This small land, its every nook and corner, has got its own wonderful story to tell.
If, there is any place in India that makes and keeps its own history as a beautiful legend, that is Mahe, a fantastic blend of Myth and Mystery. TOP
Mahe is a tiny point in the Geographical map of Kerela, 630 kms away from Pondicherry. In this former small French Town which covers an area of 9 Sq. kms , over 36,000 inhabitants live in peace. This Town is situated on the West Coast of the Indian Peninsula between 11 Degrees 42' and 11 Degrees 43' Northern Latitude, and between 75 Degrees 31' and 75 Degrees 33' Eastern Longitude, just between Badagara and Thalassery, 58 kilometers from Kozhikode, 24 kilometers from Kannur in Kerala State and is a busy trade centre.
HINDU TEMPLES:
Sree Krishna temple, Choodikotta
Sree Venugopalalayam, Station Road
Sree Hareeswara Temple, Mundock
Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple
Sree Ayya temple, Koyyoottu Theru
Puthanambalam (Ayyappa) Irattappilakkool
Ayyappankavu, Chembra
Ayyappankavu, Pandakkal
Subramanya Temple, Chembra
OTHENAN'S FORT TOP
The remnants of this castle may be seen just at the corner of the Kozhikode Kannur National Highway near the Mini Civil Station. This is believed to have been built by Thatcholi Othenan, a widely known folklore hero who became the Robin Hood of North Malabar.
The Puthalam festival takes place in the 1st fortnight of every March. It is during this period of festival that the Theyyam gets enacted. Theyyattam or Thirayattam is the most famous ritual art of North Kerala, which is a combination of art craft, choreography, painting, dancing, acting and singing. Puthalam is famous for its ancient temple and kuttichathan, the God, another incarnation of Vishnu.
Sree Narayana Madam, Manjakkal
Sree Narayana Madam, Chalakkara
Sree Narayana Madam, Palloor
Sree Narayana Madam, Chembra
Situated on the highest hill of Cherukallayi about one kilometer from Mahe. The French constructed a Fort here and the ruminants can still now be seen. You have a panoramic view of Mahe from here.
ST. THERESA'S CHURCH TOP
It lies on the Main Road. The most famous Christian Church in Malabar. The Church was built during French Reign and it stands as a monument to the legacy of French rule. The festival is celebrated from 5th to 22nd October every year and the important dates are 14th and 15th. It is a festival of Mahe irrespective of religion or caste. For the entire people of Mahe consider this church as their own. The people all over Kerela and from neighboring Districts of Karnataka come and visit the church during this festival. Once, as the legend goes, a ship was sailing through the Arabian Sea in Malabar. When it reached the horizon of Mahe, the ship got stuck up. The Captain of the ship after a prolonged effort to move it, found, to his surprise, a statue of ST.Theresa, which he brought to the shore where he constructed a place for erecting this statue. It is only after this, that, as the myth has it, the ship could sail again. In course of time, that place became the famous church.
THIRAYATTAM TEMPLES (THEYYAM) TOP
Puthalam, Mahe
Cheriyath Mandole, Mahe
Koyyodan Koroth, Palloor
Keezhandoor Temple, Chalakkara
Vettakkoru Makan Temple
Manikkampoyil Temple
TOURIST SPOTS AROUND MAHE
It is a small island full of coconut palms and green bush extending to about 5 acres and about 100 meters away from the main land at Dharmadam. The island (private land) is a beautiful sight from the beach. Permission is required to enter into the island from its owners. It is located about 15 kms away from Mahe.
It lies near Tellicherry town on the National highway at Illikunnu.Dr.HermannGundert, the reverent German priest, researcher and scholar lived in this bunglow for 20 years from 1839 and produced the first Malayalam Dictionary, first Malayalam news paper 'Malayala Panchangam' etc.
It is situated near the Mahe bridge. Connoisseurs can find the Malayala Kalagramam as a renowned center for arts and ideas. It houses the only Art gallery in Kannur. Courses in painting, sculpture, music, dance and pottery are offered.
Muzhappilangad is about 14kms from Mahe. A long clean beach, its enchanting ambience invites you to swim, sunbathe or just lounge around. Black rocks protect Muzhappilangad from the currents from the deep, making its shallow water a swimmers paradise. Muzhappilangad is Kerala's only drive in beach, which is about 5kms long. From Muzhappilangad you can see the Dharmadam island (Pacha Thuruth) just across the Arayakkandy River, a remarkable conjunction of beach and island.
Walk able distance from Thalassery town, a sea view site surrounded by the Sai gym, Thalassery Stadium, Thalassery Fort and the Arabian sea. The beautifully constructed and arranged palace is perfect for a silent evening. Recently renovated site includes an open-air stage. This is a show of perfect architectural art.
Payyambalam is the beach of Kannur town. It is long and clean. Flat laterite cliffs juts into the sea at one end. It is Picturesque and incredibly beautiful. The Naura Cafeteria and the well laid out gardens greets the visitors to Payyambalam. The beach is only walking distance from Fort St.Angelo. Veteran freedom fighters like A.K.G, Swadeshabimani, Chirakkal T etc were cremated here.
An ideal retreat for tourists, it lies about 50 km from Mahe near Mattannur. Magnificent picturesque scenes are found here. Pleasure boating facilities are being provided by DTPC in the reservoir. Accommodation are available in the project inspection Bungalow and dormitories.
Cherukallayi Kunnu, Mount Veera.
Cherikkunnu, Palloor (Kozhikunnu).
It is situated 7 kms from Mahe in a place called Thiruvangad. It is an important temple of Sree Rama and is said to be built about 400 years back. This temple is also known as the 'Brass Pagoda' and is dedicated to Sree Rama.
Thalassery Fort is about 7kms away from Mahe. It was build on 20th August 1708 on a small hill 'Thiruvallipad Kunnu'. Built up of laterite inn. It is in the form of a square, lofty loop holed well and strong flanking bastion to the north beyond the divisional officers Bungalow. This fort was a formidable strong hold in the past. In 1708 AD, when the British East India Company established its settlement on the Malabar Coast, they built the Thalaserry Fort, as a testimonial to their colonial imperialism. The square fort, with its massive walls, secret tunnels to the sea and intricately carved huge doors, is an imposing structure. The fort was once the nucleus of Thalaserry's development. It is now a historical monument. The Sports Authority Of India Gymnastic Centre, an old Muslim mosque, the Jagannatha Temple and Thiruvangadi Sree Rama Swami temple are other attractions nearby. Thalassery is considered to be the birth place of the Indian circus. Keeleri Kunhikannan is a legend in the history of circus.
HINDU TEMPLES OTHENAN'S FORT PUTHALAM SREE NARAYANA MADAM ST. GEORGE FORT ST. THERESA'S CHURCH TAGORE PARK THIRAYATTAM TEMPLES (THEYYAM) DHARMADAM ISLAND GUNDERT'S BUNGALOW MALAYALA KALAGRAMAM MUZHAPPILANGAD BEACH OVERBURRY'S FOLLY PAYYAMBALAM BEACH PAZHASSI DAM PICTURESQUE VIEWS SREE RAMSWAMY TEMPLE THALASSERY FORT MALAYALA PANCHANGAM THATCHOLI OTHENAN DR.HERMANN GUNDERT BRASS PAGODA KEELERI KUNHIKANNAN
