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» Prime Attractions of Calicut
How To reach Kozhikode (Calicut)
By Air
Kozhikode airport is at Karipur is at a distance of about 25 km from the centre of the city.
By Rail
The Kozhikode railway station is located south of the Manachira Square. It is served by a handful of costal expresses and several passenger trains.
By Road
A well-built network of roads connects Kozhikode (Calicut) to the other parts of the state.
Local Transport
Auto Rickshaws, Deluxe Buses.
Climate
Temprature
Tropical.
Mean Max: 32.0°C
Mean Min: 22.5°C
Rainfall
254 cm (Annual)
Kozhikode - The Historical Town
The busy coastal city of Kozhikode, located to the north of Kerala and 225 kms from Kochi holds an important postion in the legend and history of Kerala.
The place is historically famous as the Portuguese led by Vasco da Gama first landed in India, at Kappad near Kozhikode in 1498 AD. He was the first European to reach India via the sea route, around the southern cape of Africa. Later the Dutch, French and British came to its shores.
Thus, began a period of conflict of foreign powers for domination of trade in Malabar. Kozhikode (Calicut) was the capital of the powerful Zamorins. This age-old town still maintains its commercial traditions.
Prime Attractions of Calicut
Thali Temple
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Thali temple, located downtown is an important temple of the erstwhile Zamorin Kingdom of Kozhikode. Dating back to the 14th century , the temple is a fine example of the total integration that can exist between wood and laterite. The temple is famous for the 'Revathi Pattathanam', an annual competition of pedagogic skills. |
Revathy Pattathanam
The famous intellectual debate for vedic scholars to win the coveted position of pattathana takes place at Thali temple during the month of Thulam. It is said that this unique intellectual gathering commenced during the fag end of 13th century. Many stories are attributed to the beginning of the Pattathanam. The seven-day debate starts on Revathi day and concludes on Thiruvathira day of the Malayalam month of Thulam.
Krishnan Menon Museum
The Krishna Menon Museum houses a good collection of Paintings by Raja Raja Varma and Raja Ravi Varma. A section is devoted to the Memorabilia of the late V.K. Krishna Menon, former Indian Defence Minister and national leader.
The section in honour of the great Indian leader V.K Krishna Menon has on display the collection of personal belongings and souvenirs gifted by this world leader.
Malabar Mahotsavam
Malabar Mahotsavam is a cultural extravaganza that showcases the centuries old rich cultural heritage of Kerala. The event is at Mananchira maidan (ground) in the heart of Kozhikode town from 13th to 16th January every year.
Celebration Preparations & Decorations
The festival highlights musical concerts, performances of various classical dances like Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Ottanthullal etc and ritual artforms like Koothu, Thewam, Thira etc.
The festival is also an occasion to relish the native cuisines and enjoy mind blowing firework displays.
Pazhassi Raja Museum
The Pazhassi Raja Museum, located at a distance of 5 kms from Kozhikode at East Hill, houses a veritable treasure trove for historians and connoisseurs of art.
The museum and the art gallery are named after the great Pazhassiraja Kerala Varma of the Padinjare Kovilakom of the Kottayam Royal Family. Pazhassiraja led the famous 'Pazhassi Revolt' against the British East India Company during the second half of the 1700s. Nicknamed the 'Lion of Kerala', Pazhassiraja is also credited with introducing guerilla warfare in the hills of Wayanad to resist the increasingly intolerable British colonialism. This great freedom fighter was shot dead in an encounter on 30 November 1805 AD.
The Displayed Antiques
On display in the museum are ancient murals, antique bronzes and coins, megalithic relics such as diamond cysts, temple miniatures and umbrella stones. Adjacent to the museum is the Art Gallery, which exhibits an excellent collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma.
Thusharagiri Waterfalls
Lying 50kms east of Kozhikode, Thusharagiri is a little tribal tourist spot in Kerala. Thusharagiri means misty mountain and this beautiful spot snuggled cosily in the Western Ghats is sure to have a revitalizing and spellbinding effect on any visitor. Thusharagiri waterfalls consist of three separate waterfalls in Chalippuzha River. The river originates from two streams from the Western Ghats, which converges at Thusharagiri and exhibits a unique kinship between the land and water. The calm and serene forest area, which has two dams, and a crocodile farm is also a trekker’s delight.
Two streams originating from the Western Ghats meet here to form the Chalippuzha River. The river diverges into three waterfalls creating a snowy spray, which gives the name, 'Thusharagiri'.
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Of the three, the highest waterfall is the Thenpara that falls from an altitude of 75 metres. Situated at Kodencherry in Kozhikode district, the plantation destination that abounds in rubber, arecanut, pepper, ginger and spices is also a trekker's delight. |
Trekker's start early morning from the second waterfalls at the hills and climb up through the pristine dense evergreen forests teeming with exotic birds and animals to reach Vythiri and Waynad district by evening. There is a dam located around 45 km from Calicut.
The place offers challenging trekking and rock-climbing through river path and numerous waterfalls. There is another dam at 60 km from Calicut. It is a place of beauty, calm, and serenity. The place has a crocodile farm run by the state forest department.
Best time to Visit : September to November
Location : 11 Km From Kodenchery, Kerala
Main Attraction : Trekking
Dolphin's Point
Just 15 minutes from the city centre is a place called Dolphin's Point, where one can see dolphins playing in the sea of an early morning. The long tree-lined beach, about 2 km away, is popular with the local people because of the Lions Club Park, the lighthouse, and two piers - and of course, the opportunity to soak in the evening breeze.
Kallai
Kallai is 6 kms away from Kozhikode. Kallai River originating from the Cherukulathur village, links with the Chaliyar on the south by a man-made canal. The river lazily wriggles through Cherukulathur, Kovur, Olavanna, Manava and Kallai to sink deep into the Arabian sea at Kozhikode.
Kallai river had been in the global map for its flourishing timber trade, which has been dubbed as the second best in the world. Today, though some business does take place, hard times have fallen on the timber trade and Kallai is just a shadow of its busy past. |
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Lokanarkavu Festival
Mandala Utsavam is the forty-one day annual festival at the Lokanarkavu Bhagavathy Temple near Vadakara in Kozhikode.
This is the only temple where a peculiar folk dance called Thacholikali is presented. The dance, performed during the festival resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu and is presented by a sect of people known as Theeyampadi Kurup. The temple, believed to be 3000 years old, finds frequent mention in the Northern Ballads as the presiding deity goddess Bhadrakali is the patron of warriors and war and is worshipped with martial art performances.
Mananchira
Mananchira is the heart of the city and sites important institutions like the Town Hall and the Public Library. One of Kozhikode's oldest institutions, the Commonwealth Trust's office is located here. The large pond and park are well-known landmarks.
Thikkoti Lighthouse
The lighthouse, which overlooks Velliyamkallu, the rock much dreaded by mariners, 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.
Beypore Beach
Located at the mouth of Chaliyar River at about 10 km from Kozhikode, Beypore is famous for its ancient seaport and ship building industry, the oldest in Kerala. The famous 'Uru' (traditional vessels) built here, was very popular among Arab traders. The place had been an important trade and maritime center for traders coming from West Asia.
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The secluded beaches around Beypore are neat and clean and ideal for relaxation. Laze, stroll or enjoy a water sport, the beaches offer you a complete entertainment. You can enjoy freshly cooked seafood from the seaside stalls and drink cool and refreshing coconut water. |
One of the major attractions at Beypore is its magnificent 2 km long stone bridge, built entirely of stones, making a pathway into the sea. On your tour you can also visit the nearby city of Kozhikode, a popular tourist spot in Kerala.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
Kadalundi bird sanctuary, 19 kms from Kozhikode. The Bird Sanctuary, Malappuram, is spread over a cluster of islands in a scenic area surrounded by hillocks where the Kadalundi River flows into the Arabian Sea. The place is locally known as Kadalundi Nagaram. This virgin land is the abode of a hundred species of native birds and over 60 varieties of migratory birds that flock here in large numbers during February-March.
The sanctuary, which is spread over a cluster of islands, covers an area of 3 kms in a scenic area surrounded by hillocks. A hillock, which is 200 m above sea level, provides a splendid view of the river mouth and the sea. |
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General Information
How to Reach
By Air
Karipur International Airport, about 23 km from Kozhikode town.
ByRail
Kozhikode, about 19 km from Kadalundi.
Best Time to Visit : The ideal season to visit is from December to April in the early hours of the day.
Kappad Beach
Kappad Beach is 16 kms away from Kozhikode. Kappad, the historic beach. It is the beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May, 1498 with 170 men in three vessels, thus discovering a sea route to India.
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The rock studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old. |
Significance : A solitary pillar commemorates the event with the inscription, "Vasco da Gama landed here, Kappakadavu, in the year 1498". The sea here is placid and seemingly untouched by history or time.
Main Attraction
A Sprawling Rock that Protrudes into the Sea.
Lakkidi
Lakkidi, the gateway of Wayanad, is situated 700 m above mean sea level, at the crest of the Thamaraserri ghat pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads to this hill station. Lakkidi is one of the highest locations in Wayanad, and registers the second highest degree of Rainfall in the world.
Killikkurissimangalam in Lakkidi is the birthplace of Kunjan Nambiar, Kerala's famous satirist poet, who is regarded as the progenitor of Ottanthullal, the traditional solo dance narration.
His songs combine satirical barbs with rib tickling laughter. Some of the famous lines are still quoted to lampoon contemporary social injustices. The poet's house is preserved as a monument by the Government of Kerala.
3 km from Lakkidi is the Pookot Lake, the natural fresh water Lake, very wide and deep, one of the rare reservoirs of water in Wayanad. Surrounded on all sides by meadows and hills, it has become a favorite picnic spot.
Significance of Lakkidi : Registers the Second Highest Degree of Rainfall in the World.
Altitude : 700 m above sea level.
Peruvannamuzhi Dam
Located at a distance of 60 kms from Kozhikode, the Peruvannamuzhi Dam site set amid hills is a beautiful picnic spot. The reservoir here provides facilities for speedboat and rowboat cruises.
Peruvannamuzhi Dam, Peruvannamuzhi, Kozhikode, Kerala Travel Tours, Kerala in India The region offers immense scope for picnicking. The Peruvannamuzhi dam site set amid hills is a beautiful picnic spot.
The reservoir here provides facilities for speedboat and rowboat cruises during which one see the 'Smaraka Thottam', a garden built in the memory of the freedom fighters of the region. Uninhabited islands, a bird sanctuary and a crocodile farm add to the charm of the place.
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