TravelingBeats

Location: Kozhikode district shares boundary with Kannur district in the north, Wayanad district in the east, Malappuram district in the sound and Arabian sea in the west.

District Headquarter: Kozhikode (Calicut)

Distance: Around 354 km from Bangalore, 1838 km from Kolkata, 135 km from Coimbatore, 733 km from Hyderabad, 529 from Chennai, 917 km from Mumbai, 1932 km from Delhi, 101 from ooty.

Journey time: 8 – 10 hrs by bus

How to reach there: By Bus, train or by plane from Karipur airport.

Route: Bangalore – Mandya – Srirangapatna bypass – Gundlupet – Bandipur – Gudalur – Devarshola – Nelliyalam – Pantheeramkavu – Calicut

Where to stay:

Luxuary:

1. Malabar Palace
Manuelsons Jn., G.H. Road, Kozhikode-673 001
Kerala, India.
Ph: 91-495-2721511 (6 lines)
91-495-2720212. Fax: 91-495-2721794.
E-mail:malabarpalacecalicut@gmail.com, mpalace@sancharnet.in
Website:www.malabarpalacecalicut.com

2. Hyson Heritage
P.B. No.114, Bank Road, Calicut -673001
Ph :0495 -2766423 , 2766726 .
Fax : 2766518
Email: hysonclt@satyam.net.in
Web : www.hysonheritage.com

3. Kadavu Resort
N.H.17 Calicut Bye Pass Road,
P.O. Feroke College,
Calicut – 673 632,
Kerala, India.
Tel: +91-483-2830570, 2830023, 2830027
Fax: +91-483-2830575
Email: info@kadavuresorts.com, sales@kadavuresorts.com
Website: www.kadavuresorts.com

4. The Gateway Hotel
P.T.Usha Road
Calicut – 673 002, Kerala, India
Tel: (91-495) 6613000
Fax: (91-495) 6613001
gateway.calicut@tajhotels.com
Website: http://www.thegatewayhotels.com/

Budget hotel:

1. Beach Hotel
Beach Road, Calicut
Pin – 673 032
Tel – 91 495 2762056
Kerala, India
E-mail : info@beachheritage.com
Website: http://www.beachheritage.com/

2. Asma Tower
Mavoor Road, Calicut.
Phone: +91-495-40-88-000
Fax : +91-495-40-88-088website: http://www.asmatower.com

3. East Avenue Suites
Nadakkavu, Wayanad Road, Calicut-673 006
Phone : 0495 2367173/174/175
Fax: 0495 2367153
Email: mail@eastavenuesuites.com
Website: http://www.hoteleastavenuesuites.com

4. Hotel Thushara International
Kodenchery, Kozhikkode- 673580
Kerala, South India
Phone: 91 495 2236909 , 91 495 2238267 , 91 495 2238689
Fax: 91 495 2238267
E-mail: thushara@thusharainternational.com, reserve_thushara_intl@yahoo.co.in
Website: http://www.thusharainternational.com

5. Sea Queen Hotel
Beach Road, Kozhikode,
Calicut-673001, Kerala, India.
Tel +91 495 2366604, 804, 904, 054
Email: mail@seaqueenhotel.com
Website: www.seaqueenhotel.com

Where to eat: Khyber, Malabar Mansion, Paramount Tower Hotel

Language spoken: Malayalam, Hindi and English

Kozhikode also know as calicut was prominent center of trade for spices since ancient times and was once the capital of the Zamorin kingdom. Calicut has been visited by various foreign travelers from countries like China, Middle east etc. In 1766 Hyder Ali of Mysore captured Calicut and most of northern Malabar coast. However, conflict of interest with the British who have established themselves in the then Madras presidency. In the third Anglo – Mysore war Calicut was ceded to the British. Kozhikode (Calicut) district was formed in 1st January, 1957.

What to See:

1. Mananchira Maidan (Square): Mananchira maidan is located besides Mananchira water tank at the center of Calicut. It has nice park with trees, artificial stream, musical fountain, open theatre etc. The periphery of the water tank is flanked by various important building like Zamorin’s palace, Town hall, C.S.I. Church, Basel Mission Complex etc.

2. Calicut Planetarium: The 250 seater planetarium is a great attraction for childrens and space buffs.

Address: Regional Science Centre & Planatarium, Near Jaffarkhan Colony, Calicut – 673006. Ph : 0495-2770571
Website: http://www.rscpcalicut.org/
Timmings: 10.30 am to 6 pm

3. Kadalundi: Kadalundi is famous for the recently declared bio reserve for birds and is a destination for migratory birds. Mangrove forest, Pulimoodu, lighthouse are some of the things you can go sightseeing. It is located around 25 km from Calicut.

Nearby you can visit the fishing harbour and port town of Bypore located at the mouth of Beypore River. It is located around 10 km from calicut.

Chaliyam near Bypore is a scenic place featuring an ancient Portuguese fort and Feroke bridge.

Also, in nearby Vallikkunnu you can visit Azhimugham where Kadalundi river joins Arabian sea and is popular for migratory birds. Another popular attraction is kadalundi kadavu bridge. You can visit temples like Niram Kaitha Kotta Temple of Lord Aiyappa and Mekkotta Bhagavathi Temple.

4. Kozhikode Beach: Kozhikode Beach is a serene white sand beach with popular recreation parks like Lion’s children park and a marine aquarium. Amazing sunsets can be captured from here.

5. Sarovaram park: Sarovaram park is a bio park located near to Canoly canal.

6. Tali Temple: Tali Shiva temple built around 12th century was patronized by the Zamorin kings.

You can view two others temples – Panniyankara Bhagavati Temple and Thiruvannur Siva Temple. Bhagavaty temple located near Kallayi river is built before 10th century that is even before Calicut was established. Thiruvannur Siva Temple is another 10th century temple which was earlier Jain shrine which was later converted into a Shiva temple.

7. House of Kunjali Marakkar: Kunjali Marakkars were the naval chief of the Samoothiri Raja who fought the Portuguese.

8. Kuttichira Mosque: Zamorins built the Kuttichira Mosque with Hindu architectural influence with many mosques with a tank in the center.

9. VK Krishna Menon Museum: This museum is located near to Pazhassi Raja Museum. Here you can get a peek on the life of VK Krisha Menon.

10. CSI Church

11. Kappad: Kappad beach is the place where Vasco Da Gama landed on 27 May 1498 in India. A monument has been erected in this regard there. It is located around 16 km from Calicut on the Kannur road. It is a beautiful beach and is ideal for picnic.

12. Thusharagiri Waterfalls: Thusharagiri waterfalls is located around 50 km from calicut. Here two hilly streams meet to form the river Chalippuzha. Here the river splits into three parts and plunges as a falls. The name Thusharagiri means snow capped mountains as the falls gives a feeling of snow capped hills.

13. Kirtads: Kirtads located around 7 km from Calicut features ancient tools and devices of Kerela tribal.

One may visit the Ghat section bordering Wayanad to view amazing scenic beauty. If you have time you can vist Kallai termed as one of the largest timber trading center in the world. For shopping in Calicut town do visit SM street.

Location: Malappuram shares boundary with Thrissur district in the south, Palakkad district in the south and east, Kozikode district and Wayanad district in the north, Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu in the east and Arabian sea in the west.

District Headquarter: Malappuram

Distance: 334 km from Bangalore, 296 km from Thiruvananthapuram, 105 km from Wayanad, 98 km from Coimbatore

Journey time: Around 7 hours by bus

How to reach there: KSRTC bus, KSTC (kerela) bus, By train via Kozhikode (Calicut) Railway Station, by flight via Karipur Airport (calicut) 36 km away

Route: Bangalore – Mandya – Mysore – Gundlupet – Gudalur – Manjeri – Malappuram

Where to stay:

1. NC Gardens & Beach Resort
Ariyailur, (vallikkunnu)
Malappuram dist. Kerala state, India-676 312
Tel-91494-2471480, 81, 82
E-mail : ncgardens@sify.com
Website: http://www.ncbeachresort.com/

2. Embassy Hotel
1/377 Makkara Paramba,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:04933-282086

3. Downhill Hotel
14/239 C Down Hill Po,
Near Register Office Malappuram,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:0483-2736418

4. Emarald Hotel
2/777 Kottakkal Nr Bus Stand,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:0483-2740374

5. Golden Palace Hotel
19/162, Jubilee Road,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:0483-2735487

6. Hill Top Hotel
3/243 Wandoor Po,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:04931-248387

7. Hill Fort Hotel
UP Hill, Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:0483-2732025

8. Malabar Hotel
5/708 Kollarathodika House
Nilambur Chungathara. Po. Edakkara,
Malapuram, Kerala, India
Phone:04931-230479, 04931-231808

Where to eat:

1. Hotel Delicia
Delicia Complex
Near Municipal Bus Stand
Malappuram, Kerala – 676 519
Mobile :+919605 500500
Phone : 0483 2734432
E-Mail : info@deliciacaterers.com
Website: http://www.deliciacaterers.com

2. Metro Restaurant
Star Malappuram Restaurants – Metro Restaurant
2/380 Aravankara Pallippadi Pookkottur Po
Malapuram, India – 676517
Phone: 0483-2774425

and 19/462H Metrosquare Pandikkad Road Manjri
Malapuram, India – 676121
Phone: 0483-2766358

Language spoken: Mappila dialect of Malayalam, Hindi and English

Malappuram district was formed on 16th of June 1969. It was earlier a part of the large Malabar district of the Madras presidency of British India. Malappuram is popular for various art and cultural forms. Geographically too it is very rich with green forest, rivers, hills etc.

What to See:

1. Padinharekara beach: Padinharekara Beach, also known as Padinjarekara Beach is located at the end of Tippu Sultan road near poonnani. Here one can view the confluence of river Bharathapuzha, the Tirur puzha and the Arabian sea.

2. Kadampuzha Bhagavathi temple: At the Kadampuzha Sree Parvathy Temple the presiding deity is Sri Vana Durga. For more info, click here.

3. Thirunavaya: Thirunavaya is a small pilgrimage center located around 8 km from Tirur near Ponnani. Here the famous Mamankam festival takes place. Also, the popular Thirunavaya Temple is located here on the banks of Bharathapuzha river dedicated to lord Navamukundan Vishnu, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.

4. Nilambur: Nilambur taluk in Malappuram district is rich in wildlife, forests, climate etc. It is located near to the Nilgiri hills and on the banks of river Chaliyar around 40 km from Malappuram town and 24 km from Manjeri on the Kozhikode–Ooty road.

It offers various sightseeing options:

1. Conolly’s Plot: It is a teak plationation area near Chaliyar river. This called as Conolly’s Plot as the then British collector of malabar district planted this teak plants. It is said to be the oldest teak plantation.

2. The Teak Museum: Located around 4 km away from Nilambur town on the Nilambur-Ooty state highway, you can find various information on Teak trees and experience first hand information at the world’s first teak museum.

3. Bio Resources Park: Near the Teak museum, is the Bio resource park and a butterfly park.

4. Nedumkayam: Nedumkayam is located around 18 km from Nilambur on the way to Karulai. It is famous for its rain forest and wildlife and panoramic views one can get of the surroundings.

5. Adyan Para: Adyan Para waterfalls is located at Kurmbalangod village on the other side of Chaliyar river around 14 km from Nilambur.

6. Aruvacode: Located near Nilambur, it is popular for pottery works.

7. Central Forest Nursery: It was established the Kerela forest department in 1997 at Valluvassery for culture of seeds and saplings of various trees.

8. Primitive Tribes of Valamthode - Cholanaickers: It is located around 27 km from Nilambur at Valamthode.

9. Kovilikakams: These are residence of the earlier kings of this place.

Nilambur is also popular for the Nilambur Pattu festival which showscase the drawings with power (rongoli).

One can eat at restaurants like Vazhiyoram, wild Bine, Chicken Broast Hut and stay at KTDC Tamarind Easy Hotel, Forest Rest House and Dormitory, Nasar’s Hotel, Peevees Nilambur Manor or Hotel Redfort.

5. Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala: Late Vaidyaratnam P.S. Varier established Arya Vaidya Sala in 1902 at Kottakkal. It is a Charitable Institution engaged in the ancient Indian medicinal practice and propagation of Ayurveda.

website: www.aryavaidyasala.com

6. Kodikuthimala: Located around 1500 meters above sea level, Kodikuthimala is know Ooty of Malappuram.

7. Kondotty: It is popular for the Pazhayangadi Mosque

8. Tirurangadi: Here one can visit Mampuram mosque.

9. Kadalundi Nagaram: At Kadalundi Nagarm, Kadalundi river meets the Arabian sea. Here hordes of migratory birds visits every year during February to March. It is also popular for Pooram festival.

14. Tanur: Tanur located around 8 km from Tirur is said to be the oldest Portuguese settlement. 3 km from Tanur is the Keraladhesswarapuram temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

15. Ponnani: Ponnani is unique as it is the only port in Malappuram district. This town has large number of mosques. Biyyam Kayal near Ponnani is a beautiful backwaters.

Pic by sandep