The capital of the mighty Zamora’s and also a notable trade and commerce center, Kozhikode was the most significant region of Malabar. With the discovery of sea route to India in late 1498 by a Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama, the district found its place in world history. A monument is constructed at the place to commemorate the historical landing of Vasco Da Gama with three vessels and 170 men. Relaxing in the rural setting of the calm Arabian Sea on the west and the grand peaks of the Wayanad hills on the east, this district with clear beaches, rich green farmland, and historic sites, combine to make Kozhikode a hot tourist destination in Best Kerala tour packages filled with a warm ambiance to attract a visitor. The city is the marketing center for products like pepper coconut, coffee, rubber, lemon grass oil etc., produced in Kozhikode and the neighbouring districts like Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kannur. The city continues to be a heart of flourishing domestic and international trade. The city contributes greatly to the all-round development of the district in commerce, trade, and economic development.
Kozhikode is a land of literature, art forms, sports, fairs and festivals, many prominent Malayalam literature writers like S. K. Pottekkatt, the most well-known writer of the city. His award-winning story “Oru Theruvinte Katha” is produced in S. M. Street. Vaikom Muhammad Basher and M. T. Vasudevan Nair, the literary legends had spent most of their lives in the city. Many other writers including Thikkodiyan, P. Valsala Sanjayan, U. A. Khader, M.P. Veerendra Kumar K. T. Muhammad, N. N. Kakkad, Akbar Kakkattil, N. V. Krishna Warrier and M. N. Karassery hailed from Kozhikode. Many festivals like Revathi Pattathanam, a one week long annual cultural and intellectual event of Kerala 1st began in the 14th century at the ancient Thali Mahadeva Temple. The festival is organised in memory of the scholars’ meet that was held during the reign of the Zamora’s, the traditional rulers of Kozhikode. Malabar pepper festival, which is a yearly event of spice traders which is celebrated during the month of October. Jalotsavam festival is one of the most important parts of the Onam festival which is held during the month of August and September. The festival includes water sports like the boat race, snake boats are the major attractions of the festival. Malabar Mahotsavam is known as the primary festival of Kozhikode which is a five-day festival organised by the district tourism promotion council held in the month of January. By being a part of the festival one could witness traditional and folk dance, classical music, drama, and dance.
Some of the traditional art forms that you can enjoy in an Amazing Kerala trip by Holiday Mango Travel include art forms like Thitambu Nritham, which is a popular ritualistic art performed in temples in North Malabar it mostly involves the main dancer accompanied by a group of artists playing the drum and traditional brass lamps. The performer wears frilled skirts, silk tops, and ornaments and decorated headgear called ushnapeetam. Uru making is an art where a very big vessel named Uru is made by putting teak planks together. Oppanna and Mappilapattu are known to be one of the favorite pastimes for people in Malabar region. Mappilapattu is sung by male and Oppanna sang by females during the Muslim wedding ceremony is an attractive event in Malabar. Kalaripayattu is one of the oldest art forms of Kerala which is practiced even now in Kozhikode. It is a form of martial arts used in self-defense which is also a cultural legacy of Keralites. The study of this art form includes Ayurveda and Kalarichikitsa which is used mainly as body healing treatments. Kalaripayattu has different styles in different regions. The city is known as the second Mecca of football. Cricket, basketball, football, volleyball, and badminton are other most common games in Kozhikode. Some international footballers are from this city including K.P. Sethu Madhavan, Muhammad Najeeb, Premnath Phillips, M Prasannan, Sudheer etc. Indian Olympian footballer, T. Abdul Rahman, usually known as Olympian Rahman, P T Usha the greatest athlete of India hails from Kozhikode. She is frequently called the "Queen of the Indian track and field" and is also nicknamed as the Payyoli Express for her extraordinary speed. The land is blessed with beaches, parks, landmarks like religious sites, stadium, historic sites, and lighthouses. Some of the most visited religious sites in Kerala trips are Valayanad Devi Temple, Sidhanthapuram Siva temple, and Tali Temple. Some Exciting Kerala travel packages are arranged to promote tourism in these areas of people interest.
Malabar menu is quite popular among travelers. The mildly flavored, Malabar Biriyani is a must eat when visiting Kozhikode. The mutton is cooked tender, the rice flaky and delicately spiced with the right portions of spices, to leave the taste trailing for long.
Famous destinations for Kozhikode food are Paragon Hotel, Bombay Hotel, sugar hotel, Mezban etc. The side-dishes include husked wheat cooked with chicken called `alisa', in seafood, mussels are popular. A blend of mussel and rice flour, steamed in the shell is called arikadaka. As a sweet, you should not miss the Calicut Halwa which brings water to your mouth. Different varieties of Halwa are available in almost all bakeries in the city.
Some must visit destinations in Kozhikode with Holiday Mango Travel include the Art Gallery with paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma. Beypore is a city in the mouth of river Beypore with traditional boat building yard, the old port, and fishing harbour. Dolphins point is another attraction where one can see dolphins playing in the sea at early morning. Kallai River is a famous boating destination where one should definitely visit for pleasure boat rides. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium which is located opposite to the musical fountain is a place where you get a chance to space travel. Elathur a small village bordered by a river is a place that must be visited by travellers who visit Kerala seeking its heritage and to experience the water bodies. Peruvannamuzhi Dam is a place that allows boating for tourists and has a bird sanctuary and crocodile farm. The beauty of these places attracts a huge number of tourists helping in developing the tourism of the state.
