Hey everyone !!

Welcome to "Kannur - The Land of Looms and Lores", through which you all will be able to view this beautiful land in the northern Malabar region. This blog is dedicated to all the helpful and lovable Kannurians.

Kannur is a city and a Municipal Corporation in the North Malabar region, Kerala, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Kannur District. It is the largest city of the North Malabar region and the 6th largest urban agglomeration in Kerala. 

Etymology

Etymologically the name Kannur may have been derived from Kanathur, an ancient village. Another opinion holds that Kannur was originally a portmanteau, derived from two Malayalam words -'Kannan' Lord Krishna (a Hindu deity), and 'Ur' means a place that combines and gives a meaning 'The place of Lord Krishna'. This is a reference to the renowned temple 'Adi Kadalayi', situated in Kannur, where the main deity is Lord Krishna. 

Adi Kadalayi temple

History in brief

Historical shreds of evidence show that Kannur was owned by the ancient Mushika dynasty which is referred to in a Sanskrit literary work ‘Mushikavamsam’ by poet Atula and also mentioned in the Indian epic Mahabharata as one of the prevailing dynasties from southern India. Later on, the Mushika dynasty was known as Kolathiris, therefore the place was called ‘Kolathunadu’.

minister of Kolathiri, a certain Kuruppu's
Arabicletter to Vasco da Gama

 

Canonor- as Kannur was referred to back then

Kannur was formerly known as Cannanore, during the British raj, and which is the one and only place in the whole of India which was targeted by Portuguese, Dutch, French, British and Germans and used for trading by Arabs, Hebrews, Persians, etc.

The Land of Looms and Lores- reference 

Kannur is also known as "The Land of Looms and Lores". This is a reference to the history and culture of Kannur. "Land of Looms" due to the functioning of popular handloom industries in the region, from long ago. "Land of Lores" due to the presence of unique ritual and folk art practice in religious places.

A weaver at Azhikode(a place n Kannur)- the handloom village of Kerala

Theyyam- popular folklore in Kannur

Tourist attractions

The district attracts a plethora of tourists and this is the main reason for it to have high tourism potentials. St. Angelos Fort in the Kannur Cantonment, constructed in 1505, is an attribution of Portuguese architecture and attracts plenty of tourists. The Thalassery Fort also falls on the list of must-places-to-visit and is an important tourist centre. Kannur beach house and Ezhimala are known for scenic beauty. Places of historic importance, like the Arakkal Museum and the house of Gulldert, attracts many tourists. 

Arakkal Museum-outside view

St. Angelos Fort (a.k.a. Kannur Fort)

Ezhimala- a place of scenic beauty

Kannur is known for its pristine beaches. Some of them are Payyambalam beach- the massive landscaped sculpture of mother and a child erected by noted sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman is eye candy to the tourist who visits the beach and they are welcomed by a well laid out garden.

Being a Kannurian, I feel proud to say that my native is the place where the longest Drive-In Beach in Asia and  Kerala’s only drive-in beach- Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach is situated.

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach

I'll be coming up with more interesting information like folk culture, history, major tourist attractions, places of historical and cultural importance, renowned pilgrimage places and so on. 

Stay tuned for more.