Kannur district derived its name from the location of its headquarters at Kannur town. The old name `Cannanore` is the anglicised form of the Malayalam word Kannur. According to one opinion, `Kannur` is a derivation from Kanathur, an ancient village, the name of which survives even today in one of the wards of Kannur municipality. Another version is that Kannur might have assumed its name from one of the deities of the Hindu pantheon, a compound of two words, `Kannan` (Lord Krishna) and `ur` (place) making it the place of Lord Krishna. In this context, it is worth mentioning that the deity of the Katalayi Srikrishna temple was originally installed in a shrine at Katalayi Kotta in the southeastern part of the present Kannur town.
Pazhassi Gardens & Dam
37 kms. east of Kannur near Mattannur the Pazhassi dam & reservoir offers scenic vistas. One can cruise down the river in D.T.P.C. boats often crossing small islands inhabited only riverine birds. The recently built Gardens & Amusement park is an added attraction. The Buddha"s mountain at Pazhassi, sculpture of Pazhassi King are interesting places to visit.
Dharmadam Island
Beside the Muzhappilangad beach 100 metres offshore lies the Dharmadam island surrounded by rivers and sea. A conjunction of beach & island it is a matter of walk during lowtide. Being a Buddhist stronghold it was earlier known as Dharmapattanam.
Arakkal Palace
Its about 2 kms. from Kannur Town, steeped in History; it was the Beebi (Queen) of Arakkal, Kerala"s only Muslim Royal family that controlled parts of the coast and even Lakshadweep.
Fort St. Angelo
Don Francisco D. Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India, build the fort in 1505 AD. The fort had a chequered history. It changed hands to the Douche, then to the Ali Raja of Arakkal and finally to the British. The barracks, the magazine, cannons and the ruins of a chapel are all standing testimony history on the shores of the sea. Fort St. Angelo is a protected monument under the archaeological survey of India.
Madayi Mosque
This beautiful ancient mosque was originally built in 1124 AD by Malic Iben Dinar, a Muslim preacher. A block of white marble in the mosque is believed to have been brought from Mecca by its founder, who came to India to spread the word of the prophet. Near by dilapidated fort believed to have been built by Tipu Sultan: the ruler of Mysore.
Aralam wild life sanctuary
A tranquil mega sanctuary on the slopes of the Western Ghats covered with tropical and semi evergreen forests. Herds of deer, elephants, boar and bisons are quite common. Leopards, jungle cats, various type squirrels and rare species of birds have been found here. Around 160 species of birds have been found here. Certain species of birds, which are considered extinct, have also been found here. It is 35 kms from Thalassery Railway station.
Weather
The district has a humid climate with an oppressive hot season from March to the end of May. This is followed by the southwest monsoon which continues till the end of September, October and November form the post-monsoon or retreating monsoon season. The northeast monsoon which follows, extends upto the end of February, although the rain generally ceases after December.
During the months of April and May, the mean daily maximum temperature is about 35° Celsius. Temperature is low in December and January and records as low as 20° Celsius. On certain days the night temperature may go down to 16° Celsius.
The annual average rainfall is 3,438 mm and more than 80 per cent of it occurs during the period of southwest monsoon. The rainfall during July is very heavy and the district receives 68 per cent of the annual rainfall during this season.
Best Time to visit
August to March
