The abundant green district teems with serene beaches, verdant hills, wildlife sanctuaries and historic sites. It occupies an important position in Indian history, as well as in the world history as Vasco Da Gama, the great Portuguese navigator, landed at Kappad in 1498 and discovered the sea route to India. This marked the advent of European powers in India. This historical town was the capital of powerful Zamorins.The natural beauty and prosperity of the town attracted travelers from all over the world. Chinese were the first to establish commercial contact with Kozhikode.The famous traveler Ibn Batuta (1342-47A.D.) notes-“We came to Kalikut, one of the great ports of the district of Malabar, and in which merchants of all parts are found”. Several other travelers who visited Calicut described it as a notable emporium of India.
Kozhikode is an industrially developed district. It is well known for the timber industry. The traditional industries of the district include handloom, coir, cashew, bricks, tiles and handicrafts. The tiles from Kozhikode district are famous all over the country and are also exported.Agriculutre is the mainstay of districts economy. The main crops grown are coffee, tea, rubber, pepper, coconut, arecanut, tapioca, sugarcane etc.An agricultural research station at Koothali and the coconut nursery at Thikkodi are the important institutions of their kind.
The beach is a picture of beauty and serenity. An old light house and the two crumbling piers add to the beauty of the beach. It is also a favourite sunset point. The Lions Park and -the Marine Water Aquarium provides entertainment facilities on the beach.
A novel attraction in the heart of the city, Mananchira Maidan is the sublimation of the concept of a planned modern city. The historic maidan has been converted into an arcadia with beautiful trees and plants, artificial hills, sculptures, an open air theatre and a musical fountain.
Here one can see in the early hours of the morning dolphins playing in the sea. The beach, 2km from Calicut town centre is a long stretch of tree-lined sand popular with the local people because of the Lions Club Park, Marine Water Aquarium the light house and the two piers- and of course, the opportunity to soak in the evening breeze.
This port town and trading centre at the mouth of the Chaliyar river is 10km, from Kozhikode.It was previously known as Vaypura and Vadaparappanad, while Tipu Sultan of Mysore re-named it as “Sultan Pattanam”.Beypore is known for it’s ship building yard where mammoth country crafts known as “Urus” are built by the traditional shipbuilders known as Khalasis.Beypore is still a favourite destination among Arabs shopping for large boats.
This town on the Kozhikode- Quilandi route is famous for the Kathakali Vidyalayam, a training centre for Kathakali dance.Kathakali classes are held on weekends and special performances are arranged on request.
Here is the cradle of tile industry. The town alone has more than a dozen tile factories. The rapid rivers from the Western Ghats bring clay along with them which is the raw- material for tiles, pottery and ceramic wares.
The thickly forested region is the boundary to Wayand district. The section is 44km.from Kozhikode and is popularly known as the “Cheerapunji of Kerala”, as it receives very high rainfall. The lush forests stretch up to 14km, over a number of hills. The splendid scenic view from the hills is simply breathtaking.
It was once the second largest timber trading centre in Asia. A steel bridge built here by the British is still in good condition.
This historic beach town is about 16km north of Kozhikode.On 27th May 1498, Vasco da Gama from Portugal landed here with three vessels and 170 men. A monument is erected here to commemorate the historical landing. An ancient temple on a hillock, facing the deep sea, is an added attraction.
It lies 25km from Kozhikode and is a treat for bird watchers. Thousands of migratory birds like terns, gulls, herons, sandpipers, whimbrels etc.gather here during the breeding season which starts from November and return back in April.
This picturesque damsite is about 45km. from Kozhikode. The scenic landscape teems with exotic wildlife and is also considered ideal for trekking and rock climbing.
It is located at East Hill, 5km from Kozhikode.The museum houses copies of ancient mural paintings, antique bronzes, old coins, models of temples, megalithic monuments like dolmonoid cysts, umbrella stones etc.
It is situated adjacent to the Pazhassi Rajah Museum, the art gallery house paintings of Raja Ravi Varma among other collections. The museum has a section dedicated to the great Indian leader V.K.Krishna Menon, whose personal belongings are displayed here.
A commercial centre of martial arts, Kalaripayattu.Badagara, 48km from Calicut is also the birthplace of Tacholi Othenan, whose heroic deeds has been immortalized in the ballads of North Malabar.Lokanarkavu Bhagavathy Temple, is situated here, 5km from Badgara town. It is around 1500 year’s old temple. The candid murals and carvings here are a delight to art lovers.
Vellarimala in the hilly reaches of Kozhikode district is a pristine not crowded by the tourists. The place is ideal for relaxing, taking your spirits through the meandering natural beauties from dawn to dusk. The Kanjirapuzha, tributary of the Chaliar River takes a winding path through rocky terrain forming attractive waterfalls at many points. One can undertake an adventurous trekking trip and reach Chandakkunnu near Nilambur in Malappuram district where the Kanjirapuzha joins the Chaliyar.
Lying 50km east of Kozhikode, Thusharagiri is a little known tribal tourist spot in Kerala.Two streams originating from the Western Ghats meet here to from the Challipuzha River. The river diverges into three waterfalls creating a snowy spray which gives the name Thusharagiri or the “Snowy Peak”. A 5km trek upstream will rake you to the stream’s origin. Of the three, the highest waterfall is the Thenpara that drops 75meters.
This is the birth place of Kunjali Marikkar, who commanded the Zamorin’s fleet and held the Portuguese vessels at bay for a 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 Archeology.
The architecture of the old mosque in Kozhikode bear great resemblance to the typical Hindu temple complex with pillars, ventilators and huge tanks as well as stylized floral carvings and geometric designs. The stone inscriptions found in the Muccanti Mosque at Kuttichira reveal an interesting aspect in the history of the Zamorins of Kozhikode and their patronage of Islam in Kerala.Mishkal Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in the city. This 4 storeyed structure is supported by wooden pillars.
The Tali Temple is a fine example of the total integration that can exist between wood and laterite, which is a remarkable feature of the Kerala style of architecture. This temple was built in the 14th Century by Swamy Thirumulpad, the Zamorin and was the venue of Revathy Pattathanam, the annual cultural and intellectual event.
This church builds around 1513 AD. Is the only one of its kind in Kerala and is built in the Roman architecture style. This is a famous pilgrim centre and here a portrait of St.Mary more than 200years old can be seen.
