About: |
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Valapattanam River is located in Valapattanam, just 7 km from Kannur Town in Taliparamba Taluk, Kannur District, Kerala. Known as the largest river in the Kannur area, it originates from the lush Western Ghats and flows into the Arabian Sea near the town. Historically, this river served as a vital trade route, bustling with activity and earning the name "valya pattanam," meaning "Big Town." The town along the Valapattanam River is famous for its flourishing wood-based industries and timber processing factories. The traditional method of timber transportation, where long timber logs are tied together and floated down the stream, is a unique sight and a reminder of Valapattanam's rich heritage. The abundant forest resources in the area contribute to a thriving timber industry, featuring valuable wood types like teak, iruli, elavu, karimurukku, and the prized sandalwood (Santalum album). Besides its role in the timber industry, Valapattanam River is a prominent fishing harbor, supporting the livelihood of local fishermen. Additionally, the river is a crucial water source for irrigation projects that benefit the entire district. However, the river ecosystem is impacted by challenges, including pollution from solid waste and sewage discharged from nearby settlements. One of the most popular activities here is a scenic boat cruise along the Valapattanam River, offering a unique perspective of the river's serene beauty and the bustling timber activity. For those seeking relaxation, the nearby beaches of Valapattanam offer pristine sands and tranquil settings, perfect for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. In recent years, Valapattanam has attracted tourists interested in eco-tourism and cultural heritage, as the area offers insights into traditional timber processing and vibrant local markets. Plans are underway to develop sustainable tourism around the river, aiming to preserve its natural beauty while providing unique experiences for visitors. |
Location Information:Address: Valapattanam, Kannur District, Kerala, India. District: Kannur District Nearest Cities: Payyannur, Mattannur, Koothuparamba, Chakarakkal, and Kannur. Best Time to Visit: October to March |
Climate/Weather: |
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Climate is Humid and Tropical. The average maximum temperature is 31.2°C, and the minimum is 23.6°C. |
Summer (March to May):Average Maximum Temperature: 36°C Average Minimum Temperature: 24°C Average Precipitation: 40 mm |
Monsoon (June to October):Average Maximum Temperature: 32°C Average Minimum Temperature: 25°C Average Precipitation: 220 mm (Heavy rainfall) |
Winter (November to February):Average Maximum Temperature: 28°C Average Minimum Temperature: 17°C Average Precipitation: 23 mm (Least rainfall) |
History: |
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The Valapattanam River, the largest river in Kannur district, Kerala, has a history deeply intertwined with trade, industry, and spirituality. Originating from the Brahmagiri Hills in the Western Ghats, it flows over 110 km before reaching the Arabian Sea near Valapattanam town. Historically, this river acted as a vital trade route, allowing goods, particularly timber, to be transported downstream in rafts—a practice still observed today, connecting to the legacy of the local timber industry. Western India Plywoods, once Asia's largest plywood factory, is situated along its banks, symbolizing the river's industrial significance. Valapattanam also holds cultural importance, especially with the Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple on its banks. This temple is dedicated to the deity Muthappan and is famous for its unique Theyyam rituals, attracting devotees from diverse communities. The temple rituals, which include animal offerings and vibrant Theyyam performances, showcase the rich traditions of Kerala’s Malabar region. Over the years, the Kerala Tourism Council has promoted the Valapattanam River as a scenic and cultural destination, encouraging visitors to explore it via boat cruises and traditional Kettuvallam (houseboats), enhancing tourism while preserving its historical essence. The river's surroundings are also ecologically significant, hosting mangrove forests that provide habitats for diverse bird species, including migratory birds, making it a vital environmental asset in the region. |
Interesting things to do: |
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Interesting Things to Visit: |
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Muthappan Temple: This temple is situated 20 km away from Kannur in North Kerala, located on the banks of the Valapattanam River. The Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple attracts people from all walks of life with its unique rituals and Theyyam performances. Payyambalam Beach: Located just 2 km from Kannur town, Payyambalam Beach features a beautiful garden and an iconic sculpture of a mother and child by noted artist Kanayi Kunhiraman. Visitors can enjoy the sandy shores and scenic views of the Arabian Sea. St. Angelo's Fort: Located 3 km west of Kannur town, this historical fort, also known as Kannur Fort, was built in 1505 by the first Portuguese Viceroy, Don Francisco De Almeida. Later captured by the British, it remains a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. Bekal Hole Aqua Park: This park near Valiyaparamba in Bekal is a favorite for water sports enthusiasts, offering a variety of unique activities for those looking to relax with some aquatic fun. Bekal Fort: Bekal Fort, one of Kerala's largest and oldest forts, spans over 40 acres. Built in the 17th century by Shivappa Nayak, it features ancient tanks, a tunnel, and watchtowers, offering stunning views of the surrounding area. |
Mobile range info: |
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The Valapattanam River region enjoys good mobile network coverage from major providers such as Jio, Airtel, Vi (Vodafone-Idea), and BSNL. Most populated areas around the river, including nearby towns like Kannur, generally support stable 4G connectivity. However, in denser, more remote sections, connectivity may vary, with 3G or 2G signals being more common. Visitors can use coverage tools from providers or apps like nPerf to check real-time signal strength and network availability, particularly for areas needing consistent 4G or emerging 5G service. |
How to reach? |
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Nearest Railway Station: Kannur Railway Station, approximately 7 km from Valapattanam, provides convenient rail connections to major cities like Chennai, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram. |
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Nearest Airport: Kannur International Airport (about 30 km away) is the closest option, with flights to major Indian cities. An alternative is Calicut (Karipur) International Airport, around 100 km away. |
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Road Transport: Valapattanam is about 7 km from Kannur town, and the region is well-connected by an excellent road network linking Kannur to major towns in South India. Both private taxis and state-run buses are available for easy transport. |
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Local Transport: Auto-rickshaws and local buses are available for short-distance travel within Kannur and the Valapattanam area, providing affordable ways to explore. |
Nearest Visiting Places: |
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Meenkunnu Beach: A peaceful beach with golden sands, located in Azhikode, 12 km from Kannur. Gundert Bungalow: Historic home of missionary Hermann Gundert, 2 km from Thalassery, significant for Malayalam language contributions. Parassinikkadavu Temple: A famous temple 20 km from Kannur with boating facilities and scenic views. Dharmadam Island: A small, lush island 100 m from shore, accessible by foot during low tide. Arakkal Palace: A palace of Kerala's only Muslim royal family, located 3 km from Kannur. Parassinikkadavu Snake Park: A conservation park with over 150 snake species. Pazhassi Dam: Scenic dam site offering boating facilities and accommodation. Tellicherry Fort: A historic British fort, 22 km from Kannur, built in 1708. Ezhimala Beach: Scenic beach with hillocks and a naval academy, 55 km from Kannur. |
Nearest Petrol Pump: |
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Petrol Pump Parippayi Petrol Pump Petrol Pump Petrol Pump Vellikulangara Petrol Pump |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
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SuKun Heritage Magnet Hotel Surya Heritage Hotels Asokam Beach Resort Treebo Sadhoo Heritage Ayurvedic Spa & Pool |
Things to carry: |
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Tips & Suggestions: |
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Help Line/Phone Number: |
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Link: http://keralarivers.blogspot.com/2008/04/kerala-is-land-of-rivers-and-backwaters.html |
Link: |
| Sadhoo Merry Kingdom |
| Sadhoo Merry Kingdom, the most modern man made sophisticated water theme park, is situated on a hillock at Chala Hills,6 km away from Kannur town/ Railway Station. Started functioning since April 2007. The park offers spectacular and amazing variety of entertainments for the whole family .The location of the Park is so ideal that the visitors will beImmersed in thrilling entertainments for the day while remaining in a serene atmosphere of peace and tranquility.The park offers spectacular and amazing variety of entertainments for the whole family and is one ofthe most exciting family holiday destinations.The great rides and attractions to entertain the youth, teens, kids, elderly and the whole family.....more |
| Vismaya Infotainment Center |
| Vismaya Infotainment Centre, the first water theme and amusement park in cooperative sector.It is located at Parassinikkadavu in Kannur. It has been operating since 2008.The amusement park is located in 30 acres of land and can handle 3000-3500 visitors at a time. The park has 14 water rides in different heights, wave pool, artificial waterfall, giant wheel, sky train, water flash bumper cars, musical fountain and children’s parks among others. The entry fee is Rs.300 per person on working days and Rs.375 on weekends. The park has the rainwater harvesting facility of five crore litre and the entire water requirement for the park will be drawn from this facility.....more |
| Ezhimala Beach |
| The Ezhimala beach has a hillock at an elevation of 286 meters. The much acclaimed Naval Academy of Kerala undergoes development at this very spot. This beach is situated at a radius of 55 kilometers from Kannur. It is a delighting combination of natural beauty and history. This beach is positioned between hills and is hence situated at a higher altitude. An altitude of 286 m and 55 km from Kannur is Ezhimala, which has fascinating scultured stone pillars scattered all over the beach. There is also an ancient mosque on a hill nearby. Buddha is believed to have visited the place which has seen many historical events of North Kerala in the 11th century.....more |
| Kizhunna Ezhara Beach |
| Kizhunna Ezhara Beach is Located 11 kms from kannur, this beautiful stretch of sand is one of the most secluded beaches in kerala. Famous is this beautiful golden color sand beach in kerala. It is truly a loner's delight. The quietness of the surrounding is an experience in itself. Its one of those rare occassions when silence attracts more attention than noise.The surrounding coconut groves strewn all along the beach promises a relaxed stay. In the evening the quiet atmosphere of the place is enlivened by Kathakali performances. Touring around Kizhunna Ezhara Beach in Kerala is a lovely idea as this place is considered to be one of the most charming places in the whole subcontinent.....more |
| Meenkunnu Beach |
| Meenkunnu Beach is situated at Azhikkode 12 km away from Kannur. This is a quiet and beautiful beach. With its golden sand and coconut trees, it is a tourist's paradise. This beach is an extension of Payyambalam Beach.Meen means fish and kunnu means hill in the Malayalam language. Meenkunnu beach is located twelve kilometers from Kannur in Kerala. This beach is situated at Azhikode village and is beautiful beach with golden sand.This beach attracts a lot of tourists with its beauty. Meenkunnu beach is an expansion of Payyambalam Beach which is located two kilometers from the tnew rewritten of Kannur.....more |
| Muzhappilangad Beach |
| Muzhappilangad beach of Kannur is one of the longest beaches of Kerala. It is situated at a distance of 15 kilometers from Kannur and 8 kms from Thalassery. The Muzhapilangad beach is the only drive-in beach of India. This is what makes it unique among all other beaches of not only Kerala but also India. The long stretch, which measures around 4 kilometers, is the ideal place to laze around or go for a drive. The beach is clean and well maintainedand is one of the best laces to hang around when in Kannur.The shores of the Muzhappilangad beach are lined with black boulders, which protects the shores from the lashing waves and also make a natural shallow place. One can easily swim in this natural shallow pool of water without having to fear the powerful currents. One can soak up the sun while lying lazily on the rocks. It is a beach lover's paradise.....more |
| Payyamblam Beach |
| Payyamblam beach is the beach of2 km from Kannur town, Kannur District. The well laid out garden and the massive landscaped sculpture of mother & child erected by noted sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman makes it extremely captivating. Take a Tour to Payyambalam Beach and experience the beautiful Arabian Sea from the sandy shores of the Payyambalam Beach. The major attraction of this beach is the beautifully sculpted Mother and Child by Kanayi Kunhiraman. his beautiful stretch of sand and surf is the best place for a relaxing holiday. A quiet, secluded, beautiful and popular picnic spot of the local people, the Payyambalam Beach holds much potential for development into a tourist resort.....more |
| Kannur City |
| Kannur often known as ‘the crown of Kerala’ because of its natural treasures.Kannur district is bound in the east by the Western Ghats, in the west by the Arabian Sea, in the north by the Kasargode District and in the south by the Mahe region of the Union Territory of Pondicherry.Kannur, the coastal town in the northern Malabar area was once the capital of the Kolathiri Rajas, the competitors of the Zamorins of Kozhikode. Previously a major port town, Kannur city is now known for its handloom and beedi industries. . Some of Kerala's finest weavers come from this district. Kannur is also the headquarters of the country's largest and best-run beedi cooperative which produces the famous brand, Kerala Dinesh Beedi.....more |
| Pazhassi reservoir |
| Pazhassi Dam is located 37 km east of Kannur and It is an ideal retreat for tourists; the damsite is famous for its scenic beauty. the Pazhassi Dam is nestled amidst an idyllic and picturesque setting. The Pazhassi Dam is a popular tourist hangout.With an abundant water body present amidst ample greenery, Pazhassi quickly emerged to become one of the most favored tourist attractions cum picnic spot in the region.Riding on its fame for being unimaginably beautiful, the Pazhassi Dam draws tourists by a large number every year, from the across the country and different parts of the world.The DPTC provides tourists with boating facilities at the reservoir, making boating the primary source of entertainment at the Dam.one may enjoy a scenic drive to the dam on the route that greets you with Cashew nut trees in full bloom. Accommodation is available at the Project Inspection Bungalow and its dormitories.....more |
| St. Angelo Fort |
| This fort is 3 km west of Kannur town, north Kerala. and Also known as the Kannur fort, the St. Angelo's fort of Kerala is a massive fort built by the first Portuguese Viceroy, Don Francisco De Almeida. It was constructed in the year 1505. St. Angelo's Fort is a protected monument today as declared by the Archaeological Survey of India. St. Angelo's fort of Kannur has changed many hands before finally being captured by the British in the year 1790.....more |
| Tellicherry Fort |
| Tellicherry Fort, a construction of East India Company is a magnificent citadel located at a distance of 22 kms from Kannur, thalaserry. The monument is affluent with historical significance and many attractive features that make the visitors tour to Kerala an inevitable and worthwhile one. Tellicherry Fort in Kannur, KeralaThe substantial walls with an impressive structure and a huge gateway brilliantly bound the fort. It has also one lighthouse. The Fort was once the military hub of the British troops. Perhaps a large number of tourists make their trip to Kerala to unexplore this the historically and culturally loaded forts. So make yourself ready to be enthralled and mesmerized by the beauty and magic of the great Tellicherry fort of Kannur.....more |
| Kannur Hill Station |
| Kannur is one of the tourist attractions in Kerala being home to the well-known Pythal Mala hill, 65 km from the city. The Pythal Mala is a delightful hill station for the tourists, situated at a height of 4,500 feet above sea level, near the Kerala – Karnataka border. Tourists simply enjoy trekking their way to the top of the hill station covering a significant distance of 6 km. The hills of Pythal Mala are vibrant green and flourishing with rare varieties of flora, fauna and birds Kannur’s days of glory were under the Kolathiri rajas, and its importance as a spice-Kannur Hill Station Tour, Kerala Travel Tourstrading port was mentioned by the Venetian traveller Marco Polo. From the 15th century, various colonial powers, including the Portuguese, Dutch and British, exerted their influence.....more |
| Gundert Bungalow |
| Gundert Bungalow is loacted near Thalasseri town(National Highway at Illikunnu), 20 km Kanuur district, Kerala.Dr. Herman Gundert, the revered German missionary, scholar and lexicographer lived in this bungalow for 20 years from 1839. It was here that one of the first Malayalam dictionaries and the first Malayalam Newspaper - Paschimodayam - took shape.He also authored Malayala Rajyam (1870) which comprises the history andgeography of Malabar , the first of its kind on the land's geography.Some of his works are Kerala Pazhama (1868), Manushya Hridayam, Vajrasooji, Muhamadeeya Charitam, Christu Sabha Charitram etc.....more |
| Kannur Arakkal kettu |
| Arakkal Palace is located just 3 km from Kannur town, Kannur district, Kerala.The Kannur Fort was owned for some time by Arakkal family.Arakkal family was the only Muslim royal family of Kerala that controlled parts of the coast and Lakshadweep.The Arakkal family followed a matriarchal system of descent. The Arakkal Palace is distinguished as the only royal residence of Muslims in Kerala.Among all monuments in Kerala, the historical Arakkal Palace is an eminent one.The Arakkal family did not discriminate between the male and female members of the family when it can to governing the land....more |
| Dharmadam Island |
| Dharmadam Island is an exotic tourist spot in Kerala. It is a tiny island lying in Arabian Sea. Dharmadam Island Kerala is one of the most beautiful places in "God's Own Country", Kerala.The Dharmadam Beach is 17 Km from Kannur. Dharmadam Island (Green Island) is a small 2 hectare private island in the Kannur District of Kerala, southern India. It lies 100 metres from the mainland at Dharmadam. This island, covered with coconut palms and dense bush is a beautiful sight from the Muzhappilangad beach. During a low tide, an adventurous traveler can even walk to the island from the beach as the surrounding water becomes very shallow.....more |
| Kavvayi Island |
| Kavvayi Island, a small island, near Payyannur in the Kannur district of Kerala state is connected with Payyannur by a small bridge on the Kavvayi Pozha, which means the river of Kavvayi. Recently there have been a number of researches done by a number of archaeologists in this river. The Kavvayi Island was named by Sir William Hogan the then district Collector of the area which was originally named as Kavvil Pattanam later it turned to be known as Kavvayi. Kavvayi used to be the headquarters for an area of 125 square miles (320 km2) which housed a large port and the magistrate court. Kavvayi held his honor during the British East India Company rule and slowly slipped out of limelight due to shifting of the headquarters to other parts of Malabar.....more |
| Odathil Mosque |
| Odathil Palli (Odathil Mosque) is a 200 year old mosque is situated in Thalassery,kannur district, Kerala.mosque was built around 1806,This is heart of Thalassery was built by an Arab merchant in a typical Kerala Hindu temple style. The mosque whichhas neither domes nor minarets is not open to non-Muslims. It has no domes or minarets. With carved wooden walls and copper ceiling the Mosque has a real temple touch. It was renovated with the help of Portuguese Fundaceo Oriente Institution in Lisbon.The site of the Odathil Palli used to be a sugarcane garden of the Dutch. It changed hands to the British-owned East India Company......more |
| Perumba River |
| Perumba River is situated in Payannur, Kannur district of Kerala.he famous Perumba River on the east, the Railway line on the south and the “Padoli”One of the tributaries of Perumba River (Payyanur) starts from this hill. The famous Kallan kulam (Kallan pond) is on the southern side of this hill.Perumba River is a major freshwater river in Malabar region of Kerala State in India, which passes through industrial city of Payyannur, Kannur district. One of its tributary is Vannathi River. One of the major theaters in Payyanur, "Shanthi", is situated on the banks of this river at Perumba Town, Payyanur.....more |
| Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Established in the year 1984, Aralam wildlife sanctuary of Kannur is located at a distance of 60 kilometers from Kannur. It is spread over a small area of 55 square kilometers. Aralam national park is situated on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The elevation gradually increases from 50 meters to 1145 meters. The highest peak over here that rises to a height of 1145 meters is known as Katti Betta. The lush green slopes and the thick forest cover make it the perfect home for the numerous species of birds and animals that live here.Aralam wildlife sanctuary is the northernmost protected area of Kerala state, situated in the southeast part of Kannur District. It lies between 11° 54 and 11° 59 North latitude and 75° 47 and 75° 57 East longitude.....more |
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