Vallarpadamport, vallarpadam terminal, Smart city, kochi tourism

Places to Visit
Malappuram district, with its rich natural beauty and historic past, has its own tourist attractions.

Nilambur(Forest area)

Nilambur is famous for its teak plantations. The oldest teak plantation of the world, the Conollys Plot is just 2 Kms. from Nilambur town. The plot was named in memory of H.V. Conolly, the then Malabar District Collector, who was instrumental in raising the teak plantation in the entire Nilambur area. Sir Chathu Menon, a forest officer under Conolly, took up the hectic task of planting Teak. Chathu Menon was laid to rest in the Teak garden in Conollys Plot. The oldest Teak Kannimari in the plot is a rare attraction. This plot of 2.31 Hectares, is beside the Chaliyar river at Aruvakode, where a country boat ferry is ready for visitors.

Teak Museum

Four Kms. away from Nilambur on the side of Nilambur-Gudallur road, is the worlds first Teak Museum and sub centre of Kerala Forest Research Institute. In the Teak Museum, a visitor can have at hand information on all aspects of teak. The Museum, arranged in a two storied building, exhibits articles and details of historic, aesthetic and scientific value. Eighteen Kms. away from Nilambur is Nedumkayam where the rain forests flourish. From the wooden rest house built by the Britishers, elephants and deer can be viewed.

Kottakkal(Centre of Ayurveda)

Kottakkal is a world renowned centre of Ayurveda. The Arya Vaidya Sala, established by P.S. Warrier, the well known physician and social reformer is here. People from different parts of the world come for treatment. Art and culture also flourish in Kottakkal with the patronage of Arya Vaidya Sala.

P.S.V. Natyasanghom has a unique place in Kathakali. A Kathakali school is run by the sanghom. Venkata Theva temple near the Arya Vaidya sala, is noted for its Mural paintings. Kottakkal Pooram festival attracts thousands. Connoisseurs of music, art, culture and literature of the country, participate in the cultural mela organized in connection with the pooram.

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary

The bird sanctuary sprawls over a group of small islands and is home to a large variety of the indigenous and migratory birds. The sanctuary is located at a place where the Kadalundi river meets the Arabian Sea. Locally, the area is known as Kadalundi Nagaram. Few of the prominent species of birds that are spotted here are Terns, Gulls, Egrets, Herons, Sandpipers, Brahmini Kites and Cormorants. Apart from the birds, the park is also quiet famous for its population of Fish, Mussels and Crabs. A boat trip in the sanctuary is a very good option to observe the birds and their activities. You can also enjoy some spectacular views of the surrounding from atop a 200 m high hillock.

Kozhikode Beach

Beaches are a special attraction in the state of Kerala. Kozhikode is no exception. The beach here allows you to take a relaxing walk on the sand with pleasant breezes blow on your face. Also, you can taste some exotic seafood at beach stalls. There is also a Lion’s Park which is of special interest to the children as there is a play area for them. There are also a lighthouse and two piers to catch your attention.

Palayam Market

This market place bustles with a whole lot of activities going on simultaneously. The major attraction of the market is the Mohiudeen Mosque which is the only one of its kind in entire Kerala in the sense that it is equipped with close circuit TV to enable the Imam deliver his sermons to a large number of people spread out at different storeys at the same time.

Thali Temple

The Thali Temple was constructed by the Samuthiris and played host to the famous Revathi Pattanam. This annual competition had a number of artists exhibiting the skills and talents infront of the Samuthiri. Today, the temple is still a religious hotspot for Hindus. Nearby is the old Samuthiri Kovilakam which now serves as a school of Samuthiri.

Palayam Market

This market place bustles with a whole lot of activities going on simultaneously. The major attraction of the market is the Mohiudeen Mosque which is the only one of its kind in entire Kerala in the sense that it is equipped with close circuit TV to enable the Imam deliver his sermons to a large number of people spread out at different storeys at the same time.

Pazhassi Raja Museum and VK Krishna Menon Art Gallery

The Pazhassi Raja Museum is located atop the East Hill at a distance of 6 km from the Kozhikode town. The museum displays items like antique bronzes and old coins, as well as models of temples, megalithic monuments like dolminoid cysts and umbrella stones. Mural paintings are an added attraction of the Museum. Very nearby is the Krishna Menon Art Gallery that exhibits the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma. A section of the art gallery is dedicated to late V.K. Krishna Menon, former Indian Defence Minister and national leader. Items that have an association with him are kept in this section.

Kannur- The Land of Looms and Lores

Kannur is one among the northernmost districts in the south western state of Kerala in India. The old name ‘Cannanore’ is the anglicised form of the Malayalam word Kannur. Kannur might have derived its name from one of the the Hindu diety, Kannan (Lord Krishna) and Ur (place) making it the place of Lord Krishna.Kannur Attractions. The deity of the Katalayi Sreekrishna temple was earlier situated in a shrine at Katalayi Kotta in the south eastern part of the Kannur town.

With the Western Ghats in the east and lakshadweep sea in the west, kannur district is bounded by a wealth of natural beauty. Kannur is blessed with natural beaches, hill stations, rivers, backwaters, historical monuments and religious centres. The district itself which shares much of the natural splendour has been a key contributor to the cultural, religious, political and industrial heritage of the state. In addition, Kannur enjoys the credit of having been the cradle of many a colourful folk art and folk music of Kerala.

Kannur is rightly described as “The land of Looms and Lores”. Kannur is well known for its handlooms. It is one of the major exporter handlooms in India. The handloom cloths of Kannur have won international reputation. The industry was confined to the production of coarse varieties of dhoties and like, in the past. Production of quality and exportable varieties of handloom fabric was started when the Basal Evengelical Mission entered the field. The handloom industry, which was once the monopoly of private enterprise, has since been organised on co-operative lines. It provides employment to hundreds of thousands of people directly and indirectly.

Kannur is rich in traditional art and culture. Kannur is the home of Kerala folklore academy. The gift of Kannur in the field of art and culture is its folk arts. A large number of folk plays and dances are prevalent among the scheduled caster and tribes. Each tribe has its own glorious collection of folk plays and dances which are performed during festivals. Theyyam or Theyattam is an ancient and still popular ritual dance. It’s a unique combination of dance, music and also reflects the main features of a tribal culture. Theyyam is generally performed in front of the village shrines. There are a large number of temples in Kannur where Theyyam is performed.