Once the capital of the powerful Zamorins and a prominent trade and commerce centre, Kozhikode was the most important region of Malabar in the days gone by. The town is famous for its boat-building yard, timber industry and historic temples and churches. Kozhikode was a port at least as early at the 7th century for Chinese and Middle Eastern traders. Today, lush green countryside’s, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience make Kozhikode a popular destination.

Population: 261897

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Places of Interest

Tali Temple
The Tali Temple is a fine example of the total integration that can exist between wood and laterite, which is a remarkable feature of the Kerala style of architecture. Built in the 14th century by Swamy Thirumulpad, the Zamorin, within his palace complex. This temple was the venue of Revathy Pattathanam, the annual cultural and intellectual event.

Kappad
About 16 km from Kozhikode town, this pleasant stretch of rock-studded beach is Kappakkadavu. To the tourist it is one of the most charming of Kerala's beaches. Kappad finds mention in history and geography texts as the gateway to the Malabar Coast. Here, 501 years ago, 170 men led by the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) sailed in and stepped into Kerala to create a new chapter in history. Today only a little stone monument is left at the Kappad beach to speak of its great historic importance. On the rocks nearby is a temple believed to be 800 years old. To the tourist, however, this little sea faring town is a haven.

Pazhassiraja Museum
A veritable treasure trove for historians and connoisseurs of art, the Pazhassiraja Museum is located in Kozhikode - the land of spices, which lured navigators from time immemorial down to the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498. The Art Gallery adjacent to the museum displays the acclaimed paintings of Kerala's cherished artists, Raja Ravi Varma (1848 - 1906) whose works brought international repute to the State and his uncle Raja Raja Varma.

The museum display’s mural paintings, antique bronzes, ancient coins, models of temples, umbrella stones, dolmenoid cists (quadrangular burial chambers with capstones), and similar megalithic monuments. The museum and the art gallery are named after the great Pazhassiraja Kerala Varma of the Padinjare Kovilakom of the Kottayam royal family.

Beypore
About 10 km south of Kozhikode town at the mouth of the Chaliyar River, Beypore one of the prominent ports and fishing harbors of ancient Kerala, was an important trade and maritime centre Beypore was much sought after by merchants from Western Asia for its ship building industry. The boat-building yard here is famous for the construction of the Uru (the Arabian trading vessel), which boasts a tradition of over1500 years.

Vadakara 48 km from Kozhikode is the birthplace of Thacholi Othenan - the legendary hero of the Vadakkanpattu (ballads of North Malabar). Vadakara boasts a great martial tradition and was a flourishing trade and commerce centre in ancient times.

Thacholi Manikkoth, the kalari where Thacholi Othenan practiced his martial feats and spent long days in deep meditation before every poythu (duel), is a place worth visiting.

Excursion

Mananchira Maidan
King Mana-Vikrama’s palace tank is an architectural wonder. The musical fountain inside the maidan and the meticulously landscaped lawns surrounded by traditional buildings in the Kerala style, fascinate visitors.

The Backwaters Of Kozhikode
Up north in Kerala, the meandering backwaters of Calicut (Kozhikode) lie waiting to be discovered. With a bewitching beauty of its own, unspoilt and uncrowded, the picturesque backwaters of Kozhikode offers a bewitching experience. A ride down the backwaters through the Korappuzha River brings you to the beach.

The best route to Kappad, favorite haunts for boating is along the backwaters from Elathur, Canolly Canal and Kallai River are. Kadalundi, with its beautiful bird sanctuary is a charming site. Korapuzha, the venue of the Korapuzha Jalotsavam is fast becoming a popular water sport destination. The canal links itself to the Kallai River, which unhurriedly threads through the city and offers its shores to Calicut’s historic timber trade.

Tusharagiri
As the name suggests, land and water have struck an extraordinary kinship at Thusharagiri (mist capped peaks). The plantation destination that abounds in rubber, areca nut, pepper, ginger and spices, is also a trekker’s delight. Trekkers start early morning from the second waterfall on the hills and climb up through the pristine dense evergreen forests teeming with exotic birds and animals to reach Vythiri in Wayanad district by evening.