Kozhikode | Calicut University | Calicut Tourism
Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is a city in the northern part of the state of Kerala in southern India. Kozhikode is the headquarters of the Kozhikode district. Calicut has lush green forests, rivers, wildlife, hills, a unique culture and a warm friendly ambience makes it a wonderful city. There are a number of places worth visiting in Calicut.
Kozhikode has a population of 432,097 as per 2011 census, with an extended metropolitan population of about 1.0 million, making it the third largest urban agglomeration and the third largest city in Kerala.
During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Calicut was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District.
According to data compiled by economics research firm Indicus Analytics on residences, earnings and investments, Kozhikode ranked as the second best city in India to reside in. Indicus considered six parameters – health, education, environment, safety, public facilities and entertainment. Kozhikode was ranked eleventh among Tier-II Indian cities in job creation by a study conducted by ASSOCHAM in 2007.
Kozhikode Calicut Fact:
District Area | 3,061 sq.km |
City Area | 30.61 sq.km |
City Population | 4,19,531 |
District Population | 26,13,683 |
Climate | Tropical |
Altitude | Sea level |
Temperature | Summer - Max 35.0, Min 22.5 Winter - Max 32.0, Min 22.0 |
Clothing | Tropical Cottons |
Languages Spoken | Malayalam, English, Hindi |
Best time to Visit Calicut | September to May |
Rainfall | 254cm.(annual) |
Literacy | 100% |
Location | |
41,386 Hectare | |
Rivers | Mahe river, Murad river Korapuzha, Kallai river, Chaliyar |
STD Code | 0495 |
Geography of Calicut:
The city of Kozhikode is located 410 kilometres (255 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Kozhikode is located at approx. 11.25°N 75.77°E. It has an elevation of 1 metre (3 ft)along the coast with the city's eastern edges rising to at least 15 metre, with a sandy coastal belt and a lateritic midland. The city has a 15 km long shore line and small hills dot the terrain in the eastern and central regions. Kozhikode is one the five Municipal Corporations in Kerala. It became a Municipality on 3 July 1866. The regions' population was then 36,602 inhabiting an area of 28.48 km². It was later made a Municipal Corporation in 1962. Currently, the Corporation is spread over an area of 84.232 km². To the city's west is the Arabian Sea and from apprx. 60 km to east rises the Sahyadri Mountains.
A deep network of lakes, canals, estuaries and wetlands runs through the city. Prominent among these is the Canoli Canal built in 1848 to connect the Korapuzha river in the north to Kallayi river in the south. A vast system of wetland(mangrove) forests pervade the city from Kallai river to Eranjikkal in the north forming the most crucial lifeline of the city. The Kotooli wetlands are notable in this respect. In spite of the wetlands crucial role in maintenance of biodiversity, climatology balance, ground water table and in flood management, they have come under increasing threat due to callous management and self-serving commercial interests, compounded by an ignorance of their significance by the local population.
A number of rivers originating from the Sahyadri runs along the outer reaches of the city of Kozhikode. These include the Chaliyar puzha, Kallayi Puzha, Korapuzha river, Poonoor puzha(river), and Iravanjhi puzha. Of these, Kallai river that runs through the southern part of the city has been the most important culturally and historically for Kozhikode.
Climate of Calicut:
Kozhikode features a tropical monsoon climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city has a highly humid tropical climate with high temperatures recorded from March to May. A brief spell of pre-monsoon Mango showers hits the city sometime during April. However, the primary source of rain is the South-west monsoon that sets in the first week of June and continues till September. The city also receives significant precipitation from the North-East Monsoon that sets in from the second half of October through November. The average annual rainfall is 3,266 mm. The weather is ideal towards the end of the year from December and January until March when the skies are clear and the air is crisp. Winters are seldom cold. According to Climate Charts, 12 locations in India are cooler, 26 are warmer, 37 are dryer and only 1 is wetter[17] than Kozhikode. The highest temperature recorded was 39.4 °C in March 1975. The lowest was 14 °C recorded on 26 December 1975.
Civic administration Kozhikode:
The city is administered by the Kozhikode Corporation, headed by a mayor, and with its headquarters in Kozhikode.
Kozhikode has two assembly constituencies: Kozhikode North and Kozhikode South, both of which are part of Kozhikode (Lok Sabha constituency).
How to reach Calicut Kozhikode:
Calicut-Kozhikode is well linked by Air, Rail and Road network. There are direct flights to major cities in India from Calicut-Kozhikode. The city is also well linked by Rail and Road network.
Calicut Kozhikode by Road:
The city has a reasonably well-developed transport infrastructure. A large number of buses, predominantly run by individual owners, ply on the major routes within the city and to nearby locations.City buses are painted green.Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) runs regular services to many destinations within the state and to the neigbouring states . The city has three bus stands. All private buses to the suburban and nearby towns ply from the Palayam Bus Stand. Private buses to adjoining districts start from the Mofussil Bus Stand (New Bus Stand) on Indira Gandhi Road (Mavoor Road). Buses operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) ply from the KSRTC bus stand on the Indira Gandhi Road.
Private tour operators maintain regular luxury bus services to Mumbai, Bangalore, Ooty, Madurai etc. and mainly operate from the Palayam area.These are usually night services.
Calicut Kozhikode by Train:
Kozhikode has a number of express and ordinary trains connecting major cities and railway stations in India. The Kozhikode railway station is located south of the Manachira Square. The city is well connected by train with important places like Mangalore, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Coimbatore, Goa and Mumbai. Train timings and their destinations are available at the information center in each railway stations as well as in traveler’s guide published by Govt. and Private agencies.
Calicut Kozhikode by Air:
Calicut International Airport is located 22 km from the city at Karipur near Kondotty. Regular domestic services are operated to major Indian cities. There are frequent international flights to the Middle eastern air hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat.
Calicut airport:
Calicut International Airport, also known as Karipur Airport, is an International Airport serving the city of Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala, India. The airport is located in Karipur, Malappuram district about 28 km (17 mi) from the Kozhikode Railway Station and 25 km (16 mi) from the town of Malappuram, with the closest railway station being at Feroke. Air India Express has a base at the airport. It is the seventh busiest airport in the country in terms of international passenger traffic and the 12th busiest airport in India in terms of overall passenger traffic.
The airport was given the international airport status on 2 February 2006, thereby paving the way for the improvement of infrastructure for handling international flights. It is the third busiest airport in Kerala after Cochin International Airport and Trivandrum International Airport.
Calicut University:
Kozhikode About this sound pronunciation, also known as Calicut, is the third largest city in the southern state of Kerala in India with a population of 436,556 (2001). It is the headquarters of Kozhikode district, and was formerly the capital of an independent kingdom, and later of the erstwhile Malabar District. This city is famous as the place where Vasco da Gama, the first European to sail directly from Europe (from Lisbon, Portugal) to India, landed in 1498.
Kozhikode is home to two premier educational institutions of national importance- the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, and the National Institute of Technology, Calicut (NITC). Some of the other major institutes in Kozhikode are the University of Calicut, Calicut Medical College, College of Nursing, Calicut, (CUIET), Government Engineering College (GEC), Malabar Christian College, Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College, St. Joseph's College, Devagiri, Farook College, Government Arts and Science College, Providence Women's College, Government Homeopathic Medical College, Government Law College, Government College of Teacher Education, Kerala School of Mathematics, DOEACC Calicut, formerly known as CEDTI etc.
List of Calicut University and Educational Institutions:
Colleges of Calicut Kozhikode:
- Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode (or Calicut): One of the six Indian Institutes of Management, IIM Kozhikode's spectacular campus has earned it the epithet "God's Own Campus".
- Calicut Medical College: One of the most prestigious medical institutions in India. The Institution recently made headlines by publishing the Calicut Medical Journal, the premier Open Access Medical Journal in India. Under Calicut Medical College there are two more medical institutes, Government Dental College and Government College of Nursing. (Calicut Medical College).
- National Institute of Technology (NIT): One of the most renowned engineering institutions in India. Formerly known as Regional Engineering College (REC) and was formerly affiliated to University of Calicut, it is now an Institute of National Importance like IITs, AIIMS. (National Institute of Technology Calicut Home Page)
- Calicut University Institute of Engineering and Technology (CUIET): The engineering institution directly under university of Calicut.
- Government Engineering College (GEC), Kozhikode: It is one among the prestigious engineering institutions under the department of Technical Education, Kerala. GEC has been rated consistently among the top technical institutes in kerala, with students admitted purely on the basis of merit.(Government Engineering College (GEC), Kozhikode Home Page)
- Kerala Government Polytechnic College : This is the first polytechnic college in Kerala. Established by madhrass Gvt: on 1942. At that time this is known as industrial school. The 3 year Diploma course's available ara Mechanical engineering, Tool & Die engineering, Electrical & electronic engineering, civil engineering, Computer technology, & chemical engineering. this is affiliated to Board of technical examinations, Kerala. website : www.kgptc.org
- Malabar Christian College: One of the most renowned co-ed institutions in the city. It is affiliated to University of Calicut and accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), and offers a variety of degree and post graduate courses in various streams. The college also offers some enrichment courses in personality development, German translation, copy writing and editing, computers, etc.
- Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College: One of the oldest colleges in the country, founded by Zamorins of Calicut in 1877. This co-ed college offers under graduate and post graduate courses in a variety of streams. The college is affiliated to the University of Calicut and is accredited by NAAC. (Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College).
- St. Joseph's College, Devagiri: A prestigious arts and science college, accredited by the NAAC with a grade A. Apart from regular under graduate and post graduate courses in various streams, DOEACC courses, self financing courses (affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala), and ICWAI foundation course are also conducted.
- Farook College, Calicut: The only College in Calicut University to be recognised as a Center of Excellence by the UGC and accredited at 5 star level by NAAC.
- Rouzathul Uloom Arabic College, Farook College P.O., Calicut: The first Post Graduate Arabic College in Kerala included under Section 2(f) & 12B by the UGC, New Delhi (www.ruacollege.org).
- Government Arts and Science College: The college is affiliated to the University of Calicut and is accredited by the NAAC. This is a co-ed college offering under graduate and post graduate courses in various streams.
- Providence Women's College: The most sought-after women's educational institute in the city, this college is affiliated to the University of Calicut and is accredited by NAAC. The college offers under graduate and post graduate courses in various streams apart from a list of UGC approved add-on and certificate programs.
- Government Homeopathic Medical College
- Government Law College: The Government Law College, Calicut is affiliated to University of Calicut, and is approved by The Bar Council of India. The College offers LL.B. and LL.M. courses. It was the first law college for the entire northern part of Kerala State.
- Government College of Teacher Education
- Sree Narayana Guru College, Chelannur
- Government Polytechnic
- KMCT College of Engineering Manassery
- AWH Engineering College Kuttikattor
- JDT Islam College Vellimadukunnu
- IHRD College Thiruvambady
- Markaz - The Group of Educational Institutions, Karanthur, Calicut.
- Govt college, Mokeri
Major Schools in Calicut:
Following are some of the major Schools in Calicut.
- Veda Vyasa Vidyalayam, Malaparambu, Calicut.
- St Michael's Girls' High School, Westhill, Calicut-5.
- Silver Hills Higher Secondary School, Paroppady, Calicut.
- St. Joseph's Anglo Indian Girls' Higher Secondary School, Convent Road, Calicut.
- Kendriya Vidyalaya No.1, East Hill, Kozhikode.
- Kendriya Vidyalaya No.2, Govindapuram, Kozhikode.
- St. Joseph's Boys' Higher Secondary School, Calicut: A school that has a history of 214 years.
- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Bhavans), Chevayur, Calicut.
- Presentation Higher Secondary School, Chevayur, Calicut.
- Chinmaya Vidyalaya Thondayadu, Calicut. Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kozhikode
- Spring Valley School, NIT, Calicut.
- Hill Top Public School, Calicut.
- Govt. Ganapath High School for Boys, Chalappuram, Calicut.
- Medical College Campus Government Higher Secondary School, Medical College, Calicut.
- Infant Jesus Thiruvambady
- Technical HSS Thamarassery
- Sacred Heart HSS Thiruvambady
- Devagiri CMI Public School, Devagiri, Calicut.
- Savio Higher Secondary School, Devagiri, Calicut.
- Govt. Ganapath Girls Higher Secondary School, Chalappuram, Kozhikode 2.
- Govt.Ganapath Boys High School,Chalappuram,Kozhikode.
- Amritha Vidyalaya, Vellimaadukunnu, Calicut.
- Rahmania Higher Secondary School, Medical College, Calicut.
- Providence Higher Secondary School, Nadakkavu, Calicut.
- Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary School, Nadakkavu, Kozhikode.
- BEM Girls Higher Secondary School, Mananchira, Calicut.
- Govt. Model Higher Secondary School, Mananchira, Calicut.
- Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary School, Meenchanda, Calicut.
- NSS Higher Secondary School, Meenchanda, Calicut.
- RK Mission High School, Meenchanda, Kozhikode.
- Venerini, Karikallai (Feroke), Calicut.
- AMHS Poovambayi (Aided Mappila High School), Calicut.
- Kiliynad school, Asokapuram, Calicut.
- Imayat Higher Secondary School, Silk Street, Calicut.
- Zamorins Higher Secondary School, Calicut.
- Crescent Public School, Koya Road, Calicut.
- Kuttichira Higher Secondary School, Kuttichira, Calicut.
- MM Higher Secondary School, Idiyangara, Calicut.
- Govt. Achudhan Girl's High School, Chalappuram, Calicut.
- Malabar Christian College High School, Calicut.
- St. Mary's E.M. School, Chevarambalam, Calicut.
- Calicut HSS for the Handicapped, Kolathara, Kozhikode.
- Calicut Islamic Residential Higher Secondary School, Mathara, Pantheerankavu.
- National HSS, Vattoli.
- GHS School, Kolathoor, Atholy.
- Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary School, Atholy.
- Akkal LVLP School, Kayakkodi.
- Holy Family High School, Kattippara.
- Government Higher Secondary School, EastHill.
- Government Higher Secondary School, Pannur, Kizhakoth.
- Government Higher Secondary SChool, Koduvally.
- Government Vocational Higher Secondary SChool, Thamarassery.
- Muhammed Ali Jowhar Higher Secondary School, Elettil.
- MMAUP School, Avilora, Koduvally.
- Auxilium Nava Jyoti ISC School, Kunnamangalam.
- GUPS Padinhattummuri
Research institutes Kozhikode Calicut:
There are a few research institutes located in or around the city. These include the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Western Ghats Field Research Station (Zoological Survey of India) and the Regional Filaria Training and Research Centre (a centre of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases).
Calicut Kozhikode Tourism:
Kozhikode Beach:
The beach is the most popular retreat for locals. In spite of beautification works and lax coastal management, it remains unexploited and visually pleasing. This shore has been a witness to many historic events, including pitched naval battles and the arrival of ships from distant lands. Uddanda, the Sanskrit poet in Zamorin's court, said: "The ocean, the father of the goddess of riches [Indira is a synonym of Lakshmi] seeing that his daughter has settled down in Kukkatakroda [Sanskrit for Kozhikode], is embracing the place, presenting it with shipful of jewels". Several national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Indira Gandhi and Krishna Menon have addressed people here. The 'Beach Road' was renamed Gandhi Road from Evan's Road after Mahatma Gandhi's visit in January 1934. Two dilapidated piers can be seen extending into the sea. The 'Iron Screw-pile' pier to the north was built in 1871, 400 ft long (120 m) with a 'T' end. Numerous cranes on these piers once loaded spices and other goods destined to foreign ports like Aden, Genoa, Oslo, London, Bremen, Hamburg, New York etc. Near the northern pier is a park maintained by the Lions club, a children's park, the lighthouse with a seafarer's memorial and a marine aquarium. Further north to the Lions' Park is a dirty fishing area where once was located a French Loge with factories and French settlements. Near the south pier is a place called 'Horse's Jumping Point' where horses brought from Gujarat and Arabia were made to jump into the water, swim and would gallop along the shore and be displayed for sale. The beach offers a pleasant view at times of fishermen entering the sea with their tiny boats, fighting the waves and returning with their catch.
Veliyangadi (big bazaar):
Veliyangadi is not a typical 'place of interest' one would want to visit. The noise, rush and heat of this narrow lane would test any visitors' mettle. Nevertheless, not many streets can boast a 600-year-old history[8] and still be functioning as one of the main commercial centre of a city. In spite of creeping signs of modernity over hundreds of years, this crowded part of the city offers the best chance to visualize daily life at a commercial hub in medieval Calicut. Muslim, Jain and Hindu seths, Gujarathi and Marwari moneylenders and Tamil and Andhra Chettis can be seen busy with their businesses, as they did for centuries. Merchants and accountants still use a unique system of finger-code language as noted by Ma Huang of Zheng He's fleet in 1403. The legend has it that the First Secretary of the Zamorin, Mangat Achan, after a long penance had the goddess of wealth Lakshmi appear before him. He then made her promise to wait until he returned but went home and committed suicide. Unable to break her promise, it is said, Lakshmi stayed permanently in Veliyangadi.
Mananchira and nearby institutions:
Mananchira is a large tank in the heart of the city. Mananchira or Mana Vikraman Tank (Manan or Mana Vikraman being the Coronation name of the Zamorins) seems to have been the drinking water source for the entire Palace complex (previously located at the Kottaparambu Women and Children Hospital). Surrounding the Mananchira are several important institutions. The Town Hall was constructed in 1891 by the salt merchants (previously called Salt Abkari Town Hall) and has been an important stage for several popular agitations and ceremonies during the freedom movement and thereafter. The Pattalapalli or 'Military Mosque' was originally built for the Mysore soldiers who had surrounded the Palace during the 'Mysore invasion'. The Comtrust Textile Factory (previously the Commonwealth Weaving Factory) was established in 1884 by the Basel Mission from Germany. To the western side of Mananchira is located the C.S.I. Church, Basel Mission Complex and the BEM (Basel Evangelical Mission) Girls' School (1848). Once the main courtyard of the Zamorin Ruler's palace, the Mananchira ground along with the older Ansari Park (named after the freedom fighter Ansari) has been developed into a well- maintained park called 'Mananchira Square'. It has a green carpet lawn fenced with laterite- sculpted walls. The entire complex is circled by 250 lamp posts designed in 'colonial' style. The 'Square' has an artificial stream, a musical fountain, an open-air theatre and a music stage.
SM Street:
S.M. Street is a buzzing shopping and commercial lane immediately north of Mananchira Square. The name Sweetmeat is thought to have been derived from a kind of sweet (locally called 'Halwa') which was called 'Sweetmeat' by European traders. S.M. street, like the lanes of Veliyangadi, is about 600 years old and was most likely occupied by the residences and shops of sweet manufacturers from Gujarath. A now-abandoned Parsi cemetery called Anjuman, most likely built in the 17th century, is located here and finds mention in William Logan's Malabar.
Sarovaram Park:
Sarovaram is an eco-friendly development adjacent to Canoly Canal. The project has been developed with an eco-friendly theme and the construction has been done in traditional Kerala style. It is one of the more popular spots in the city to spend an evening.
Tali Siva Temple:
The Tali Siva temple was one of the two Brahmanical royal temples patronized by the Zamorin (the other being the Valayanaattu Kavu) and to this day remains one of the most important spiritual and cultural centres in Kozhikode. The temple's date of origin is uncertain but was most likely built during the foundation of the city itself in the 12th century or before. The temple is surrounded by gigantic walls of 'elephant belly' (aana palla) type with broad base and narrower neck at the top. One of the two tanks attached to the temple can be seen to the right. The temple hosts the annual 'competition for scholars' called Revathi Pattathanam attended by eminent scholars and philophers of Bharatiya Mimamsa, Prabhakara Mimamsa, Vedanta Mimamsa and Vyakarana. The temple was also the site for the famous anti-caste agitation of 1911 organized by Krishna Vakil (editor of Mitavadi) and advocate Manjeri Rama Ayyar for the rights of 'low-caste' people to use the road between the tank and the temple.
Panniyankara Bhagavati Temple:
The Bhagavaty temple on a hillock on the southern side of Kallayi river is one of the two pre-Calicut temples known to historians, built at least two centuries before the foundation of the city. This area must have come under the territory of Porlathiri during the reign of Ceraman Perumal. It is a typical Chera period structure with a square garbhagriha and mandapa and probably had a currambalam and prakara (outer walls) that are no more. Two granite slabs dating to the 10–11th century AD were recovered recently carrying three inscriptions in Vattezhuthu, an old Malayalam language. One is a record of a land grant of the Chera king Ravi Kota, who was coronated in 1021 AD. Mentioned in the inscription are functionaries like Adhikarar (officials), Alkoyil (king's representative) and Poduval (temple secretary) and avirodham (a system of unanimous resolution), kalam (an old measure), etc. The second inscription dating back to 883–913 AD records a decision by the Taliyar and Tali Adhikarikal of 'Panriyankarai' to conduct seven Tiruvakkiram (sacred feast) at the shrine of Patari (female deity). The third inscription records a unanimous decision to transfer some land belonging to the daughter of the Chief Queen of Cheraman Perumal for the conduct of Tiru amritu (sacred feast).
Thiruvannur Siva Temple:
This ancient and beautiful Siva temple has an apsidal garbhagriha, decorated with typical Chola pillars and pilasters, panjaras and vyalimukhas. The central shrine has escaped any repair or change and is relatively well preserved. An inscription unearthed records a land grant given to Tirumannur Patarakar in the eighth regnal year of Raja Raja Chera. The record has been dated to 1044 AD. The deity appears to have been a Jain Tirthankara (since the rules of Thirukkunavaye, the premier Jain shrine of Kerala in Kodungalloor, are cited in the punitive clauses). The Jain temple must have been converted into a Siva temples sometime in the 11th century before the arrival of the Zamorins. The apsidal shrine and other features are attributable to this period.
Kappad Beach:
Kappad (Kappakkadavu) Beach is located 16 km to the north of Kozhikode along the Kannur road at Tiruvangoor. Apart from the fact that it is a beautiful rocky beach with high potential for tourism, it is the site where Vasco Da Gama landed on 27 May 1498 with three vessels and 170 men. A monument erected here commemorates this event. An ancient temple on a hillock, facing the sea, is an added attraction.
Beypore:
Beypore is a small port town situated 10 km south of Calicut at the mouth of Chaliyar river. Beypore is famous for its ancient shipbuilding industry that constructed the Uru, trading vessels more popular during the medieval periods and still used by the Arabs and others for commerce and tours. The place was formerly known as Vaypura and Vadaparappanad. Tippu Sultan named the town "Sultan Pattanam". It is one of the important ports of Kerala and has been an major trading centre for 1.061centuries. The dilapidated Kovilakam (palace) of the Parappanad Rajas and a small Basheer Museum (former house of the writer Vaikom Muhammad Basheer) can be found here. Towards the sea shore is a big complex that includes a port, a boat yard, a fish landing platform, breakwater project, marine ware shop, ship- breaking unit, etc. There are two man-made extensions to the sea to facilitate easy access for fishing boats. The 2 km breakwater made of stone is another attraction. The Beypore lighthouse is located to the south of the Chaliyar.
Other places of interest at Kozhikode Calicut:
- Art gallery and Krishna Menon Museum at East Hill, Kozhikode
- Kadalundi Bio Reserve, home to various migratory birds
- Lalitha Kala Academy, behind town hall, Kozhikode
- Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
- Mishkal Mosque, a historic Mosque built 650 years ago
- Lokanarkavu Temple, a temple dedicated to the goddess Durga, is situated at Memunda. The temple is 4 km from vadakara. It is often associated with the martial art Kalarippayattu.
- Thusharagiri Falls: A waterfall situated about 55 km from Calicut Railway Station
- Kozhippara waterfalls is located at the eastern side of the district and offers a good trekking experience
- Sultan Battery: The major hill station of Malabar. Distance to Sultan Battery 98 km.
- Peruvannamuzhi dam : There are boat services and a crocodile sanctuary. The Experimental Farm of the Indian Institute of Spices Research which maintains large collections of black pepper, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon and garcinia is also located here.
- Kakkayam dam and hydroelectric power station. Also an ideal location for treks.
Culture of Kozhikode Calicut:
In the field of Malayalam language and literature, Kozhikode has made many significant contributions. The district is famous for folk songs or ballads known as Vadakkan Pattukal. The most popular songs among them are those which celebrate the exploits of Thacholi Othenan and Unniyarcha. The famous intellectual debate for Vedic scholars to win the coveted position of Pattathanam takes place at Thali temple during the month of Thulam. Kozhikode also has strong associations with ghazals and football.
The city has a strong mercantile streak to it. The main area of business was once 'Valiyangadi' (Big Bazaar) near the railway station. As time progressed, it shifted to other parts of the city. These days, the commercial heart has moved to Mittai Theruvu (Sweet Meat Street), a long street crammed with shops that sell everything from saris to cosmetics. It also houses restaurants and sweetmeat shops. The name Mittai Theruvu or S.M. Street comes from the famous Kozhikode Halwa which was often called Sweet Meat.[33] The multicultural mix of Kozhikode ensures that Onam, Christmas and Id-ul-Fitr (the festivals of the Hindus, Christians, and Muslims respectively) are celebrated with equal pomp.
Kozhikode Calicut Cuisine:
Kozhikode offers fare to suit every palate. Vegetarian fare includes the sadya. The non-vegetarian food offered in the city is a unique mix of Muslim and Hindu preparations. Some popular dishes include the Biriyani, ghee rice with meat curry, seafood (prawns, mussels, mackerel) and paper-thin Pathiris to provide accompaniment to spicy gravy. Another well-known Kozhikode specialty is banana chips, which are made crisp and wafer-thin. The 'Kozhikode Halwa' is very popular, even overseas.
History of Kozhikode:
The city of Kozhikode was founded on a marshy tract along the Arabian coast in 1034 AD. Following the collapse of the powerful Chera Kingdom, several of its chieftains proclaimed independence. One of the more powerful of these chieftains was the Eradis of Nediyirippu.The city was established by the Eradis after a prolonged battle with the Porlathiris of Polanad. Access to the sea helped the Eradi chief, who was by now called the Saamoothiri (Zamorin), develop the city into one of the major trading centres of the Eastern world abounding in a wide variety of goods like pepper, textiles, lac, ginger, cinnamon, myrobalans, and zedoary. Vessels of various sizes from around the world, like the junk, arrived on the shores of Calicut. About two centuries later, a Portuguese naval fleet arrived in Calicut in May 1498 led by Vasco da Gama, initiating a new chapter in the European interactions with this region. The Portuguese failed to secure any valuable treaty with the Zamorin and came into direct conflict with the Arab merchants and the Zamorin himself. A Dutch fleet led by Steven van der Hagen arrived in Calicut in November 1604 and marked the beginning of the Dutch presence on the Indian coast. The Dutch had a more favourable relation with the Calicut and were provided greater participation in the ongoing trade. The British reached Calicut in 1615, led by Captain William Keeling.
By 1663, the power of the Portuguese dwindled, shifting their interests to thriving Goa. The Dutch saw their final days in 1795 when the British forces attacked the Dutch at Cochin as part of the larger French Revolutionary Wars. A brief period of attacks emerged from the Mysore state under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan from February 1766 as they desperately sought to capture the flourishing trading ports of Malabar for strategic interests. The Mysorean interlude ended in 1792 following their defeat by British forces. Kozhikode remained the headquarters of the Malabar district under Madras state. After Indian Independence in 1947, Madras Presidency became the Madras State. In 1956 when the Indian states were reorganized along linguistic lines, Malabar District was combined with the state of Travancore-Cochin to form the new state of Kerala on 1 November 1956. Malabar District was split into the districts of Kannur, Kozhikode, and Palakkad on 1 January 1957.
Hotels in Calicut:
- Sea Queen Hotel
- Taj Residency
- Kadavu Resorts
- Hotel Malabar Palace
- Fortune Hotel
- Malabar Mansion
- Calicut Towers
- Hotel Hyson Heritage
- Alakapuri Guest House
- calicut beach hotel
- Sagar Hotel
- sagar hotel calicut
- kovalam hotels
Restaurants in Calicut:
- Woodlands
- Dakshin
- Ruchi
- Taj Residency (Multi Cuisine Restaurant)
- Khyber
- Malabar Court
- Mammas and Pappas
- Park Restaurant
- India Coffee House
- India Coffee House
- Malabar Mansion
- Paramount Tower Hotel
- Hotel Alakapuri
- Royal Cakes
