Travel destination in India, Kozhikode (Calicut)

 

General Information about KOZHIKODE


Kozhikode :
Area : 30.61 sq km (city area)
Altitude: Sea level
Literacy : 92%
Languages : Malayalam, English, Hindi and Tamil
Best Time to Visit : October to March
Capital: Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
STD Code : 0495
About Kozhikode

There is not much known of the early history of Calicut except for some prehistoric rock-cut caves that have been found at many places of the district. During the Sangam age, the district was under the Chera administration until ad 1122. This was the time when this region was a major center of trade between Kerala and the outside world. The city of Calicut came into existence in the 13th century when Udaiyavar, the king of Ernad, conquered the area around Ponniankar and built a fort at a place called Velapuram, now known as Calicut. Interestingly, the name Calicut is derived from ‘calico,’ the fine variety of hand-woven cotton cloth said to have originated from this place.

The outer world came to know about India in 1498 when Vasco da Gama came to Calicut and obtained permission to carry out trade from here. Quickly in succession came the English and Dutch. Disputes over the control of Calicut continued for a long time until 1792, when the East India Company went into an agreement with the local Zamori rulers to directly administer this area. Kerala was declared a state in 1956, and Calicut today is one of the most important centers of trade and business in this progressive state.

HOW TO REACH

By Air : Calicut airport 29 Km from Calicut (Kozhikode) city.

By Rail : Kozhikode Railway station. All Kerala-bound trains on Konkan line stops in Kozhikode. Services to Chennai, Coimbathore also. Vadakara, Koilandi are other stops in the district.

By Road : Three National Highways connect Kozhikode with destinations elsewhere in the country. N H 17 on Western coast connects the city with Mumbai, Mangalore and Goa. N H 213 (Kozhikode-Palakkad) gives a fast track to Tamilnadu. N H 212( Kozhikode- Kollegal, Mysore) winds its way through Wayanad district before entering the stipulated Mysore- Bangalore Express Highway in Mysore. KSRTC operates round- the-clock services to Southern Kerala, Wayanad district, Mysore and Bangalore. A few services to Kannur, Kasargode, Mangalore, Coimbathore and Ootty

PLACES TO VISIT IN KOZHIKODE

Krishna Menon Museum : Krishna Menon Museum situated at East Hill is five km by bus from the Railway station / city bus station. Lying adjacent to pazhassi raja Museum, a store house of knowledge.

Beach : 1.5 Km from the city. A place to spend your evening. The sea piers almost 125 years old extending well inside the sea are specialty. The Lions Club Childrens Park along with the nearby ice-cream parlours make evenings pleasant for visiting families. Fishermen with their small rowing boats entering the sea, fighting the waves and returning with varieties of fish is worth watching.

Dolphin's Point : Here one can see in the early hours of the morning dolphins playing in the sea. The beach, 2 km from Calicut town centre is along stretch of tree lined sand 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.

Malabar House Boats : For luxury boating and exploring pristine back waters of Kozhikode, House Boats can be availed. The novel concept and excellent hospitality in this floating palace is worth enjoying, with family and friends. These are the first fully newly built House Boats of Kerala. These are stationed at Purakkattiri, close to Purakkattiri Bridge on Ullery - Perambra road. 10 kms. from Kozhikode.

Lokanarkavu Temple : The Lokanarkavu Temple is 5km from vbatakara, 20km south of Mahe. This serene temple complex has three temples; one to Durga-the main diety, one to Siva and the other to Vishnu. All the temples are open to Hindus only. The Siva Temple contains vivid paintings, which are replicated wooden carvings at the entrance.

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary : The sanctuary 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. BEYPORE It is one of the important ports and fishing harbor. Ancient Beypore had been the centre of ship building industry where merchants from West Asia and Middle East regularly placed orders for huge wooden crafts, locally called as URU's. This art is a mnemonic tradition of almost 1500 yrs old. It is 15 kms. from Kozhikode, City buses are available.

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