Parassinikkadavu
Parassinikkadavu is a small riverside tourist town in Kannur District, Kerala, India. This is the only temple where the mild alcoholic drink called 'Toddy' is offered to the God at the temple.
Get in
Parassinikkadavu is half an hour by bus from Kannur. The nearest railway station is Kannapuram 13 km.
See
- Amalolbhava Matha Church, Pappinishery.
- Ganapathy Mandap, Puthiya Theru.
- Kerala Folk Lore Academy Museum, Puthiya Theru.
- 1 Muthappan Temple, On the riverside (1 km (0.62 mi) down the hill). You can get an auto (₹20) for a ride down the winding road to the temple. Alternatively there is a direct footpath with wide steps. The temple has a simple layout and cute look. Unlike other Kerala temples, non-Hindus are also welcomed inside the temple because this temple is governed by an atheist organization who want to continue the traditions and get the income. The surrounding villages are dominated by Hindus of atheist variety. Very often, the womenfolk of these villages are deeply religious. This temple has no idol to worship, rather a ritualistic art-form (Muttappan Theyam) to worship.
- 2 Snake Park.
- Vellikkeel Eco Park. You can go across the Vellikkeel Bridge by hiring an auto-rickshaw from Bakkalam to Pattuvam (₹200). Very beautiful mangrove swamps and an estuary.
- Vismaya Park, Main Road (2 km).
- Kuttikkol Juma Masjidh, Taliparamba Road. Scenic mosque in the middle of a paddy field.
- Munambu Kadavu. Traditional blacksmith workshop is the main attraction. There is a lighthouse in this island.
- Parakkal Boat Jetty. Tourist spot
- Narath Boat Jetty. Photogenic Place
- Bhagath Singh Island. Picnic spot
- Pamburuthy Island. Very silent place
- C.H.Island. The lighthouse is the main attraction here
- Kolachery Island. Old cycle repair shop attracts many visitors
- A.K.G.Island.. Spectacular views from the tree house
Do
- Island Walk, Kolthuruthy Island, (4 km). All coconut and arecanut. Beautiful bridge wide enough for a small car.
- Trekking. Take the road left immediately before the Parassini bridge. Climb the little to the centre of the town. (4 km)
- Village walk, Bakkalam (5 km). Bakkalam is an ideal village for a leisurely stroll. There are coconut plantations and paddy fields wherever you look. Walk on the Morazha road until you reach Vellikkeel bridge which is an extremely scenic place.
- Vismaya Water Theme Park, Main Road. Parking facility for 100 cars, several rides, shops selling swimming clothes etc. This business venture is owned and managed by the local Communist Party.
- Walk across the scenic Parassini bridge, Mayyil Road (2 km).
- Watch the Theyyam dance. Theyyam is performed in the temples of Parassinikkaavu and surrounding cities during certain times of the year.
Buy
- Jeyes World, Temple Road.
Eat
- Capane Bamba Restaurant, Puthiya Theru.
- Motel Aaram KTDC, Dharmasala (5 km), ☏ +91 4972780220. Run by the government
- Temple Dining Hall. Free food is given to all visitors. They offer tea with fried mung beans for breakfast. Lunch is traditional Kerala style vegetarian thali on a plantain leaf.
- Village teashops. There are two village tea shops in Parassinikkadavu bus terminus. Even though the seating arrangements are basic, the food is very clean, tasty and cheap. In Kerala, smaller restaurants of the villages offer good value for money. You can see people in big cars visiting these humble restaurants because the city restaurants offer a stereotype fare.
- Indian Coffee House, Dharmashala. Two big restaurants: one is vegetarian and the other has meat options.
- Vazhiyoram Restaurant, Dharmashala.
- Orchid Restaurant, Puthiyatheru.
- Highway Palace Restaurant, Near Koyili Hospital.
Drink
Beer parlour at Motel Aaram KTDC Dharmasala 04972780220
- Cafe Coffee Day, Dharmashala (1 km).
Sleep
- Hotel Park View, Temple Road.
- K.K.Lodge, Temple Road. ₹300.
- Tamarind Restaurant DTPC, Dharmasala (5 km), ☏ +91 4972780220. Run by the government. ₹350.
- Sri Muthappan Tourist Home, Temple Road.
- Sri Shylam Tourist Home, Temple Road, ☏ +91 497 278 4355.
- Tamarind Hotel, Parassinikkadavu, ☏ +91-94000 08685. Government property. ₹1,400.
- Thai Resort, Near Parassini Bridge, ☏ +91 497 278 4242.
- Thapasya Heritage, Opp. AKG Building, ☏ +91 497 278 2944.
- Malabar Lodge, Dharmashala. Rs.450.
- Indian Coffee House Lodge, Dharmashala. Rs.2500.
- Sneha Inn, Dharmashala.