Six Attractive Tourist Places That You Should Miss Around Calicut

Calicut, which is also known as Kozhikode in the local language, is located in the northern part of Kerala, which was the former capital of Malabar during the time of Zamorin dynasty.  Its richness in spice and the friendly rulers attracted a lot of foreign traders from different parts of the world. The Arabs were the first foreign traders to come to this place, who were followed by Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and finally the British.

The rivalry between these foreign trades evoked many battles during the medieval period. You can still see the influence of foreign traders at this place as you walk along the streets, markets and ports of this place. There is plenty of tourist attractions found around this place, among which, six of them have been listed below.

The Beach

The captivating sandy coastline stretches over a length of about 15 km. There is an old lighthouse at this beach which stands witness to the prosperous bygone era of Calicut, when the foreign vessels used to anchor at this place. There is a Beach Hospital, structured by the British and also a Beach Hotel, which is considered as one of the oldest in the region. The hotel was chiefly used as a retreat location by the British tea planters, during the weekends.

 In the last few years, the coastline has witnessed a major scale of modernization with the construction of tall apartment buildings, stately corporate office and few others. The most appropriate time to visit this beach is during the month of January, when the place holds the Malabar Mahotsavam. The event includes various Indian cultural programs and fascinating fireworks. Apart from all of these, the beach is a perfect place to enjoy the romantic view of sunset.

Mananchira Square

Mananchira square is a park, which has been built around the Manachira Lake, located right at the center of the Calicut city. This huge tank was structured as a bathing pool by Manadevan Samoothiri, a Zamorin king. The lake is built in the shape of rectangle, spreading over an area of about 3.49 acres and is fed by a natural spring. 

The lake has been well preserved to its original form and it continues to supply water to the surrounding areas. The park has been well designed around this lake, which includes a musical fountain, trees, plants, shrubs, sculpture, an artificial hill and an open air theatre.  

Kappad Beach

The beach is one of the most scenic beaches in the region of Calicut, located at a distance of about 20 km. This long stretched beach is beautifully studded with rocks and is very much popular among the tourists visiting this part of Kerala. 

It is over here that Vasco da Gama, a renowned Portuguese explorer first landed on the Indian soil, on 20^th May, 1498. This initiated a new chapter in the Indian history, which marked the economic relationship with the Europeans and this part of the country, which is now called Kerala. At present, there is a small stone monument on this beach, which relates about this historic event. Tourists visiting this beach can enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this place.

Beypore

Bypore is located at a distance of about 10 km from the main city of Calicut, at the mouth of the Chaliyar River. It was one o f the busiest fishing harbours in the early times and is still regarded as an important one in Kerala. The place flourished as a fishing harbor during the early period of Arabs, Chinese and European traders. 

As soon as the place gained a status of a prominent port and a trade centre, Bypore slowly flourished as a shipbuilding centre, as the ships were in great demand among the foreign merchants. The place is chiefly known for building ships known as “Uru”, which is constructed by skilled workmen by using the best quality of wood. As you get to this place, you can observe the making of the Uru ships and also admire the finished products. Visitors can also buy the miniature Uru replicas from the shops around this place.

Pazhassi Raja Museum and Art Gallery

Pazhassi Raja Museum and Art Gallery is located at a distance of about 5 km from Calicut and has been named after a brave ruler of the region who dared to fight against the British dominance. The place exhibits, some fine paintings of Raja Ravi Verma, mural paintings, old coins, models of temples, megalithic monuments and umbrella stones.

Thusharagiri Waterfalls

Thusharafiri waterfalls are one of the most beautiful sights to be admired by a nature lover as well as a regular traveler, in Calicut. It is the place where the two streams that originates from Western Ghats meet and from the Chalippuzha River. Over here, the river gets separated into three waterfalls, creating an alluring sight of milky spray. 

Located away from the hassle of the city, the falls is a perfect place to enjoy the tranquility and the splendor of nature. There is also crocodile farm, which is run by the State Forest Department, at a close distance to this falls.