KADAVU RESORTS, MALAPPURAM
USP: Some me-time by a beautiful river
The Chaliyar. Kerala's fourth largest river, all of 169 km in length, also known as the Beypore river, is truly a winding swathe of liquid beauty. Originating in the Western Ghats range of the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, the Chaliyar winds its way alongside the quiet and peaceful Kerala towns of Nilambur, Edavanna, Cheruvadi, Mavoor, Peruvayal, Feroke and Beypore, after which it enters the city of Kozhikode for its final 10-kilometre journey to the Arabian Sea.
Even in a state blessed with many rivers, the Chaliyar has always held a place of some eminence. People are ferried across the river morning and evening, children take a boat to the other bank to go to school, tradespeople ply their wares on boats. It was also used to carry timber (teak and rosewood, mainly) from the forest areas in and around Nilambur to the various mills near Kozhikode.
The river takes on subtle hues and moods as the day advances. Early in the morning, it is still and silvered over like sheet glass, with thin threads of mists suspended just above its surface, the Western Ghats looming darkly on the horizon. As the day lengthens, the Chaliyar becomes a celadon green, catamarans and ‘valloms' ply the water, fishermen go out to cast their nets, dredging and de-silting operations go on through the day. In the early evening, canoes with punters move swiftly across the waters that now look brown.
If the river is beautiful, well, one of the most beautiful spots on the river is the Kadavu Resort. Perched on a curve of the Chaliyar, the resort has luxuriously appointed cottages and rooms, as well as a houseboat, all affording splendid views of the water. Kadavu in Malayalam means shore; this particular shoreside haven sprawls out over ten acres of laterite and palm wood buildings, neatly laid-out gardens, an ozonated swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, an amphitheatre straight out of Hellenic times, a briskly efficient conference hall. The Ayurvedic centre has a team of doctors in attendance, a pharmacy stocking all the oils, unguents and ‘kashayas' for one's well-being, and a set of masseurs, men and women, who do a remarkable job of ironing out the kinks in your body, even as your mind goes into a pleasurable freefall.
How to get there
The Kadavu Resort & Ayurveda Centre is located 16 km outside Kozhikode. Kozhikode is well connected by road, rail and air (there are daily flights to Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai). It's a scenic ride through Wayanad from Bengaluru, a distance of about 355 km.
Things to do
Boating trips on the backwaters.
Kalaripayatu, Oppana and Theyyam performances in the in-house amphitheatre.
Trips into Kozhikode town, famous for its spice bazaar, old Muslim houses and its clean beaches.
Trip to Beypore, with its fishing harbour, shipbuilding yard.
Visit Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, 7 km away.
Visit the Tasara Weaving centre, ten 10 away.
The Tile Factory (8 kms away) is another attraction.
Kadavu Resort also arranges trips to the temple town of Guruvayoor.
Tariff
Room rates start from Rs. 6,000 upwards.
Ayurveda packages for 7,14, 21 and 28 days start from Rs. 7,680 for singles and Rs. 10,920 for couples.
Kadavu Resort & Ayurveda Centre is at NH 17, Calicut By-pass Road, Azhinjilam, 673654, Malappuram District, Kerala. For details call 0483-2830570/2830023/2830027, fax: 0483-2830575, e-mail info@kadavuresorts.com or look up kadavuresorts.com
