Location: Kannur
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The 10 Best Free Things to do in Kannur, Kerala
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1. Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach
2. Ezhara Beach
3. Trichambaram Sree Krishna Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By RajeeshRj - Bengaluru, India
The temple at Taliparamba is among the 108 ancient Kerala temples dedicated to Shiva. It is as famous as the Shiva temples in Vaikom, Ettumanur and Trichur. Taliparamba is also regarded as one of the ancient Shakti Peethams. Legend has it that the head of Sati (Goddess/ wife of Shiva) fell here after Shiva's tandavam following Sati's self-immolation. Sati was the daughter of Daksh, a respected Hindu king who had a disregard for Shiva. The Shiva Linga here is believed to be several thousands of years old. Legend has it that Shiva gave three sacred Shiva Lingas to Parvati/Sati for worship.One sage, Maandhata, propitiated Lord Shiva with intense prayers. Shiva was so pleased that he presented one of the Shiva Lingas to him with the injunction that it should be installed only at a place where there was no cremation ground. The sage, after searching all over, found Taliparamba the most sacred spot where he installed the Shiva Linga. After his death the Linga disappeared into the earth.Then his son Muchukunda offered similar prayers to Shiva and got a second Shiva Linga, which too disappeared in course of time. Centuries passed. The third Shiva Linga was handed down to Satasoman, a king of Mushaka/Kolathiri/Chirakkal Royal Family, who then ruled the region. He was an ardent devotee of Shiva. On the advice of sage Agastya, he prayed to Lord Siva, who granted him the Shiva Linga. The king installed it in the present temple built by him. However, many legends associated with the Temple, claim Agastya Himself as installing the Shiva Linga (which is believed as per those legends to be a 'Jyothirlingam').It is believed that Sri Rama during his victorious return from Lanka stopped here to offer worship to Lord Shiva. In honor of His presence, devotees are not allowed into the namaskara mandapam even today.Lord Shiva, as worshiped in this sacred temple, is known as Sree Rajarajeswara, which means the Emperor of Emperors — the Lord Supreme. The name signifies the supreme transcendental power in the background of mysterious drama of the boundless universe. That power is invoked here as Lord Rajarajeshwara. Devotees address the lord with such royal appellations as Perumthrikovilappan, Perum-chelloorappan and Thampuraan Perumthrikkovilappan. The Jyothirlingam in the shrine in vibrant with spiritual power that exerts an enriching influence both on the material and spiritual levels of the earnest devotees. The celebrated ancient sage Agasthya Maharishi is associated with the installation of the Jyothirlingam in the shrine. The legends of temples are usually symbolic in character and are intended to convey deep messages to the spiritual inquirer and instill faith in the common man. The legends of Sri Rajarajeshwara Temple reveal the antiquity and the special significance of the Spiritual Presence. A major legend about this temple, begins with the visit of the Puranic sage Parashurama, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Seeing there, an ancient shrine of vibrant spiritual power in a dilapidated condition, the sage was grief-stricken and wanted to know its history. Thereupon, sage Narada appeared there and related to him the story of the temple. According to it, sage Sanaka and others, the sons of the creator Lord Brahma, churned the disk of the Sun to lessen its fierce heat. They mixed the dust, which was formed while churning, with the divine nectar of immortality, Amrita, and out of it gave shape to three spiritually to Lord Brahma presented them to Goddess Parvathi, the consort of Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvathi presented these Shivalingams to three kings who were doing intense austerities to invoke the Goddess, one in the Thretha Yugam and the other two Dwapara Yugam. Maandhatha was the king to whom the Goddess presented the Shivalingam in the Thretha Yugam, and Muchukundam and Shathasoman were the devotees who received the other two lingams in Dwapara Yugam. Goddess Parvathi advised each of them to install the idols in such a place where no death of any creature had taken place or any dead body had fallen. After a long search for such a place, which was very difficult to locate, Maandhatha, the first one to receive the lingam, found out a small place of that description, only that much land which could accommodate a small plate. Thalika in Malayalam means a plate. It is said that the region came to be known as Taliparamba, which means the place large enough to accommodate a Thalika after this legend. Maandhatha installed his Shivalingam at this place. Eventually this Jyothirlingam disappeared in the earth rendering the place spiritually vibrant for ever. Thretha Yugam was over. Then, in Dwapara Yugam, King Muchukundan, after receiving the second Jyothirlingam from Goddess Parvathi as instructed, was also in search for a spot where no death had taken place naturally he also came to the same spot where Maandhatha had installed the first Shivalingam. He installed his Shivalingam at the same spot. This Shivalingam was also eventually dissolved into the earth again reinforcing the spot spiritually. Then came king Shathasoman, the one who received the third Shivalingam. He was also naturally attracted to the same spot and installed his Shivalingam there. While installing, this Lingam also began sinking into the earth. King Shathasoman thereupon prayed for Sage Agasthya's help. The sage appeared and after lighting a ghee lamp prostrated before the Shivalingam twelve times; when he began the thirteenth prostration, the Lingam got firmly fixed on the earth — therefore the number of prostrations the Sage Agasthya performed for his purpose came to be known as twelve and a half. Thus with the installation of the third Shivalingam the sacred spot became spiritually vibrant threefold. Hearing this story from sage Narada, devotion welled up in the heart of sage Parashurama, and he decided to renovate the temple for the welfare of mankind. As desired by the sage, the celestial architect Ari Vishwakarma performed the renovation work. During the final stage of the renovation, sage Agasthya appeared on the scene and, after making abhishekam (ablution) on the idol, lighted a ghee lamp. This lamp has shone continuously ever since, with a regular supply of ghee. Offering of ghee in gold, silver and copper pitchers with intense devotion, is an important offering for the lord. Temple legends are highly symbolic representations of the subtle spiritual principles and highlight the nature and intensity of the spiritual presence at a particular place. They instill devotion and convey their deeper message to the spiritual seeker. The above-mentioned legend highlights the fact that at this unique centre of spiritual power discovered and maintained by the great sages of yore, one can receive profound Divine grace for material progress and spiritual un-foldment. According to the traditional system of visiting this temple, the devotee first worships Lord Krishna at the shrine of Vasudevapuram on the southern bank of the vast temple tank known as Aashraamath-chira, where there is a beautiful idol of Krishna playing the flute. The sweet melody from Krishna's flute symbolizes the supreme spiritual harmony that prevails in the background of the universe of diversities, which one can experience by spiritually elevating oneself. Worship of Krishna before entering the great temple of Shiva symbolizes the essential unity of lords Vishnu and Shiva as two aspects of the supreme reality. There are other special features in this temple that highlight this unity. It is believed that there was an ashram of sage Agasthya on the bank of this temple tank. The tank was reconstructed in the present stage. It is said about 460 years ago by a devotee, Chittoor Namboodiripad. Then, proceeding towards Sree Rajarajeswara temple one worships at the shrine of Sree Bhoothanatha (Kumbhodhara), who is the chief lieutenant of lord Shiva. Kumbhodhara is also known as Aravathappan. Sri Krishna and Sri Bhoothanatha are considered the accompanying deities of lord Rajarajeswara. The temple covers a spacious compound of about eight acres surrounded by a compound wall with two gopurams on the eastern and western sides. The ancient compound wall is a wondrous architectural marvel built of huge cut stones placed one above the other without any cementing mortar, broad at the base and tapering towards the top. The main gate is on the east before one enters the temple; one turns eastwards and offers prayers to Lord Vaidyanatha (kanhirangaatt-appan), an aspect of lord Shiva worshiped as the lord of physicians, enshrined in temple about 6 km from Rajarajeswara temple.
4. Madayipara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Praveenop - Chennai (Madras), India
Madai Paara literally is a huge, huge laterite rock which measures about 600 acres. This place is not for people who seek adventure, It is a place for nature lovers.This small place and its surroundings are different from the surroundings. This is also a great for lepidopterologists ( study of moths and butterflies). If one come here during the right time one can see some of the worlds largest butterflies. It is a sight !!!! The place also has an ancient temple dedicated to goddess Kali and a fort. One can also see the sea which is far away due to its slight elevation. History also says that this place had hosted ancient Jewish settlers . The name of the small but famous perennial Handheld mirror shaped pond which has never gone dry is even now called Jewda Kulam (Pond of the jews) and the centre of Ezhimala kings and their administration. The laterite hills of Madayi also home of many many species of rare plants and flowering plants. The sunset from here is something that one should not miss. The Madayipara is best visited just after the rains when everything is green and life in this place is at its best.
5. Thottada Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 198 reviews
Reviewed By Jishnumj1997 - Kochi (Cochin), India
The thottada beach is my one of the favourite beach. It's a very peaceful area and we are so relaxed on there.
6. Theyyam
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Theyyam is a form of worship where man dons the guise of God and propitiates the Gods through possessed dancing; Theyyam is also known by the name Kaliyaattom. The performance of Theyyam is supposed to make life prosperous and remove all hazards. Theyyam is perhaps the most significant ritualistic art form of Kerala - God's Own Country.
Reviewed By kinitaac - San Francisco, United States
I rarely book through a travel agent but TravelKannur was able to organize our five day trip for four people amazingly! Santosh and Asha worked with my requests and were very adaptive. The price they quoted was fantastic and included lodging and most meals, in addition to the Theyyam performances (a Northern Keralan Hindu religious ceremony that happens in the winter). All four of us were completely blown away by the Theyyam. Some was in a local temple and others were held in the private temples of people's homes. Every ritual was astounding and felt like the real deal--not just a performance put on for spectators. TravelKannur are definitely the top experts on experiencing this. They were also able to book us an amazing overnight houseboat, as well as hotels/homestays that were right on the beach. It often felt like we had a private beach just 20 feet away. If you are at all interested in experiencing Theyyam or the unspoiled Kannur/Kasaragod/Bekal area, this is definitely the best and most economical way to do it.
7. Rajarajeshwara Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By samalexsamalex987 - Kochi (Cochin), India
The Rajarajeswara temple is a Shiva temple located at Taliparamba in the Kannur district of Kerala, South India. The temple is regarded as one of the existing 108 ancient Shiva Temples of ancient Kerala. It also has a prominent place amongst the numerous Shiva temples in South India. It had the tallest shikhara amongst the temples of its time. The Rajarajeshwara temple has a top of about 90 tonnes. If any problem is encountered in the other temples of South India, devotees seek a solution in this temple through a prasna, a traditional method of astrological decision making.[citation needed] The prasna is conducted on a peedha (a raised platform) outside the temple.
8. Annapoorneshwari Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By RajeeshRj - Bengaluru, India
The temple was formally a Vishnu/Krishna Temple, dating back some 1500 years. The temple after Amma's Prathishta (giving sacred power to the idol of Annapoorneshwari) was built by Avittam thirunal Raja Raja Varma of Chirakkal Kovilakam. In Hindu mythology, it is said that the goddess arrived from Kashi with two other goddesses or devis ( Kalarivathikal Amma and Madai Kavail Amma) and a boatman in a golden ship, and disembarked at Azhi Theeram which is now known as Aayiram Thengu. The Punna Prathistha was done in 1994, in the month of Kumbham in the Malayalam calendar, Pooyam Nakshtram, which now is observed as the Prathista Dinam every year. The main festivities in the Temple start from the Malayalam month of Medam Shankramam (15 April), and is celebrated in the following seven days. The other festivals that are celebrated in the temple are Shiva Rathri, Navami, Ekadashi etc. The temple is presently under the Malabar Devasom Board, and is maintained by the Temple Committee. A unique characteristic of this temple is that it is built of one single type of rock, and the Sree Kovil of both Annapoorneshwari and Krishnan is of the same size as per Vasthu, signifying that both the goddess and the god are given equal importance. The Entrance of the temple is in front of Krishnan's Sree Kovil, and the reason there isn't a direct entrance to Annapoorneshwari's Sree Kovil is because during the olden days, it was believed that women from Brahmin families aren't supposed to be seen directly (Antharjanam). Hence there is a small window that is right in front of the Sree Kovil so that people can view the idol from outside. This temple is one among the two Annapoorneshwari temples in Kerala. It was built using polished stones and put together using avil and belam (a mixture of flattened rice and jaggery). Next to the Temple is the Temple pond or the Ambala Kolam, which is approximately 2.5 acres in area. In the centre is the Pole, otherwise known as the stumpa. The four major entrances of the Chera have been built using large layers of rock laid parallel to each other. The Chera also has a Kollapura (used by poojaris for bathing), located to the southwest of the Chera.
9. KIzhunna Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By kalapaul - Bengaluru, India
Very clean, serene and non commercialized beach. No vendors or crowd disturbing you. Its peaceful to sit down and watch the sea any time of the day. There are no shops around, so bring food/snacks if you want.
10. Dharmadam Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By E6994LPdavidj - Kochi (Cochin), India
Dharmadom Island located near Thalassery in Kannur has turned into favourite for tourists seeking a secluded and tranquil atmosphere. This stunning island is covered with a canopy of coconut palms and dense bushes, surrounded by rivers on three sides and the sea on the other. The place gives a brilliant view of the confluence of the Anjarakandy and Thalassery rivers.
