|
|
|
|
| << Back to Home
|
| Kozhikode |
Photo Gallery |
| |
Kozhikode or Calicut is one of the prominent trade and commerce center in Kerala. It was the capital town of the Zamorins who reigned at this region for a long period. Vasco de Gama landed here in AD1498 and since then Kozhikode became an important port in the Malabar region for the trade of Spices, Silk and other goods. Today this district is famous for its lush green countryside, beaches, Wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hillocks, historical places etc. The friendly ambiance of the Kozhikode people is heart touching. The name Kozhikode is derived from the words koyil (Palace) and Kotta (Fort) makes 'the land with palace and fort’. The economy of Kozhikode mainly depends on agriculture and fisheries. The timber industry is also very powerful here. A large proportion of the population here is working in Middle East and their remittance to home plays an important part in the local economy. It is a main center for the exportation of Coconut, Coffee and tea. The other main industries are Tile making and Saw mills. Kozhikode is also famous for the variety of sweats produced in the city. The best time to visit Kozhikode is September to December.
Kozhikode is well connected by road, rail and air. KSRTC operates bus services from all major cities in the state and there are interstate buses to reach Kozhikode. NH 17 is passes through the city. Kozhikode has a railway station, which connects the city to the rest of the country. The railway station is located 2 kilometers from Mananchira Square. Kozhikode International airport is at Karipur, which is 30 kilometers far from the city.
|
Places of Attraction
1. Kozhikode Beach
Kozhikode beach is a spectacular spot in the city because it is always crowded. It is a favorite place for sunset viewers. The main attractions here are the old lighthouse and the two piers that extend to the sea which are hundreds of years old. A Lion's Park for Children and a Marine Water Aquarium are there adjacent to the beach. The aquarium opens from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm and the entry fee here is Rs 20.
2. Mananchira Square
Mananchira square is one of the main attractions in the city. The huge tank (in Malayalam 'chira' means a water body) that supplies water was built by Mana Vikrama, the last Zomarin king. The square is bounded by traditional buildings proclaims the beauty of Kerala architecture. The entrance to this place is permitted between 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm.
3. Mishkal Masjid
The masjid was built by Nakhooda Mishkal, a Persian trader nearly 650 years ago. It is one of the oldest mosques in the district and this four-store yard building proclaims the architectural beauty of past years. A huge effect of Kerala temple architecture is visible here. The masjid situated at Kuttichira just a few kilometers from Kozhikode railway station.
4. Mother of God cathedral
Jesuit missionaries in the Italian Gothic model built this 14th century cathedral. The church is dedicated to St. Mary and a portrait of this supreme lady adorns the church wall. It is said that the portrait is 200 years old. The church is closer to the beach road and easily accessible.
5. Tali temple
This temple is the venue of Revathy Pattathanam, an annual cultural event. The temple is situated in a small village namely Tali. It is said that Mana Vikrama, the Zamorin King, built the temple in a large scale. It is believed that the temple was constructed in the 14th century. The presiding deity here is Mahadeva (Lord Siva). It is located at Chalappuram, which is easily reached. The temple also have shrines related to Krishna, Ganapathy etc. Five worship services are provided in this temple everyday. This is one of the important pilgrimage centers for the Hindus. The temple permits only Hindus to enter and men need to wear 'mundu' to enter the temple. The worshiping time here id from 4.30 am to 11.00 am and from 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm.
6. Planetarium and Regional Science Center
The Kozhikode planetarium is situated at the Jafferkhan colony. The planetarium here is built to give extensive knowledge about space, planets and galaxies to the knowledge yielding people across the country. There are daily shows here at 12.00 pm, 2.00 pm, 4.00 pm, and at 6.00 pm at an entrance fee of 20.
The Regional Science Center lies at the same compound. The place is a great spot for scholars as well as children for giving splendid knowledge about the new dimensions of science. The entry here is between 10.30 am to 6.30 pm.
7. Pazhassiraja Museum and Art Gallery
The Museum located 8 kilometers from the city. Pazhassiraja built this building as his palace in 1812 and later the Archeological Survey of India converted it in to a museum in his memory. The museum is well stored with ancient murals, old coins, models of temples, and megalithic monuments like rock-cut caves, umbrella stones, crypts etc. The Art gallery situated adjacent to the museum and it is also an excellent place where the works of Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma is displayed. The museum opens from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm everyday except Mondays and National holidays.
8. Krishnan Menon Museum
The museum has an exclusive section dedicated to V.K. Krishnamenon, who is a powerful personality during modern Indian history. He was a leading person in the Indian Nationalist movement, first Indian representative at the United Nations, and former Defense minister. The museum displays his personal belongings and souvenirs. Museum opens at 10.00 am and closes at 5.00 pm daily except of Mondays and Wednesday morning.
9. Valayanadu Devi Temple
The temple is located at Valayanadu at Kommeri 6 kilometer from Kozhikode city. It is one of the rare 'Shaktheya' temples (The temples worshipping ‘Bhadrakali’) in the state. The temple was built on the 14th century and the annual festival here falls on December- January. The presiding deity of this temple is the goddess known as “Chandika” which is also called “Mahartham” and ‘Kalasarppini’.
10. KIRTADS
The name is an abbreviation of Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development studies of Scheduled castes and Schedules tribes. The institution was started in 1972 and got its present name in 1979. The place lies 7 kilometer from the city. The museum here is well stored with the tools and devices used by the ancient tribal communities across Kerala. A good research library is also here which covers a lot of books about Anthropology and Sociology. The visiting time here is between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm without any entrance fee.
11. Beypore
One of th prominent ports and fishing harbor of ancient Kerala, Beypore lies at the shores of the Chaliyar River. The place is 10 kilometer south of Kozhikode and famous for its boat-building yard, where the construction of 'uru' (an Arabian sailing vessel) takes place.
12. Payyoli beach
It is another splendid beach, which gives more colors to the Kozhikode tourism map. At the southern edge of the beach there is the Thikkodi lighthouse and the famous rock island 'Velliyamkallu' also seen. Velliyamkallu was a hide out for Kunjali Marakkar to attack Portuguese ships. This massive rock became popular with malayalam writer M.Mukundan's epic novel 'Mayyazhippuzhayude theeranagalil' (On the shores of Mayyazhi river). The beach is located about 40 kilometers from Kozhikode city.
13. Kappad beach
The historical beach, where Vasco de Gama was first set foot in India is a good picnic spot. There is a monument in the beach on remembrance of this historical event. There is also a rocky pathway in the beach that penetrates to the sea. The temple there on the pathway is believed to be 200 years old. The Kappad beach lies 16 kilometers from Kozhikode on NH 17.
14. Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
The sanctuary lies 25 kilometers from the city. It is a heaven for migratory birds from all over the globe.
15. SM Street
The SM Street lies at the heart of the Kozhikode city and is easy to reach. The street is famous for sweets and thats why it is known as 'Mittayitheruvu'(Sweet Meet Street) in Malayalam. Kozhikodan Halwa is worth buying from here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
