Sights in Kerala
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Loknath Weavers’ Co-operative
Established in 1955, the Loknath Weavers’ Co-operative is one of the oldest in Kannur and occupies a large building busily clicking with the sound of looms. You can stop by for a quick tour and visit the small shop here that displays the fruits of their labours. It’s 4km south of Kannur.
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Thirunelly Temple
Thought to be one of the oldest on the subcontinent, Thirunelly Temple is 10km from Tholpetty. While non-Hindus cannot enter, the ancient and intricate pillars and stone carvings, set against a soaring backdrop of mist-covered peaks, is an astounding sight no matter what your creed.
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Pookot Lake
The picture-perfect Pookot Lake is 3km before Vythiri. Geared up for visitors, it has well-maintained gardens, a cafeteria, playground and paddle/row boats for hire (Rs30/50 per 20 minutes). It gets packed on the weekends, though feels quite peaceful during the week.
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Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park, 16km from Munnar, is home to the endangered, but almost tame, Nilgiri tahr (a type of mountain goat). From Munnar, an autorickshaw/taxi costs Rs150/300 return; a government bus takes you the final 4km from the check- point (Rs20).
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Kerala Dinesh Beedi Co-Operative
One of the largest, and purportedly best, manufacturers is the Kerala Dinesh Beedi Co-Operative, with a factory at Thottada, 7km south of Kannur. Either of these cooperatives is a Rs80 to Rs100 (return) autorickshaw ride from Kannur town.
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Neyyar Dam Sanctuary
This sanctuary, 32km north of Trivandrum, lies around an idyllic lake created by the 1964 Neyyar Dam. The fertile forest lining the shoreline is home to gaurs, sambar deer, sloth, elephants, lion-tailed macaques and the occasional tiger.
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Santa Cruz Basilica
The imposing Catholic Santa Cruz Basilica was originally built on this site in 1506, though the current building dates to 1902. Inside you’ll find arte-facts from the different eras in Kochi and a striking pastel-coloured interior.
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Highrange Spices
Highrange Spices, 3km from Kumily, has 4 hectares of spice garden and you can see ayurvedic herbs and vegetables growing. A one-hour tour is Rs100. A rickshaw to either spice garden and back will be around Rs200 to Rs250.
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St Angelo Fort
The Portuguese built St Angelo Fort in 1505 from brilliantly red laterite stone on a promontory a few kilometres south of town. It has a serene garden and excellent views of nearby palm-fringed beaches.
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Wayanad Heritage Museum
Wayanad Heritage Museum exhibits headgear, weapons, pottery, carved stone and other artefacts dating back to the 15th century that shed light on Wayanad’s significant Adivasi population.
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Kerala Folklore Academy
Visit the Kerala Folklore Academy, near Chirakkal Pond Valapattanam, 20km north of Kannur, where you can see vibrantly coloured costumes up close and sometimes catch a performance.
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Jain Temple
The 13th-century Jain temple, near Sultanbatheri, has splendid stone carvings and is an important monument to the region’s strong historical Jain presence.
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Tea Plantation
About 13km away from Kumily is a working tea plantation where you can wander around the grounds and see displays of the tea-making process for free.
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Bekal Fort
The laterite-brick Bekal Fort, built between 1645 and 1660, sits on Bekal’s rocky headland and houses a small Hindu temple and plenty of goats.
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Edakal Caves
Near Ambalavayal, are the Edakal Caves, with petroglyphs thought to date back over 3000 years and jaw-dropping views of Wayanad district.
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Beach
The beach is about 2km west of the city centre; it's a nice, shaded walk, but there's no shelter at the beach itself and swimming is dangerous.
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Draavidia Art & Performance Gallery
Shows off art by Keralan artists in an airy upstairs gallery. It also holds classical music concerts (Rs100) from November to March at 6pm.
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Kashi Art Gallery
The pioneer of Fort Cochin’s art revival, Kashi displays changing exhibitions of local artists.
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Chitram Art Gallery
Has a few excellent pieces by both well-known and emerging Indian artists.
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Lila Studio
Mostly showing works by co-director, painter and sculptor Gayatri Gamuz.
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Dutch Cemetery
The Dutch Cemetery, consecrated in 1724, contains the worn and dilapidated graves of Dutch traders and soldiers; it’s gates are normally locked but you can ask the caretaker at St Francis Church if you want to have a look around.
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Cherai beach
For a dip in the ocean, you can make a day trip to the attractive Cherai beach on Vypeen Island.
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