Chavakkad Beach

Chavakkad Beach is part of a tiny coastal village with a fairty-tale like ambience lying at the confluence of the sea and a river, locally called Azhimokam. This pristine beauty is a blend of still water lagoons, azure waters of the Arabian Sea and soft sun-kissed sands. Not only that, it is deep-rooted in history being the place that first hosted Saint Thomas and the residence of Haider Alis rebel lieutenant Haidross Kuttee. Interestingly, Chavakkad was cursed by the local Namboothiri Brahmins as many of their kind were converted to Christianity by St Thomas. Chavakkad, it is believed, got its name from the cheval trees which are found in abundance in the area. It is also called Mini Gulf as most of the families in Chavakkad are supported by a family member working in the Middle East.

Chavakkad Beach is located 5 km from Guruvayoor town about 30 minutes drive from Thrissur. It is one of the best beaches along the West coast and visited by tourist throughout the year. Despite its popularity, it doesnt really get crowded unlike most other beaches in Kerala. Apart from the usual tourists and locals, weekend travellers and picnic goers, the Beach welcomes quite a few Hindu pilgrims who drop by after their prayers at Guryvayoor Temple. Guryvayoor is one of the most sacred temples of Kerala with a 33.5 m high gold-plated flag post in the outer enclosure. Close to it is the Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary, a popular tourist spot, which houses over 60 elephants of the Guruvayoor shrine.

Away from the hustle and bustle at Guruvayoor and Thrissur, here is a perfect place to relax, dream or ponder, and reconnect with your inner self. Like the rest of Kerala beaches, Chavakkad too supports fishermen who can be seen aboard their wooden boats far out into the Sea from morning till evening when they return ladened with their catch.

There are also several interesting tourist spots in the area. While Hindu pilgrim throng the Guruvayoor Temple, Christian flock to St Thomas Church at Palayur, built by St Thomas himself in AD 52. It is the oldest Christian church in India. The main entrance of the Church is splattered with 14 granite life-size statues of various scenes from the life of St. Thomas. The awe-inspiring interiors from the ceiling to the walls are covered with paintings of Christ and angels in white and gold.

The Mausoleum of Haidross Kuttee is also close to the Beach at a place called Manathala Desam. The place is also called Kuttingal after the general.