The landing of Vasco da Gama near Kozhikode in 1498 heralded the period of Portuguese
colonization in India.
Things to See
There are indicators in Kozhikode of its colourful past. Mananchira Square was the former courtyard of the Zamorins.
Temples, mosque and churches illustrate the region's acquaintance with major belief system. Of note are the Tali Temple, the
Kuttichira Mosque and the Church of South India. The
impressive Manachira Library reflects the significance Kozhikode has always placed on it's literature.
Five kilometers north of town, at East Hill, archaeological display at the
Pazhassirajah Museum include copies of ancient murals, bronze, coins and models of megalithic monuments- earliest
monuments of Kerala. Next door, the Krishna Menon Museum has memorabilia of this former
defense minister, while the art gallery has paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma.
Sixteen Kilometers north, on the way to Kannur, there's a nondescript memorial for
de Gama's landing at Kappad Beach.
Kalipolika :(2 km from Kozhikode): One can leisurely cruise
on the dappled waters at Kalipolika in both pedal and row boats.
Kallai : This was once the second largest timber trading center in Asia.
A steel bridge built by the British is still intact here.
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.
Kirtads :(7 km frm 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.
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 center. 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.
Places to Eat
The glossy Woodlands vegetarian restaurant is in the easily spotted White Lines building on GH
road
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Dakshin - The Veg and nearby Ruchi Restaurant ( Mavoor Rd) both
serve very good vegetarian food. The restaurants in the Metro, Kalpaka and Malabar Mansion hotels are
reasonably priced.
The air-conditioned Dawn Restaurant at the Malabar Palace is good and there's an ice cream parlour, Tom 'n' Jerry.
The restaurant at the Seaqueen Hotel has good food and warm beer.
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Getting There & Away
Air Indian Airline flies daily to Mumbai and Coimbatore and three times weekly to Chennai. Jet Airways also connects daily with
Mumbai.
Train The train station is south of Mananchira Square. It's 242 km north of
Mangalore, 190 km south to Ernakulam and 414 km to Thiruvananthapuram. Heading south-east there are trains to
Coimbatore via Palakkad. These trains then head north to the centers of Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi.
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