Calicut or Kozhikode is situated in the south Indian state of Kerala on the southwest coast of the Arabian Sea. The busy coastal city of Kozhikode / Calicut, holds an important place in the legend and history of Kerala. The place is historically famous as the Portuguese led by Vasco da Gama first landed in India, at Kappad near Kozhikode in 1498 AD. He was the first European to reach India via the sea route, around the southern cape of Africa. Later the Dutch, French and British came for trade to the shores of Calicut. Kozhikode (Calicut) was the capital of the powerful Zamorins. This ancient commercial town of Kerala still maintains its commercial traditions. |
| SHOPPING: S.M. Street is the busiest shopping area in the city of Calicut (Kerala) and famous for its innumerable sweetshops. Those willing to see or buy the traditional boats of Kerala should go to Beypore, which is barely half an hour's journey from Calicut (Kerala). |
| CLIMATE: Tropical. Rainfall: 254 cm (Annual). Mean Max: 32.0 ?C ; Mean Min: 22.5?C |
EXCURSION:
There are a number of excursion options from Calicut. Beypore is 11 km from Calicut. It is a small coastal town known for its shipbuilding industry for centuries. |
Kerala Backwater Resort in, Calicut
Kappad Beach, Calicut
Calicut beach, Vasco de Gama
Attractions and Places to Visit in Calicut
Pazhassirajah Museum: This rich museum displays the historic past of Kozhikode. Located on the East Hill, at a distance of 5 kms from the city, the museum is run by the State Archeological Department. Ancient mural paintings, antique bronzes, old coins, models of temples, and megalithic structures are on display here.
Art Gallery: Known for its treasured collection of paintings made by Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma, the gallery pulls in the art connoisseurs the most. This gallery holds an important position in the Indian art circle because of its association with Raja Ravi Varma, the first Indian painter to make use of oil colours. The paintings of this great artist generally revolve around the portrayal of mythological events, royal portraits and day-to-day life.
Kozhikode Beach: Located on the eastern part of the city, the beach at Calicut offers the leisure-seekers a long stretch of endless sandy beach. The glorious spectacle of the setting sun from this beach is most glorious to see. The Lighthouse, the Lions Park (children's park) and the Aquarium (a good collection of marine life and freshwater fish) are interesting spots to visit on this beach.
Dolphin's Point: Dolphin's Point is the place where one can see dolphins playing in the sea of an early morning. The long tree-lined beach, about 2 km away, is popular with the local people because of the Lions Club Park, the lighthouse, and two piers - and of course, the opportunity to soak in the evening breeze.
Thikkoti Lighthouse: The lighthouse which overlooks Velliyamkallu of Moodadi coast was built after a shipwreck, the remains of which can still be seen here. The region around the Velliyamkallu rock is the transit home to migratory birds.
How to Reach Calicut
Air: Calicut airport 29 Km from Calicut (Kozhikode) city.
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.
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.