History
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Calicut
is the anglicized form of Kalikut, the Arabic
for the Malayalam Kozhikode. It is also called
the Cock Fort. According to the historian, K.V.
Krishnan Iyer, the term means Koyil (Palace) Kodu
(fortified). From time immemorial, the city attracted
travellers, with its charming physical features
and prosperity. Even today, the glory that was
Calicut has not faded.
Vasco Da Gama landed at Kappad (16 kilometres
north of Kozhikode) in May 1498, as the leader
of a trade mission from Portugal and was received
by the Zamorin himself. This marked the beginning
of foreign dominations in the East. From the 13th
century, Kozhikode attained a position of pre-eminence
in the trade of pepper and other spices which
made it India’s emporium of international
trade. As Kozhikode offered full freedom and security,
the Arab and the Chinese merchants preferred it
to all other ports.
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Some of the places worth visiting in Calicut
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Kozhikode
Beach
The beauty and serenity of Kozhikode beach is
not yet exploited. People from all around gather
here to enjoy the sunset. Two sea piers almost
125 years old extending well inside the sea are
a speciality. Fishermen with their small rowing
boats entering the sea, fighting the waves and
returning with varieties of fish is worth watching. |
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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 grounds, adjacent
to Mananchira 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. |
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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 famous for
Kozhikode halwa and banana chips. |
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Planetarium
Calicut now wins a place in the Planetarium map
of the world. Regional Science Centre, Calicut
houses a 250 seater Planetarium fitted with a
sophisticated Zeiss projector. The Science Centre
unravels mysteries, explains things which otherwise
would be called supernatural. |
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Beypore
Beypore town is about 9.65 Kms from Kozhikode
at the mouth of the Beypore River. It is one of
the important ports of Kerala and used to be an
important trading centre. It is famous for it's
boat building yard where mammoth country crafts
known as "Urus" are being built. It
is a major fishing harbour of Kerala. This is
an ideal place for outing. |
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Kappad
On 27th May 1498, Vasco Da Gama landed here with
three vessels and 170 men. A monument is here
to commemorate the historical landing. An ancient
temple on a hillock, facing the deep sea, is an
added attraction. |
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Trekking
Spots - Thusharagiri
Thusharagiri is situated 55 kms away from Kozhikode
City and the 'Green Splendour' is considered as
the major tourist destination in Malabar region
with four waterfalls right in the middle of the
forest. The waterfalls and streams amidst the
hilly regions are really a feast to the eyes. |
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