Calicut

Calicut or Kozhikode, referred as the ‘Jewel of the Malabar’, is located on the southwest coastal belt of Arabian Sea in the South India state of Kerala. It was a glorious trade and commerce hub and was renowned for its spices and silk production in the past. The place is the melting pot of several religions, which live in harmony and follow their beliefs and traditions. The city is a popular tourist destination, embraced with verdant green countryside, tranquil beaches, cascading waterfalls, illustrious historic sites, ancient temples, wildlife sanctuaries, gushing rivers and picturesque hilly terrains.

The prosperous trading town of Calicut got its name from the hand woven cloth called Calico. The city was the capital, during the reign of the Zamorin Dynasty. Vasco Da Gama, the great explorer landed on the Kappad Beach of Kozhikode. The major tourist places include Kappad beach, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary and the famous Mananchira Square.

September to May

Sightseeing in Kozhikode is possible at backwaters, beaches and museums: Kozhikode backwaters: Kozhikode backwaters are attractive and fascinating stretch of waterways formed by Elathur canal, Canolly Canal and Kallai River. Kozhikode Beach: The beach has two crumbling piers that stand towards the middle of the sea and each of them is more than hundred years old. The beach also houses a lighthouse, Marine Water Aquarium and Lions Park. The beach is a perfect setting for tourists wanting to enjoy the sunrise or sunset. Beypore beach: It is located near the Chaliyar River used for shipbuilding. The boatyard is very famous for its unique ship vessel called Uru. Kadalundi: Spread of a cluster of islands surrounded by hillocks, it houses a bird sanctuary located in the midst of hillocks and an estuary of the Kadalundi River. Kappad Beach: One of the must visit places at Kozhikode, the beach houses a monument in the memory of the great explorer Vasco Da Gama. Pazhassiraja

In Kozhikode, most of the hotels have attached restaurants, which serve delicious food. There are few roadside restaurants and only few eating joints in neighbouring small towns and villages. Some good places hotels in Kozhikode include The Tiger Heaven, Hotel Kozhikode Palace and Tiger Den. It is possibly the best place to relish authentic Malabar cuisine. Mithai Theruvu or Sweet Meat Street is the busiest streets and best place for Kozhikodan Halwa.

In the ‘Land of Spices’, head out to the spice bazaar at Court Road Spice Market. The region is also admired for its local handicrafts, which include rosewood carvings, natural coir products, handloom textile, muslin cloth and miniatures of rowing boats. Vilangakunnu village in Kozhikode is eminent for tea and coffee plantations. You can buy tea from the garden or the local shops.

Calicut enjoys excellent connectivity by air, road and rail. The city is served by Calicut International Airport (about 27 km. away) and Calicut Railway Station. NH17 connects the city to all major cities in Kerala. Local buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws are available for visiting the top attractions of Kozhikode.

Other attractions include Science Centre and Planetarium, Thikkoti Lighthouse, Lion’s Park, Tali Temple, Dolphins Point and Mishkal Mosque.

Thusharagiri Falls (About 53 km.): River Challipuzha diverges into three waterfalls, throwing up a fine snowy spray of water. Peruvannamuzhi (About 49 km.): It is located amidst the hills and serves as an ideal avenue for rowing and cruising. The tourists also visit ‘Smaraka Thottam housing a bird sanctuary and a crocodile farm. Vellarimala (About 53 km.): It is a hilly area ideal for relaxtion. A tributary of the Chaliyar River named Kanjirapuzha flows through the rocky areas and forms a cascading waterfall. Thalassery (About 70 km.): It is one of the oldest British settlements and a historic town blessed with abundant natural beauty. The place houses Tellicherry Fort and comprises of many beautiful small hills, rivers and breathtaking cliffs along with an amazing long coastline. Nilambur (About 60 km.): The place is famous for its forests, waterfalls and rivers and is surrounded by luxuriant greenery and tea plantations. Kannur (About 92 km.): It is the largest beach town of northern Malabar with a rich colonial heritage. It is voted as among the ten best places in the country. Wayanad Wildlife Reserve (About 119 km.): It comprising of densely wooded deciduous forest of rosewood, teak, bamboo throbbing with a fascinating mix of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, leopards, bison, monkeys, deer and hundreds of birds and reptiles.

With the best of tourist information, one can end up exploring many additional tourist places nearby like Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kabini, Tholpetty, Nagarhole, Lakkidi, Thrissur and Bandipur National Park.