Kozhikode

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Calicut Boat

Calicut Backwaters

Once the capital of the powerful Zamorins and a prominent trade and commerce centre, Kozhikode was the most important town of Malabar in the days gone by. Today, lush green countrysides, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience make Kozhikode a popular destination.

Calicut is the anglicised form of Kalikut. The Arabic for the Malayalam, Kozhikode.. According to the historian, K.V Krishna Iyer, the term means koyil (Palace) Kodu (Fortified). Anyhow, it is a historical town with a hoary past. From time immemorial, the city attracted travellers, with its charming physical features and prosperity. Even today, the glory that was Calicut has not faded. The political history of Kozhikode is a story of treacherous and ill-conceived conspiracies hatched by the Western powers. Vasco Da Gama landed at Kappad in May 1498, as the leader of a trade mission from Portugal and was received by the Zamorin himself.

Places to visit:

1.Beypore - Beypore town is about 9.65 Kms from Kozhikode at the mouth of the Beypore River. The Place was formerly known as Vaypura and Vadaparappanad. Tippu Sultan named the town "Sultan Pattanam" .It is one of the important ports of Kerala and naturally an important trading centre. It is famous for it's boat building yard where mammoth country crafts known as "Urus" are built. It is a major fishing harbour of Kerala. There are two man made extensions to the sea to facilitate easy access for fishing boats. This is an ideal place for outing Kozhikode - Aqua tourism: A land of serene beaches, ancient monuments, lush green countrysides, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience.
Feroke is the cradle of the tile industry in Kerala. The rapid rivers from the Western Ghats after passing through forest carry the clay, which is the raw material for tiles, pottery and ceramic wares. There are more than a dozen tile factories in Feroke alone

2.Ghat Section - This is thick dense forest and is called the "Cherapunjee" of Kerala because of the heavy rains. It is about 44 Kms from Kozhikode and is the boundary to Wayanad district. A journey through this Ghat section is enjoyable experience. It is 14 kms long with nine hairpin curves amidst a number of hills and thick forests. A view from the top will be a breath taking experience.

3.Kakkayam: (45 km from Kozhikode) This picturesque dam site, teeming with exotic wildlife, offers excellent trekking and rock climbing opportunities. The best time to visit is between November and April.

4.Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary: Location: Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, about 25 km from Kozhikode and 7 km from Beypore port on the Arabian Sea, Malappuram district, north Kerala.

5.Kappad - On 27th May 1498, Vasco-De Gama landed here with three vessels and 170 men. If you travel 16 Kms north of Kozhikode by kannur road, a small road near Tiruvangoor health centre guides you to this beach of historical inportance. A monument is here to commemorate the historical landing. An ancient temple on a hillock, facing the deep sea, is an added attraction.

6.Kallai - Kallai was known as the world's best timber trading centre. Even now, it is the place for timber trade in Malabaar

7.KIRTADS (7 km from Kozhikode) - This unique museum houses the tools and devices used by the ancient tribal communities of Kerala. A good library with books on Anthropology and Sociology is and added attraction

8.Kozhikode Beach - The Beauty and serenity of Kozhikode beach is not yet exploited to develop it into a tourist centre. Still People from all around gather here to enjoy the sunset and it is a popular retreat for local people. Two sea piers almost 125 years old extending well inside the sea are a speciality. The Lions Club Children’s park along with the near by ice cream parlours make evenings pleasant for visiting families. Fisherman with their small rowing boats entering the sea, fighting the waves and returning with varieties of fish is worth watching. A marine water aquarium is situated at Kozhikode beach and varieties of marine and fresh water fish can be seen here

9.Krishna Menon Museum - Situated adjacent to the Pazhassi Raja Museum, the art gallery houses painting of Raja Ravi Varma among the other collections. The museum has a section dedicated to V K Krisha Menon. The personal belongings and souvenirs gifted by this world leader are exhibited here.

10.Kuttichira: The stone inscriptions found in the Muccunti Mosque at Kuttichira reveal an interesting aspect in the history of the Zamorins of Kozhikode and their patronage of Islam in Kerala.

11.Lokanarkavu Temple: This temple, associated with the heroes and heroines of the Vadakkanpattu combines an arresting simplicity and a legendary aura. The candid murals and carvings here are a delight to art lovers.

12.Mishkal Masjid, Kuttichira: One of the oldest mosques in the city, this four-storied structure supported by wooden pillars proudly proclaims the architectural splendour of yester years.

13.Mananchira Square - A new attraction in the heart of the city, Mananchira -maidan, is the sublimation of the concept of a planned modern city. The historic maidan, adjacent to Mananchira has been converted into an arcadia with beautiful trees and plants, artificial hill, shrubs, sculpture, an open-air theatre and above all a musical fountain. No doubt, locals and tourists seeking leisure and relief from the mad rush outside, find shelter here. The Corporation of Kozhikode manages Mananchira Maidan.

14.Mannur Temple: Modeled like the Siva Temple at Tiruvannur, this exquisitely carved Gajaprathista styled laterite structure is more than two centuries old.

15.Pazhassiraja Museum and Art Gallery: Location: About 5 km from Kozhikode town at East Hill, Kozhikode district, north Kerala.

16.Parsi Anju Amman Baug: This Fire Temple on S M Street dates back to the period when the Parsis, lured by the trade opportunities, settled in Kozhikode about 200 years ago.

17.Science Centre & Planetarium: Regional science centre Calicut houses a 250 seater Planetarium fitted with a sophisticated Zeiss projector. The Science centre abounds with puzzles, which make mathematics easy. An array of rolling balls moves in a circuitous path and performs acrobatics. They ring bells, generate electricity and play musical chimes on their way. Parabolic reflectors carry whispers from one end of the park to the other end. Objects float in space defying gravity. Chemistry brings magic at home. The Science Centre unravels mysteries, explains things which otherwise would be called supernatural.

St. Mary's Church: The Church was founded in 1860 for the civil members of the collectorate and the English military. In the cemetery adjacent to the church, there is a tomb dated 1717.

S M Street: Sweet Meat Street is the busiest street in Kozhikode and derives its name from the times when the street was lined with sweetmeat stalls. Kallai This was once the second largest timber trading.


Air : Nearest airport: Karipur (23 km from Kozhikode town): Daily flights to Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and the Middle East. The Chennai flight also touches Coimbatore and Madurai.

Rail : Links to all the major cities and tourist centres in India.

Road : Well connected to all the major cities and tourist centres in India.
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