I’ve been meaning to visit Ayikkara for a while now. It’s a harbour and one of the main fishing ports in Kannur district. Fishing boats bring in their daily catch and often the fishermen sell the fish right on the beach.
After I got down at the government hospital bus stop (in Kannur city), one needs to walk through a fishermen’s housing colony to get to the beachLaying salted fish out to dry
I had a picture of what I thought Ayikkara beach would look like. Brown sandy shores, fishermen’s boats all coming in fresh catch and a chance for the public to buy fresh fish cheap right off the boat.
The reality?
This. Just look at the amount of trash on the beach :/ And of course this being India, there’s a cow here too!Although there was variety on offer, a lot of it wasn’t very fresh to be honestWe bought some crab and some fish. Prices weren’t that low either.
I also saw trucks being loaded with fish. I guess all the good stuff gets sold at higher prices for exporters and suppliers to the big hotels & restaurants. And we locals get left with the stuff the big guys didn’t want.
There were people selling from the boats tooBirds and a pot-bellied man — both waiting for fishMe and my father walked around the area after buying the fishWhat was surprising is how here too, most of the workers are not Keralites but Bengalis and others from the Eastern states The boats were done for the day I guessI wanted to explore the area a bit moreSeemed like a good place to sit & relaxEagles were flying above… or they could have been Kites
I guess that’s the actual beach for AyikkaraI saw some people walking on the jettyWant your own catch but too afraid to go out to sea? Come here and fishThis open field was full of these pink flowersDon’t know the name of this flowerBut it was a pretty sightThis is Ayikkara Muhyidheen masjid, just opposite the harbour
After this we left Ayikkara. Mappila Bay could be turned into a tourist attraction if the authorities wanted to make it one. But first, the whole beach and the area needs a massive clean up. Then they need to establish a line of small eateries serving fresh seafood to visitors. It can be done but as is the case with our politicians… they couldn’t care.
Sri Subramanya Temple in Peralassery in Kannur district is home to the largest step well in Kerala. Located 14 km from Kannur town, it is located in the neighbourhood of Peralassery, just metres off state highway 38 (Kannur-Kuthuparamba road).
Local myth has it that Ram and Lakshman halted at Peralasseri temple on their way to Sri Lanka to rescue Sita. (The tale of Ramayana for the uninitiated). The temple in itself isn’t what makes Peralassery famous. The reason for its fame is a massive step well just outside the temple.
The step well is the largest of its kind in Kerala (and probably all of South India)If you visit the temple on any given weekday, you should find ample parking space just outside the temple
I was at Peralasseri temple one weekend for a cousin’s wedding. The bride’s family wanted to conduct the wedding ceremony (garland and thaali exchange) inside the temple premises.
The wedding ceremony didn’t take long as there are other wedding groups waiting for their turnI couldn’t take too many photos of the temple. I was outside the inner sanctum and photography is usually restricted. Also, it was quite muddy inside due to the rains and I was barefoot.I’ll take stone-carved snakes over real snakes (sorry Lord Vishnu).
But in all (religious) seriousness, the snakes represent ‘Sarpam/Nagam Dosham‘ (Sarpam = snake). Devotees visit the temple to shed themselves effects of ‘serpent curses’ based on their individual horoscopes.
It was still raining outside which made taking photos toughYou have to leave your footwear outside if you wish to enter the stepwellStepwells of this design are indigenous to India
Stepwells were built deep where groundwater was abundant and the steps make it easy for people to reach the water especially when water levels fluctuate throughout the year. The steps also make it easier to maintain the well, as supposed to a traditional cylindrical well which is harder to clean over time — unless you want to risk going down one.
The rain was non-stop
It wasn’t the best weather to shoot photos but I’ll probably come back some other day when it is sunny and try to get some better photos and update this blog.
Peralassery temple is an impressive sight and one of Kannur’s best attractions. Best come here during weekdays — and obviously when there is no rain. Stepwells are more common in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, so it’s quite unique that Kannur, Kerala has one.
Getting to Peralassery temple
From the Kannur city bus stand, or any other stop in the city, board any bus going to Kuthuparamba (കൂത്തുപറമ്പ്). Just ask for a ticket to Peralassery.
By car, it’s an easy drive from Kannur city as it’s one straight road. Once you reach the Peralassery bus stop, take a left turn towards the temple. Ask any local, they can guide you.
I was invited to visit the Amrut Distilleries factory on Mysore Road, just outside of Bangalore city. I was going to get to see the manufacturing process for making the famed Amrut whisky — with a special guest in tow. Noted journalist, writer and TV personality Vir Sanghvi was going to drop by the factory for a tour.
The award-winning Amrut whisky rangeBarley to the left, peat to the rightWe were waiting for Vir Sanghvi to arriveGave me enough time to check out the awards and the history of the company Shri Radhakrishna Jagdale foundedThis is the lab where they sample and test whiskies — Amrut’s own production batches and the competitionVir Sanghvi had arrived, and so had the present chairman of Amrut Distilleries, Mr. Neelakanta Rao Jagdale. After a formal greeting, the Amrut team led us all to the factory.Senior VP Surrinder Kumar led the factory tour
