What is Kozhikode best known for?
Kozhikode, known as the ‘Jewel of Malabar’, is a beautiful city with old warehouses, ancient temples, churches and mosques. The city is also famous for a wide variety of enticing regional cuisines. A direct sea route to India was first discovered when a seafarer, Vasco da Gama, landed on a nearby Kappad Beach, which marked the entry of Portuguese, Dutch, French and Britishers to Kerala's spice coast. Kozhikode is famous for its Banana Chips and Kozhikode Halwa.
Here are the best-known places in Kozhikode:
- Marine Aquarium and Research Museum – This museum is run by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)and is near Thikkoti Lighthouse, and is a famous tourist spot in Kozhikode. It has Kozhikode beach nearby, which is lined with pushcarts and eateries.
- Madre de Deus Cathedral – It is a Latin cross-domed church in neo-Roman style built by the Portuguese in Kerala. It has images of the Virgin Mary and the Crucifixion. Other famous churches are the 1860 St Mary’s English Church and the CSI Church near the DTPC office, set up in 1842 by the Basel Mission.
- Mananchira Square – This square is located in the heart of the city and is named after Chira (spring-fed tank). It has a spellbound architecture with ancient brilliance. Guarded by Tipu Sultan’s cannons, the Kozhikode Public Library and Research Centre has a charming façade that blends well with the entrance arch of Mananchira Square.
- Pazhassi Raja Museum and Art Gallery – It was built as the British Collector’s residence in 1812 and is named after a legendary local chieftain who fought the British. It contains exhibits like ancient murals, bronzes, coins, excavated earthenware, models of temples and megalithic monuments. There is also a gallery next door that exhibits paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Rama Varma.
Airport in Kozhikode
Kozhikode Airport is located 28 km away from the city centre of Kozhikode. The airport is equipped with modern amenities to ensure a convenient experience for travellers passing through the airport.
- Airport address- Calicut Airport P.O, Calicut Airport Rd, Karipur, Kerala 673647
- IATA code- CCJ