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KERALA CITIES -
Kozhikode / Calicut
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Kozhikode or Calicut, the
former capital of the Zamorins and referred to as "the great province of
Malabar" by the legendary Marco Polo, continues to attract visitors from
distant shores. The city reeks of history and culture, making it the
favourite destination of history buffs. Over the years, Kozhikode has
become commercially important for textiles, seafood processing, timber and
tiles. At the same time, traditional art forms like the ancient form of
Kerala's martial art, Kalaripayattu has flourished.The land of the Malabar
Mahotsavam, Kozhikode was recognized as one of the most important
historical regions in Malabar. |
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Pazhassiraja Museum and Art Gallery
(5 km
from Kozhikode): On display here are copies of ancient murals, antique bronzes,
old coins, excavated earthenware, models of temples, mega lithic monuments like dolmonoid cysts, umbrella stones etc.
Krishna Menon Museum: This museum has an
exclusive wind dedicated to the late V K Krishna Menon, renowned statesman. His
personal belongings and souvenirs are displayed here |
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Kalipoika
(2 km from Kozhikode): One can
leisurely cruise on the dappled waters at Kalipoika in both pedal and row boats.
Kallai: This was once the second largest
timber trading centre in Asia. A steel bridge built by the British is still
intact here.
S M Street: Sweet Meat Street is the busiest
street in Kozhikode and derives its name from the times when the street was
lined with sweetmeats stalls. Kirtads (7 km from Kozhikode): This unique museum
houses the tools and devices used by the ancient tribal commununities of Kerala. |
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Beypore (10 km from Kozhikode): Located at
the mout h of the Chaliyar River, Beypore, one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala was an important trade and maritime centre.
Kappad (16 km from Kozhikode): This is the
historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May 1498, with 170 men
in three vessels. A monument on the beach commemorates this historic event. The
rock studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. |
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Kozhiko de Beach:
This beach is a favorite haunt of sunset
viewers. Adding to its natural beauty is the
old world charm retained in the old
lighthouse and the two crumbling piers, each
more than a hundred years old that run into
the sea.
Velliyamkallu:
This massive rock, much
dreaded by navigators, was once a vantage point for the Marakkars to attack the
invading Portuguese. An entire crew of a Portuguese ship was killed here. The
beautiful natural engravings on the rock are worth exploring. |
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Thikkoti Lighthouse: The lighthouse which
overlooks Velliyamkallu off Moodadi coast was built after a shipwreck, the
remains of which can still be seen here. The region around the Velliyamkallu
rock is the transit home of migratory birds.

Payyoli: This is yet another beautiful
stretch of golden sands with shallow waters that border Velliyamkallu.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
(25 km from
Kozhikode): The estuary at Kadalundi is a haven for migratory birds. Terns,
gulls, herons, sandpipers, whimbrels and other exotic birds flock into this
place in November and return home in April. |
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Planetarium: The Kozhikode Planetarium at
the city's Jaffarkhan colony offers extensive insight into the mysteries of the
universe, the planets and the galaxies.
Regional S cience Centre: Situated on the same compound as the planetarium, the Regional Science Centre is an eye opener into the amazing and exciting
dimensions of Science.
Kakkayam
(45 km from Kozhikode): This
picturesque dam site, teeming with exotic wildlife, offers excellent trekking
and rock climbing opportunities. The best time to visit is between November and
April.
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Vadakara
(48 km from Kozhikode): The birth
place of Thacholi Othenan - the legendary here of the Vadakkanpattu (ballads of
North Malabar), Vadakara boasts a great martial
tradition and was a flourishing
trade and commerce centre in ancient times.
Thusharagiri (50 km from Kozhikode): As the
name suggests, land and water have struck an extraordinary kinship here. Famous
for its trekking tracks, Thusharagiri is located near Vythiri in Wayanad.
Trekkers start early morning from the second waterfall and climb uphill through
the pristine, dense evergreen forests populated with exotic birds and wildlife
to reach Vythiri by evening. |
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Peruvannamuzhi
(60 km from Kozhikode): The
Peruvannamuzhi demsite set amid hills is a beautiful picnic spot. The reservoir
here provides facilities for speed and row boat cruises
during which one can see
the Smarakathottam - a garden built in memory of the freedom fighters of the
region.
Vellari Mala:
Scintillating waterfalls and
velvet green landscape make this an ideal spot for trekking.
Wayanad Ghats: The green ghats enroute to
Wayanad has nine hairpin bends, each turn taking one to a higher altitude
offering a better view of the picturesque plains below. This route explored by a
tribal was developed by the British. |
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Kuttiyadi
(78 km from Kozhikode): this
picturesque village is the site of a major power project - The Kuttiyadi Hydro
Electric Power Project.
Iringal:
This is the birth place of Kunjali
Marakkar, who commanded the Zamorin's fleet and the held the Portuguese vessels
at by bay for long period. The birth place of this valiant admiral of the
zamorin, on the southern bank of the Moorad River, is today preserved by the
Department of Archaeology. |
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Kuttichira: The stone inscriptions found in
the Muccunti Mosque at Kuttichira reveal an interesting aspect in the history of
the Zamorins of Kozhikode and their patronage of Islam in Kerala. The
architecture of this and other old mosques in Kozhikode bear great resemblance
to the typical Hindu temple complex with pillars, ventilators and huge tank s, as
well as decorative features such as stylized floral cravings and geometric
designs.
Ponmeri:
The Sree Krishna Temple at Karatt
and the Shiva Temple at Ponmeri have flamboyant paintings depicting
Palazhimathanam (the story of the churning of the ocean milk) from the purannas. |
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Mananchira Maidan:
The palace tank of King
Mana - Vikrama is an architectural w onder. The musical fountain inside the maidan and the meticulously landscaped lawns surrounded by traditional buildings
in the Kerala style, fascinate visitors.
Varakkal Devi Temple:
This is considered to
be the 108th and the last devi temple built by Sree Parasurama, the legendary
founder of Kerala. It is believed that Parasurama Ploughed this area in order to
make Devi (the goddess) appear. The main festival here is the Vavu Bali when thousands
congregate
to
perform
the
ancestral
obsequies.
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