| Dharmasala | |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Pushpin Map: | India Kerala#India |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Kerala, India |
| Coordinates: | 11.986°N 75.376°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kerala |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Kannur |
| Subdivision Type3: | Taluk |
| Subdivision Name3: | Taliparamba |
| Governing Body: | Anthoor Municipality |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Malayalam, English |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Postal Code Type: | PIN |
| Postal Code: | 670562 |
| Area Code Type: | Telephone code |
| Area Code: | 0497 |
| Registration Plate: | KL 59 /KL 13 |
| Iso Code: | IN-KL |
Dharmashala is a small town and headquarters of the Anthoor Municipality[1] in Kannur district of the North Malabar region in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located near National Highway 66 between Kannur and Taliparamba. It is located about 16km (10miles) north of Kannur. Dharmashala is an important educational and industrial hub in the Kannur district and also an important tourism destination of Malabar region. Dharmashala is a major government officials settlement area in Kannur. A large number of migrant labourers from various other states are working in the industrial development area in Dharmashala. Students from various parts of country study at institutes such as NIFT. Nearby important institutions and attractions are the Kerala Armed Police (KAP) 4th Battalion Mangattuparamba, Government College of Engineering Kannur,[2] Kannur University,[3] KELTRON,[4] Vismaya water theme park,[5] Parassinikkadavu Shree Muthappan temple, Doordarshan kendra, Parassinikkadavu Snake Park, Industrial Development Plot, Central School, EK Nayanar memorial women and child hospital, Si-met college of nursing,[6] M.V.R memorial Ayurveda Medical College,[7] Institute of Co-operative Management (ICM),[8] National Institute of Fashion Technology,[9] Vellikkeel eco tourism park, Hi-Five sports indoor stadium, Kerala Clays and Ceramics Ltd.[10] etc.
Long ago, the present Dharmashala town area was a deserted place known as Mangattu Parambu. At that time there was a shelter for passengers and pilgrims for taking rest and refreshing while travelling long distance on foot. From there the pilgrims and other passers by were served with sambharam, a term for spiced butter milk in Malayalam language. The sambharam was given as dharmam, free of cost. So the shelter (shala in Malayalam language) from where this was given was called as Dharma Shala, then Dharmashala. This facility to passers-by was arranged by the Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan temple authorities and can still be seen as a small building about 100 m south of the present Dharmashala junction near the national highway.[11]
The Vismaya Water Theme Park is located at Parassinikadavu near Taliparamba.
Parassinkkadavu Snake Park is in Parassinikkadavu, which is from Dharmasala.
The park houses a variety of snakes and other small animals, including the spectacled cobra, king cobra, Russell's viper, krait and various pit vipers. There is also a large collection of non-venomous snakes including pythons. The park is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of snakes, many species of which are gradually becoming extinct. In a live show, trained personnel play and 'interact' with a variety of snakes, including cobras and vipers, and try to quell mythical fears and superstitions about snakes. It has also been proposed that a laboratory to extract venom from snakes for purposes of research be set up here.
The Snake Park, set up by the Visha Chikilsa Kendra, is regularly visited by both foreign and domestic tourists. The Kendra also offers effective treatment for snake bites.
Mullool is a small village near Dharmasala. Three sides of Mullool are surrounded by small hills and one side is the Mullool river. In Mullool there is the Mullool L.P. School, a public library and many Hindu temples such as Sri Kannikorumakan Kshethram, Sri Puthiya Bhagavathi Kshethram, Thayiparadevatha Kshethram, Shastham Koota, Ayyappa Temple, Parakali Amma etc.[12]
This is a famous village spot in Dharmasala.From here you will get a good view of Bakkalam Vayal/Paddy field.The views are good during the monsoon as paddy cultivation occurs during this time.its a rainfed cultivation and during winter season vegetables are cultivated.
Today the college is among the top ten engineering colleges of the state, providing higher studies in the field of technical education.
Kannur International Airport is located at a distance of 35 km from Dharmasala.
Dharmasala is on National Highway 66 or (formerly National Highway 17) between Kozhikode and Mangalore. This highway is scheduled to be expanded to four lanes soon.
Kannapuram Railway Station is nearest railway station.
Dharmasala is a tri junction with roads to Kannur in the South,Taliparamba in North and Parassini kadavu to the East. The people going to the Parassini kadavu temple will take a turn to East from here.