Kavvayi

Kavvayi is a small island, near Payyannur in the Kannur district of Kerala state in India. The island is connected with Payyannur by a small bridge on the Kavvayi Pozha which means the river of Kavvayi. Recently there have been a number of researches done by a number of archaeologists in this river.

In Kannur, an inspiring stretch of water body Kavvayi Kayal could perhaps be your next, most fascinating destination among the backwaters in Kerala. The backwaters down the south of Kerala; like those in and around Kollam and Alappuzha have their own unique attractions, surroundings and ways of life. Kavvayi Kayal too has its own unique elements that could easily make you fall in love with it.

The island of Kavvayi was name by Sir William Hogan the then district Collector of the area which was originally named as Kavvil Pattanam later it turned to be known as Kavvayi. Kavvayi used to be the headquarters for an area of 125 Sq miles which housed a large port and the magistrate court. Kavvayi held his honor during the British East India Company rule and slowly slipped out of limelight due to shifting of the headquarters to other parts of malabar.Kavvayi has been mentioned by name by all leading travelers including Marco Polo 1293AD, Ibn Battuta 1342AD and Abdul Fida 1273AD

This island is very much famous for having a history of zamindars. It is surrounded by small islands called kadappuram. Access to these small islands is only through small boats or traditional "thonis". these small islands are directly facing the Arabian sea. the Arabian sea roars in these areas with great force and hence it is really unbearable and difficult to stay here. Morover, these islands are going on becoming smaller and smaller and people from these islands have been moving to cities due to urbanization. [http://www.kavvayi.com Kavvayi Webpage]

You can simply unwind by taking a walk along the land that fringes the Kavvayi Kayal or else may step into one of the country boats and relax in the cool breeze while enjoying the abundance of surrounding greenery. This backwater stretch is full of interesting sights and experiences that would keep preventing your interest level from hitting a low. Locally called as Kavvayi Kayal or the backwater of Kavvayi, this lesser known backwater of northern Kerala is the result of the five rivers viz. River Kavvayi and its tributary streams Kankol, Vannathichal, Kuppithodu, and Kuniyan.

From an ecological point of view the backwater of Kavvayi and its surrounding region is considered to be of significance. The backwater and the wetlands are home to a variety of fauna and flora.

Another interesting sight that one could encounter while on the backwaters of Kavvayi are the nearly half a dozen of small and big islands. The backwater setting at Kavvayi is the biggest wetland in north Kerala with an area of roughly 37 km².

A boat ride ideally from Kotti-Kottappuram would enable a visitor to see and enjoy the many inspiring sights of Kavvayi Kayal.

References