DAY -1
A dear friend was getting married, in a god forgotten place -somewhere in the interiors of Kannur. That took care of the the destination. As we were travelling as a family, we chose to go by road with an overnight halt at Calicut. Blessed to have friends who welcomed us heartily to their homes, there was no need to bother about food and the night stay. So on 28th morning we left Calicut after a hearty breakfast by 7'O' clock. The road was smooth (by Kerala standards) and the ride enjoyable. As we neared Thalassery & Mahe, the road turned narrow & serpentine with an occasional glimpse of the sea.
A dear friend was getting married, in a god forgotten place -somewhere in the interiors of Kannur. That took care of the the destination. As we were travelling as a family, we chose to go by road with an overnight halt at Calicut. Blessed to have friends who welcomed us heartily to their homes, there was no need to bother about food and the night stay. So on 28th morning we left Calicut after a hearty breakfast by 7'O' clock. The road was smooth (by Kerala standards) and the ride enjoyable. As we neared Thalassery & Mahe, the road turned narrow & serpentine with an occasional glimpse of the sea.
We reached Kannur city by 9.30. Thanks to Google earth & precise directions by Manju, the drive to Karthikapuram was enjoyable. Nestled among hills covered by rubber plantations, Karthikapuram is a quaint town that boast of a church, a few shops and a school.
After attending the betrothal ceremony and having a hearty lunch, we bade good bye to this little town and started the long drive back to Kannur. En route is the famous Parassinikkadavu Muthappan Temple. A small detour from the main road that goes down a steep hillock leads you straight to the temple. As the road meanders down the hill, the driving is a bit tricky. Do not be fooled by the car parking sign that greets you before you reach the temple. Keep driving until you reach the temple. Unless there is a local festival on, you should have no difficulty parking..
The temple is small, on the banks of a mighty river and follows an egalitarian ethos quite unusual in Kerala milieu. The prasadam, offered to all who visit this temple, consist of Tea, Boiled beans, Uzhunnu vada etc and is served free of cost. Devotees often offer donations to cover the cost of prasadamuttu - feeding of devotees. The stay in the temple is free for one night though the facilities are petty basic. Original temple is enclosed within another concrete structure. Another instance of our lack of aesthetic sense.
The kadavu is very slippery and dangerous, though the view from the bank is calming. Dogs are special to Muthappan - the reigning deity, and are fed regularly by the temple authorities. As is usual at any center of pilgrimage in Kerala, there are a few shops selling devotional CD, small toys and bangles for kids. We headed back after spending about an hour here enjoying the ambiance and simplicity of this temple. The snake park and an amusement center (vismaya) is in the vicinity though we did not visit them due to lack of time.
By 5 'O' Clock we reached the St. Angelo's fort at Kannur. Otherwise known as Kannur Fort, it was build by the Portuguese in 15th century and is currently under the control of Archaeological Survey of India. It is well maintained with a small garden inside it.
The view of the sea from the Fort is breathtaking, especial during sunset. The cannons and barracks lend the place an old world charm. The place is closed for visitors by 5.30. To walk around the whole place at a leisurely pace needs at least an hour, hence it is advisable to arrive here by 4.30 or earlier. We were staying at Mascot Beach resort Hotel which was five minutes drive from the Fort, near the baby beach. The highlight of the hotel is its location. Located on a small cliff abutting the sea, our room offered an excellent view of the sea and the light house.
After an hectic day, we choose to rest for some time in the room itself. There is an in-house restaurant that offers the choice of dining in the open by the sea. Good food coupled with the murmur of the sea and the gentle sea breeze made it a memorable experience.
The temple is small, on the banks of a mighty river and follows an egalitarian ethos quite unusual in Kerala milieu. The prasadam, offered to all who visit this temple, consist of Tea, Boiled beans, Uzhunnu vada etc and is served free of cost. Devotees often offer donations to cover the cost of prasadamuttu - feeding of devotees. The stay in the temple is free for one night though the facilities are petty basic. Original temple is enclosed within another concrete structure. Another instance of our lack of aesthetic sense.
The kadavu is very slippery and dangerous, though the view from the bank is calming. Dogs are special to Muthappan - the reigning deity, and are fed regularly by the temple authorities. As is usual at any center of pilgrimage in Kerala, there are a few shops selling devotional CD, small toys and bangles for kids. We headed back after spending about an hour here enjoying the ambiance and simplicity of this temple. The snake park and an amusement center (vismaya) is in the vicinity though we did not visit them due to lack of time.
By 5 'O' Clock we reached the St. Angelo's fort at Kannur. Otherwise known as Kannur Fort, it was build by the Portuguese in 15th century and is currently under the control of Archaeological Survey of India. It is well maintained with a small garden inside it.
The view of the sea from the Fort is breathtaking, especial during sunset. The cannons and barracks lend the place an old world charm. The place is closed for visitors by 5.30. To walk around the whole place at a leisurely pace needs at least an hour, hence it is advisable to arrive here by 4.30 or earlier. We were staying at Mascot Beach resort Hotel which was five minutes drive from the Fort, near the baby beach. The highlight of the hotel is its location. Located on a small cliff abutting the sea, our room offered an excellent view of the sea and the light house.
After an hectic day, we choose to rest for some time in the room itself. There is an in-house restaurant that offers the choice of dining in the open by the sea. Good food coupled with the murmur of the sea and the gentle sea breeze made it a memorable experience.
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