Payyanur is among Kerala's ancient settled places, with archaeological remains nearby and an early mention in the Brahmanda Purana. The Ezhimala coast was described by medieval travellers including Ibn Battuta (1342), Marco Polo (1293), Niccolò de' Conti, and Barbosa, when the port was known as Heli. The area belonged to the Ezhimala / Mushika / Kolathiri kingdoms and later Kolathu Nadu; Hermann Gundert and William Logan also studied its heritage. Historic Kavvayi (Kachil Patanam) was once the main port and administrative centre; later Kokkanisseri grew as the bazaar core before the modern town took the name Payyanur. Under the British it was a farca of Chirakkal Taluk in Malabar District; the municipality was established in 1990.
Payyanur
About
Municipal town and taluk headquarters in northern Kannur district - on the Perumba River, known for Payyanur Pavithra Mothiram, Subrahmanya temple heritage, Theyyam culture, and the coastal–backwater belt toward Kavvayi and Ezhimala.
Heritage
History of Payyanur
A fuller look at how this place grew - from early roots to the town travellers visit today.
Know the place
More about Payyanur
Culture, nearby stops, and practical notes for travellers.
Overview
Payyanur (also spelled Payyannur) is a first-grade municipal town and taluk in Kannur district, Kerala, about 36 km north of Kannur city on the banks of the Perumba River. It was Kerala's first municipality to establish libraries in all its wards. Payyanur Taluk was inaugurated on 10 March 2018 as the district's fifth taluk, with 22 villages drawn from the former Taliparamba and Kannur taluks. The municipality covers about 54.63 km² across 46 wards, with PIN 670307 and vehicle code KL-86.
Etymology & geography
Payyan is an appellation of the Hindu deity Kartikeya (Subrahmanya) and ooru means town - so Payyanur means the land of Lord Kartikeya, tied to the Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple here. During the Renaissance era English sailors knew the place as Delyn, after nearby Ezhimala. The town sits near three rivers - Perumba, Punnakka (Payyanur River), and Kavvayi (Thattar River) - at about 14–16 m elevation. It lies roughly 56 km south of Kasaragod, 58 km north of Thalassery, 126 km north of Kozhikode, and about 112 km from Mangalore.
Demographics
As of the 2011 census, Payyanur had 72,111 residents (about 46% male and 54% female), ranking 16th among Kerala's towns by population, with density near 1,320/km². Literacy was 94.08% (male 97.02%, female 91.60%), slightly above the state average. About 10% of the population was under six. Religious composition was roughly Hindu 80.06%, Muslim 17.52%, Christian 2.22%, and others under 1%. Malayalam and English are official languages; the sex ratio was recorded as 1159 females per 1000 males.
Culture & heritage
Theyyam and temple Kaliyattam festivals draw visitors, alongside traditional dances such as Poorakkali and Kolkali. Kandoth is known for pottery, and weaver streets around Payyanur feed Kannur's handloom fame. Payyanur Pavithra Mothiram (Pavithram) is a sacred ritual ring linked with Vedic rites and pithrubali, traditionally associated with Payyanur Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple. The town also has a living association with scholars, artists, and public figures from north Malabar.
Administration & services
Payyanur Municipality is currently led with CPI(M) as the ruling party; the assembly seat is Payyanur within the Kasaragod Lok Sabha constituency. Law and order come under Payyanur police station (established 1881) and a Kannur Rural police subdivision headquartered here, covering stations including Pazhayangadi, Pariyaram Medical College, Peringome, and Cherupuzha. Court complexes include Sub Court, Commercial Court, Munsiff Court, and Judicial First Class Magistrate Court.
Nearby places
Short trips reach Kavvayi Island (about 3 km), Valiyaparamba backwaters (about 15 km), Ezhimala and the Indian Naval Academy (about 5–12 km), Kunhimangalam, and Kandankali. The wider Kannur–Kasaragod coastal corridor links beaches, Theyyam temples, and hill stops farther inland.
Getting around
NH 66 passes through Perumba Junction, linking Goa–Mumbai northward and Kochi–Thiruvananthapuram southward. The town has KSRTC and private bus services with three terminals - KSRTC on NH 66, plus Old and New bus stands on the main road. Payyanur railway station is a major A-category stop on the Shoranur–Mangalore section (Palakkad division) with three platforms. Kannur International Airport is about 57 km away; Mangalore Airport about 115 km.
Weather & climate
Live weather
Drizzle · 95% humidity · 11 km/h wind
Now
25.4
°C
Climate
Humid tropical monsoon on the north Malabar coast. Heavy southwest-monsoon rain (June–September); comparatively pleasant and drier from December to February.
Best season
December to February
District
Municipality
1 municipality entry for Payyanur.
District
Taluk
1 taluk linked with Payyanur.
District
Popular Residential Areas
15 popular residential areas in Payyanur.
- 01 Perumba Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 02 Kandoth Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 03 Kokkanisseri Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 04 Thayineri Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 05 Kanayi Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 06 Korom Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 07 Vellur Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 08 Maniyara Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 09 Kaniyeri Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 10 Muthiyalam Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 11 Pangadam Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 12 Echilamvayal Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 13 Paravanthatta Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 14 Annur Popular residential area of Payyanur.
- 15 Karamel Popular residential area of Payyanur.
Municipality
Major Localities / Wards
30 major residential and commercial localities and wards in Payyanur Municipality.
- 01 Kaniyeri Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 02 Kizhakkumbad Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 03 Vellur East Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 04 Echilamvayal Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 05 Pangadam Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 06 Korom North Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 07 Korom Central Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 08 Korom South Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 09 Muthiyalam Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 10 Kanayi North Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 11 Kanayi South Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 12 Maniyara Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 13 Muthathi Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 14 Paravanthatta Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 15 Kandoth Central Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 16 Kandoth Municipal locality known for pottery crafts.
- 17 Perumba NH 66 junction locality of Payyanur.
- 18 Hospital Area Municipal locality around the hospital belt.
- 19 Kokkanisseri Historic bazaar and town-centre locality.
- 20 Thayineri Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 21 Annur Municipal locality of Sanjayan Memorial Library.
- 22 Karamel Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 23 Puthiyatheru Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 24 Edat Municipal locality linked with Payyannur College.
- 25 Kunnaru Municipal locality of Payyanur.
- 26 Kankol Junction Municipal junction locality of Payyanur.
- 27 Main Town Core town locality of Payyanur.
- 28 New Bus Stand Area Locality around the new bus stand.
- 29 Old Bus Stand Area Locality around the old bus stand.
- 30 Railway Station Area Locality around Payyanur railway station.
Taluk
Nearby Villages & Panchayats
22 villages and panchayats in Payyanur Taluk or immediately around Payyanur.
- 01 Alapadamba Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 02 Eramam Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 03 Kuttoor Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 04 Kankole Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 05 Karivellur Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 06 Peralam Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 07 Kadannappally Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 08 Panapuzha Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 09 Kunhimangalam Village / panchayat near Payyanur.
- 10 Ramanthali Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 11 Peringome Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 12 Vayakkara Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 13 Perinthatta Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 14 Pulingome Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 15 Thirumeni Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 16 Vellora Village / panchayat in Payyanur Taluk.
- 17 Madayi Village / panchayat near Payyanur.
- 18 Ezhome Village / panchayat near Payyanur.
- 19 Cheruthazham Village / panchayat near Payyanur.
- 20 Korom Village / panchayat linked with Payyanur.
- 21 Vellur Village / panchayat linked with Payyanur.
- 22 Payyanur Revenue village of Payyanur.
Landmarks
Landmarks
18 landmarks in Payyanur.
- 01 Clock Tower, Perumba Clock tower landmark at Perumba.
- 02 Perumba Junction Major NH 66 junction at Perumba.
- 03 Payyannur New Bus Stand Walking Ground Walking ground beside the new bus stand.
- 04 Payyanur Railway Station Railway station landmark of Payyanur.
- 05 Payyanur KSRTC Bus Stand Main KSRTC bus stand of Payyanur.
- 06 Payyanur Market Main market landmark of Payyanur.
- 07 Court Complex Judicial court complex of Payyanur.
- 08 Civil Station Administrative civil station of Payyanur.
- 09 Payyanur Town Centre Core town-centre landmark of Payyanur.
- 10 Gandhi Maidan Public maidan linked with civic gatherings.
- 11 Perumba Bridge Bridge landmark across the Perumba River.
- 12 South Bazaar Southern bazaar corridor of Payyanur.
- 13 North Bazaar Northern bazaar corridor of Payyanur.
- 14 Perumba River River on whose banks Payyanur stands.
- 15 Punnakka River (Payyanur River) One of three rivers beside the town.
- 16 Kavvayi River (Thattar River) Kavvayi Backwaters, located near Payyanur, is the third largest backwater in Kerala and the largest one in north Kerala.
- 17 Ezhimala Ezhimala, a hill reaching a height of 286 metres (938 ft), is located near Payyanur, in Kannur district of Kerala, South India.
- 18 Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala The Indian Naval Academy is the defence service training establishment for officer cadre of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, located in Ezhimala, Kannur dis…
Nearby
Places Commonly Associated with Payyanur
48 places commonly associated with the Payyanur area.
- 01 Kandankali Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 02 Ettikulam Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 03 Kavvayi Historic port settlement on the Kavvayi River.
- 04 Madakkal Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 05 Chootad Coastal place associated with Payyanur.
- 06 Meenkunn Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 07 Ezhimala Coastal hill area near Payyanur.
- 08 Olayampadi Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 09 Mathamangalam Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 10 Chalakode Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 11 Kayakkamthadam Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 12 Ayatharavayal Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 13 Kozhummal Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 14 Vadavanthur Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 15 Kaniyankunnu Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 16 Onaparamba Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 17 Ambalappara Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 18 Karanthat Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 19 Padanna Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 20 Udumbunthala Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 21 Vellikkeel Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 22 Vayalapra Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 23 Padanakkad Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 24 Kuniyan Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 25 Mukkad Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 26 Puthur Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 27 Mappila Bay Area Harbour area linked with the Kannur–Payyanur coast.
- 28 Mathil Nearby locality with Gurudev Arts & Science College.
- 29 Padiyottuchal Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 30 M.M. Bazaar Bazaar locality associated with Payyanur.
- 31 Chal Beach Beach place associated with Payyanur.
- 32 Kunnimangalam South Southern Kunhimangalam area near Payyanur.
- 33 Kunnimangalam North Northern Kunhimangalam area near Payyanur.
- 34 Koran Peedika Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 35 Cherikkal Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 36 Kallikkad Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 37 Padinjare Korom Western Korom area near Payyanur.
- 38 Kizhakke Korom Eastern Korom area near Payyanur.
- 39 Kottachery Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 40 Koyonkara Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 41 Mavichery Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 42 Kallayi Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 43 Cherupuzha Road Road corridor toward Cherupuzha.
- 44 Perumba Bridge Area Bridge locality at Perumba.
- 45 Kankol Junction Junction locality associated with Payyanur.
- 46 Haritha Theertham Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 47 Kanayi Kaanam Place commonly associated with Payyanur.
- 48 Moorikkovval Northern village side of the old town map.
Transit
Railway Stations
1 railway station in and around Payyanur.
Transit
Transportation
5 transport hubs in and around Payyanur.
- 01 KSRTC Bus Terminal, Payyanur State transport terminal on NH 66.
- 02 Old Bus Stand, Payyanur Town bus stand on the main road.
- 03 New Bus Stand, Payyanur Newer main-road bus terminal.
- 04 National Highway 66 (Perumba Junction) Coastal national highway through Perumba.
- 05 Kannur International Airport Nearest airport, about 57 km away.
Faith
Famous Temples
21 famous temples in and around Payyanur.
- 01 Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple Payyanur Namesake Subrahmanya temple of Payyanur.
- 02 Thuluvannur Mahavishnu Temple Mahavishnu temple near Payyanur.
- 03 Sree Kurinji Temple Thayineri Kurinji temple at Thayineri.
- 04 Sree Vitobha Temple Payyanur Vitobha (Vithoba) temple in Payyanur.
- 05 Muchilot Bhagavathy Temple Bhagavathy temple of the Muchilot tradition.
- 06 Vellur Chamakkavu Bhagavathy Temple Bhagavathy temple at Vellur Chamakkavu.
- 07 Malliyottu Palottu Kavu Sacred grove (kavu) shrine near Payyanur.
- 08 Kandanissery Temple Temple at Kandanissery near Payyanur.
- 09 Kandoth Siva Temple Shiva temple at Kandoth.
- 10 Annur Mahavishnu Temple Mahavishnu temple at Annur.
- 11 Kizhoor Siva Temple Shiva temple at Kizhoor.
- 12 Ezhimala Mahadeva Temple Mahadeva temple at Ezhimala.
- 13 Ramanthali Temple Temple at Ramanthali near Payyanur.
- 14 Karivellur Shiva Temple Shiva temple at Karivellur.
- 15 Kankole Temple Temple at Kankole near Payyanur.
- 16 Korom Bhagavathy Temple Bhagavathy temple at Korom.
- 17 Kanayi Temple Temple at Kanayi near Payyanur.
- 18 Kunnaru Temple Temple at Kunnaru.
- 19 Edat Temple Temple at Edat.
- 20 Perumba Mahaganapathy Temple Ganesha temple at Perumba.
- 21 Payyanur Ayyappa Temple Ayyappa temple in Payyanur.
Faith
Churches
11 churches around Payyanur.
- 01 St. Thomas Church, Payyanur St. Thomas church in Payyanur.
- 02 Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church Roman Catholic church in Payyanur.
- 03 C.S.I Christ Church Payyannur C.S.I Christ Church in Payyanur.
- 04 St. Mary's Church, Perumba St. Mary's church at Perumba.
- 05 Sacred Heart Church Sacred Heart church in Payyanur.
- 06 St. Joseph's Church St. Joseph's church in Payyanur.
- 07 Infant Jesus Church Infant Jesus church in Payyanur.
- 08 Holy Family Church Holy Family church in Payyanur.
- 09 Mar Thoma Church, Payyanur Mar Thoma church in Payyanur.
- 10 Pentecostal Church, Payyanur Pentecostal church in Payyanur.
- 11 Assemblies of God Church Assemblies of God church in Payyanur.
Faith
Mosques
14 mosques around Payyanur.
- 01 Payyanur Town Juma Masjid Town Juma Masjid in Payyanur.
- 02 Perumba Juma Masjid Juma Masjid at Perumba.
- 03 Badar Juma Masjid, Keloth Badar Juma Masjid at Keloth.
- 04 Kandoth Juma Masjid Kandoth Juma Masjid.
- 05 Korom Juma Masjid Korom Juma Masjid.
- 06 Ramanthali Juma Masjid Ramanthali Juma Masjid.
- 07 Kunhimangalam Juma Masjid Kunhimangalam Juma Masjid.
- 08 Edat Juma Masjid Edat Juma Masjid.
- 09 Annur Juma Masjid Annur Juma Masjid.
- 10 Thayineri Juma Masjid Thayineri Juma Masjid.
- 11 Kankol Juma Masjid Kankol Juma Masjid.
- 12 Karivellur Juma Masjid Karivellur Juma Masjid.
- 13 Vellur Juma Masjid Vellur Juma Masjid.
- 14 Kanayi Juma Masjid Kanayi Juma Masjid.
Healthcare
Hospitals
8 hospitals and clinics around Payyanur.
- 01 Govt HQ Taluk Hospital, Payyanur Taluk headquarters public hospital.
- 02 Payyanur Co-operative Hospital Co-operative hospital in Payyanur.
- 03 Baby Memorial Hospital Private hospital in Payyanur.
- 04 BKM Memorial Hospital Private hospital in Payyanur.
- 05 Payyanur Eye Foundation Eye-care hospital in Payyanur.
- 06 Mukunda Hospital Private hospital in Payyanur.
- 07 Dr. VC Nayanar Memorial Hospital Memorial hospital in Payyanur.
- 08 Meenakshiamma Memorial Hospital Memorial hospital in Payyanur.
Education
Schools & Colleges
8 schools and colleges in and around Payyanur.
- 01 Payyannur College, Edat Arts and science college at Edat.
- 02 Sree Narayana Guru College of Engineering & Technology Engineering college in Payyanur.
- 03 College of Engineering and Technology, Payyanur Engineering and technology college.
- 04 Gurudev Arts & Science College, Mathil Arts and science college at Mathil.
- 05 Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit Regional Centre Sanskrit university regional centre.
- 06 Govt. Residential Women's Polytechnic College, Payyanur Government women's polytechnic.
- 07 Swami Anandatheertha Campus, Payyanur Higher-education campus in Payyanur.
- 08 NEST College Payyannur College in Payyanur.
Visit
Tourist Attractions
42 tourist attractions in and around Payyanur.
- 01 Payyanur Pavithra Mothiram Payyannur Pavithra Mothiram is a kind of gold ring worn by Indians for its ritualistic value.
- 02 Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple Payyanur Namesake Subrahmanya temple of Payyanur.
- 03 Kanayi Kanam Waterfalls Waterfall attraction at Kanayi Kanam.
- 04 Kanjirakolly Waterfalls Waterfalls near Payyanur in Kannur belt.
- 05 Palakkayam Thattu Waterfalls (seasonal) Seasonal waterfall at Palakkayam Thattu.
- 06 Paithalmala Streams & Seasonal Waterfalls Paithalmala seasonal streams and falls.
- 07 Ezharakund Waterfalls (near Iritty) Waterfalls near Iritty belt.
- 08 Mangrove Forest Island Kavvayi Mangrove island landscape at Kavvayi.
- 09 Payyannur Kayaking (Kavvayi Backwaters) Kayaking on the Kavvayi backwaters.
- 10 Al Ameen Kayaking And Speed Boat Kayaking and speed-boat rides near Payyanur.
- 11 Kavvayi Backwaters Largest backwater stretch in north Kerala.
- 12 Kavvayi Islands Island cluster in the Kavvayi backwaters.
- 13 Madakkal Backwaters Backwaters near Madakkal.
- 14 Valiyaparamba Backwaters Backwaters around Valiyaparamba.
- 15 Perumba River Estuary River estuary near Perumba.
- 16 Ettikulam Estuary Estuary area near Ettikulam.
- 17 Vayalapra Backwaters Backwaters around Vayalapra.
- 18 Kunhimangalam Mangrove Area Mangrove area near Kunhimangalam.
- 19 Kavvayi Mangrove Forest Mangrove forest in the Kavvayi system.
- 20 Ramanthali Estuary Estuary area near Ramanthali.
- 21 Ezhimala Hill Coastal hill near Payyanur.
- 22 Madakkal Bund Bund / causeway attraction near Payyanur.
- 23 Haritha Theertham Eco Park Eco park and scenic visitor stop near Payyanur.
- 24 Perumba River River landscape through Payyanur.
- 25 Kavvayi Lake Lake / backwater expanse at Kavvayi.
- 26 Payyanur Salt Satyagraha Memorial Memorial of the Payyanur Salt Satyagraha.
- 27 Children's Park, Payyanur Children's park and recreation space near Payyanur.
- 28 Vayalapra Floating Park Floating park on backwaters near Payyanur.
- 29 Kanayi Eco Park Eco park attraction near Kanayi Kanam.
- 30 Kavvayi Eco Tourism Park Eco tourism park in Kavvayi backwaters.
- 31 Kavvayi Bird Watching Area Bird watching spot around Kavvayi.
- 32 Mangrove Forest Island Park Mangrove island park stop at Kavvayi.
- 33 Ezhimala View Point Park Viewpoint park at Ezhimala.
- 34 Gandhi Park, Payyanur Public park linked with Gandhi remembrance.
- 35 Payyanur Municipal Park Municipal park and green-space.
- 36 River Walk at Kavvayi River walk along the Kavvayi belt.
- 37 State Poorakkali Academy Poorakkali academy and cultural training.
- 38 Payyanur Heritage Centre Heritage centre in Payyanur.
- 39 Gandhi Memorial Gandhi memorial in Payyanur area.
- 40 Malayalam Language Heritage Sites Malayalam language heritage places.
- 41 Theyyam Performance Centres Theyyam performance centres.
- 42 Traditional Handloom Centres Handloom craft centres.
Coast
Beaches near Payyanur
10 beaches near Payyanur.
- 01 Ettikulam Beach Beach near Payyanur toward Ezhimala.
- 02 Chootad Beach Scenic beach on the Payyanur–Kannur coast.
- 03 Meenkunn Beach Beach attraction near Payyanur.
- 04 Valiyaparamba Beach Beach on the Valiyaparamba coastal stretch.
- 05 Ezhimala Beach Coastal beach near Ezhimala.
- 06 Kizhunna Beach Quieter beach near the Kannur coast.
- 07 Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach (farther south, Kannur) Drive-in beach attraction near Kannur.
- 08 Payyambalam Beach (Kannur) Payyambalam beach in Kannur.
- 09 Madayi Beach Madayi coastal beach stop.
- 10 Pallikere Beach (near Bekal) Quiet beach near Bekal.