travel
-
Tucked away in the quiet little village of Karumadi near Ambalapuzha lies one of Kerala’s most intriguing historical treasures, Karumadikuttan, a half-broken yet deeply serene black-granite Buddha statue that whispers stories from a forgotten past. The name Karumadikuttan likely comes from its dark colour (karu = black) and the local word kuttan meaning “young man.” But when you stand before it,
-
About 10 km away from the bustle of Kasargode town, tucked quietly among swaying coconut groves, stands the serene and soulful Bela Church, one of the oldest and most graceful churches in the district. Walking towards it along a long, shaded corridor feels like stepping back in time. Built in 1890, this Roman Catholic church has been a
-
As you travel along the breezy coastline of Trivandrum, where the Arabian Sea kisses the vibrant sands of Shangumugham, you will find a serene landmark that has shaped the identity of the fishing villages around it for centuries, the beautiful Beemapalli Mosque. Standing gracefully between the beach and the backwaters of Valiathura, this pink-hued shrine is
-
If you are someone who grew up on Malayalam cinema, chances are you have already “visited” Varikkassery Mana, at least on screen. This graceful heritage house, over a century old, has appeared in countless films, becoming one of the most recognized and beloved ancestral homes in Kerala and still continues to grace the screen. But
-
In the quiet village of Dharmadam in Thalassery lies a sacred landscape that feels older than time itself called Andalur Kavu, a grove steeped in myth, memory, and the living culture of North Malabar. At first glance it appears like any serene temple enclave surrounded by trees and the sound of birds. Yet, for those who know its
-
Every city has a breathing space that keeps its spirit alive, and in Kozhikode, that oasis is the serene Sarovaram Bio Park. More than just a garden, this eco-rich haven is a living biosphere, one of the 27 identified wetlands of India, and the only one of its kind in Kerala. Opened to the public in 2008,
-
Perched on a quiet hillock far from the bustle of town lies one of Kerala’s grandest heritage treasures, a sprawling palace complex built in 1865 that now stands as the state’s largest archaeological museum called the Hill Palace. Spread across an impressive campus of 49 traditional buildings, the complex is a world of its own,
-
Cradled between the towering granite peaks of Kuravanmala and Kurathimala rises one of India’s greatest feats of engineering, the iconic Idukki Arch Dam. Standing at an astounding 554 feet, this magnificent structure is the third tallest arch dam in the world and the highest in all of Asia. Its graceful parabolic curve stretches across the
-
In the bustling heart of Erumely stands a monument that transcends the boundaries of religion, myth, and time, the revered Vavarpalli, a shrine that symbolizes Kerala’s unique cultural harmony. Its story is inseparable from the legends of Ayyappa and his trusted companion Vavar, a figure both mysterious and powerful, whose presence continues to define Erumely’s
-
In the historic town of Kodungallur stands a monument that quietly carries the weight of more than a thousand years, the Cheraman Juma Mosque which is widely regarded as the oldest mosque in the Indian subcontinent. Built in 629 AD, this sacred site owes its origin to Malik Deenar, the pioneering Islamic scholar and preacher who first
-
In the bustling heart of Palakkad town stands a quiet structure of history, centuries-old Jain temple believed to have been built nearly 500 years ago. Once the spiritual centre of a thriving Jain community of about 400 families, this sacred space still carries the echoes of an era when Jainism flourished across the region. Over time,
-
Tucked away in the quiet village of Keezhattur near Perinthalmanna lies a home that feels less like a structure of brick and timber and more like a living heartbeat of Malayalam literature. This is Poonthanam Illam, the serene heritage house where the beloved 16th-century poet and ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayoorappan, Poonthanam Namboothiri, lived, wrote, prayed,
-
Anyone who travels to Wayanad begins with the same ritual: the ascent through the legendary Thamarassery Churam. Nine hairpin bends lift you steadily from the coastal plains of Kozhikode into the cool, green embrace of the Western Ghats. As you climb higher, the air changes to crisp, clean, scented with earth and rain. Then the landscape changes
-
Placed right in the center of the city, Tali Maha Kshethram is more than a place of worship it is a living chronicle of Kozhikode’s origins, its rulers, its revolts, and its vibrant intellectual traditions. For travelers seeking a deeper connection with Malabar’s cultural past, Tali Temple offers a journey that spans nearly a thousand
-
If Kozhikode has a pulse, it beats strongest on SM Street traditionally known as Sweet Meat Street, and hailed as one of Kerala’s busiest and most iconic shopping lanes. Step in from the Mananchira entrance and you are greeted by the watchful bronze statue of S. K. Pottekkatt, the celebrated writer who immortalized this bustling stretch
-
If there is one place every traveler feels drawn to in Kozhikode, it is Mananchira Square a serene pond-turned-urban oasis that has been the city’s heartbeat since the 19th century and is the heart of the city. But behind the calm waters lies a story that stretches back centuries, shaped by kings, conquerors, colonials, and
-
When you travel through Kerala’s serene coastline, from the backwaters to the Arabian Sea you’re not just moving through space, but through centuries of living history. Hidden among fishing villages, bustling ports, coconut groves, and ancient settlements is a route believed to have been walked by one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus St. Thomas, the man
-
Perched on a serene hillock at Illikunnu, a quiet suburb of Thalassery, stands a charming colonial-style bungalow that breathes history through every arch and corridor. This is the Herman Gundert Bungalow, a 19th-century residence that once housed one of Kerala’s greatest contributors to language and literature is Dr. Herman Gundert, the German missionary and linguist who gifted
-
Built across the Kallada River during the reign of Travancore King Ayilam Thirunal Rama Varma, the Punalur Suspension Bridge, the first of its kind in South India. It is not just an architectural wonder, it is a living monument that tells the story of innovation, courage, and trust from a bygone era. This engineering marvel took six long years
-
Nestled on the banks of the tranquil Valapattanam River in Kannur, the Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple stands apart from every other shrine in Kerala. Locals fondly call it a Kavu or Madapura, a sacred grove rather than a temple, where rituals, customs, and even the philosophy of worship break the barriers of caste, creed, and religion. It is a living symbol of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the ancient Indian
-
Nestled along the serene banks of the River Madhuvahini in Kasaragod, the Madhur Temple is not just a place of worship, but a living museum of faith, architecture, and timeless stories. Believed to have been constructed by the Mypadi rulers of Kumbla in the 10th century, this temple has stood the test of time, witnessing centuries of devotion, invasion,
-
Nestled in the serene town of Thaliparamba in Kerala stands one of India’s most ancient and spiritually powerful temples – the Rajarajeswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. One among the 108 Shiva temples consecrated by Lord Parasurama, this temple is not only a marvel of architecture but also a living chronicle of divine legends, royal patronage, and
-
As you walk in Wayanad, the forests whisper the name of a forgotten hero – Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, the Lion of Kerala. Standing amidst the green canopy, you could almost feel his presence in fierce, watchful, and unyielding manner. It was here, in these very forests of Mananthavady, that one of India’s earliest freedom struggles
-
Standing tall on the rugged cliffs of Kasaragod, where the Arabian Sea endlessly roars and recedes, is Kerala’s largest and most enduring fortress Bekal Fort . As waves crash against its walls, drenching its ancient laterite stones, you can almost feel the pulse of history that has echoed here for centuries. Built in the mid-17th century
-
Hidden along the shores of Kannur, stands a palace that tells a story unlike any other in India – Arrakkal Kotta, the seat of Kerala’s only Muslim royal family. Walking through its age-old corridors, one can almost hear the echoes of prayers, diplomacy, and the rhythm of waves that once carried ships bound for faraway lands.The Arrakkal Royal
-
There are places that whisper history and then there are places that speak it aloud. Step through the arched entrance of this majestic 22-acre heritage campus in Kozhikode, and you are instantly transported more than a century back in time. The date etched above the arch 1872 stands as a silent witness to everything this place has
-
If history had a heartbeat in Kozhikode (Calicut), it would echo through the narrow lanes of Kuttichira, the cultural cradle of this coastal city. Long before Calicut became a bustling urban centre, it was here along the banks of a serene pond that a remarkable community shaped its identity, prosperity, and spirit of coexistence. Centuries ago, this
-
As you walk along the coastline of Kappad Beach in Kozhikode, and you’ll find more than just sand and sea you’ll find the place where the world changed forever. A simple stone memorial marks 20 May 1498, the day Vasco da Gama stepped onto Indian soil. But the story of this shore is far more layered than the textbooks
-
Along the serene coast of the Arabian Sea, tucked away in the tranquil village of Moodadi in Kerala, stands a temple that seems to belong to another time. The Moodadi Jaladurga Temple, believed to be nearly 5,000 years old, and one among the 108 Durga temples consecrated by Lord Parasurama. Dedicated to Jaladurga, the Sea Goddess, this temple isn’t just a place of
-
In the serene town of Iringal, near Kozhikode, stands a quiet yet powerful reminder of Kerala’s maritime glory, the Kunjali Marakkar Museum. This is not just another museum; it is a living chronicle of courage, strategy, and a century-long naval resistance that changed the course of India’s coastal history. As you step through its gates, time seems
STORIES by HEARITAGE 