An Idyllic Rural Retreat in Malabar
Poothali is a traditional Kerala-style homestay in Kasaragod, set in a quiet locale overlooking green paddy fields. Balmy winds move through the house, settling you into reclining chairs along the corridor, where you savour both the sound of the breeze and the sight of winged visitors, along with the comfort of lovingly prepared local food.
Over the past five years, Poothali has become one of the region’s most admired stays, earning several accolades, including the Sustainable Leadership (BnBs & Guesthouses) award at the Indian Responsible Tourism Awards 2023 by Outlook Traveller magazine. Nestled in the serene village of Padannakkad, near Nileshwar in Kasaragod, North Kerala, it continues to embody a spirit of calm and rooted Malabar hospitality.
The decor of Poothali is inspired by the timeless charm of Kerala's architectural heritage - details we honor and celebrate. Of local artisan craftsmanship, changing seasons, and an unhurried way of life. Elements that speak of contentment found in simplicity.
At Poothali, the emerald paddy fields become your canvas. The home looks out over the lush green rice paddies that change color with the seasons - vibrant green during planting, golden during harvest, and reflective silver pools during the monsoons. Here, you wake to the sounds of birds and the rustle of grain in morning breezes.
Many moments here unfold without agenda. A cup of tea on the veranda watching farmers tend their fields. The distant sound of temple songs carried by the wind. The satisfaction of watching sunset paint the paddies in shades of amber. At Poothali, tranquility isn't sought - it simply surrounds you.
The homestay draws its name from 'poothali' - the Malayalam word for water lily. These flowers bloom abundantly in the paddy fields that stretch before the property, creating natural carpets of beauty that change with the agricultural seasons. The water lilies serve as a gentle reminder of the harmony between cultivation and nature's own artistry.
Poothali feels like coming home to a place that has been waiting for you. There's an authenticity here that welcomes without pretense, where hospitality flows naturally from the heart.
01
The Location
Poothali Paddyview Homestay sits quietly in Padannakkad village, with a panoramic view of the green expanse of paddy fields in front. It’s a stretch of countryside so peaceful that it feels like your own private retreat. The landscape is dotted with coconut palms, offering a glimpse of the tranquil beauty of rural Kerala. It’s as though this agricultural landscape were painted in shades of green just so you could experience this corner of authentic village life.
02
The People
The heart of this land lies in its people, for whom hospitality is lived, not staged. Conversations come easily, and every guest is received as a blessing. Here, wealth is measured in relationships and warmth, an embrace that lingers long after you leave.
03
The Culture
Kasaragod offers the thoughtful traveler a land layered with culture. Known as Saptha Bhasha Sangam Bhoomi, it is where Malayalam meets Tulu, Kannada, Konkani, Marathi, Beary, and tribal tongues—each echoing old trade routes and stories. Among its living traditions, none is more sacred than Theyyam, where the divine takes human form.
04
The Experiences
Beyond Poothali’s calm lies a meeting ground of Malabar, Kerala, and Tulunadu traditions. Walk the ramparts of Bekal Fort, a 17th-century laterite marvel on the cliffs. Witness a midnight Theyyam, visit temples like Ananthapura and Madhur, meet the bronze-casters of Kunhimangalam, and wander pottery villages where clay becomes art. Find quiet on the hill trails of Ranipuram, and end with a kayak through Kavvayi’s mangrove forests.
Room Among the Fields
Poothali offers 3 spacious, meticulously maintained bedrooms each opening to views of the paddy fields and gardens. Every elegantly appointed room tells its own story through antique decor and locally crafted furnishings. While generous in comfort, they remain true to their heritage - welcoming, unpretentious, and perfectly integrated with the home's authentic character.
Love Served in
Local Flavours
North Kerala cuisine transforms the local harvest, bounty of the sea and traditional recipes into nourishing, homely comfort food served with genuine hospitality.
Malabar cuisine nourishes both body and spirit. It's a food tradition separate from the rest of Kerala - influenced by fertile soil, local farming, and cultural diversity. What comes to your plate carries authentic flavors from generations of home cooking - rich, satisfying, and deeply rooted in place. Expect earthy spices, fresh textures and the kind of satisfaction only traditional kitchens can provide. Once you've experienced it, you'll crave these authentic tastes long after leaving.
Our cooking stays true and simple - meals are made with fresh, locally grown ingredients, based on what farmers harvest nearby. Rice from surrounding fields forms the foundation of every meal, often milled that week and prepared without unnecessary complexity. What we serve isn't presented for show - it's the genuine food of this agricultural region, inherited through families and cooked with knowledge and care.
The Other Side of Kerala
From sacred Theyyam rituals to hiking adventures, traditional pottery to ancient metalwork, North Kerala reveals its secrets slowly to those who seek deeper understanding. Here, you can trace the ramparts of historic Bekal Fort, kayaking through Kavvayi's pristine waterways, houseboat cruise along the peaceful Tejaswini River, and conclude your day where flowing waters embrace the endless sea.
Theyyam
From November to May, Theyyam rises in village shrines, sacred groves, and ancestral family home courtyards. Performers do not play roles, they become deities. It is intense, devotional, and among the oldest living traditions of North Kerala. This region is where you witness it in its truest form.
Bekal Fort
Bekal Fort stands on a laterite headland, its walls watching the sea on three sides. Built for coastal defense in the 17th century, it still holds guard towers and passages that once slipped down toward the water. The fort returned to national fame when the song Uyire Uyire from the movie Bombay placed it on many screens.
Temple Trails
Discover sacred sites like the unique Ananthapura Lake Temple, ancient Madhur shrine, and mystical Madiyan Koolom - each maintaining distinct rituals, legends, and architectural heritage. These aren't tourist destinations but living centers of faith that continue to anchor community life.
Houseboat Cruise
A houseboat on the Tejaswini river carries you into the quiet channels of Valiyaparamba. The banks slide by with coconut shade, small boats, and everyday life at the water’s edge. Evening closes with a soft sunset where the river greets the Arabian Sea in a calm estuary.
Pottery Village
A brief journey from Poothali leads to a traditional pottery community near Nileshwar where artisans shape clay using time-honored hand-throwing techniques, natural sun-drying, and wood-fired kilns - a craft that remains practical, functional, and deeply connected to its cultural origins.
Bronze Village Trail
In Kunhimangalam, bell‑metal artisans cast lamps and deities by hand, a tradition tied to the moosari clans for centuries. The rhythm of ladle, mold, and furnace is its own lesson in patience and memory.
Plantation Trail
Enjoy a 35-kilometer exploration through verdant agricultural landscapes, following paths bordered by climbing pepper vines, towering coconut groves and arecanut plantations. This gentle journey reveals how the earth continues to sustain the region's communities through traditional farming methods.
Nileshwar Heritage Trails
Explore the former royal residences of Nileshwar's historic rulers, celebrated for their intricate wooden construction, hand-carved ceilings, and peaceful inner courtyards. These architectural treasures still radiate the elegance and nobility of their royal heritage. Walk through the wooden halls and shaded courtyards of Nileshwaram’s old kovilakams and palace. Carved ceilings, a central courtyard, and a still pond speak of another time.
Life Around Poothali
