Uru Tradition of Beypore

Beypore's quaint and quiet charm may deceive first-time visitors today but this coastal beauty was once a legendary maritime hub for traders from across the world, dating all the way back to the first century C.E. The iconic Uru ships, built in its majestic shipyard, have been in demand for over 1500 years. To this day, people come to view these gigantic vessels built by expert craftsmen.

The Khalasis are the traditional artisans responsible for the manufacture of the Uru. As pioneers in the shipbuilding industry, their creations were highly prized for their exquisite and sturdy nature. Arab traders were especially enamoured of them, and were among the first major patrons of these vessels. It takes at least four years and the effort of over forty Khalasis to build an Uru, and the ship is made using a special teak from the Nilambur Forest. While the technique and number of manufactured ships has declined over the years, one can still see these historic craftsmen at work in the Beypore Shipyards.

If you are in the area, be sure to take time off to see the beautiful Bottlenose Dolphins that frequent this part of the ocean. The Beypore Lighthouse, the Shipbuilding Yard and the Fishing Harbour, about a kilometre from the yard, are some of the other attractions here.