North Kerala Museums

Arakkal Kettu Arakkal Kettu, the residence of the former Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala is located 3 km from Kannur town. Kizhunna Ezhara Beach:This beautiful stretch of sand is one of the most secluded beaches located 11 km from Kannur town in Kerala. Water Resources Museum, Kunnamangalam A drop of water becomes part of many forms; rain, snow, rivers, lakes, seas, oceans and the like. How much precious is water to us? Its true value will only be realized when water becomes a rare commodity or when it becomes no more part of our surroundings. And to emphasize the immense value of water in our daily lives and those depend on it equally for survival, like plants and animals, a museum dedicated to water is about to come up at Kunnamangalam in Kozhikode. The upcoming 'Water Heritage Museum' highlights the significance of water in relation to man and and also its usage in day-to-day life, with special emphasis of Kerala's traditions involving the use of water. The museum, slated for opening in three month's time at Kunnamangalam in Kozhikode District is an initiative by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM). As per the authorities, the upcoming museum for water has interesting displays in the form of pictures, statutes, still life etc. Driven by the imagination of the scientists and other staff of the CWRDM, their concepts got transformed with the help of painters, sculptors and other artistes, who made use of clay, plastic, hay, plaster of Paris, wax and also waste material. The entrance to the museum itself has a touch of traditional Malayalee hospitality in the form of Padipura, which is a form of multipurpose entrance, once used to be a symbol of houses belonging to aristocratic families of Kerala. Near the entrance, one would also find a 3.5 mtr high statue, depicting the theme 'The earthward descend of River Ganga'. Some of the attractions inside the upcoming Water Heritage Museum is the display, featuring a Malayalee woman, drawing water from a well, located close to the kitchen. A phenomenon that one could associate with houses, especially in rural Kerala. The water wells are located in the northeastern corner of the house, and very close to the kitchen. This location of the well has significance, as it is believed to enhance wealth, divine grace and also happiness in the household. The significance that water has as part of religious practices is also highlighted in the water museum. Also finding place in the museum are still models and paintings, enlightening visitors on the various methods used by Keralites for irrigation, since ancient times. Associated with these methods are names like Surangam, Thulathekku, Chakram, Pettiyum Parayum, Kenikal etc. The Canoli Canal that contributed to the commercial advancement of Kerala and Idukki Hydroelectric project are some of the other exhibited items at the water museum in Kozhikode. The unique relationship of water and the State of Kerala is further highlighted in the section depicting the lifestyle and activities of the waterlogged region of Kuttanad, which is one of the rice bowls of Kerala. Similar geographical settings, where water dominates in shaping up the lives of people like the backwaters of Vembanad and the Kole wetlands gets due attention in the Water Heritage Museum at Kunnamangalam. Another interesting section of the water museum that invites the visitors' attention are the displays, highlighting various traditional agrarian practices of Kerala. And this includes the method of Pokkali farming, making of coir, lime shell harvesting, inter cropping, mixed farming, harvesting seasons of Kerala and others. When one mentions about water and Kerala, River Nila, popularly known as Bharata Puzha occupies a special place in the hearts of Keralites. This river, which has been a source of inspiration for those living by the banks and also to writers in Malayalam literature to come up with outstanding literary works, finds a special place in the upcoming water museum. The museum has displays pertaining to literary personalities and scientists associated with River Nila, as well as traditional teaching centers like Alathiyur, Thrikandiyur, Ezhuthumadam etc. With some bare facts on water and featuring the unique, traditional usage of water by Keralites, the upcoming water museum in Kozhikode is sure to provide its visitors an interesting time. So, do make it part of your travel itinerary, the next time, while you are in Kozhikode. Contact Telephone: +91- 495- 2357151 Getting there: Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 15 km away. Nearest airport: Karipur airport, about 33 km away
Ambalavayal Heritage Museum Location:12 km south of Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad district. Visiting hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Attractions: Rare 2nd century artefacts. The Ambalavayal Heritage Museum, the archaeological museum in Wayanad, has one of Kerala's largest collections of the remnants of an era dating back to the 2nd century A.D. The exhibits here are evidences of an advanced civilisation that existed in the mountains of Wayanad. The articles on display are a fascination for the historian, the archaeologist and the ordinary man alike. At the museum you can see articles as varied as clay sculptures, ancient hunting equipments like bows and arrows, stone weapons and other curios. Getting there: Sulthan Bathery, the nearest town, is about 98 km from Kozhikode city.There are frequent bus services between Sulthan Bathery and Kozhikode. Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, 97 km from Sulthan Bathery. Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode about 120 km from Sulthan Bathery.
Pazhassiraja Museum & Art Gallery Location: About 5 km from Kozhikode town at East Hill, Kozhikode district, North Kerala. Open: 9 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. Break: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Closed on Mondays and other public holidays. Ph: +91 - 495 - 2384382 A veritable treasure trove for historians and connoisseurs of art, the Pazhassiraja Museum is located in Kozhikode - the land of spices which lured navigators from time immemorial down to the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498. The Art Gallery adjacent to the museum displays the acclaimed paintings of Kerala's cherished artists, Raja Ravi Varma (1848 - 1906) whose works brought international repute to the State and his uncle Raja Raja Varma. The museum is managed by the State Archaeology Department and has on display mural paintings, antique bronzes, ancient coins, models of temples, umbrella stones, dolmenoid cists (quadrangular burial chambers with capstones), and similar megalithic monuments. For more information on Ravi Varma's works, refer 'The prince among painters and a painter among princes' . The museum and the art gallery are named after the great Pazhassiraja Kerala Varma of the Padinjare Kovilakom of the Kottayam royal family. The famous 'Pazhassi Revolt' (against the British East India Company during the second half of the 1700s) was led by Pazhassiraja. Nicknamed the Lion of Kerala, Pazhassiraja is also credited with introducing guerilla warfare in the hills of Wayanad to resist the increasingly intolerable British colonialism. This great freedom fighter was shot dead in an encounter on 30 November 1805. Getting there: Nearest railway station: Kozhikode. Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode about 23 km from Kozhikode town.