| Calicut is the anglicised form of Kalikut, the Arabic for the Malayalam, Kozhikkod. It is also called the Cock Fort. According to the historian, K.V.Krishnan Iyer, the term means Koyil (palace) Kodu (fortified). From time immemorial, the city attracted travellers, with its charming physical features and prosperity. Even today, the glory that was Calicut has not faded. |
| |
| The political history of Kozhikkod is a story of treacherous and ill conceived conspiracies hatched by the Western powers. Vasco Da Gama landed at Kappad (16 kilometers north of Kozhikkod) in May 1498, as the leader of a trade mission from Portugal and was received by the Zamorin himself |
| |
| This marked the beginning of foreign dominations in the East. From the 13th century, Kozhikkod attained a position of preeminence in the trade of pepper and other spices which made it India’s emporium of international trade. As Kozhikkod offered full freedom and security, the Arab and the Chinese merchants preferred it to all other parts. The globe-trotter Ibn Batuta (AD 1342-47) notes: "We came next to Kalikut, one of the great ports of the district of Malabar, and in which merchants of all parts are found" |
| |
| Athanaseus Nititen, the Russian traveller, (1468-74) accounts thus, "Calicut is a port for the whole Indian sea, which God forbid any craft to cross, and whoever saw it, will not get over it healthy, everything is cheap and servant and maids are very good" |
| |
| Associated with the Zamorins is Kottaparambu where stood their ancient palace. Mananchira was the bathing tank of the members of the Zamorin’s household. |
| |
| Places of Interest |
| |
| Kappad Beach |
| Vasco-da-Gama set foot on the sands of Kappad beach, on 27 May 1498 A.D., This landing is commemorated by a small stone monument at the beach |
| |
| Dolphin's Point |
| In the early hours of the morning dolphins playing in the sea can been seen. The beach, 2 km from Calicut town centre is 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 |
| |
| Pazhassirajah Museum |
| Located at East Hill, the Pazhassirajah Museum, run by the State Archaeological Department, displays ancient mural paintings, antique bronzes and old coins as well as models of temples, megalithic monuments like dolmonoid cysts and the umbrella stones |
| |
| Krishna Menon Museum |
| The Krishna Menon Museum has a section in honour of the great Indian leader V.K Krishna Menon, whose personal belongings and souvenirs gifted to this world leader are exhibited here |
| |
| Kadalundi Bird Sanctury |
| The sanctury at Kadalundi is a Haven for migratory birds. Terns, Gulls, Herons, Sand pipers, Whimbrels and other such migratory birds flock from the month of November and returns only by the end of April. It is 25 kms. from Kozhikode. The ideal season to visit is from December to April in the early hours of the day |
| |
| Mananchira Square |
| A new attraction in the heart of the city, Mananchira Maithan, is the sublimation of the concept of a planned modern city. The historic maithan, adjacent to Manachira has been converted into an arcadia with beautiful trees and plants, artificial hill, shrubs, sculpture, an open air theatre and above all, a musical fountain. No doubt, locals and tourists seekings leisure and relief from the mad rush outside, find shelter here. Mananchira Maithan is managed by the Corporation of Kozhikode |
| |
| Kuttiadi |
| Twenty nine kms. from Vadakara, Kuttiadi acknowledged the supremacy of the Kottayam Raja, whose fortified palace stands on a hill. During the Pazhassi rebellion, Kuttiadi, which commanded one of the chief passes to Wayanad was of great strategic importance. In 1957, the shafts of two golden swords supposed to have been used by Pazhassi Raja were unearthed. Overlooking Kuttiadi and other regions is the 1758 m. height Banasura peak, named after the giant demon Banasura, who is supposed to have built a fort on the summit. Now the name of Kuttiadi connected with the Hydro-Electric project in Kuttiadi river basin |
| |
| Kallai |
| Kallai , once the the largest trading centre in Asia was a bustling nerve point of Calicut's timber trade .Today, though some business does take place, hard times have fallen on the timber trade and Kallai is just a shadow of its past |
| |
| Baypore |
| 11 kms from Kozhikode, is a small coastal town known for centuries as a ship building centre and still famous for its country crafts called "Uru" which are built by the traditional shipbuilders known as Khalasis. Beypore is still a favourite destination among the Arabs for buying of large boats.The Place was formerly known as Vaypura and Vadaparappanad. Tippu Sultan named the town "Sultan Pattanam" .It is one of the imporatant ports of Kerala and naturally an important trading centre.It is a major fishing harbour of kerala. There are two man made extensions to the sea to facilitate easy acces for fishing boats |
| |
| Thusharagiri |
| Thusharagiri is 48 kms. from Kozhikode and is one of the recently identified tourist centres. The waterfalls and streams amidst the hilly regions are really a feast to eyes |
| |
| Thacholi Manikkoth |
| A Kalari belonging to Thacholi Othenan, the legendary hero of the ballad of Malabar called "Vadakkan Pattu" can be seen at a short distance from Vadakara. A monument and Kalari still exists at this place which is 3 kms away from Vadakara. Every year martial arts festival is held in the month of March or April. There is a ruined fort in the town. Vadakara was the scene of many exploits of Thacholi Othenan, the hero of the ballads of north malabar. A cattle fair is also held during February at Vadakara |
| |
| Badagara (Vadakara) |
| A commercial centre of martial arts, Kalaripayattu, Badagara, 48 km from Calicut is also the birthplace of Thacholi Othenan, whose heroic deeds have been immortalised in the ballads of North Malabar |
