KOZHIKODE

GENERAL INFORMATION

District Area	2,344 sq. km.
City Area	30.61 sq. km.
District Population	2,619,941
City Population	419,531
Altitude	Sea level
Temperature	Mean Max.- 32.0 deg. C Mean Min. - 22.5 deg. C
Climate	Tropical
Rainfall	254 cm. (Annual)
Tourist Season	September to May
Clothing	Tropical Cottons

Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is famous in history as the capital of the Zamorin Rajas. Vasco-da-Gama landed in 1498 at Kappad, near Calicut. It was one of the great ports on the west coast and is a port of call for cargo steamers even today. A big centre of the timber industry and  a busy boat-building yard. There  are a number of temples, mosques and churches, some of which are of historical importance. In the idyllic setting of the serene Arabian Sea on the West and the proud peaks of the Wayanad Hills on the East, this district has all the elements that fascinate a visitor. Kozhikode district is situated on the South West coast of India.  The important rivers of the district are the Mahe river, the Kuttiady river, the Korapuzha, the Kallai river, the Chaliyar river and the Kadalundi river. From the commercial point of view, Kallai is one of the most important rivers in the whole  State. This river has its origin in the middle lands of Cherukulathur village. The Chaliyar river, known as the lower reaches of the Beypore river, is one of the major rivers of the State. 

The district has a humid climate with a very hot season, extending from March to May. The most important rainy season is during southwest monsoons, which sets in the first week of June and extends up to September. The north-east monsoons starts from the second half of October and extends up to November. From October onwards, temperature gradually increases to reach the maximum in May,  the hottest month of the year.

The legendary traveller Marco Polo  in 1320 A.D. described Kozhikode as the "great province of Malabar". Much of its richness today lies buried in the glory of a past grandeur, a past, replete with the trading visits of European voyagers calling on the ancient port of Calicut on their regular journeys of Commerce, lured by timber, ivory, pepper, ginger, cinnamon and other spices.

The great traveller,  Batuta, who visited Calicut at least six times in the mid 13th century, wrote of the prosperity he saw as "The greater part of the Mohammedan merchants of this place are so wealthy that one of them can purchase the whole freightage of such vessels put in here and fit out others like them".

After the 13th century, Calicut grew in importance as a port and as the capital of the powerful kingdom of the Samoothiris or the Zamorins, as they were called by the Portuguese. In fact, some historians say that Calicut derives its name from the fortified palace (Koyil Kotta) built by a Samoothiri ruler.

Calicut's commercial glory was also praised by the Arab traveller Abdul Razzak in 1443 A.D. "Calicut is a perfectly secured harbour, which, like that of Ormuz, brings together merchants from every city and from every country". Interestingly, Calicut has also lent its name to 'Calico", the fine variety of hand-woven cotton cloth said to have originated from here.

HOW TO GET THERE :

Air	Calicut Airport, is at Karipur, 23 km. from the city centre.
Rail	Calicut Railway Station is linked-by rail to major cities in the country.
Road	Government-run and private bus services connect Calicut to several tourist and business centres in South India. For local transport there are yellow-top and tourist taxis, buses and auto rickshaws.

PLACES OF INTEREST :

Badagara

A commercial centre of martial arts, Kalaripayattu, Badagara, 48 km from Calicut, is  also the birth place of Tacholi Othenan, whose heroic deeds have been immortalised in the ballads of North Malabar.

Beypore

11 km. from Calicut, Beypore is a small coastal town. For centuries this place was known as a ship building centre and is still famous for its country crafts called 'Uru' built by the traditional shipbuilders, known as Khalasis. Beypore is still a favorite destination among Arabs shopping for large boats.

Dolphin's Point

Here one can see in the early hours of the morning, dolphins playing in the sea. The beach, 2 km from Calicut town centre, is a long stretch of tree-lined sand, popular with the local people because of the Lions Club Park, the light house and the two piers. Dolphin's Point also offers the opportunity to soak in the evening breeze. 

Kallai

Six kms away,  Kallai was once the bustling nerve-point of Calicut's timber trade.  It is said to have been the largest of such trading centres in Asia. Today, though business does take place, hard times have fallen on the timber trade and Kallai is just a shadow of its past.

Kappad

On 27th May 1498, Vasco-da-Gama set foot on the sands of Kappad beach with three vessels and 170 men. A memorial which marks the landing place is commemorated by a small stone monument at the beach. An ancient temple on the hillock, facing the deep sea, is an added attraction. 

Krishna Menon Museum

The Krishna Menon Museum has a section in honour of the great Indian leader V.K. Krishna Menon, whose personal belongings and souvenirs, gifted by this world leader, are exhibited here.

Mananchira

Mananchira is the heart of the city, having important institutions like the Town Hall and the Public Library. One of Calicut's oldest buildings, the Commonwealth Trust Office is situated here. The large pond and the park are well-known landmarks. 

Pazhassirajah Museum & Art Gallery