Canoly Canal overflowing in Chavakkad

The Canoli canal was built by the British East India Company under the supervision of then Malabar collector Mr. Canoli. This canal connected the main trade centers like Kozhikkode, Ponnani, Chavakkad, Kodungallur and Kochi. It raised the importance of Chavakkad as a trade center.

Vanjikadavu at Chavakkad was the point where goods were transacted from large house boats to smaller ones and distributed inland. The area had many pandikasala (godowns) built by the businessman who had settled here.

The weekly Wednesday markets and cattle markets of Chavakkad were very famous. It was through Conolly Canal that the postal boat services from Kochi to Kozhikode was done.

Canoli Canal has played an important role in the development and establishment of business centres in Chavakkad. That's why Canoli Canal and Nadappalam (Walking Bridge to cross the canal) became the official emblems of the municipality of Chavakkad. Chavakkad became a main center of business and commerce since it is the main passage between Kozhikode and Kochi with navigational channels through Chettuva and Enamavu. The place is now known as Mini Gulf due to the density of people who had flown to gulf countries for a living.