Kerala > Kozhikode
Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is the third largest city in the southern state of Kerala, India and was the capital of the erstwhile Malabar District. This city is famous as the place where Zheng He of China first visited, then later Vasco da Gama in 1498. He landed in the remote beach of Kappad which is 18 km away from the city.The name of the fibre calico is derived from the name of this city. It is also the pepper capitol of the world. Later the Dutch, the French and the British dominated the area thus it became the trading centre for Europeans. The great travellers like Marco Polo, Ibn Batuta, Abdul Razzak all visited Kozhikode and have described this district as 'perfect harbour'.
Once the capital of the powerful zamorins and a prominent trade and commerce centre, Kozhikode (Calicut) was the most important region of Malabar in the days gone by. Today, lush green countrysides, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience make Kozhikode (Calicut) a popular destination. History of Kozikode
Calicut is the anglicised form of 'Kalikut', Arabic for the Malayalam name Kozhikode. It is also called the Cock Fort. According to the historian K.V. Krishnan Iyer, the term means Koyil (Palace) Kodu (fortified). It is a historical town with a hoary past. From time immemorial, the city attracted travellers, with its charming physical features and prosperity. Even today, the glory that Calicut had has not faded. The political history of Kozhikode is a story of treacherous and ill-conceived conspiracies hatched by the Western powers. Vasco da Gama landed at Kappad (18 kilometers north of Kozhikode) in May 1498, as the leader of a trade mission from Portugal and was received by the Zamorin himself. Climate of Kozikode
The district has a generally humid climate with a very hot season extending from March to May. The main rainy season is during the South West Monsoon, which sets in the first week of June and extends up to September. The North East Monsoon extends from the second half of October through November. The average annual rainfall is 3266 mm. The best weather is found towards the end of the year, in December and January - the skies are clear, and the air is crisp. The highest temperature recorded was 39.4 oC in March 1975. The lowest was 14 oC recorded on 26 December 1975. Culture of Kozhikode
In the field of Malayalam language and literature, Kozhikode has made many significant contributions. The district is famous for folk songs or ballads known as Vadakkan Pattukal. The most popular songs among them are those which celebrate the exploits of Thacholi Othenan. One of the favourite past times of the Muslims of the district is singing Mappila pattu and Oppana. The songs are composed in a composite language of Arabic and Malayalam. The famous intellectual debate for Vedic scholars to win the coveted position of Pattathanam takes place at Thali temple during the month of Thulam. Kozhikode also has strong associations with ghazals and football.
The city also has a strong mercantile streak to it. The main area of business was once the Valiyangadi (Big Bazaar) near the Calicut railway station and as time progressed it shifted to other parts of the city. Now the major vein of commerce is the Mittai Theruvu, a long street crammed with shops that sell everything from saris to cosmetics, and house restaurants to sweetmeat shops. The name Mithai Theruvu or S M Street comes from the famous Kozhikode Halwa which was often called the Sweet Meat by European traders. The multicultural mix of Kozhikode ensures that Onam, Christmas and Id-ul-Fitr (the festivals of the Hindus, Christians and Muslims) are celebrated with equal pomp. How to Reach Kozhikode
- Air : Nearest Airport : Karipur, Kozhikode.
- Rail : Nearest main railway station, Kozhikode
- Road : Malappuram is well connected to all the major towns in Kerala, Kerala Karnataka and Tamil Nadu by an excellent road network.
|
