Calicut (Kozhikode)

Kozhikode also known as Calicut is the third largest city of Kerala. The place is famous as Vasco De Gama, first European to land on the Indian coasts, landed here in 1498 AD. A port city located amidst the lush green spice Plantations, Kozhikode takes you on a momentous journey through beautiful backwaters, picturesque beaches and ancient palaces.

The boathouses slowly moving in the calm backwaters, the rejuvenating body massages at various Ayurvedic resorts, serene beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, a touch of history in the form of ancient monuments and a colorful culture all makes this city an attractive tourist spot in Kerala. Kozhikode surely offers its visitors a unique travel experience.

The prime attractions at Kozhikode are its numerous temples and mosques containing interesting sculptures and inscriptions. Famous among them are the Tali Temple, Thiruvannur Temple, Azhokodi Temple, Bhairagi Madam Temple Varakkal Temple and Bilathikulam Temple.

There is also an art gallery and a museum located at East hill in Kozhikode City. You can also enjoy visiting a well-maintained planetarium located in the heart of the city near Jaffer khan colony, Kozhikode

Tusharagiri Waterfalls

As the name suggests, land and water have struck an extraordinary kinship at Thusharagiri (mist capped peaks). The plantation destination that abounds in rubber, arecanut, 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.

Tali Temple/ Kadalundi

Tali Temple

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. 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.

Kadalundi

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary (25 km) is a heaven for migratory birds. Terns, gulls, herons, sandpipers, whimbrels, and other migratory birds flock the place from the month of November and returns only by the end of April.

The ideal season to visit is from December to April in the early hours of the day.

Beypore

Beypore, one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours 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.

Kappad Beach

It is situated 16 km from the city. For the people of Calicut (Kozhikode), 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.

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.

Manachira Square/ Dolphin's Point

The Manachira Square is located in the heart of the city, a place where the main courtyard of palace of the erstwhile Zamorin rulers once existed. Presently, the square has a well laid out park, which has a number of traditional Keralite houses and a large water tank nearby.

Dolphin's Point

Here one can see in the early hours of the morning dolphins playing in the sea. The beach, 2 km from Calicut town centre is along stretch of tree lined sand popular with the local people because of the Lions Club park, the Light House and the two piers - and, of course, the opportunity to enjoy in the evening breeze.

Vadakara

This ancient place is now the headquarters of the taluk as well as of the municiplaity of that name. There is ruined fort in the town. vadakara was the scene of many exploits of Tacholi Othenan, the hero of htee ballads of north malabar (Vadakkan Pattukal) Five kms south east of Vadakar in Memunda amsom, is the Lokanarkavu which hass three rock-cut caves in its vicinity.

Annual ceremonies are conducted in memory of "Othenan" whose bith place is Manikoth near Meppayil. Vadakara is also called becasues of its location just north ( Vadakku) of kotta river. the Orkattery cattle fair is held between fabruary at Orkattery 6.45 kms from vadakara.

S.M Street/ KrishnaMenon Museum

S.M Street

Sweat Meat Street, popularly known as SM street with its cross raods , is the busiest shopping spot of kozhikode . The name derived so as a result of the presence of numerous sweet meat stalls. Old bakery shops here known for the famous Kozhikodan Halwa and Banana Chips.

KrishnaMenon 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 VKKrishamaenon. The personal belongings and souvenirs gifted by this world leader are exhibited here.