Journey of Kannur

Journey of Kannur 

 

 We creative team of K4Kannur has launched a documentary movie about our Kannur . Its just an attempt to reveal the unrevealed part of  Kannur the city of looms and lores . This video is available in you tube , hope you all will enjoy this .The revenue received from Ad sense will be used for social services and charity .Watch it , share it ......!

Regards

Blogger

KOTTIYOOR TEMPLE Vaisakha Maholsavam

Vaisakha Maholsavam

The Vaisakha Maholsavam festival is held every year during the months of May - June. The twenty eight day festival commences with the Neyyattam ritual on the Swati Day in Edavam and concludes with the Thrikkalashaattu.
The Vaisakha Maholsavam celebrations begin with the ritual of bringing a sword from Muthirerikavu from Wayanad. On the following day, on Visakham star Bhandaram Ezhunnallath ritual is held. Gold, Silver vessels, heavenly ornaments etc are brought from nearby Manathana village to Kottiyoor.
An important ritual during the festival is the 'Elaneer Vayppu' or submitting tender coconuts before the swayambhu Shiva linga. On this special day, thousands of tender coconuts carried from different parts of Malabar by the devotees are submitted. The following day, the main priest of the temple, pours the collected coconut water on to the idol which is known as 'Elaneeraattam'.
Rohini Aaradhana is a very important ritual which is not seen in any other temple. The priest embraces the swayambhu Shiva linga as part of the ritual. The belief behind this ritual is that Brahma himself worships Lord Shiva to pacify for the loss of Sati.
As a part of the festival, a procession (Ezhunnallippu) is held with two elephants carrying the idols of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. After the procession, the elephants are fed well (Aanayootu) and given a formal farewell.

Odapoo This is a sign that you have visited Kottiyoor. Decorate your house entrance with these.

Kottiyoor  Vaisakha Maholsavam begins

Vaisakha Maholsavam dates for year 2012
 
27-May-2012, Sunday - Neerezhunnallathu

02-June-2012, Saturday - Neyyattam

03-June-2012, Monday - Bhandaram Ezhunnallathu (Mid night, Ladies will be Allowed only after this)

08-June-2012, Friday - Thiruvonam Aradhana, Ilaneer Veypu

11-June-2012, Monday - Ashtami Aradhana, Ilaneerattam

14-June-2012, Thursday - Revathi Aradhana

18-June-2012, Monday - Rohini Aradhana

20-June-2012, Wednesday - Thiruvathira Chathussatham

21-June-2012, Thursday - Punartham Chathussatham

23-June-2012, Saturday - Aayilyam Chathussatham

24-June-2012, Sunday - Makam Kalam Varavu (After 12.00PM, Ladies won't be allowed)

27-June-2012, Wednesday - Atham Chathussatham, Valattam, Kalasa Pooja

28-June-2012, Thursday - Thrukkalassattu
Elaborate rituals and offerings are open to devotees during the festival.

Milestone Achievement 1500 Page views...!

Milestone Achievement 1500 Page views ...!

Sincere thanks to all page viewers , without you all there is no K4KANNUR !.......K4Kannur proudly celebrates 1500 page views all over the world .Thanks for the support and valueable inputs .......

Hoping for all help and support in future 

Once again thanking you for every thing 

Blogger !

Kannur Chicken Curry

Kannur Chicken Curry !

What makes Malabar Chicken Curry special is the gravy made with Roasted coconut. In Kannur  and Thalassery areas this chicken curry is served with Malabar Ghee Rice or Bread.

Kannur Special Varutharacha Chicken Curry 
 The Process of Varutharackal : We saute grated coconut in coconut oil till it becomes dark brown in colour and then grind it in a mixie to get a smooth paste that is what we call varuthrakkal. To add taste we add curry leaves, redchillies, shallots, cinnamon sticks, fennelseeds, cardamom , pepper pods, garlic , cloves etc to grated coconut .

 

Varutharacha means fried and grounded.The main ingredient in this dish is fried coconut with masalas which is then ground fine. This gives an unique taste to chicken curry.

Ingredients

• Chicken - ½ kg (boneless)
• Coconut (grated) - 1 cup
• Ginger - 1 inch long piece
• Garlic - 6 no.
• Green chilli - 6 no.
• Small onions - 1 cup
• Big onions - 1 chopped fine
• Tomato - 1 chopped fine
• Chilli powder - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
• Coriander powder - 2 tsp
• Garam masala - ½ tsp
• Curry leaves - few      
      
  
   To grind
  

  • 1/2 cup grated coconuts
  • 1 whole dried red chilli
  • 1 tbs coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • few pepper corns

   
  

 The Preparation Method:

• Heat two teaspoons of oil in a pan and fry the grated coconut. Put coriander powder, chilli powder, garam masala, turmeric powder and stir well. When the mixture becomes brown in colour, make it into a paste and keep it aside.
• Now take a pan and heat some oil. Add some curry leaves. To this, add the mixture comprising small onions, ginger, green chillies and garlic. Fry for some time. Now add the chicken pieces along with salt and stir. Pour about two cups of water. Stir gently. Close the pan and cook for some time.
• Open the pan and add big onions and tomatoes. Pour some more water. Now cover the pan and cook for 20 minutes.
• You may now remove the lid and add the grounded masala kept aside. Add some more water. Stir well. Put some curry leaves. Cook for another ten minutes on low flame.
• Now get ready to relish this spicy chicken dish.

 

Adjust salt. Add  more water if the gravy is too thick.Garnish with fresh cilantro and curry leaves. Serve with ghee rice, Bread , chappathi etc...

courtesy : word of mouth , taste of mouth & internet 

KANNUR MEEN CURRY in CHATTI !

KANNUR MeeN CURRY in CHATTI !


Fish is a kind of staple food for Keralites especially in the coastal area of Kerala like Kannur(Malabar).

Fish Curry have a lot of variations even in the uniqueness of flavor and I found difference with in Kannur even though the ingredients are almost the same. Kannur Fish curry is made with mild spices taking care not to overpower the flavor of fish and another significant difference is the usage of tamarind(Valan puli) over Gambooge used in most Kerala Fish Curry recipes. 

Ayikkara Fish Harbour Kannur

Fish Any kind of fish, 1/4 kilo, cut into pieces, or 4-6 medium king fish

Red chilli powder 1 tsp

Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp

Salt 1tsp

Green Chillies 4 medium (halved and slit)

Curry leaves 2 strings

Ginger 1 tbsp (crushed finely)

Tomato 1 medium (cut into small pieces)

For paste or masala:

Coconut  1curd cup (grated)

Tomato 3/4 small (cubed)

Turmeric  1/4 tsp

Red chilli powder 2 tsp

Cumin seeds 1 tsp

Additions

Pulp of one lemond sized Tamarind 

Recipe:

    * In a conditioned claypot, add chutty ingredients, in the same order as mentioned above.  Keep aside.

    * Take Masala ingredients in a blender/mixer, fine paste them by adding little water.

    * Take out the only fish from chatty, keep aside.

    * Add the ground paste into the chatty, pour two cups of water and mix the ingredients throughly with clean hand.  Allow the mixture to boil on medium heat for 15 minutes.

    * When the curry thickens, place the fish one by one into the chatty, allow it to cook in medium heat.

    * When fish is almost cooked, stir in tamarind pulp. Boil till end.

    * Add salt and tamarind to desired taste.

Remember :

When a clay pot is newly bought, it has to be soaked in water overnight to filter away the impurities.

courtsey : word of mouth , taste of mouth & internet 

Dharmadam Island

Dharmadam Island is a beautiful beach, located 17 kms from Kannur. The small 5-acre island covered with coconut palms and green bushes is a beautiful sight from the beach. This island covered with Coconut Palms and dense bushes is a beautiful sight from the Muzhappilangad beach. During low tide, one can just walk to the island from the beach. It is surrounded by rivers and seas. 

A luxury travel tour to the exotic Dharmadam island would showcase that it is a curious mixture of an island and sea and no longer remains an island during low tide. The island was once a stronghold of visiting Buddhist monks as a travel tour to Dharmadam island mirrors as a piece of important information.

Best time to visit

From October to May

How to reach this place

By air: Karipur International airport in Kozhikode whoch is 93kms away
By rail: Kannur railway station which is 15km

By Road:Dharmadam is located 4 km from the town of Thalassery.

Nearby places to visit

Andalur Kavu

This temple is dedicated to Shri Rama but Padmashiva is also worshipped here.

Muzhappilangad beach

 

 

courtesy:internet , word of mouth !

ARALAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary !

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. 

The sanctuary area falls in Aralam, Kelakam and Kottiyoor revenue villages and is located in the Northwest slopes of Western Ghats contiguous with the forests of Coorg (Kodagu) district of Karnataka state.

The PA (Protected Area) is comprised of Aralam Range, the only Range of Aralam wildlife division, which is part of Northern Wildlife Circle (Northern Region) Palakkad. The extent of the sanctuary is 55 km²

The headquarters is near Iritty, a small town about 45 km from Kannur. The Cheenkannipuzha River forms the main drainage system on the southern side. The Narikkadavuthodu, Kurukkathodu and Meenumuttithodu from the northern upper reaches flow southwards to join Cheenkannipuzha.

The sanctuary is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats. Sambar deer, elephant, peacock, boar, lion tailed macaque, common langur, wild dog, common otter, Malabar giant squirrel, bonnet macaque, tiger and bison are common sights. Among reptiles, the king cobra is prominently found in the sanctuary. 

Forest type

Forest coast tropical evergreen and west coast semievergreen forests are predominant. There are about 490 ha of teak and eucalyptus plantations within the forest area.

Flora
In the evergreen areas the following species are found: vellapine (Vateria indica), Mesua ferrea, Mechilus macrantha, Calophyllum elatum, Cullenia rosayroona, Magnifera indica, Toona cillata, Myristica Species, Euphorbia Longana, Strobilanthes. The common trees in the semievergreen areas are Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Hopea parviflora, Largestroemia lanceolata, Xyliaxylocarpa, Mallotus, Philippinensis.

Fauna

A variety of animals and birds usually found in the Western Ghats are seen here. Different kinds of deer, boar, elephant, and bison are quite common. Leopard, jungle cat and various types of squirrels are sighted.

It is also home to 172 different types of butterflies. A bird survey is conducted every year and 215 types of birds are reported to have been sighted, including the Nilgiris wood pigeon, the blue winged parakeet and the Malabar grey hornbill. 

Eco-tourism activities are promoted in a big way.

There's a 20-km trek route from the starting point of the sanctuary to Ambalapaara (1400mts above sea level) situated on the border area of Wayanad. For adventure lovers, camping equipment including tents and sleeping bags are made available.

Location: 35 km from Thalasserry and 60 km from Kannur town in Kerala 

Best time to visit: October to March. To see the butterflies, the best months are November and December. 

How to get there

By road - Thalassery - 45 km
Kannur - 45 km
Nearest railway station: Thalassery
Nearest airport: Kozhikode (113 km)

VALAPATANAM

VALAPPATANAM 

Valapattanam is a small town in the Kannur district, located in the Indian state of Kerala. It is also the smallest panchayath in kerala.Its area is 2.04 sqr Km. It is about 7 km north of Kannur. Valapattanam is an important Muslim settlement area in Kannur.

The small town on the Valapattanam River is well known for its wood-based industries and timber trade. The port of Azhikkal and Azhikkal Beach are located nearby. Western India Plywoods Limited, the largest wood-based industry in the country and also one of the largest of its kind in South East Asia, is a major industrial concern here.

Mangrove Park !

Valappattanam River view from Mangrove park 

Valapattanam River വളപട്ടണം പുഴ

ഉത്തര മലബാറിലെ പ്രധാന പുഴകളിൽ ഒന്നാണ്‌ വളപട്ടണം പുഴ. കേരളത്തിലെ‌ ഏറ്റവും വീതികൂടിയ പുഴയാണിതു്. കേരളത്തിലെ 44 പുഴകളിൽ കിഴക്കോട്ടൊഴുകുന്നവയിൽ ഏഴെണ്ണം കണ്ണൂർ ജില്ലയിലൂടെ ഒഴുകുന്നു. അവയിൽ ഏറ്റവും നീളമേറിയത് വളപട്ടണം പുഴയാണ്‌. ഏറ്റവും നീളമേറിയ ഒമ്പതാമത്തെ പുഴയും,വെള്ളത്തിന്റെ അളവിൽ കേരളത്തിലെ നാലാമത്തെ വലിയ പുഴയും ഇതാണ്‌. ഇതിന്റെ നീളം 110.50 കി.മി ആണ്‌. കേരളത്തിലെ പ്രധാന അണക്കെട്ടുകളിൽ ഒന്നായ പഴശ്ശി അണക്കെട്ട് നിർമ്മിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത് ഈ പുഴയ്ക്കു കുറുകെയാണ്.തെർലയി,കൊർലായി,പാബുരുത്തി എന്നീ ദീപുകൾ വളപട്ടണം പുഴയിൽ അരികിലാന്ന്  ചെങ്ങളായി ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത് 12.043696° N 75.4909712° E ഭൂമിശാസ്ത്ര പ്രാധാന്യം ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത് രാജ്യം ഇന്ത്യ സംസ്ഥാനം കേരളം ജില്ല കണ്ണൂർ നിയമസഭാ മണ്ഡലം തളിപ്പറമ്പ് ലോകസഭാ മണ്ഡലം കണ്ണൂർ ഭരണസ്ഥാപനങ്ങൾ പ്രസിഡണ്ട് എം. വേലായുധൻ വിസ്തീർണ്ണം 67.33ചതുരശ്ര കിലോമീറ്റർ വാർഡുകൾ {{{വാർഡുകൾ}}} എണ്ണം ജനസംഖ്യ 26660 ജനസാന്ദ്രത 396/ച.കി.മീ കോഡുകൾ


ഉത്ഭവം
വളപട്ടണം പുഴ ഉത്ഭവിക്കുന്നത് കർണാടകത്തിലെ കുടക് ജില്ലയിലെ ബ്രഹ്മഗിരി ഘട്ട് റിസേർ‌വ് ഫോറസ്റ്റിലാണ്‌.പിന്നീട് കുപ്പം പുഴയുമായി യോജിച്ച് അവസാനം അറബിക്കടലിൽ പതിക്കുന്നു.
തീരങ്ങൾ
പ്രശസ്തമായ പറശ്ശിനിക്കടവ് മുത്തപ്പൻ ക്ഷേത്രം വളപട്ടണം പുഴയുടെ തീരത്താണ്‌ സ്ഥിതി ചെയ്യുന്നത്.

Valapattanam is known for its communal harmony. On one hand one can see the "Kalarivathukkal temple" and on the other hand you have the "Kakkulangara Mosque" lying in close proximity. The long vision of the social leaders and people on the whole has made Valapattanam a land of communal harmony.

Mangroves......

History 

This town is named after its historical founder Vallabha II of the Mooshika dynasty (Kolathiri family) and was originally known as Vallabha-Pattanam  and served as the capital of the Mooshika dynasty during the medieval ages. The fourteenth-century narrative of Ibn Battuta refers to the ruler of Ezhimala as residing at Baliapatanam and offers a clue that by this time, the centre of the political authority had shifted from Ezhimala to Baliapatanam. In the sixteenth century AD, a Portuguese official Duarte Barbosa also mentions Baliapatanam (Baliapatam in European records) as the residence of the ‘king of Cannanore’.

 

Valapattnam is an important tourist destination in Kannur district

Location:Valapattanam about 7 km from Kannur town, Kannur district, north Kerala.

Attractions: The largest wood-based industry in South East Asia, a beautiful fishing harbour ,Tile factory , Kandal Park ...........

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Kannur, about 7 km from Valapattanam.
Nearest airports: Karipur international airport, Kozhikode, about 93 km from Kannur town.


courtesy;Internet