Kozhikode - The Essential Travel Checklist

Kozhikode – The Essential Travel Checklist

Kozhikode, widely recognized as Calicut, is renowned for flavorful spice orchards, beautiful coastlines, scenic villages, and welcoming people. It is often identified as the place in which the world-famous navigator, Vasco Da Gama, initially set foot in India. This is the third biggest town in Kerala as well as the administrative centre of the Kozhikode District. This city has several other names: the Arabs called it Kalikat, and the Chinese called it Kalifo. During his conquering of Malabar, Tipu Sultan vainly attempted to alter the city’s title to Firozabad. Kozhikode has always been favoured by Malayalis.

The city was ruled by the Cheras until 1122 AD and had been a port city on the Ancient Silk Road, and market traders from Arabia, Persia, and later Europe regularly visited it. Calicut was originally established in the 1400s when Ernad Ruler Udaiyavar successfully invaded the region around Ponniankar and constructed a tower at a place known as Velapuram, which today is Calicut. Kozhikode was the headquarters of the Zamorin royals up until it was incorporated into the Madras region by the British. This city’s former name inspired the English term calico, which refers to cotton fabric.

Kozhikode does provide a myriad of activities for vacationers to participate in during their visit to this absolutely incredible tourist attraction. Everything there is about Kozhikode is unique, right from its historical past to its culture. The town is well-known for its picturesque rural areas, gorgeous beaches, heritage landmarks, serene backwaters, conservation areas, waterways, wood manufacturing sector, naturopathy, and shipbuilding.

How to Get there

By Air: Kozhikode/Karipur International Airport is 27 kilometres away, and Kannur International Airport is 93 kilometres away. Calicut Airport is situated 26 kilometres (16 miles) from the town of Karipur, Kondotty, Malappuram district. It first opened its doors in 1988. Domestic flights are available to important Indian urban centres.

By Road: National and state highways connect the city well. Buses, mostly operated by individual owners, run roads inside the town as well as to neighbouring areas. Green is the colour of city buses. The Kerala State Road Transportation Corporation (KSRTC) operates regular services to numerous destinations throughout the state and in neighbouring states. There are three bus stops in the city. The Palayam Bus Stand is the starting point for all privately owned bus services to the suburbs and neighbouring towns.

By Rail: There are regular trains running from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Places to Visit

1. Kappad Beach – Vasco da Gama touched down on Kappad Beach from Europe in 1498. There is a remembrance pillar as well as a park. There are many open-air showering facilities, as well as view towers. The walkway has been beautifully refurbished. Another part of the attraction is a prehistoric temple on a cliffside that overlooks the ocean.

2. **Elathur** – A lovely riverfront fishing village including a lagoon (12 km). Vallikkattu Kavu is a 27-acre holy grove in a swamp close to Elathur called Edakkara. Primates, peacocks, boars, porcupines, wild hens, various types of insects, and also many ornamental plant species can be found here.

3. Sarovaram Biopark – The 200-acre property includes canal walking paths, water sports services, an Otter Park, as well as a Butterfly Park. The exterior section is intricately tiled and illuminated.

4. Marad Beach and Gotheeswaram Beach Temple

5. Beypore Beach: This coast is the commercial heart of the shipbuilding sector, which has been in operation for over 1,500 years. It is also historically significant because it served as an important trading harbour as well as a seafaring centre. For the accessibility of fishing boats, the beach does have two artificial extensions into the waters.

6. Jain Derasar – It is a Jain temple. Within the main complex, there are two temples, one of which is upwards of 2500 years in antiquity and has over 1000 pillars.

7. Kuttichira Mishkal Masjid (2 km). 600-year-old building A lovely pond surrounded by historic structures. Only viewed through the other end of the pool of water is the masjid extremely stunning. This four-story place of worship is pretty much entirely constructed out of wood. The masjid lacks a rotating cupola as well as minarets and resembles a Hindu temple. Perhaps the architectural style of Kerala’s temples impacted the structure of old Islamic architecture in Kerala, which have gopuram-style entryways arches but no minarets. Non-Muslims will be required to obtain a special permit to access the masjid.

8. Nature lovers and photographers will enjoy the Lion’s Park, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, and the Marine Water Aquarium, in addition to the VellariMala, Thusharagiri Falls, and the Peruvannamuzhi Dam.

Best time to Visit

Winter lasts from October through early February. Throughout this period, the weather would become extremely delightful. The temperature falls to 15 degrees Celsius at night. It is the ideal time to go travelling in Kozhikode. Be sure to pack adequate rain clothes and umbrellas if you’re planning to travel during the monsoon months of June to September.