Places of Interest in kozhikode

Art Gallery and Krishna Menon Museum

Situated adjacent to the Pazhassi Raja Museum, the art gallery houses paintings of Raja Ravi Varma among other collections. The museum has a section dedicated to V.K. Krishna Menon. The personal belonging of the late leader are exhibited here.


Vadakara

This ancient place is now the headquarters of the taluk as well as the municipality of that name. There is a ruined fort in the town. Vadakara was the scene of many exploits of Tacholi Othenan, the hero of the ballads of north Malabar (Vadakkan Pattukal). Five kms. South-East of Vadakara in Memunda amsom, is the Lokanarkavu which has three rock-cut caves in its vicinity. Annual ceremonies are conducted in memory of Othenan, whose birth place is Manikkoth near Meppayil.Vadakara (Vadakkekara) is so called because of its location just north (Vadakku) of Kotta river. The Orkattery cattle fair is held between 25th January and 2nd February at Orkattery 6.45 kms. from Vadakara.


Beypore

Beypore town is about 9.65 kms. from Kozhikode, at the mouth of the Beypore river. 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 naturally, an important trading centre.

Beypore is famous for its boat building yard where mammoth country crafts known as Urus are being built. It is major fishing harbour of Kerala. There are two man made extensions to the sea to facilitate easy access for fishing boats. This is an ideal place for an outing.


Chaliyam

An island in Kadalundi amsom formed by the Beypore and kadalundi rivers, Chaliyam was formerly the terminus of the Madras Railway. The bridge at Feroke which extended the railway upto Kozhikode in 1888, reduced the importance of Chaliyam.


Cheruvannur

Cheruvannur and Feroke are predominant industrial areas. A number of tile factories, match factories etc. are located here, providing employment to thousands of workers. The Steel Complex is also located here.


Kozhikode Beach

The beauty and serenity of Kozhikode beach is not yet exploited to develop it into a tourist centre. Still people from all around gather here to enjoy the sunset and it is a popular retreat for local people. Two sea piers almost 125 years old extending well inside the sea are a speciality. Lion’s club, children’s park make evening 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.


Feroke

Feroke is the cradle of the tile industry in Kerala. The rapid rivers from the Western Ghats after passing through forests carry the clay which is the raw-material for tiles, pottery and ceramic wares. There are more than a dozen tile factories in Feroke alone.


Ghat Section

This is a thick dense forest and is called the “Chirapunchi” of Kerala because of the high availability of heavy rains. It is about 44 kms. from Kozhikode and is the boundary to Wayanad ditrict. A journey through this Ghat section is an enjoyable experience. It is 14 kms. long with nine hairpin curves amidst a number of hills and thick forests. A view from the top will be a breath taking experience.


Kappad

On 27th May 1498, Vasco Da Gama landed here with three vessels and 170 men. If you travel 16 kms. north of Kozhikode by Kannur road, a small road near Tiruvangoor Health Centre will guide you to this beach of historical importance. A monument is here to commemorate the historical landing. An ancient temple on a hillock, facing the deep sea, is an added attraction.



Kallai

Kallai was known as the world’s best timber trading centre. Even now, it is the place for timber trade in Malabar.


Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary (25 km from Kozhikode)

The estuary at Kadalundi is a heaven for migratory birds. Terns, gulls, herons, sandpipers, whimbrels and other exotic birds flock into this place in November and return home in April.


Kuttiadi

Twenty nine kms. from Vadakara, Kuttiadi acknowledged the supremacy of the Kottayam Raja, whose fortified palace stands on a hill. During the Pazhassi rebellion, Kuttiadi, which commanded one of the chief passes to Wayanad was of great strategic importance. In 1957, the shafts of two golden swords supposed to have been used by Pazhassi Raja were unearthed. Overlooking Kuttiadi and other regions is the 1758 m. height Banasura peak, named after the giant demon Banasura, who is supposed to have built a fort on the summit. Now the name of Kuttiadi connected with the Hydro-Electric project in Kuttiadi river basin.


Mananchira Square

A new attraction in the heart of the city, Mananchira Maithan, is the sublimation of the concept of a planned modern city. The historic maithan, adjacent to Manachira has been converted into an arcadia with beautiful trees and plants, artificial hill, shrubs, sculpture, an open air theatre and above all, a musical fountain. No doubt, locals and tourists seekings leisure and relief from the mad rush outside, find shelter here. Mananchira Maithan is managed by the Corporation of Kozhikode.


Nadapuram

Nadapuram is second only to Ponnani from the point of view of Islamic culture. It is located 18 kms. North-East of Vadakara,



Pazhassi Raja Museum

Pazhassi Raja Museum is located at East Hill, 5 kms. from Kozhikode. Copies of ancient mural paintings, antiques, bronzes, old coins, models of temples, megalithic monuments like dolmonoid cysts, umbrella stones etc. are displayed here.


Panthalayini-Kollam

Ibu-Btuta described Kollam as a beautiful and large place, abounding with gardens and markets. Portugese attacks were strongly rebuffed by the garrison on mayyat Kannu. In 1550, Panthalayani was burnt by the Portugese.

The Dasara Festival is celebrated with great pomp in the month of Kanni. The Zamorin had a palace here.

Science Centre and Planetarium

Regional Science Centre and Planetarium are at the city’s Jaffarkhan Colony offers extensive insight into the mysteries of the universe, the planets and the galaxies. There are daily shows at 12.00, 14.00, 16.00 and 18.00 hrs.

Email : astropl @ md 5.vsnal-net in

Website : www.scp calicut.8m.com


S.M. Street

Sweat Meat street, popularly known as S.M. Street with its cross roads, is the busiest shopping spot of Kozhikode. Old bakery shops here are known for the famous Kozhikode halwa and banana chips.

Kakkayam (45 km from Kozhikode)
This picturesque damsite, teeming with exotic wildlife, offers excellent trekking and rock climbing opportunities. The best time to visit is between November and April.

Vellari Mala
Scintillating waterfalls and velvet green landscapes make this an ideal spot for trekking.

Tusharagiri (50 km from Kozhikode)

Tusharagiri is located near Vythiri in Wayanad and is famous for its trekking tracks. Trekkers start early morning from the second waterfall and climb uphill through the pristine, dense evergreen forests populated with exotic birds and wildlife to reach Vythiri by evening.

Kirtads (7 km from Kozhikode)
This unique museum houses the tools and devices used by the ancient tribal communities of Kerala. A good library with books on Anthropology and Sociology is an added attraction.