Thalassery– Kerala Travel Guide
If Kerala can be called the ‘Green Capital of India’, Thalassery in Kannur district should be called as the ‘Multi-Coloured Capital of Kerala’! A city that showcases a mix of political, cultural, economic, and historical significance, this region boasts of being the most remarkable place in the Malabar Coast since time immemorial.
Once a hub foreign trade hub, Thalassery is nicknamed as the ‘Land of 3 C’s’ – Circus, Cake and Cricket. It is this region that gave birth to the ‘Great Indian Circus’ in the year 1880. Thalassery also plays a prominent role in the bakery industry. It was in this region, where the first Western-style cakes were baked in God’s Own Country. And talking about cricket, Thalassery has the first cricket club in India called ‘Town Cricket Club’.
This gem in the Malabar Coast also serves as a cultural hub. Be it Kalaripayattu; a unique form of martial arts practised in Kerala, or the Theyyam; a traditional art form that depicts North Malabar’s cultural heritage, Thalassery is the ideal place to catch a lively glimpse of both! Dotted with numerous historical and religious establishments, this region is a befitting destination for visitors from all the walks of life.
How to Reach Thalassery
1By Road:
Thalassery is well-connected with most of the corners of Kerala. Visitors can avail regular state-run and private buses running to and fro between this region Kozhikode, Madhikeri, Cochin, Trivandrum, Vadakkara, and others. Visitors from nearby states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu can also reach Thalassery by road with an ease.
2By Train:
Thalassery has its own railway station. However, since most of the trains from major railway station doesn’t stop here, visitors can access the Trivandrum Central Railway Jn to reach Thalassery by train. From the station, they can hire local cabs or board the buses to reach Thalassery by road.
3By Air:
Kozhikode International Airport at a distance of 63km, is the nearest airport to reach Thalassery by air. This airport experiences a high amount of air-traffic from across major Indian cities, Middle East, and South East Asian countries. On arrival at the airport, visitors can take advantage of local cabs or buses to reach Thalassery by road.
Best Time to Visit Thalassery:
Winter (December – February) – Best Time: Winter is the best time to visit Thalassery. During this season, temperature around the vicinity starts dropping, and can range between 16-32 degrees. This makes it for a bucolic time for the visitors to explore Thalassery and enjoy its surreal beauty.
Summer (March – June) – Good Time: This region experiences summer between March and June. Though temperature starts rising with the advent of summer, visitors can expect March and April (mid) to be quite favourable for most of the tourist activities. However, temperature from mid-April might get a bit extreme and tiresome for the outsiders.
Monsoon (July – September) – Good Time: With the arrival of monsoon, Thalassery’s beauty and appeal gets enchanted by the regular showers. The entire region becomes a thriving ground with the foliage sprawling at their best. However, regular rain showers might make this season challenging for the visitors.
Places to Visit around Thalassery:
Thalassery Fort: Seated atop a rocky cliff beside the scenic Thalassery Beach, this glorious fort is in fact the most remarkable historical landmark in this region. Also known as the ‘Tellicherry Fort’, Thalassery Fort is famed for its unique square-shaped architecture, fortifying walls, laterite block works, and an in-house gallery that houses mural paintings from the 18th century.
Mahe: Mahe is a picturesque beach town on the edge of the gurgling Mahe River in Kannur district. The once a part of the French India, this quaint town is fringed with an array of historical landmarks and boasts of its extremely pleasant atmosphere.
Kannur: Kannur is the centre spot of Kerala. Soaked in nature’s undulated beauty and charm, this gorgeous town was once ruled by Dutch, Portuguese, British, and the Mysore rules. Located around 24km from Thalassery, this town is hub of exclusive weaving work and cashew farming.
Muzhappilangad Beach: This pristine beach could be ideal escapade for the beachgoers making it to Thalassery! Famed as the largest drive-in beach in the country, it runs parallel with the National Highway 66. Visitors should go for a beach drive during the evening; the sunset views while driving really makes for a splendid experience!
Thalassery Stadium: Thalassery has been a classic spot for cricket matches in India. Taking this legacy forward is the Thalassery Stadium that hosts Ranji Trophy matches; the stadium once hosted an international one-day match played between India and Sri Lanka.
Dharmadam Beach: Adorned with a heart-warming palm-fringed shoreline, this golden beach is a wonderful tourist attraction in Thalassery. Quiet, calm and serene, water level around this golden beach gets much lower during the low tide. During this period, visitors can walk up to the adjacent Dharmadam Island right from the beachside.
Dharmadan Thuruth: Cossetted by the enchanting Arabian Sea, this secluded and uninhabited island is located within a proximity to Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach and Dharmadan Beach. During the winters, Dharmadan Thuruth attracts a wide range of local and migratory birds; this is the perfect time to embark on birdwatching tours across this island.
Overbury’s Folly:A 19th century man-made marvel in Thalassery, Overbury’s Folly is a tranquil place to be in. Though it started as a picnic spot, owing to its natural beauty and charm, it slowly turned into a tourist hotspot.
Gundert Bungalow: This heritage bungalow resonates the unmatched historical significance and contributions of Thalassery. The once an official residence of German Missionary, Gundert Bungalow is also the place where the oldest Malayalam newspaper ‘Paschimodoyam’ was published.
Tellichery Pier: An ancient pier, Tellichery Pier once serves as a connecting pier for the British ships. Today, this historic structure serves as a lively walkway along the shorelines of Arabian Sea.
Fisherfolk Temple: God’s Own Country is a place where nature is worshipped in almost all the forms. On a visit to the Fisherfolk Temple, visitors can witness how locals worship the Sea as a divine being for being generous and a source of their livelihood.
English Church: One among the earliest churches built across Malabar Coast, English Church is a pious gathering centre that is around 140 years old. Adjacent to Thalassery Fort, this religious establishment is also known as St. John’s Anglican Church.
Sree Jagannath Temple: A temple built in 1908 to eliminate the existing caste system in Malabar Coast, this sacred temple is only 1km from the heart of Thalassery. The fact, rituals in this holy temple are carried out only by the non-Brahmins, is a unique and rare custom found in India.
Juma Masjid: Revered as one of the oldest mosques in the country, Juma Masjid in Thalassery is a primal gathering centre for the Muslims. Located close to the Arabian Sea, this ancient mosque is built in Indo-Saracenic architecture and resonates universal brotherhood in and around Thalassery.
Odathil Mosque: Estimated to be 200 years old, this Islamic religious spot is also an important place to visit in Thalassery. Built in typical Kerala architecture, this teak building was commissioned by the King of Travancore.
Sree Rama Swami Temple: Home to a number of legends, Sree Rama Swami Temple is believed to a creation of Lord Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Be it the location or the structure, the adorning carvings or its religious importance, this temple should not be missed while visiting Thalassery.
Things to do in Thalassery:
Heritage Tours: Bestrewed with numerous historical and cultural landmarks, Thalassery is a wonderful spot to go for heritage walks and tours. Ruled by different empires and rulers, the vicinity still wears a rustic charm of the past.
Beach Visits: With multiple beaches to visit in Thalassery, beach lovers would definitely fall in love with this part of God’s Own Country! Adding more, visitors can always go for swimming, bathing, sun basking, and several other exciting activities while around this scenic tourist place.
Beach Driving and Riding: Riding or driving along the shorelines is an experience of a lifetime! While around the Muzhappilangad Beach in Thalassery, visitors can experience this enthralling activity.
Religious Tours:Thalassery has abundance of religious spots. Irrespective of one’s caste and creed, they can visit these sacred destinations to seek blessings and attain spiritual peace.
Hotels around Thalassery:
Thalassery is an idyllic destination for the leisure seekers. With an ample of hotels and other stay options, this region also attracts visitors from the other walks of life. Starting from budget to luxury options, casual resorts to beach facing resorts, visitors can avail stays according to their budget and convenience.
