Like a true Malayali based outside his shores for over 4 decades I kept returning to my hometown in the heart of Malabar in North Kerala on vacation from school, college,university and work . Being an outsider i discovered here the everyday, the exotic and the esoteric merge quite seamlessly
Kannur, the most enchanting district of North Kerala is breath taking. The Lakshadweep Sea washes the sands of sugary beaches laced with rows of green coconut palms. Some of the beaches of this Moppilla bay are even drivable. Long rivers break into silvery spray and merge into the blue green waters of the Sea.
The ships of Solomon, they say: anchored along our coasts to collect timber for building the 'Temple of the Lord '. Kannur finds a mention as NAURA in the 'Periplus of the Erithrean Sea' a Greek work of great antiquity. The Kolathiris were based at Chirakkal.The Pazassi Raja ruled from Kottayam in Tellicherry taluk. The Beebi (Queen) of Arakkal, Kerala"s only Muslim royal family controlled parts of the coast and even the Laccadive Islands'The quest for spices lured several European powers to this land.The advent of the Portuguese ( 1498) marked the beginning. They were followed by the Dutch and the English. Fortifications at Tellicherry and the Fort St. Angelo attest to their arrival while Mahe closeby was controlled by the French and the policemen today continue to wear the typical hat of the gendarme!!
In winter watch a Theyyam ceremony - a popular Hindu ritual form of worship and a living cult with several thousand-year-old traditions, it embraces almost all the castes and classes of the Hindu religion in this region. The performers belong to the indigenous tribal community and is unique, since only in Kerala, do both upper and lower castes share an important position in a major form of worship.
Ayesha Manzil is a beautiful, old colonial style mansion overlooking the Arabian sea in Tellicherry . Its present owner the charismatic Mr Moosa and his charming wife Ayesha are the soul of Malabar.They produce the finest of cuisine in the local Malabar flavour like no other.
Driving eastward into hill country one comes to Wayanad where Tranquil Resort is a Plantation Hideaway set within a 400 acre Coffee Plantation Estate located 6 km from Sultan Battery, Wayanad which affords the adventurous soul with breathtaking views, scenic treks and un-spoilt surroundings.
Tree- houses in the foothills and verdant forests till the high ranges , quiet getaways and serene backwaters , martial arts , ancient rituals and even ayurvedic massages.
Feels great to see the original Malabar town beckoning again to come and explore the Kerala's best know secret!
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