.
- Thalassery Fort: An ancient fort built by the British East India Company in 1708, now converted into a museum where visitors can learn about its rich history.
- Parassinikkadavu Snake Park: A snake park featuring various species of snakes from around India, as well as other reptiles and amphibians to observe up close.
- Meenkunnu Beach: Another scenic beach in Cannanore known for its peaceful atmosphere and stunning sunset views to enjoy at dusk.
- Pazhassi Dam & Reservoir Garden – An idyllic spot surrounded by lush greenery, waterfalls & serene backwaters offering boating facilities to enjoy nature’s beauty at its best!
Sports Teams
Sports Teams in Cannanore, India
- There isn’t much information available about sports teams in Cannanore, India.
- However, the city has a history of promoting various sports activities such as:
- Football
- Cricket
- Volleyball
- Badminton
- The famous Kannur district football association has been conducting various tournaments and leagues for many years.
- The district has produced many talented players who have represented the state at different levels.
- One noteworthy team is the Kannur Veerans cricket team which participated in the Kerala Premier League (KPL) in 2019.
- The team was owned by actor Prithviraj Sukumaran and had some well-known cricketers like Sreesanth playing for them.
- Overall, while there may not be any major professional sports teams based in Cannanore currently or historically; it is clear that the city has a passion for sports and encourages its citizens to participate actively in various sporting activities.
Cultural Events
- Theyyam Festival: This is a famous ritualistic dance festival that takes place in Kannur during the months of December and January.
- Kottiyoor Festival: This is a religious festival held at the Kottiyoor Temple in Kannur district during the months of June and July.
- Maha Shivratri: This is an important Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, which falls on February or March every year.
- Vishu: This is a major harvest festival celebrated by the Malayalis on April 14th every year.
- Onam: It’s a ten-day-long harvest festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in Kerala, including Kannur district, during August or September.
- Theyyattam (Thirayattam): A traditional dance form performed by people belonging to certain communities in Kannur district throughout the year on special occasions like weddings and temple festivals.
- Navaratri/Dussehra: A nine-day-long Hindu festival celebrated with great fervor across India, including Cannanore, usually around October every year.
- Christmas/New Year’s Eve Celebrations: Christians residing in Cannanore celebrate Christmas with grandeur along with New Year’s Eve parties and celebrations throughout December end to January beginning each year.
Cuisine
- Malabar Parotta: A flaky layered flatbread made with flour, oil, and salt. It is a staple food of the region and is served with various curries.
- Thalassery Biryani: A flavorful biryani made with fragrant rice, spices, meat (usually chicken or mutton), and caramelized onions.
- Kozhikode Halwa: A sweet dessert made from wheat flour, sugar syrup, ghee, and nuts.
- Hotel Sagar: A popular restaurant in Cannanore that serves authentic Malabar cuisine including seafood dishes like prawn fry and fish curry.
- Paris Restaurant: Another well-known restaurant that specializes in Malabar delicacies like biryani, parotta, and appam.
- Bombay Hotel: This eatery is famous for its crispy dosas served with coconut chutney and sambar.
- Annapoorna Restaurant: A vegetarian restaurant that offers a wide range of South Indian dishes like idli-dosa-vada combo meals.
- Calicut Notebook Restaurant: Known for its delicious beef biryani as well as other non-vegetarian dishes like chicken fry and mutton roast.
- Zam Zam Juice Center & Bakery: Famous for its fresh fruit juices as well as baked goods like cakes, pastries & cookies.
- Kairali Family Restaurant: A multi-cuisine family restaurant serving Indian & Chinese cuisines along with seafood specialties.
- Muzhappilangad Beach
- Payyambalam Beach
- Arakkal Museum
- Kannur Fort
- Meenkunnu Beach
- St Angelo Fort
- Parassinikadavu Snake Park
- Thalassery Fort
- Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dharmadam Island