Tourist Interests | Mahe (Mayyazhi)

Government House
St. Theresa Church
St. George Fort
Thacholi Othenan’s Fort
Boat House
Puthalam Bhagavathi Temple
Puzhakal Juma Masjid
Sri Krishna Temple, Choodikotta
Sree Narayana Madam, Manjakal

Government House

This was built by the French in 1855. It is a vantage point to enjoy the natural beauty of the Arabian Sea, Mayyazhi Puzha (Mahe River) and the sunset. At the rear side of the Government House there is a tall flag mast and a light house, which was a guide to the ships which anchored at the coast during the early period of French rule.

This building is now occupied as the residence of the R.E.O (Regional Executive Officer). The original designation of this post was Administrator. The office of the R.E.O., and a couple of other offices are housed in the Government House. The other Government offices function in the Civil Station. There are few offices in the private buildings and these offices will be moved to the new block of Civil Station, which is being completed.

The park near the Government House is called ‘Tagore Park’. The statue of Mariame is a prominent landmark among the few other statues in the Park. Statue of ‘Mariame’ which is an imaginary character, established in 1789 representing France to mark the 100th Anniversary of the French Revolution. The slogans “Liberte, ( Liberty) Egalite (Equality) Fratermote (Fraternity) are etched on it.

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St. Theresa Church

The Shrine of St. Teresa of Avila on the Kozhikode- Kannur Road is one of the oldest shrines in India and probably the oldest in Malabar. According to a historical document Revd. Father Dominic of St. John of the Cross, O.C.D, an Italian, came to Mahe and established the Mahe Mission in 1723. The shrine of St. Teresa was created in 1736. The shrine was renovated in 1788. A large clock was fixed on it in 1855.

During the French rule a committee including the Mayor of Mahe, managed the affairs of the church. After Mahe merged with the Indian Union, the church is under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Calicut (Kozhikode)

All the communities in and around Mahe take part in the annual celebrations; the important days are the 14th and 15th October.

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St. George Fort

This is situated on the highest hill in Cherukallayi. This fort was constructed by the French. The T.V. relay station is near this Fort.

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Thacholi Othenan’s Fort

Remnants are seen now. It is situated on the Kannur-Kozhikode Highway near the civil station.

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Boat House

There is a Govt. boat house at Manjakal where visitors can hire boats and cruise through the Mahe river and this operation is in a very small way. Understand the government will make some improvement in the future.

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Puthalam Bhagavathi Temple

This temple is a historic one. It is of the ‘Theyyam’, ‘Thirayattam’ type. Every year there is ‘Thirayattam’ a kind of ancient art with divinity attached to it, on the 7th and 8th of March. When Mahatma Gandhi visited Mahe on the 13th of January 1934 he was received at Puthalam.

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Puzhakal Juma Masjid

This is one of the oldest Juma Mosque in Mahe and this was renovated recently and it stands on the bank of Mahe River.

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Sri Krishna Temple, Choodikotta

This is the biggest Sree Krishna Temple in Mahe. Marriages are conducted here and dining facilities are available at the time of marriages.

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Sree Narayana Madam, Manjakal

Sree Narayana Guru is famous throughout the world for his preaching ‘One caste, one creed, one God’, he was a saint, but he mingled in society for the social amelioration of the masses. He had visited and stayed in Mahe.

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Quotable Quotes:

“When buyers don’t fall for the price,
the price must fall for the buyer.”