INTRODUCTION
HISTORY
Till 1122 AD Kozhikode was under the administration of the Chera Kings, the Sangam age.It was during this period Kerala became a centre of trade and slowly there were networks getting formed with the outside world. Only around the 13th century the city of Calicut was formed with Udaiyavar, the king of Ernad, conquered the area around Ponniankar and built a fort at a place called Velapuram, now known as Calicut.The history of Kozhikode district as an administrative unit begins from January 1957.When the states of the Indian Union were reorganized on linguistic basis on 1st November 1956,the erstwhile Malabar district was separated from Madras state and added to the new anilingual state of Kerala.Once the capital of powerful zamorins and a prominent trade and commerce centre,Kozhikode was the most important town of Malabar in the days gone by.LOCATION
Kozhikode or Calicut is situated in the south Indian state of Kerala on the southwest coast of the Arabian Sea. The district extends from latitude 11�15' N to 75�49' E.FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Pooram
It falls in the month of March/April in the Arakkal Temple.Lokanarkavu Temple
There is a fair and a festival held in this temple twice a year in the of March/April and November/December.Utsavam
It is held at Pishrikavu temple during the month of March.Malabar Mahotsavam
This Mahotsavam is a major festival of the Malabar region celebrated in the months of January/February.Jalotsavam
This is a festival of water fiestas and it is celebrated simultaneously as a part of Onam festival.PLACES OF INTEREST
Kappakkadavu Beach
The beach is also otherwise referred by the name Kappad Beach. The Kappad beach resort is one of the leading centers for Ayurvedic Health Holiday in Kerala.
Pazhassirajah Museum and Art Gallery
Apart from this there is also a small art gallery attached to the museum which has more of Raja Ravi Varmas paint.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
The ideal time to visit this sanctuary is between the months of November to April.
The Thali Temple
The Thali Temple houses the shrines of Lord Shiva, Ganapati, Narasimha and Saasta.
Krishna Menon Museum
This museum is dedicated to the former President of India late V K Krishna Menon, famous in the world for the collection of his personal belongings and souvenirs.Dolphin's Point
A drive to Dolphin point takes just a few minutes drive from the city where one can see dolphin's playing in the sea in the early morning. It is an ideal place for walk both in the morning and in the evening.Badagara
It is very much connected to martial arts.
The other highlight of this place is that it is the birthplace of Thacholi Othanan, the hero of the ballads of North Malabar.
Beypore
The boat-building yard here is also very famous today for its country crafts called 'Uru' built by traditional boat builders, known as Khalasis.
Thikkoti Lighthouse
22kms from Kozhikode is the lighthouse, which overlooks Velliyamkallu, the rock much dreaded by navigators, off Moodadi coast, which was built after a ship, wreck and the remains of which can still be seen here. The Velliyamkallu rock is the transit home of migratory birds.Tellicherry and Sultan Bathery (Trading Centre)
This is another important trading centre of Kozhikode and is situated at a distance of about 98kms.The drive to this place is full steep climbs and hairpin curves.Tusharagiri
Tusharagiri at a distance of 50kms from Kozhikode is very close to Vythiri in Wayanad. It has thick dense forest with different varieties of bird and wild animals. Trekking to this place is quite interesting. It also has a small tribal settlement here. There is an eye catching waterfall here which sprays out a snowy water and that's why the name 'Thusharagiri' which means 'snowy peak'.River Kallai
River Kallai located at a distance of about 6kms from Kozhikode is known worldwide for it is the second largest timber-trading center in Asia. There is a very old iron bridge here which captures the tourist attention.Peruvannamuzhi Dam
This is an ideal picnic spot at a distance of 60kms from Kozhikode.Apart from the natural scenery of the dam set amide hills there are other attractions like speedboat cruises, bird sanctuary and a crocodile farm.Manachira Maidan (Palace)
SHOPPING
Sweet Meat Street is one of the most famous streets in Kozhikode where you can buy textiles especially the fancy ones. There is a wholesale spice market at the Big Bazaar Road. For handloom products the right place is the Comtrust Store off Town Hall Road.Calicut is also famous for local handicrafts such as rosewood and buffalo horn carvings, coir products and miniature snake boats. Such items are available at Manvoor Road and CSI at Mananchira and Big Bazaar at SM Street.SM road also have shops which sells plain and printed cottons or calicos.
EAT OUTS
Fusion - On a breezy terrace on Lighthouse beach, offers a good choice of Keralan and European dishes.
Coconut Grove - Lighthouse beach Rock Cafe - Lighthouse beach. The Lobster Pot - North from the Leela. Lonely Planet The Taj Green Cove Resort Jasmine Bay Apart from this there are some traditional Kerala breakfast like puttu, Kerala appam and egg masala at the local teashops. ACCOMMODATION
1.FOCUS KERALA
Light House Road Kovalam,Vizhinjam.P.O Trivandrum-695 521 +91 471 3224860
2.Shirleysbeach Hotels& Homestay’s
Light House Beach Kovalam Kerala India +91-471-2317303
3.The beach hotel
Light house beach kovalam Vizhinjam p.o. 695521 Trivandrum, kerala India
4.Hotel Sea Face
NUP Beach Road Kovalam, Kerala - 695527 (India) +91.471.2481835 / 2481836
5.GREEN SHORE APARTMENTS
Lighthouse Road Kovalam Vizhinjam PO Trivandrum-695 521 Kerala South India 0091 471 2480106
6.Hill & Sea View Ayurvedic Beach Resort
Vizhinjam, Kovalam Trivandrum, Kerala 695521 09927420034
7.Taj Green Cove Resort
G.V. Raja Vattapara Road Kovalam Trivandrum, Kerala +91 471 248 7733
8.Tom's Inn
Vpi/43g ITDC Road Kovalam Trivandrum 695527 Kerala India +91 471 2454008/2450838
9.Beach Hotel Neelakanta
Light House Beach Kovalam, 695521 0471 2480321
10.Jasmine Palace
Kozhikode Kovalam P.O, Trivandrum - 695527 Kerala, India. + 91 471 2481475 |
Travel Guide
Travel Information
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