Overview
Chakkarakkal (ചക്കരക്കൽ) is a small village and local township in Kannur district, in the North Malabar region of Kerala. It falls under the Iriveri Panchayath and lies within the Edakkad Block, roughly 12 km east of Kannur town. Set close to the Arabian Sea coast, the area experiences the humid, tropical climate typical of coastal Kerala, with a pronounced monsoon season from June to September and warm, humid conditions for much of the rest of the year.
Though not a major tourist destination in its own right, Chakkarakkal is a well-connected, self-sufficient local hub. For a settlement of its size, it has a surprising density of everyday amenities — hospitals, banks, shops, eateries, educational institutions, and places of worship — most clustered within a kilometre or two of the town centre. This makes it a practical base for the wider Kannur–Edakkad area and a convenient stopover for travellers heading to North Kerala’s coastal and hill attractions.
Quick facts
- District
- Kannur, Kerala
- Block
- Edakkad
- Panchayath
- Iriveri
- Division
- North Kerala
- Elevation
- ~12 metres above sea level
- PIN code
- 670613 (Mowancheri H.O.)
- STD code
- 0497 (Kannur)
- Assembly constituency
- Dharmadam
- Lok Sabha constituency
- Kannur
- Language
- Malayalam; English widely used
Location and connectivity
Chakkarakkal sits at a convenient crossroads within Kannur district. It is about 12 km east of Kannur town, 4 km from Edakkad, roughly 15 km from Thalassery and Mattannur, and about 15–16 km from Koothuparamba. Residents can reach several major North Malabar towns within a 20–30 minute drive without living inside a crowded city centre.
- By road: National Highway 66 runs through Kannur town, connecting north toward Goa and Mumbai and south toward Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Moonuperiya–Chakkarakkal Road, Muzhappala Road, and Thaze Chovva–Mattannur Road link surrounding villages and markets.
- By rail: The nearest railway stations are Kannur South (~9 km) and Kannur Main/Etakkot (~12 km), on the Mangalore–Palakkad railway line.
- By air: Kannur International Airport at Mattanur is closest, with domestic and international connections. Calicut and Mangalore international airports are also within a couple of hours’ drive.
Local buses serve Chakkarakkal Hospital, Appakkadavu, Nalaam Peedika, and Aanenimetta stops, giving residents several points of access rather than a single central stand.
What’s available in Chakkarakkal
Healthcare
Healthcare is one of Chakkarakkal’s strengths for a village of its size:
- Community Health Centre, Iriveri — the main government facility on Moonuperiya–Chakkarakkal Road.
- Government Hospital, Chakkarakkal — also on Moonuperiya–Chakkarakkal Road.
- Pavana Hospital and CMC Medicare — private hospitals and clinics serving the town.
- Ayush Primary Health Centre, Chembilode — a government homoeopathy centre.
- The Malabar Cancer Centre at Kodiyeri, Thalassery, is a major regional cancer-care institute a short distance away.
Banking and ATMs
- Federal Bank and Syndicate Bank ATMs near Chakkarakkal Anjarakandy Road.
- Canara Bank ATM in the Gokulam Kalyana Mandapam building on Hospital Road.
- India One ATM in central Chakkarakkal.
Fuel
Several petrol stations serve the town and passing traffic, including Chakkarakkal Petrol Bunk, Vijaya Fuels on Chakkarakkal Road, and the Essar Petrol Station at Nalampeedika.
Shopping, supermarkets and electronics
- Day 2 Day supermarket on Thaze Chovva–Mattannur Road.
- Daymart Hyper, near the town gate on Kannur Road.
- A local grocery outlet known as Kattumadam.
- Laptechs Computer and other electronics repair services near the bus stand.
- Sahara Plaza Shopping Centre, a local retail landmark.
Restaurants, hotels and lodges
Chakkarakkal has a lively small food and hospitality scene for residents and travellers on the Kannur–Thalassery corridor.
- New Saseendra Restaurant, Tavakkal Chicken Stall, Brothers Hotel, Salala Restaurant Fastfood & Coolbar, and Coffee Mug Restocafe serve snacks and North Malabar-style meals.
- Lodging options include Broad Bean Hotel near Kannur Medical College, Hotel Dwaraka, Vanitha Hotel, and NN Cottage.
- Kudumbashree Millenium Vanitha Hotel is run under Kerala’s women-led Kudumbashree network.
Education
- Jawahar College and Amritha College are located in Chakkarakkal.
- Bharath Vidya Mandir serves school students in town.
- Vivekananda and CAS tuition centres support school and competitive-exam preparation.
- Nearby schools include Moovanchery U.P. School, Melur Junior Basic School, Mavilayi Central A.L.P. School, A.K.G. Memorial Government Higher Secondary School, and Anjarakandy Higher Secondary School.
- Deenul Islam Sabha English HSS in Kannur is within commuting distance.
Places of worship
The area reflects Kannur district’s Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities.
- Salafi Masjid, Safa Masjid, and Chakkarakkal Town Juma Masjid are within the town.
- Appakkadavu Sree Muthappan Kshethram, about a kilometre away, represents a distinctive North Malabar tradition associated with Theyyam.
- Paleri Ambalam and the adjoining Paleri Ambala Kulam are at nearby Anjarakandy.
Cinema
- Movie Max, at Sahakari Arena on Chakkarakkal–Anjarakandy Road, gives the town its own modern cinema option.
Recreation and nature
- Munderi Kadavu Bird Sanctuary, about 7 km away, is a wetland birdwatching destination in the wider Edakkad area.
- Local green spaces such as Palli Kaadu lie a short distance out of town.
Venues and local landmarks
- Gokulam Kalyana Mandapam is a wedding and event hall on Hospital Road.
- Nearby government offices include the Ayush Primary Health Centre, Anjarakandy Panchayath Office, and Anjarakandy CDS FFC office.
Nearby tourist attractions
Chakkarakkal makes a convenient base for several North Kerala destinations:
Muzhappilangad Beach
(~11 km) — Kerala’s drive-in beach, with roughly 4 km of firm shoreline.
Kannur town
(~11–12 km) — beaches, historic St. Angelo Fort, and Kerala’s celebrated Theyyam tradition.
- Thalassery (~15 km) — known for bakery culture, Thalassery Fort, and its circus tradition.
- Ranipuram (~36 km) — a forested hill destination popular for trekking and cool-weather getaways.
- Payyoli (~50 km) — a coastal town known for its beach and as the birthplace of sprinter P. T. Usha.
Surrounding villages
Chakkarakkal is bordered by Chembilode (~4 km), Chelora (~5 km), Munderi (~6 km), Peralasseri (~7 km), and Keezhallur (~7 km). Kannur Block lies west, Thalassery Block south, Kuthuparamba Block east, and Irikkur Block north.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the PIN code of Chakkarakkal?
- 670613, with the postal head office at Mowancheri.
- How far is Chakkarakkal from Kannur town?
- Approximately 11–12 km, roughly a 20–30 minute drive depending on traffic.
- What is the nearest airport to Chakkarakkal?
- Kannur International Airport at Mattanur, roughly 20–25 km away.
- Is there a government hospital in Chakkarakkal?
- Yes — both the Community Health Centre, Iriveri, and a separate Government Hospital are located on Moonuperiya–Chakkarakkal Road in the town.
- What language is spoken in Chakkarakkal?
- Malayalam is the primary local language, with English widely used in schools, colleges, and business.
A practical North Malabar base
Chakkarakkal is a compact, well-connected North Kerala village that punches above its weight in day-to-day amenities. Hospitals, banks, supermarkets, eateries, lodges, colleges, and places of worship are within walking or short driving distance of the town centre, while Muzhappilangad Beach, historic Thalassery, and Kannur’s Theyyam heritage are all within easy reach.
Business names, addresses, and local details can change. Check current local directories, maps, or the Iriveri Panchayath office before visiting.