Hottest tourist attraction in Kerala - Thottada Beach
Thottada Beach is a beautiful beach located Thottada village, 6 km from Kannur town, Kerala, India. This beach is emerging as a much sought after tourist destinations. This article is a description about the facilities and tourist attractions in and around the beach. Visiting the Thottada beach is a pleasant, once in a life time experience.
Introduction
The Thottada beach, covered with glittering golden sand, numerous coconut trees, lush green vegetation and a clear strip of beautiful deep blue Arabian Sea, is counted among the magnificent beaches in Kerala, This beach is emerging as a most popular tourist destinations in north Kerala, attracting both Indian and international tourists alike. Thottada beach has every thing a weary traveler dreams of.Location of the beach
The Thottada beach is situated at Thottada village just about 2.5 km from the West of the national highway, NH 17 connecting Kannur town and Thalassery town. It is hardly 7 km from Kannur town. The virgin beach is about 800 meters long is ideal for sun bathing and swimming. Thottada beach is extremely clean and free from pollution and overcrowding, when compared to many other beach resorts in the country.How to reach the beach
The beach is easily accessible and connected with well built tar roads and clear lanes. You can take diversion at the Thottada junction situated on the NH 17 connecting Kannur town and Thalassery and enter the Kizhunna – Kizhunna Para road. As you come along the road, take left at the end of the road to go to Kizhunna road. As you come along the Kizhunna road you will reach the Pala Parambil Sri Muthappan Kaavu temple junction. You can take the sharp left turn at the junction which will lead you directly into the beach. As you move along the path, lush green vegetation and natural beauty of the village captivates your mind. It is an easy 2.5 KM drive, where your chances of losing directions are grim however in any case if you find yourself lost, the friendly and kind local people are always ready to help you. You can also hire auto rickshaws or taxis from Thottada junction to the beach.Facilities and accommodation available at the beach
Tourism is yet to develop at the beach in any big way, but it is only a matter of time. And that does not mean any limitations or shortage of facilities. Thottada beach has much to offer and there is steady increase in the number of tourists visiting the beach every year. Tourists can stay at the beach houses or privet guest houses and resorts available around the beach. These beach houses and resorts offer great holiday packages, provide exotic Kerala meals and an array of several other facilities. The resorts also have excellent Ayurvedic centers which provide services like Ayurvedic full body massages using exotic herbal massage oils for relaxation and rejuvenation, Ayurvedic facial and various kinds of skin treatments for cleansing, blood purification and flushing out toxins from the body. All these services are available at very reasonable and affordable prices.Description of the beach
About the beach
The lovely beach. is adorned with several coconut trees and lapped by the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. The beach is an ideal get away for families, couples and groups. The beach offers a comfortable and noiseless relaxation as well as safe playing area for kids. Moreover kids bond so well with the location. It is also safe to swim at the beach if you wish to play at the beach or simply walk around, you can do it in peace. The beach is extremely clean and free from any rubbish or any traces of pollution. The beach is also free from over crowding and unwanted hawkers, tramps or other kind of disturbances. It is like spending great time in your own private beach.
Sun set at the beach
If you are a nature lover, then watching the sun set is yet another spectacular and breathtaking experience for you. As the beautiful orange globe of fire slowly slips into the Arabian Sea, twilight sets in compelling you to take a slow and relaxed walk amid the enthralling coconut trees. As you are walking, soaking up the peaceful ambiance, you will feel the waves and cool winds of rejuvenation cleanse you from within and the calm and relaxing environment, lifts your spirits high, Wiping even the very traces of exhaustion from hectic and stressful life.Other attractions at the beach
Thottada River
Apart from enjoying on the beach, there is a small back water lagoon, popularly called the Thottada River. The river flows through one end of the beach and merges into the sea in the monsoons. Otherwise the sand dunes on the beach prevent the flow of water into the sea forming a beautiful pavement to walk on. You can also hire small, Kerala style boats available at the resort, at a marginal rent and enjoy boating through the narrow yet deep and diverse river. There is also a small bridge like dam built across the lagoon, facing the sea. Walking on the dam is a wonderful experience it is also ideal for fishing. If you are staying in any of the lovely privet resorts you can walk on this bridge to reach the beach at any time of the day.
Theyyam performances
Theyyam is a special kind of spiritual and ritual dance performance, particular to the small temples of north Malabar called Kaavu. In the Thottada village it takes place between the months of January to May at the Parakandi Kaavu, Paala Parambil Muthappan Kaavu and Pudukidi Kaavu temples. These temples are located right next to the beach If you are visiting the beach during this time you can visit the temples to see the Theyyam performances tourists are welcome to visit and interact with the theyyam performers and seek blessings. It is very interesting and memorable experience.
Sacred cave temple
If you walk some 2 KM along the south of the beach you will reach the most enchanting part of the beach, the sacred cave called the yogeshwaran guha. This ancient rock cut natural cave is believed to be home to a very powerful yogi who is invisible, deep inside the cave, immersed in divine yogic sleep. Though entry into the deep interiors of the cave is restricted due to natural factors you can light oil lamps at the entrance of the cave. Hundreds of lamps are lit daily in the honor of the yogi. It is believed that if you light a lamp and pray here, your prayers will certainly be answered.Best time to visit
One can visit the Thottada beach all around the year, however it is better to avoid visiting in the monsoons due to heavy rains and sea tends to be rough during the rains.
The most favorable time to visit the Thottada Beach is during September to May, when the temperature is moderate, sea is most calm and the sun shine is mild, the climatic conditions provides you with lovely cool breeze and ample shade for taking rest, take a pleasurable and lonely walk and enjoy the natural beauty of the the beach.
Location : 7 KM south of Kannur.
Nearest Railway Station : Kannur.
Nearest Bus Station : Kannur.
Nearest Airports : Kozhikode (100 KM), Mangalore (120 KM).
Ideal time to visit : September to May.
Good write up about tourists places in Kerala. It is an information to me. It can be more attractive if the accommodation facilities and other connected tour spots also are made mention of.