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Mananchira Square: In the centre of the square there is a tank, called Mananchira Tank. This tank was the private bath of Samuthiris. The tank has a music fountain. Neaarby there is Mashkaal mosque in Kuttichira and the Kuttichira tank is famous as Muslims and Hindus consider it sacred. The Muchandi Palli (mosque) built in 13th century and the oldest in Kozhikode and the Jamaat Palli which can accommodate 1000 prayers are also nearby
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Mithai Theruvu (Sweetmeat Street): This street is famous for ‘halwa’ – a mouth-watering sweet delicay in various colours.
Kozhikode Beach: An ideal place to unload the strains and to idle away. The old bridge protruding to the sea offers an excellent view of the sea and often get chance to see dolphins’ ‘arena’.
Kappad Beach: 16 km from the town. Vasco da Gama landed here. A moss-covered monument silently proclaims the arrival of Gama. The beach is a spectacular picnic spot. ....Click here to see more
Kunhali Marikar’s Residence: 5 km from Payyoli. Kunhali Marikar was the naval captain of Samuthiris. He fought valiantly against the Portuguese. Impossible to beat him in battles, he was annihilated by treachery and beheaded him in Goa. His head was brought back and exhibited on a pole. The cannon ball and the sword he used are still in his house.
Palayam Market: Palayam market is the large market in Kozhikode district. It has historical and contemporary importance. The vegetable market and the bus station are always crowded. The soldiers of Samuthiris had once occupied the market. The Mohiadeen Mosque nearby is a multi-storeyed mosque where closed circuit TV is put into service. CTV was the only solution to preach at a time to the congregation filled in different storeys. And this is the only mosque in Kerala having CVT facilities.
Valiangadi: Valiangadi meaning big bazaar, is the centre of fish trade in Kozhikode. Located between the beach and the town, the market always betrays chaotic scene. Trucks, mini-trucks, three-wheelers, hand-carts, bicycles and cycles create a mess, making it near impossible to move around in the market during peak hours. Centuries-old whole-sale and retail business of fresh and dried-fish thrive here.
Kunhali Marikar’s Residence: 5 km from Payyoli. Kunhali Marikar was the naval captain of Samuthiris. He fought valiantly against the Portuguese. Impossible to beat him in battles, he was annihilated by treachery and beheaded him in Goa. His head was brought back and exhibited on a pole. The cannon ball and the sword he used are still in his house.
Palayam Market: Palayam market is the large market in Kozhikode district. It has historical and contemporary importance. The vegetable market and the bus station are always crowded. The soldiers of Samuthiris had once occupied the market. The Mohiadeen Mosque nearby is a multi-storeyed mosque where closed circuit TV is put into service. CTV was the only solution to preach at a time to the congregation filled in different storeys. And this is the only mosque in Kerala having CVT facilities.
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Kakkayam
There is a dam at Kakkayam, located around 45 km from Calicut. The place offers challenging trekking and rock-climbing through river path and numerous waterfalls.
Kadalundi: Kadalundi is located 25 km from Kozhikode. Kadalundi with estuary is a haven for birds. The Bird Sanctuary here is overburdened with migratory birds from November to April. They come in November and leave in April, while for local species
Art Gallery
The Art Gallery is adjacent to the Pazhassiraja Museum and is famous for its collection of paintings made by Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma. Both these artists belonged to the royal family of the erstwhile Travancore state. If you are an art connoisseur, then the Art Gallery is a must-visit place for you. This gallery holds an important position in the Indian art circle because of its association with Raja Ravi Varma. It is said that he was the first Indian painter to make use of oil colours. The paintings of this great artist generally revolve around the depiction of mythological events, royal portraits and day-to-day life. The art gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm on all days except Monday and public holidays.
Religious Places
The city of Kozhikode has a number of important religious places belonging to different faiths. The tolerant nature of the erstwhile rulers of this city allowed the peaceful coexistence of people belonging to different religions, which resulted in the building of a number of religious monuments throughout the city. The Tali Temple was built by the Zamorin dynasty in the 14th century. It is an excellent example of the traditional Keralite School of temple architecture. During the reign of the Zamorins, this temple hosted a weeklong gathering of literary-minded people who congregated here from different parts of the kingdom. The Mother of God Church is another important place of religious interest in Kozhikode. The church is built in accordance with the principles of the Roman architectural style. This church houses a 200-year-old portrait of St Mary. The St Mary's Church is a place worth visiting in Kozhikode. It was built by the British to cater to the spiritual needs of their Christian subjects. Other religious places worth visiting are the Fire Temple (built by the Parsi community of Kozhikode) located on SM Street, the Buddhist Vihar located on Customs Road, and the Mishkal Masjid located at Kuttichira.
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Wildlife Sanctuary National Park
A part of the Wynad Plateau, the Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala is famous for its tigers and leopards along with the other wildlife that one can find here. The sanctuary is an extension of the Bandipur National Park in Kerala at its southern border. The region, which is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, was notified in the year 1973 as a Wildlife Sanctuary. The management of the park laid emphasis on creating scientific conservation methods that are complementary to the traditional lifestyle of the tribals residing in the region.
The Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary comprises two districts of Kerala i.e. in the north; it is a part of the Cannanore district while its southern part is located in the Calicut district. The park extends from the latitude 11°15' in the North to the longitude 76°30' in the East. There is a good road network that connects the sanctuary with the other important places in Kerala.
The climate of the region is very much influenced by the southwest monsoon that touches it in the months from June to September. There is good rainfall during the Northeast monsoon too in the months of October and November. July receives the highest rainfall while February is the driest month here. April and May are the hottest months here while coldest months are January and February.
Kuravadweep (Kurava isle): An amazingly stream-water trekking paradise uncovers in 950-acre dweep (island). Barring Katunayika tribe, no trace of any other inhabitants. Modernity is fenced out and civilisation is like a prohibited stuff here. Once in, the visitors may feel they are denizens of the jungle. Shallow streams, marshy patches, dead woods – all these are to be trekked. Yet all these are fun, coming across rarely in the life. Running streams are impatient to bath the mired guests, while the lovely mild sun is ready to warm up. The rustles of dead leaves, melody of the streams and mellow calls of the birds will ring in the ears even days and days after the visit.
Green Gate Hotel in Kalpetta organizes trekking and camping at Kuravadweep for Rs 2800 per day inaclusive of everything. They take in groups of 5. The facility includes 3 guides, one a tribal, among other things. |
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Vadakara: Vadakara is situated 48 km from Kozhikode. Once a vibrant trade and commerce centre, Vadakara is the birth place of Thacholi Othenan, the legendary hero of the Vadakkanpattu (the ballads exclusively credited to North Malabar) and preserver of martial arts.
Bepore: The coastal town Beypore is located 10 km south of Kozhikode at the mouth of Chaliyar River. Beypore is best known as the maker of Uru in India, a country craft, to be used in sea as small ship. The Uru is manufactured out of teak and jackwood. Almost all work is manual. To make an Uru sea-born it takes over one year with the involvement of over 50 craftsmen. West Asian countries are the customers for Urus.
Thusharagiri:. The area is very scenic with serene streams and hills. The enchanting waterfalls and green-blanketed hills sweep the mind. Thusharagiri is located 50 km from Kozhikode, near Vythiri in Wayanad district. It is a trekking paradise. Aplenty in plantations of rubber, areca-nut, pepper, ginger and other spices, Thusharagiri offers exotic scenic beauty.
Kallai: Once Asia’s second largest timber trading center, Kallai is now pushed to back stage, though the prestigious trading position is lost, Kallai is still a reckoned timber trading centre in Kerala. A steel bridge built by the British over Kallai River is still in good health as a surprise.
Kallai river originated from Western Ghats in the east embraces Arabian sea in the west. Kallai is the capital of timber trade in Kozhikode district. Scores of sawmills berthed on the banks of the river. The timber logs tied together sent from Nilambur forests through the water floating and moving in the river present a mind-sticking experience. The timber cost in Kozhikode is cheaper compared to any other part in Kerala. Simply because the transportation cost from forest to the depot in Kozhikode is bare minimum for the mode of transportation is water and not vehicle. The bridge across the river is a vantage spot to have a no-cost panoramic view of the river embracing the sea and the red-spat sun–set.
Palayam Market: Palayam market is the large market in Kozhikode district. It has historical and contemporary importance. The vegetable market and the bus station are always crowded. The soldiers of Samuthiris had once occupied the market. The Mohiadeen Mosque nearby is a multi-storeyed mosque where closed circuit TV is put into service. CTV was the only solution to preach at a time to the congregation filled in different storeys. And this is the only mosque in Kerala having CVT facilities.
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Pazhassiraja Museum
You can have a glimpse of the rich historic past of Kozhikode in the Pazhassiraja Museum, which is located at East Hill, 5 km from the city. The state archaeological department runs this museum. The various galleries within this museum have an extensive collection of artefacts that range from ancient coins, bronze objects, copies of ancient murals, etc., depicting the rich cultural heritage of this region. The exhibits of the megaliths (huge prehistoric monuments) are quite interesting. This museum is open for public viewing from 10 am to 12.30 pm and from 2.30 pm to 5 pm everyday except on Mondays and public holidays.
 
Edakkal Caves: Located on Ambukuthy hill near Ambalavayal. The caves still remain a mystery to the archaeologists. The carvings are of Neolithic Age and Mesolithic Age. The caves were discovered by the then Superintendant of Police of Malabar, Fred Fawcett. During a hunting trip to Ambukuthy mountain range in 1890 he noticed a Neolithic stone axe in a coffee estate. Curiosity led him to a rock-shelter on the 1001 ft high mountain and chanced upon drawings and the cave. The cave is on two levels and the drawings were in the second level. Scores of artists might have put in their ceaseless efforts months or years together to make the carvings realistic. A human figure with headgear, a human figure on wheeled cart and some male and female figures are outstanding among 15 engravings on two walls. Images of a tribal king and queen, a deer and an elephant are also there to greet the visitors. The hilltop spares exciting views. Hillocks and green forests stick to the heart
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Vythiri: 62 km from Kozhikode. Similar hills. Similar gorges. Similar ravines. Hill stations and water falls all around the region, a hangout of tourists. The green blanketed misty hills purify the mind, soul and body. Wynad is known for coffee, tea, spices and vanila cultivations. Vythiri is a little town and the catchspots are within 40 km radius. Rikshwas and jeeps are the available modes for transportation. Better stay near Kalpetta, the capital of Wynad
Suchipara Falls: 22 km away from Kalpetta. The road leading to the Falls is coiled through tea gardens The motorable road ends before 1.5 km of the Falls, leaving rest for walk. The three-pronged equatorial forest-hidden Falls are breathtaking.
Meenmutty Falls: 29 km from Kalpetta, off Ooty Road. A 2 km forest trek to the Falls awards jolt and joy. The Falls have a triple-decker effect as it nose-dive from a height of 1000 ft. A thrilling experience to pack home.
Pookote Lake: Just 1 km from Vythiri. A hangout of holiday makers. Pack in the fun of boat cruise and kayaking. Check in to the nearest Uruvu Eco Shop, moor to the bamboo products and be tempted to pocket gift-packs of forest honey, spices and pickles.
Lakkidi: Lakkidi is 5-km away from Vythiri and 17-km from Kalpetta and positioned at 2296 ft above sea level. Rightly, it is the gateway of Wayanad. Photo-crazy people consider it a life-time chance to snap different shots. The camera will come out from the hide and focus surely at the serpentine flow of the road shaped out from Thamarassery Ghat....Click here to see more
Sulthan Bathery: A scenic beauty. Sulthan Barthery was once known as Ganapathivattom (circle of Ganapathi. Here the Ganapathi is Lord Ganapathi). Tipu Sultan along with his army marched and stored the arms in a 13th century-old Jain temple
Mananthavadi: Mananthavadi is located north east of Wayanad at a height of about 500 metres above sea level. The verdant forests deliver scenic beauties. Mananthavadi has a historic back- ground of being the last resting place of Pazhassi Raja.
Begur Wildlife Sanctuary: This Sanctuary with variety of animals is located 20 km east of Manathavadi.
Ambalavayal: Ambalavayal is near Ambukuthi hill region. A Heritage Museum in Ambalavayal is associated with tribal life in Wayanad. Terracotta figurines collected from different parts of Wayanad, pottery of Megalithic Age, hunting traps, bangles, ear ornaments and the musical instruments used by the Wayanad tribes are neatly showcased. This is considered as one of the best Heritage Museums in Kerala.
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