Introduction:

Kozhikode or Calicut as it is popularly known is a land of pristine beaches, aromatic spice gardens, picturesque country sides & warm people. Kozhikode enthralls the visitors with lush green countryside's serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience which make Kozhikode a popular destination. The arrival of Vasco da Gama marked the start of the Portuguese domination in India and thereafter the history of Kozhikode has seen a drastic change. This town becomes a centre of Malabar power under the Zamorins of lords of the sea. 

 Mananchira Square Calicut 

Destination Facts:

Location: Kerala , In District Kozhikode

Altitude: 1 Meters

Area: 128sq km

Temperature: (summer 20 to 37°C) & (winter 15 to 33°C)

Languages spoken: Malayalam, English

Getting there:

Nearest Airports: Kozhikode itself has an Airport.

Main Railway Station: Kozhikode itself has the railway station

Main Bus Station or Road: KSRTC buses are plenty which are connecting all the major cities of Kerala.

Distance of a few Major Towns from Kozhikode:

Ramanattukara-14km, Tirur-48km, Kuttipuram-55km, Kannur-89km.

Eating Around:

One should try prawn and chicken Biriyani, meen pathiri, unnakai, kozhi adachitathu kozhi adachitathu and chatti pathiri.

Places of Tourist interest:

Beypore:

Beypore is one of the small villages on the coast of India in the district of Kozhikode. Beypore has a historical significance as it was one of the historic ports where trading commenced between the Middle East and Asia. The small town is also known for building wooden ships in its small ship yard.

Art Gallery:

The Art Gallery at Kozhikode is established solely for the cause of 'paintings & painters'. Housed in a building near to Pazhassirajah Museum, the gallery is renowned for its collections of the veteran painter 'Raja Ravi Varma'. These paintings, depicting the simplicity and depth of the people of Kerala & its history, are the reason it attracts a good number of art aficionados & tourists alike to this gallery.

Krishna Menon Museum:

One of the things that makes Indian culture so rich and full of heritage is definitely its many leaders. The Krishna Menon Museum has a section in honor of the great Indian V.K. Krishna Menon, where his personal belongings and souvenirs gifted to him are exhibited. The Krishna Menon Museum is located adjacent to the Pazhassi Raja Museum, with various other exhibits besides the great leader.

Mananchira Square:

Mananchira Square is an architectural delight named after the man-made lake Mananchira around which it is situated in the centre of the city. The architecture in Mananchira Square is reminiscent of the intricate craftsmanship of olden times. With its meticulously landscaped lawns, musical fountain & open air theatre, making this makes for a perfect setting to attract tourists.

Pazhassiraja Museum:

Pazhassiraja Museum is a treasure trove of history, art & culture of an era gone by. The museum and the art gallery are named after the great Pazhassiraja Kerala Varma of the Padinjare Kovilakom of the Kottayam Royal Family. The antiques on display in the museum vary from ancient murals, antique bronzes and coins to megalithic relics such as diamond cysts, temple miniatures and umbrella stones. Nicknamed the 'Lion of Kerala', legend has it that it was Pazhassiraja who introduced guerilla warfare in the hills of Wayanad to resist the increasingly intolerable British colonialism.

Thikkoti Light House:

Thikkoti Light House is one of the most interesting monuments steeped in history. There is a very interesting history concerning Thikkoti Light House. Legend has it that the Thikkoti Light House was built on the remains of a shipwreck that was from a boat that crashed near the rocky shore. Thus, Thikkoti Light House is a fearful reminder of that accident.

Thikkoti Lighthouse Backwaters: The age old commercial town of Calicut attracts tourists with its unexplored & untouched backwaters. The Elathur canal & the Kallai River are popular spots for boating. The most exciting feature while on the backwaters however is of course the Kettuvallom (traditional house boat). A ride on the houseboat is an ideal way to get a glimpse into the little village hamlets, vast green expanses & the coconut fringed banks along the pristine backwaters. One can also go for a houseboat trip on the Valiyaparamba Backwaters. Bekal Boat stay organizes a range of cruises for tourists.

Elathur:

Bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west & the Korapuzha River on the north, the small village of Elathur is located 10 km from the city of Kozhikode. The historic Canoly Canal named after the collector R.Canoly of the erstwhile British regime runs through this village. This tiny village of a mere 7000 residents is a nice way to move away from the town & get a slice of laid back village life.

Kappad Beach:

Kappad Beach is very famous because of the fact that the great world explorer Vasco Da Gama first set foot on the Kappad Beach on his world famous journey. Kappad Beach Kappad Beach Kozhikode Beach: Known for its pristine beauty & golden sandy shores, Kozhikode beach has a lighthouse, a marine aquarium & a lion's park. The beach is famous for its breathtaking sunset views which is a must see while here.

Kadalundi:

Kadalundi is a bird sanctuary, which is located in the midst of hillocks that dot the region. The sanctuary is located in the estuary of the Kadalundi River which joins the Arabian Sea. This piece of untouched coastal land is a haven for over a 60 species of bird life. The sanctuary is also famous for its wide variety of fish, mussels & crabs. The ideal season to visit this sanctuary is during the months of December to April in the early hours of the morning to spot these featured beauties in their natural habitat. Visiting the sanctuary should be avoided in the months of May to July as the region experiences torrential rains.

Tali Temple:

Tali Temple is one of the oldest and the most ancient temples around. It is a very distinct temple, and its history goes all the way back to the times of the Zamorin rule. In general, Tali Temple is a Shiva Temple, and it receives pilgrims and visitors in abundance each year. In fact the Tali Temple has five different religious ceremonies that are performed every day, but the best time to visit the Tali Temple in its full grandeur is during the Malayalam New Year which is a very joyous occasion with a seven day festival that centers on the main deity in the temple.

Getting around the destination:

Auto rickshaws and KSRTC bus service are found here for local places to visit.

Shopping Areas & Entertainment:

Kozhikode is known as the 'City of Spices,' so don't forget to buy different kinds of spices including pepper, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. Kozhikode is well-known for tea and coffee plantations. Several varieties of tea are grown; Black Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea. One can also shop coir products, rosewood items and carvings, artifacts made out of buffalo horn in Kozhikode.

Best time to visit:

October to March is the best time to visit the destination. Festivals: Malabar Mahotsav is one of the primary festivals in the month of January. Jalotsavam is held during the months of August and September. Shivratri Utsav is celebrated in the month of October.