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Perched between the northern Malabar Coast and the banks of the rivers Eranjoli and Dharmadam, Thalassery (formerly Telicherry) has a history as a thriving commercial town. It was affectionately nicknamed “the Paris of Malabar” by visiting Europeans in the late 19th century, when it was used as a French military base. Today, Thalassery is Kerala’s first and only “heritage town”, recognised for its rich and complex history and diverse cultural influences. It is also known as the city of “circus, cake, and cricket”.

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Indians first began to play cricket in Thalassery, a pastime that quickly became a national treasure. The city also developed a reputation for fine circus performers; in fact, India’s most highly-respected circus academy began in Thalassery, and the city’s finest performers and coaches are sought-after. The association with cake comes from India’s first Christmas cake, baked by Mambally Bapu to accommodate British tastes more than 130 years ago.

Thalassery is known throughout India as the home place of the energetic Theyyam dances, a ritual form of worship with ancient, perhaps even neolithic, roots (pictured above). If you visit the area between November and March you'll stand a good chance of catching one of these incredible dances at a temple - visitors are welcomed although the performances are irregular and cannot be guaranteed.

Just four kilometres from the city centre, tiny Dharmadan Island is a highlight, covered in swaying coconut palms and bordered by rivers and seas. You’ll need permission to enter this private premises. Thalassery is dotted with British style churches, mosques, and temples. The old pier leading to the Arabian sea is the perfect place for a seaside stroll, and the 18th century British-influenced Thalassery Fort is also worth a visit. If you have a car, you can drive along a four-kilometre stretch of beach at Muzhappilangad.

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  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
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    • South East Asia
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      • Cambodia
      • Laos
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      • Indochina
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      • Oman
  • Holidays in India
    • By Area
      • Rajasthan & the Golden Triangle
      • Southern India Holidays
      • North & Central India
      • Himalaya's & the East
    • By Theme
      • Classic Holidays
      • Ultimate Holidays
      • Wildlife Holidays
      • Off The Beaten Track
      • Insight Holidays
      • Holidays with Beach
      • Family Holidays in India
  • Guide to India
    • Why choose India
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Free Country Guide Download
  • Country Info
    • Travelling Around India - FAQs
    • Accommodation
    • India's Beaches & Islands
    • Tigers & Wildlife In India
    • Family Holidays in India
  • Regions of India
    • Golden Triangle
      • Delhi
      • Agra
      • Jaipur
      • Ranthambore National Park
    • Rajasthan
      • Jaisalmer
      • Jodhpur
      • Udaipur
      • Rural Rajasthan
    • Golden Temple & Shimla
      • Amritsar
      • Shimla
    • Uttarakhand
      • Rishikesh, Rajaji & Haridwar
      • Corbett National Park
    • Kolkata, Sikkim & North East
      • Kolkata
      • Darjeeling
      • Gangtok
      • Kalimpong
      • Pelling
      • Off-The-Beaten-Track Sikkim
      • Sundarbans National Park
    • Goa
      • Goa Beaches
      • Inland Goa
    • Kerala & The South
      • Cochin
      • The Backwaters
      • Beaches of Kerala
      • Plantations
      • Wildlife & Birding
      • Thalassery
    • Varanasi, Lucknow & Madhya Pradesh
      • Varanasi
      • Lucknow
      • Orchha
      • Maheshwar
      • Bhopal
      • Gwalior
      • Khajuraho
      • Panna National Park
      • Bandhavgarh National Park
      • Tadoba National Park
      • Satpura National Park
      • Pench National Park
      • Kanha National Park
    • Mumbai
    • Andaman Islands
    • Karnataka
      • Bangalore
      • Coorg
      • Nagarhole National Park
      • Mysore
      • Bandipur National Park
      • Hampi
    • Hyderabad
    • Tamil Nadu
      • Chennai
      • Mahabalipuram
      • Pondicherry
      • The Hill Regions
      • The Plains
      • Madurai
  • About us
    • Our Story
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    • Our brochure
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    • Booking with confidence
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