KOZHIKODE

Kozhikode, formerly called Calicut was the traditional capital of Northern Kerala under the Samuthiri ruler. Kozhicode, was the most important region of Malabar in the days gone by. Today, ancient monuments, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience make Kozhikode a much sought after destination.

• Mananchira Maidan

The center of the Kozhikode is marked by Mananchira, a large tank with a park on the north side. The palace tank of King Mana - Vikrama is an architectural wonder. The musical fountain inside the maidan and the meticulously landscaped lawns surrounded by traditional buildings in the Kerala style, fascinate visitors.

• S M Street

Sweet Meat Street is the busiest street in Kozhikode and derives its name from the times when the street was lined with sweetmeat stalls.

• Kozhikode Beach

This beach is a favourite haunt of sunset viewers. The old world charm retained in the old lighthouse and the two crumbling piers, each more than a hundred years old, that run into the sea is adding to its natural beauty.

• Kallai

The major center of Kerala's timber industry. The yard is said to be the second largest in the world. Elephants are still widely used for hauling. A steel bridge built by the British is still intact here.

• Beypore (10 km south of Kozhikode)

Located at the mouth of the Chaliyar river, Beypore, one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala was an important trade and maritime centre. Ancient Beypore was much sought after by merchants from Western Asia, for its shipbuilding industry. The boat building yard here, famous for the construction of the Uru (the Arabian trading vessel), boasts a tradition of almost 1500 years.

• Kappad (16 km from Kozhikode)

This is the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May 1498. A monument on the beach commemorates this historic event. The rock studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea.

• 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.

• Thikkoti Lighthouse

The 33.5 m light house was erected in 1847. The lighthouse which overlooks Velliyamkallu off 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 of migratory birds.

• Kakkayam (45 km from Kozhikode)

This picturesque dam site, teeming with exotic wildlife, offers excellent trekking and rock climbing opportunities. The best time to visit is between November and April.

• 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.

• Peruvannamuzhi (60 km from Kozhikode)

The Peruvannamuzhi damsite set amid hills is a beautiful picnic spot. The reservoir here provides facilities for speed and row boat cruises during which one can see the Smarakathottam - a garden built in memory of the freedom fighters of the region. Uninhabited islands, the bird sanctuary and a crocodile farm add to the charm of the place.

• Wayanad Ghats

The green ghats enroute to Wayanad has nine hairpin bends, each turn taking one to a higher altitude offering a better view of the picturesque plains below.

• Vellari Mala

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

• Pazhassirajah Museum

Situated 5 km from Kozhikode. Here exhibits of copies of ancient mural paintings, antique bronzes, old coins and models of temples and megalithic monuments are seen. The next door to the museum is the Art Gallery and Krishna Museum which has an excellent collection of paintings by Indian artists and wood and ivory carvings. Open from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm, 2.30 pm - 5.30 pm, closed on Mondays.

• Art Gallery

Art Gallery is near to the museum. It has an excellent collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma.

• Krishna Menon Museum

This museum is dedicated to late V K Krishna Menon, the former Defence Minister and national leader of India. His personal belongings and souvenirs are displayed here.

• 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.

Temples

• Pishakarikavu

This temple is dedicated to goddess Bhagavathy. The special attraction of this temple is the elephant procession during the festival season (March/April).

• Lokanarkavu Temple

This temple which is associated with the heroes and heroines of the Vadakkanpattu combines an arresting simplicity and a legendary aura. The candid murals and carvings here are a delight to art lovers.

• Mannur Temple

This temple is 12 km away from Kozhikode. The exquisitely carved Gajaprathista styled laterite structure is more than two centuries old. It is believed that Sree Parashuraman starts his Siva Linga prathista at Tiruvannur and completes it here every noon. The noon pujas here are therefore considered very special.

• Ponmeri

The Sree Krishna Temple at Karatt and the Shiva Temple at Ponmeri have flamboyant paintings depicting Palazhimathanam (the story of the churning of the ocean of milk) from the Puranas.

• Varakkal Devi Temple

This temple is considered to be the 108th and the last Devi temple built by Sree Parasurama. It is believed that Parasurama ploughed this area in order to make Devi (the goddess) appear. The main festival here is the Vavu Bali, when thousands congregate to perform the ancestral obsequies. On this day the sea is found to be surprisingly calm as if facilitating the religious observances.

• Jain Temple

The two temples in this compound at Trikkovil lane have exquisitely painted interiors and elaborately carved porticoes.

• Parsi Anju Amman Baug

It is a Fire Temple on S M Street dates back to the period when the Parsis, settled in Kozhikode about 200 years ago.

• Buddha Vihar

This temple houses a good collection of writings of the Buddha.

• Tali Temple

It is the largest and the most important temple in the city. It is situated 1.5km east of Mananchira. It was built in the 14th century. The Tali temple is a fine example of the total integration that can exist between wood and laterite, which is a remarkable feature of the Kerala style of architecture.

• Catholic Church

It was dating from the 18th century. It has an alter with the crucification and an image of the Virgin Mary.

• Mother of God Church

This church built in the Roman architectural style dates back to 1513 AD and is the only one of its kind in Kerala. There is a portrait of St. Mary, more than 200 years old and thus makes it a famous pilgrim centre.

• Jami Mosque

Is one of two such places of worship standing on either side of a large tank known as Kuttichira, a short distance south. The building is raised on a stepped plinth and is contained by masonry walls.

• Mucchandipalli

Mucchandipalli mosque is built in the traditional Kerala architectural style. The building stands on a 1.5 m high plinth.

• Mithqalpalli

It is the largest mosque in Kozhikode. It take its name from its founder, Nakhuda Mithqali, a local trader during the time of Ibn Battuta. The prayer hall is divided into bays timber column.

• Mishkal Masjid, Kuttichira

It is one of the oldest mosques in the city. This four storeyed structure supported by wooden pillars proudly proclaims the architectural splendour of yester years. In 1510 the Portuguese burnt down some parts of it, but the charred portions still remain. The mosque is named after the rich trader who built it.

• Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode : The 5th IIM to be established in India, IIM Kozhikode's spectacular campus has earned it the plaudit of "God's Own Campus" and is regarded highly by Academia and Corporate's alike.
• Calicut Medical College : One of the most prestigious medical institutions in India. The Institution recently made headlines by creating the Calicut Medical Journal, the premier Open Access Medical Journal in India. Under CMC there are two more medical institutes, Government Dental College and Government College of Nursing.
• National Institute of Technology (NIT): One of the most renowned engineering institutions in India. It was formerly known as Regional Engineering College (REC) and was affiliated to University of Calicut. It is now a deemed university.
• 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 basics of merit.
• Government Homeopathic Medical College
• Government Law College
• Government College of Teacher Education
• Malabar Christian College : One of the most renowned institutions in India. It is affiliated to University of Calicut.
• Zamorins Guruvayurappan College : One of the oldest colleges in the country, founded by Zamorins of Calicut.
• St. Joseph's College, Devagiri : A prestigious arts and science college, accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with a grade A.
• 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.
• Providence women's College
• Sree Narayana Guru College
• Government Poly Technic.