Muzhappilangad Beach
{{Short description|Drive-in beach in northern Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Moresources|section|date=July 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox landform
| name = Muzhappilangad Beach
| other_name =
| photo = Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach 2.jpg
| photo_width =
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = Muzhappilangad Beach
| map = India Kerala#India
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| location = Muzhappilangad, Tellichery, India
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| coordinates = {{coord|11|47|46.3596|N|75|26|31.308|E|region:IN-KL_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
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| range =
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| length = 3.8 km
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| type = Beach
| free_label_1 = Patrolled by
| free_data_1 = Lifeguards
| free_label_2 = Hazard rating
| free_data_2 = Low
| free_label_3 = Access
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Muzhappilangad Beach is a drive-in beach in kannur in Kannur district of Kerala, on the Malabar Coast of India. It is 4 kilometers in length.{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/Neglect-ruins-Muzhappilangad-beach/articleshow/17188683.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928194236/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-12/kozhikode/35068344_1_kannur-tourist-inflow-electrification-work |url-status=live |archive-date=2013-09-28 |title=Neglect ruins Muzhappilangad beach |date=2012-11-12 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2016-06-17}} In 2016, it was featured among the six "best beaches for driving" in an article published by BBC Autos.{{Cite web |last=Gibson |first=David K |title=The best beaches for driving |url=http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20160617-the-worlds-best-beaches-for-driving |access-date=2016-06-26}}{{cite web |date=24 June 2016 |title=Muzhappilangad wins BBC favour |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/240616/muzhappilangad-wins-bbc-favour.html |website=Deccan Chronicle}} This beach is currently under major renovation.[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/keralas-muzhapilangad-beach-to-be-renovated-as-new-year-gift-says-tourism-minister-riyas/article68559477.ece]
Overview
File:Fishermen at work by Shagil Kannur.jpg
The Muzhapilangad beach is located parallel to National Highway 66 (formerly National Highway 17) between Kannur and Thalassery.{{Cite web |title=Muzhappilangad Beach - Kerala's only drive in beach at Kannur |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/muzhapilangad-beach/85}} There is an unpaved road winding through coconut groves leading to the beach. The beach is about 3.8 km long and curves in a wide area providing a good view of Kannur on the north. Local laws allow beachgoers to drive for a full 3.4 km directly on the sands of the beach. The beach is bordered by black rocks, which also protect it from the strong currents of the ocean.
These rocks provide habitat for blue mussels. The beach attracts bird-watchers from far off places as hundreds of birds flock here during various seasons.
There is a private island called Dharmadam Island (Pacha Thuruthu in Malayalam, 'Green Island'), approximately 100–200 m south of the beach. It is possible to walk to the island during low tide from the nearby Dharmadam beach.
Tourism
Since the late 1990s, the beach has seen a steady influx of European and other foreign tourists during winter. A major share of foreign and domestic tourists are not aware of the potentials of this elusive destination. It is a must see destination for Indians as well as for foreign tourists. After the ongoing facelift of the beach there has been a huge improvement in the facilities available to the beach visitors including in resorts, roads, etc. The beach is wide and the sand is firm enough to support smooth driving.
Birdwatching hotspot
File:Lesser crested terns at Muzhappilangad beach.jpg
File:Ruddy turnstone at Muzhappilangad Beach.jpg
Despite being a tourist destination, the beach is a birdwatching hotspot too.{{cite web|url=http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-about-kerala/kannur/muzhappilangad-kannur-drive-in-beach.html|title=Muzhappilangad: Exploring Kerala's only drive-in beach|website=manoramaonline.com}} More than thirty species of migratory birds visit here in the winter. Among them the pectoral sandpiper and Caspian plover, sighted here in 2013, were reported for the first time in Kerala.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/rare-migratory-birds-spotted-during-survey/article5162501.ece|title=Rare migratory birds spotted during survey|newspaper=The Hindu|date=24 September 2013|via=www.thehindu.com}} Long, broad shore and rocky formations on the side of the beach provide a safe place for migrating birds.
=Species=
Accessibility
Nearest airports:
- Kannur International Airport: {{cvt|27|km}}
- Karipur International Airport: {{cvt|106|km}}
Nearest towns/railway stations:
- Edakkad Railway Station: {{cvt|2|km}}
- Thalassery: {{cvt|7|km}}
- Kannur: {{cvt|15|km}}
- Mangalore railway station: {{cvt|151|km}}
By road:
On National Highway 66 the beach is situated between Kannur town and Thalassery town. There are five village connection roads from the National Highway towards the beach.
Image gallery
File:Muzhapilangad beach.JPG|Beach festival
File:Muzhappilangad Beach 2.jpg|Sunset at Muzhappilangad Beach
File:Muzhappilangad Beach13.jpg|Para gliding at Muzhappilangad Beach
File:Muzhappilangad beach6.jpg|Muzhappilangad beach
File:Muzhapilangad-Beach.jpg|Beach
File:മുഴപ്പിലങ്ങാട് കടപ്പുറത്തെ ബൈക്ക് സഞ്ചാരികൾ.JPG|Muzhappilangad drive-in beach
File:മുഴപ്പിലങ്ങാട് ഡ്രൈവിംഗ് ബീച്ച്.jpg|Muzhappilangad drive-in beach
File:Dharmadam Thuruth (Island).jpg|Nearby Dharmadam Island
File:Muzhappilangad beach (12).JPG|Behind the beach
File:Rocks t Muzhappilangad Beach.jpg|Rock formation at the north of the beach
File:Rocks at Muzhappilangad beach.jpg|Rock formation at the north of the beach
File:Muzhappilangad beach(Edited).jpg
File:Muzhappilangad Beach020.jpg
File:Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach.jpg
File:Fisherman at Muzhappilangad Beach.jpg
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commonscat|Muzhappilangad Beach}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sGamwTRhdo Riding on Muzhappilangad drive in beach]—YouTube video
{{Kannur |state=expanded}}
{{Kannur district}}
{{Waters of Kerala}}
{{Tourism in Kerala}}