Kozhikode... a beautiful place which turned wheels of history

                                                                       


When a  ship that sailed with a  Portuguese man on board, seemingly aimless but determined to script history landed on the shore, history waited for him with open arms. The man in discussion is Vasco Da Gama and the place he landed was Kozhikode also known as Calicut. The first man to discover a sea route to India around Cape of Good Hope, Vasco Da Gama was the man who flung open the gates of imperialism in true sense. Waves of ships came and they conquered and ruled for centuries. Witnessing all this was the city of Calicut, thus inscribing itself in the annals of history. 

History and past apart, Kozhikode is particularly worth a place to be. Beautiful as it is, Kozhikode is also a treat for culinary freaks. Flanked by sea on one side, it's a paradise for sea food lovers offering a unique blend of Kerala and Arabic cuisines. A hub of learning, treat for taste buds and lots of sightseeing, all included in one bundle is the city of Calicut.

Unless you are really a beach freak, the real beauty of Calicut lies away from the heart of the city. Here is list of some important places to be at in and around Kozhikode. 

1. Kapaad Beach : Standing next to the Arabian sea, sun kissed beach is without doubt the first place any traveller would long for. Etched in history as the place where Vasco Da Gama set foot for the first time, this relatively undeveloped beach is a plum place to be at when the fishermen set sail for the day.


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2. Kozhikode Beach: Want to to see Dolphins, walk up to the Dolphin nose to see them at their playful best. Lined with lots of shacks selling mussels and preserved fruits, the place turns to a hub in evening when the sun retires after a long journey. Local populace tends to find a ruse around daily life by hanging out here in the evening. Hard to miss over here are quite a few shops that offer local luscious cuisine.


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3. Beypore: Everything in Kozhikode seems to be soaked in history, Beypore being one such place. With a history of 1500 years of ship building, this place certaintly behooves a place in the itenerary of a trotter. It would be remiss on the part of traveller to miss this place where the river meets the sea and offers much to see.


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4. Kakkayam dam: Well, a tour, without any doubt has to be away from the city and its hustle. Probably, the most important thing that a recalcitrant mind seeks is a get away into mother nature. Kakkayam dam ticks all boxes of being a serene secluded place. A place that does see too much footfall at normal times, the kakkayam dam is smack in the middle of a forest. History, it seems, doesnot let Kozhikode alone at any place. In the wilderness of Kakkayam, falls the Urakuzhi water fall which has more questions than answers. As awry as it may ever get, the place reminds all malayalees of a specific event that's better not discussed here.  


                                                       The rock with a human face at Urakuzhi waterfall



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5. Thusharagiri: Trekkers!!, get your boots on. In the midst of western ghats, lies a three step trekking experience better called as Thusharagiri , famous for the mist it forms on the top. Its roughly 50 km from the city and draws a considerable crowd of nature enthusiasts. For those interested in a trek, beauty lies at heights namely Erattumukku, Mazhavil chattam and Thumibithullum para. Dont forget to take a dip in the cold water pool of ebullient  streams packed in lush greenery.


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6. Pathangayam. Also known as Narangathodu, this place is still in its genesis as a tourist place. Pristine and untouched, this place is treat for eyes. But only behold, the place is as deadly as it is beautiful. Though the water looks clean and clear with the bottom almost visible, place is nested with unseen caves and whirlpools that have claimed many lives. But that should not stop you from clicking pictures.


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7. Kadalundi bird sanctuary:  If there is one species that loves travelling and does way better than any one of us, it's our avian friends. And they come to Calicut also, at Kadalundi birds sanctuary, to be precise. It's common to see the Seagulls, Turns, Sandpipers and Greenshanks flirting around with the tired and exhausted Kadalundy river flowing into the sea. Get behind the lens and capture those flying beauties for the rest of your life

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      PC : Google


           PC : Google

8.  Kariyathum para and Vellathoni : Calicut is blessed with litany of not so famous places. Natural piety marks these places, probably because it's not so developed still. One such place is Kariyathum Para. Be there when the monsoon dances and see the streams full of shallow waters and greenery all around. If heavens can be painted in green, its probably this place. Undulating plains, surrounded by hills and a stream cutting through and you stroll through all this on a horse. What else can one ask for. 


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The list goes  on with many other small and big places to be at. You would miss out on the most beautiful part of Kozhikode if you haven't had the luscious cuisines of Kozhikode. It's heaven served on a plate for those who call themselves non vegetarians and there are lot of cold bars in and around serving interesting and intriguing drinks to beat the heat. Make sure you be there and get a taste of all that the city offers.........

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