Ponnani

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Ponnani Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1 day

Best Time: October to March Read More

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Ponnani Tourism

A small beach town located in the Malappuram District of Kerala is mainly renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches. Flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west, Ponnani is also referred to as small 'Mecca' of South India. It is dotted with several Muslim institutions, Jama Masjid, established in 925, being one of them.

It is a picturesque town with perfect fusion of Hindu and Muslim values making the place culturally rich. Apart from being an important hub for fishing, Ponnani is also enriched with plethora of flora and fauna. One can witness several migratory and exotic birds, especially during the months of March and May. Lying at the mouth of River Barathapuza, boat races held at the river are quite fascinating to watch. Home to several notable writers and socio-cultural personalities, this extraordinary town is a paradise for vacation makers.

Things to do in Ponnani

1. Ponnani Juma Masjid

Ponnani Juma Masjid
Established in year 1510 by a Muslim Spiritual leader Zainudhin Makhdum, Ponnani Juma Masjid serves as the Mecca of Kerala Muslims. However, according to a record in Malabar Manual, historian William (Read More)Logan said that this mosque was constructed in 925 Hijrah and once was the center of Islamic education for Kerala's Muslim community.

2. Padinharekara Beach

Padinharekara Beach
A long stretch of glowing sand and changing colors of sky makes this Padinharekara Beach a charming place to visit. Situated at Malappuram on Tipu Sultan Road, the major attraction of this beach is ma (Read More)jestic view of the Arabian Sea, Bharathapuzha River and the Tirur Puzha River.

3. Thrikkavu Temple

Thrikkavu Temple
An important pilgrim center of Kerala, Thrikkavu Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Shri Durga Bhagavath. The temple is one of the 108 Durga Temples in Kerala created by Parshurama and is said t (Read More)o have derived its name from 'Thrikkani Kaadu'.

4. Human Ath Mosque

Human Ath Mosque
Human Ath Mosque is an ancient mosque established by Sheikh Zainuddin Makhdoom in 16th century. It is the biggest structure among the 50 mosques in Kerala.

5. Thottungal Masjid

Thottungal Masjid
Believed to be the oldest mosque of Kerala, Thottungal Masjid was constructed about 300 years ago by Sheikh Faridudhin.

6. Navamukunda Temple

Navamukunda Temple
Located in a small village Thirunavaya on the banks of River Bharath, Navamukunda Temple is an ancient temple of great religious significance. The temple is dedicated to Navamukhundan Vishnu while oth (Read More)er idols present in the temple are of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganapathy.

7. Ponnani Lighthouse

Ponnani Lighthouse
Located just outside the Ponnani Town at the confluence of Arabian Sea and River Bharathapuzha, Ponnani Lighthouse is a sight of sheer beauty. The lighthouse was created in the year 1983 to offer the (Read More)guidance to the ship.

8. Bharathapuzha River

Bharathapuzha River
It is at Ponnani town that the River Bharathapuzha crosses the Arabian Sea. Thus, this site serves as the home to several migratory birds attracting tourists, bird lovers and ornithologists in large n (Read More)umber. The place is a seasonal abode to around 25 varieties of birds.

9. Fishing

Fishing
Ponnani is a major fishing harbour and forms a big part of the economy too.

10. Boating/Ferry

Boating/Ferry
One can also enjoy boating or ferry rides in the town.

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About Ponnani

Ponnnani, since ancient times, has been notable as a beautiful scenic coastal town. It has the estuary to the north, backwaters to the south and the Arabian Sea to the west. Apart from this, Ponnani has an important historical significance. It is also recognised for being one of the important fishing centres in the district. The months of February and March see Ponnani welcome thousands of migratory birds belonging to various species travelling from all over the world.

Ponnani is the only port in the district of Malappuram. It is the smallest taluka in this district. It has also, during the sixteenth century, witnessed many abhorrent conflicts between the naval chief of the Zamorins (Kunjali Marakkar) and the Portuguese army. The Portuguese invaded Ponnani in the sixteenth century. Hyder Ali of Mysore invaded Ponnani in the eighteenth century. It was later passed on to the Britishers in the late eighteenth century with the fall of Tipu Sultan, the son of Hyder Ali.

Restaurants and Local Food in Ponnani

The town of Peermede being located in Kerala serves mainly South Indian cuisine. The food is as usual delicious and spicy. Also try out the sea food in the town and coconut water while in the south, it is always a good option to beat the heat.
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Suggested Itinerary for Ponnani

Day 1: Visit the Thrikkavu Temple and the Ponnani Juma Masjid. Spend your evening at the Padinharekara Beach.

Day 2: Enjoy the boat ferry that takes you to various places. Post lunch, visit the Bharatapuzha river and enjoy the sunset by the Ponnani Lighthouse.

Best Time to Visit Ponnani

How to Reach Ponnani

How to Reach Overview

Ponnani is not very well connected to any of the major cities in Kerala. The nearest airport is at Kondotty while the nearest railway station is at Tirur. Regular bus services are available from Palakkad, Kozhikode and Thrissur. 

How to reach Ponnani by flight

Calicut International Airport serves as the nearest airport to Ponnani located nearly 26 km away. Being an international airport, it is connected not only to major Indian cities but also to several the Middle East and South East Asian countries. You may easy hire a cab from outside the airport till your required destination.

How to reach Ponnani by road

The district of Malappuram is easily approachable by all the major towns and cities of not only Kerala but also of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Many National and State Highways connect Ponnani to its neighbouring cities and states. Private as well as state owned buses run regularly between Ponnani and Kozhikode (50 km) as well as Palakkad (90 km).

How to reach Ponnani by train

Malappuram District has railway stations running through the coastal line in many cities like Kuttippuram, Tirur, etc. The newly laid Konkan Railway Line connects these cities with the northern part of the town. Tirur (19 km) and Guruvayoor (22 km) are nearest railway station to Ponnani.

Local transport in Ponnani

Ponnani is a beach town where bus is a cheapest mode of transportation. However, if you are a tourist, taxi is definitely more convenient for commuting from one place to another. Other than that, you will be doing a lot of walking and strolling along the beach or between the temples. Make sure you avoid travelling during monsoon season while March to May is a time when you can enjoy watching migratory birds flocking the town.

Ponnani Photos

Ponnani, Kerala
Padinharekara Beach
Ponnani Juma Masjid
Ponnani Lighthouse

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photos

FAQs on Ponnani

What is famous about Ponnani?

Less crowded sandy beaches.

What is not so good about Ponnani?

Not very well connected. Mainly South Indian cuisine found.

Who should visit Ponnani?

Ponnani is ideal for those who wish to enjoy scenic beauty and culture and heritage, all in one. It can be visited by friends, family and couples to enjoy a relaxing time away from the hustle bustle of the city. 

What is the best time to visit Ponnani?

Ponnani experiences tropical climatic conditions. Summers are hot and humid and quite uncomfortable. Winter season experiences cool and gentle breeze, recommended as the best time to explore this beautiful place. Monsoon season receives heavy rainfall and may spoil your whole trip so avoid travelling to Ponnani during the rainy season.
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What is the local food in Ponnani?

The town of Peermede being located in Kerala serves mainly South Indian cuisine. The food is as usual delicious and spicy. Also try out the sea food in the town and coconut water while in the south, it is always a good option to beat the heat.
Read More

What is the best way to reach Ponnani?

Ponnani is not very well connected to any of the major cities in Kerala. The nearest airport is at Kondotty while the nearest railway station is at Tirur. Regular bus services are available from Palakkad, Kozhikode and Thrissur. 
Read More

What are the things to do in Ponnani?

The top things to do in Ponnani are Ponnani Juma Masjid, Padinharekara Beach, Thrikkavu Temple, Human Ath Mosque, Thottungal Masjid, Navamukunda Temple. You can see all the places to visit in Ponnani here

What are the places near Ponnani?

The top places near to Ponnani are Munnar which is 145 km from Ponnani, Ooty which is located 110 km from Ponnani, Alleppey which is located 157 km from Ponnani, Wayanad which is located 106 km from Ponnani, Guruvayur which is located 22 km from Ponnani

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Rohit Shroff

5 years ago
- Carry a pair of sport shoes for there will be a lot of walking and hiking around.
- Carry a camera to capture the charming beauty of the town.
- Plan your trip in winter season or summers but (Read More) avoid monsoon due to heavy rainfall.
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