THALASSERY

Thalassery (IPA: [t̪alaʃeɾi] ( listen) Malayalam: തലശ്ശേരി), also known as Tellicherry, is a city on the Malabar Coast of Kerala,India. This is the second largest city of North Malabar in terms of population. The name Tellicherry is the anglicized form of Thalassery. Thalassery municipality has a population just less than 100,000.^[1] Established in 1866, it is the second oldest municipality in the state. Possessing an area of 23.98 km², Thalassery is a town strategically located on the western coast of Kannur district on the Malabar Coast of Kerala. It is 22 km from the district headquarters at Kannur. The town is situated between 11°44’N latitude and 75°26’E longitude, at an altitude ranging between 2.5m above the mean sea-level in the low-lying areas, to 30m above the mean sea-level in the higher regions.

British Influence

The British established their presence in Kerala in 1682, when they obtained permission from the Vadakkilamkur Prince ofKolattunad to settle at Thalassery. In the following years, the British presence in the state of Kerala strengthened. During this period, there were many organised revolts held by the natives of the region against the empire. Among them was the revolt of 1704, organised by natives of Thalassery; this revolt was quickly crushed by the British forces due to its localised, non-nationalistic nature.

Due to its coastal location, the town of Thalassery was a major commercial centre during the British rule of India. During the British rule, the Malayalam name Thalassery was anglicised into Tellichery.

The British built a seaport in Thalassery through which a variety of spices such as pepper and cardamom were exported. (Thalassery pepper, ground from locally grown pungent black peppercorns, is much sought after by chefs around the world). In 1708, the British built Thalassery Fort by the sea to protect and control the spice trade from the town. A ship wreckage of these merchant caravans is visible near the shore of Thalassery For the ship wrecked in 1806 see Tellicherry (ship)

The square fort, with its massive walls, secret tunnels to the sea, and huge, intricately carved doors, is an imposing structure. The fort, once the nucleus of Thalassery's development, is now an historical monument. In 1781, this fort was attacked unsuccessfully by the ruler and military commander of Mysore, Hyder Ali.

The British also established the district judicial court in Thalassery. During the British rule, jurisdiction of Thalassery Court extended up to Mysore.

One of the popular tourist spots in the town, Overbury's Folly, was built by E. N. Overbury a local British judge in the 1870s.

Sree Jagannath Temple, Thalassery

It is situated near Temple Gate Railway Station, about one K/m from Thalassery Town. Idol Shivalingam was erected by Sreenarayana Guru in 1908. A statue of Sreenarayana Guru erected here by Swami Bodhananda in 1927 when Guru was alive. Guru had seen this statue at Colombo Port when it was bringing to Thalassery from Italy. It is made in Panchaloha by Thavarali, a famous sculptor.

Sree Gnanodayayogam the Prominent social organisation of North Malabar and the governing body of Sree Jagannath Temple, Thalassery consecrated by his holiness Sree Narayanam Guru, is in the light of centennial celebrations.
Sri. Varadur Kaniyil Kunhi Kannan visited Guru Dev in Decmber 1904 and submitted the idea that Thiyya Commudity should have a Temple at Thalassery. Sri. Jagannath Temple had been consecrated by his Holiness in 1908 itself is a solid proof to discredit their version.
Guru Dev permitted Varadur to invite the celebration poet Kumaran Asan, as his representative and to convene meetings to ascertain the reaction of the people about the feasibility of a Temple for the community. Asan who was staying with Dr. Palpu in Bangalore accepted the invitation and consequent on his arrival the first meeting was convened at ‘Parambath House’ of Sri. Cheruvari Govindan Shirastadar on 9th July 1905.