PAYYOLI BEACH : 10 AMAZING THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
PAYYOLI BEACH IS A MAGNIFICIENT STRETCH OF BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN SHORE ALONG THE NORTH MALABAR COAST OF KOZHIKODE .IT IS A LOVELY SIGHT TO BEHOLD THE VAST EXPANSE OF BLUE FROTHY SEA CARESSING THE CARPET OF PEARLY WHITE SANDS OF THE BEACH WITH ITS INCLINING PALM TREES SWAYING VIOLENTLY WITH THE COOL MISTY SEA WINDS AS IF WELCOMING US TO EXPERIENCE THE AWE OF NATURE.
PAYYOLI BEACH IS A MUCH SOUGHT AFTER TOURIST LOCATION SITUATED ABOUT 40 KMS FROM KOZHIKODE IN THE KERALA-KANNUR NATIONAL HIGHWAY . PAYYOLI IS A MUNICIPALITY TOWN ON THE MALABAR COAST WITH A POPULATION OF AROUND 23000 .PAYYOLI IS FAMOUS FOR ITS SEA FOOD BUSINESS AND NATURAL CONSERVATION CENTRE FOR SEA TURTLES.
10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PAYYOLI BEACH
1.SEE THE SWARMS OF OLIVE RIDLEY SEA TURLE HATCHLINGS TREKKING TOWARDS THE OPEN SEA AT KOLAVIPALAM BEACH
Kolavipalam beach is the northerrn extension of the Payyoli beach.It is known as the 'Turtle Beach' and is located to the south of the Moorad River estuary,about 30km north of Calicut.
The Olive Ridley turtles(Lepidochelys olivacea) are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world, inhabiting warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.Growing to about 2 feet in length, and 50 kg in weight, the Olive Ridley gets its name from its olive colored carapace, which is heart-shaped and rounded. They are carnivores, and feed mainly on jellyfish, shrimp, snails, crabs, molluscs and a variety of fish and their eggs. These turtles spend their entire lives in the ocean, and migrate thousands of kilometers between feeding and mating grounds in the course of a year.
Interestingly, females return to the very same beach from where they first hatched, to lay their eggs. During this phenomenal nesting, up to 600,000 and more females emerge from the waters, over a period of five to seven days, to lay eggs. They lay their eggs in conical nests about one and a half feet deep which they laboriously dig with their hind flippers. Other than the Payyoli beach,the coast of Orissa in India is the largest mass nesting site for the Olive-ridley, followed by the coasts of Mexico and Costa Rica. After about 45-65 days, the eggs begin to hatch, and these beaches are swamped with crawling Olive-ridley turtle babies, making their first trek towards the vast ocean. During this trek they are exposed to predators like birds, hyenas, fiddler crabs, and feral dogs lurking around, waiting to feed on them. WWF-India, along with the local fishermen community have initiated the nature conservation centre called ''Theeram'' at Payyoli and has has been involved in protecting the Olive ridley rookery at the mass nesting site at Payyoli, by fencing off the nesting area and patrolling it till hatching and ensuring a safe passage for the hatchlings to the sea. It is estimated that approximately 1 hatchling survives to reach adulthood for every 1000 hatchlings that enter the sea waters.
You can visit the conservation hatchery and see the baby turtles before they are returned to the sea.(+91 496 317 9177).It is about 4kms(10 min) distance from the Payyoli beach.
2.GO TO THE 'BIRD WATCHER'S PARADISE' AT THE ESTUARY OF KUTTIYADI RIVER AT MOORAD
It is one of those rare resting places preferred by the migratory birds and other exotic native birds that fly in from all around the world seasonally.Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary,situated about 19 kms from Kozhikode is another such location in the district where these migrant hoardes of birds find their sanctuary during the months of November,extending till April. Diverse varieties of birds species like whimbrels, herons, sandpipers, gulls etc can be seen during these months at Moorad.Around 100 species of native birds have also been recorded in these places during the months of september-november which ultimately transforms the estuary and its encompassing areas into a much sought after place by the bird watching enthusiasts and ornithologists for bird photography and research.The sanctuary extends about 500metres around the many islands and sand beaches in and around the estuary where the Kuttiadi river meets the Arabian sea.A perfect spot is the Thuruth island within the estuary where the flocking birds frequents seasonally and is also an awe inspiring view from the Sargaalaya Craft Village at Iringal which is another tourist detination nearby.The climate is excellent through most of the year, due to its position along the coast. As the area receives torrential rainfall during the months of May to July, it is better to avoid the visits during that time.
Location- 7kms(13min drive) from Payyoli beach and about 1 hr(43kms) from Kozhikode(via NH66)
3.VISIT THE KUNJALI MARAKKAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND TAKE AWAY A PIECE OF VALIANT HISTORY
Kunjali(or Kunhali) Marakkar was the title given to the Muslim naval chief of the Zamorins (Samoothiri) the hindu king of Kozhikode during the 16th century.The Marakkars are credited with organizing the first naval defence of the Indian coast and played a pivotal role in organising the Samoothiri's naval army against the Portugese battle fleets.This memorial museum at Iringal was built jointly by the Kerala government and the Southern Command of Indian navy as a token of gratitude for the valiant naval leader who defended the coast.
This museum is located enroute to the Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts village at Iringal on the Kunjali Marakkar road
Location-7km(13min drive from Payyoli beach)and 1hr (44kms ) from Kozhikode.(via NH 66)
4.VISIT THIKKOTI LIGHTHOUSE AND EXPERIENCE THE SCENIC SEA VIEW FROM THE TOP
It is a good vantage point to get a clear majestic view of the sea coast from atop the lighthouse at Thikkoti.It is opened from 3-6pm except on sundays and public holidays.The lighthouse overlooks the historical 'Velliyamkallu' off the Moodadi Coast in Kozhikode district.It was built after a shipwreck, the remains of which can still be seen here. The lighthouse can be reached only with the help of friendly locals since there are no signboards after the deviation from the highway at Thikkoti. There are nearly more than 250 steps till the top of the lighthouse and hence,it is not an ideal place for the aged and elderly .The light house is close to the fort of Kunjali Marakkars, the naval chiefs of Zamorin who had contained the Portuguese navy for almost a century.
Location- it is at a distance of 4kms(8min drive) from Payyoli beach and about 35 kms (45min) from Kozhikode via the NH 66.
5.VISIT PARAPALLY BEACH ROCK FORMATIONS
Parapally beach is another serene rocky beach on the Malabar coast at Kollam near Koilandy town situated 27kms from kozhikode.It is more of a rocky stone formations jutting into the sea at various angles with a short stretch of sandy shore in between them. Moreover, the way to the Parapally beach is very topsy turvy with so many twistings and turnings with a little more than the width of an average car to make it upto athe spot.So be careful if you are visiting in a bigger vehicle.Fortunately,there are signboards leading the way to the beach.The rocks provide a beautiful vantage point to view the sea in the evenings and watch the sunset.Holiday-maker
Location-It is located 27kms(40 min)from kozhikode and at a distance of 12kms (23 min) from Payyoli beach
6. OLYMPIAN P T USHA IS FROM PAYYOLI
Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha popularly known as P. T. Usha, is a retired Indian Olympic athlete from Payyoli of the Kozhikode district of Kerala . She has been in the field of Indian track and field athletics since 1979 when she joined the Kerala Athletics Academy. She is regarded as one of the greatest athletes India has ever produced and is often called the "queen of Indian track and field".[She is nicknamed as the ''Payyoli Express'' Currently she manages the Usha School of Athletics at Koyilandy in Kerala for aspiring future athletes between the age groip of 14-25 years. In 1976, the Kerala State Government started a Sports School for women, and Usha was chosen to represent her district.
HER REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Became the first Indian woman to reach the final of an Olympic event.
- Became the youngest Indian sprinter, aged 16, to compete in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
- Current World Record for most gold medals earned by a female athlete in a single track meet. Usha secured 5 gold medals, in the 100, 200, and 400 metre, 400m hurdles, and 4 × 400 m relay (1985 Asian Track and Field Meet at Jakarta, Indonesia).
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| P T USHA WITH HUSBAND V SRINIVASAN AND SON UJJWAL SRINAVASAN |
Sargaalaya, the
Kerala Arts and Crafts village at Iringal in Kerala is an initiative of the
Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. It is an exclusive place where you
can not only pick a product fashioned by the traditional artisans of Kerala but
also learn one or two lessons in the art of crafts-making.
Conceptualized as a tourist destination, Sargaalaya was developed and
implemented on the Responsible Tourism model.A wonder world of tradition in the
form of beautiful handicrafts and exquisite collection of crafts made by skilled workmanship is what makes the place a soothing tourist experience.Put up on a sprawling
20-acre land on the shores of the Moorad River at Iringal in Kozhikode, the
craft village has 60 stalls housed in beautiful cottages that are environment-friendly
and ethnic in design. The management of the village is vested in the hands of
the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS).
'Craft Glimpses' is a 1 night / 2 days package which costs around
11,000 INR per person on twin sharing basis (approximately $162 per person). The schedule for the first day will be a trip to Kannur and Muzhippilangad drive-in beach with overnight stay
at Vadakara. Second day is completely separated for the tour of Sargaalaya arts and craft village.
Apart from these packages, an exquisite boating
experience is also provided through Moorad River for 15 minutes. Online booking provision is
also available for the travellers which makes the entire process easier and tourist friendly. More details
of the packages are available in the official website of Sargaalaya Craft
Village.
One can visit the craft village alone with a nominal entry fees.
Adults needs to pay some 30 INR as the entry fee and for foreigners it is 100 INR
Location- it is located nearly 55kms (1 hr drive) from kozhikode along the NH66. Also,it is 7kms (13min) from Payyoli beach
8.VISIT VELLIYAMKALLU ON A SPEED BOAT FOR A HISTORICAL GLIMPSE.
Velliyamkallu is a two-acre rocky island, about 36 kilometres from Kozhikode. The rocks are strangely shaped and sized appearing as if emerged from the sea by itself . The rocks here have witnessed many a battle, mainly those between the Zamorin’s fleet and the Portuguese. As evidence of this, many of the rocks here have markings of cannon ball shots.A one-hour boat ride from Payyoli Beach will take you to the island.A plaque on the isle proclaims it as the property of the Government of India probably the only one man made object on the island.Velliyamkallu was the vantage point of the Marakkars in their attack on the Portuguese. In 1598, a Portuguese ship was attacked and its entire crew killed here by the Marakkars. When the Portuguese finally conquered the area, they threw the local rebels from these rocks into the sea. Hence, the island is also known as 'Balikkallu' or Sacrificial Rock.
9.KADALUR POINT LIGHTHOUSE
The Kadalur Point Lighthouse is situated in Kadalur, near Koyilandy in Kozhikode district on the coast of Arabian sea .The tower is painted with black and white bands. The lighthouse started its operation in 1907. The light source is a metal halide lamp.
Location-It is located nearly 7 kms(13 min drive) from Payyoli beach and 32 kms (45 min) from Kozhikode.
10.THIKKOTI DRIVE IN BEACH IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
Thikkodi beach near Kozhikode will soon join Muzhappilangad as a drive-in beach attracting plenty of motorists and tourists to its beautiful shores. Awaiting Kerala tourism department nod, preparatory works for the project have already started at the beach.
The plan is to introduce the essential facilities required for a drive-in beach at Thikkodi using the government land. Encroachment of government land in the area is expected to be evicted.
One of the many unexplored beaches along Kerala’s rich seashore, Thikkodi beach meets all the requirements for the drive-in beach project. If developed it would be a much sought after tourism destination, according to P G Rajeev, secretary of Kozhikode District Tourism Promotion Council. The beach is very close to Velliyamkallu, another tourist destination near Payyoli.
HOW TO REACH THE PAYYOLI BEACH
IT IS LOCATED IN THE KOZHIKODE KANNUR HIGHWAY (NH66) 40KMS FROM KOZHIKODE.ALL BUSES ,ESPECIALLY THE KSRTC BUSES FLYING TO KANNUR/KASARGODE GOES THROUGH PAYYOLI TOWN.
ROUTE TO TAKE IS KOZHIKODE--KOYILANDY--THIKKOTI--PAYYOLI TOWN
THE NEAREST RAILWAY STATION IS PAYYOLI STATION WHICH IS ONLY 2 KMS FROM THE BEACH.
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