Ezhimala- also known as Elimala- is a must-visit, picturesque tourist location that boasts the serene Ettikulam Beach, a scenic hill landscape-Ezhimala- rising over it, a Hanuman temple, and the prestigious Naval Academy where naval and coast guard candidates are trained. Ezhimala will be the right choice for your trip with many unforgettable experiences, like the breathtaking, wholesome views of the nearby village Payyannur visible from the hill peak, and the tranquil ambiance offered by the pristine beach of Ettikulam to its visitors. A visit to the clean Ettikulam beach with silver-colored glittering sands spread on the shores as well as the Ezhimala hill, which is an abode of rare medicinal herbs, and the green valleys are sure to leave a lasting impression on the visitor.
Ettikulam Beach or Ezhimala Beach is an amazing bay for tourists, especially nature lovers. The relaxing ambiance spotted here lets one escape from the bustle of busy life, and just chill. Obviously, the sunsets and sunrises are awesome to view from the shores. And the panoramic beach views from the Naval Academy are equally impressive as well as magnificent. For that, one needs to secure permission from the academy to enter inside.
With a height of 286 meters from sea level, a light trek to the Ezhimala hill, which translates to “Seven Hills” in Malayalam, one gets a panoramic view of the famous Hanuman Temple with a huge idol of Hanuman ( sculpted by Kanayi Kunjiraman- a well-known craftsman of Kerala) as well as the Mount Deli Lighthouse which boasts the remains of the Muslim reformist- Shaikh Abdul Latheef. A trekking option for beginners, the place is definitely a delight for photographers.
History
As per historians, Ezhimala was one of the battlegrounds of the Chola – Chera wars during the 11th century.
Epic
During the Rama- Ravana war in “Ramayana”, Lakshmana was killed by Ravana. To bring Lakshmana back to life, Hanuman collected “Mruthasanjeevani” from the Himalayas along with the mountain which boasted it. It is believed that a small portion of that mountain fell here. Local lore implies that people still believe that there is an occupancy of Lord Hanuman here. A second belief also is there, that this place was once visited by Lord Budha.
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Payyannur, about 12 km
Nearest airport: Kannur International Airport, about 60 km
