Kozhikode
History of Kozhikode:
Kozhikode, also known as ‘Calicut’, has a vast history with a lot of significance. Today, Kozhikode has been ranked as the second best city to reside in due to the history that is attached to it. Famous travelers like Vasco Da Gama and Ibn Battuta have left us with details about Kozhikode from as early as the 12th and 13th century.
Invaders had invaded Kozhikode, and finally with the National Movement and the fight for Independence, Kozhikode got its freedom. Kozhikode has been tagged with different names, like the ‘City of Spices’ and the ‘City of sculptures’. Today Kozhikode is known for the trade that it is doing with the European countries. If it wasn’t for its history, when Vasco Da Gama landed in Kozhikode and opened the trade route by sea, this wouldn’t have been possible. From more than 500 years, Kozhikode has been in trade with the Arabs, Chinese, Jews, Phoenicians and others.
Culture of Kozhikode:
The culture of Kozhikode is distinctively visible in its language, music, songs, and dances along this part of the Malabar Coast. The city of Kozhikode has contributed in great measure to the literary richness of the culture and language through the rendition of folk songs and ballads known as VadakkanPattukal. These songs commemorate the deeds of brave legends like the great TacholiMeppayilKunjaOthenan, the brave warrior who led many a battle against exploitation. He was called as the “Robin Hood of Northern Malabar”.
Songs are so ingrained in the Malabar culture that people from all religions have them as a favourite pastime wherein they sing the Mappilapattu and the Oppana. They are distinctive tunes that have lyrics in a synthesis of Arabic and Malayalam. The lilting music is haunting and has a mystic all of its own that resounds down the coastal sounds.
Among the dances that are the unique signature of Kozhikode’s culture are the Koothu, the world famous and renowned Kathakali, the Ottanthullal and the intrepid Kaikottikali. The performances of these dances all over are the classical renditions of mythological and legendary tales and other ritual dance like Theria and the Theyyam which will are performed during specific ceremonies.
Children and youth who want to devote their lives to the performance of Kathakali often do so with a sincerity and devotion that is hard to find anywhere. The traditional “Guru ShishyaParampara” is followed here. In this form of student teacher relationship, the teacher is everything for the student and vice versa.
Festivals of Kozhikode:
Kozhikode has its very own calendar of festivals all the year around. Some of the most significant festivals of the area are the Madapalli, Vadakara festival which is also called the Pooram festival held in March-April according to the Vikramic calendar every year. This festival is a great draw for devotees, pilgrims and tourists. It is held at the Arahkal temple in Vadakara. There is also the KokanarkavuBhagavathi temple situated at Mamuda in Vadakara. There are two major festivals held here in the months of March and April as well as November- December.
Kaliyatta Mahotsavam
There are the KadapallyKunkhom festival of Thera Pudupamam and then there is the KaliattaMahautsavam which is held in March in the temple of Vadakkara Shri PisharikavaBhagavathi. This temple is devoted to mother goddess and is located at Vigyan, Thikkody. The Shivratri festival is a grand occasion held every year for seven days in February- March. This celebration is conducted with much fun and gaiety at VettakkorumanPattaTempel which is located in the Fort-Bulussery’s precincts at Koyilandy as also the Sreekanteshwara Temple Festival held at Kozhikode. Then there is also the ThacholiManikkoth Temple Festival that is held in February each year.
The magnum opus of all festivals of Kozhikode is the grand Malabar festival which encapsulates the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Kerala. It is held every year between thirteenth to sixteenth January every year in the very heart of Kozhikode which is the ManachiraMaidan. This festival offers a panoramic view of the culture of Kozhikode.
Appavanibham Nercha
Idiyangara Sheikh Masjid in Kozhikode district of Kerala, is famous for its annual festival of AppavanibhamNercha. It is a popular festivity that people across the state celebrate irrespective of caste and creed. During the festival time, devotees visiting here present cultivated crops along with clothes and other offerings to the mosque. Apart from these, they also offer miniature forms of human body and organs to the mosque. There are various religious institutions and charity centres functioning under the administration of this mosque. Every day, thousands of believers throng the mosque to offer their prayers. It has been around 454 years since the custom of appavanibham started.
Idiyangara Sheikh Masjid
ManachiraMaidan
Foods of Kozhikode:
Sweetmeat lane
The city also has a strong mercantile streak to it, with the major vein of commerce being the MithaiTheruvu, a long street crammed with shops that sell everything from sarees to cosmetics, and house hotels to sweetmeat shops. The name MithaiTheruvu or SM Street comes from the sweet Kozhikode Halwa which was often called as the Sweetmeat by European traders. The multi-cultural mix of Kozhikode ensures that Onam, Christmas, and Id-ul-Fitr (the festivals of the Hindus, Christians, and Muslims) are celebrated with equal pomp, indulging in the local cuisine.
Kozhikode is famous for its thick, black, translucent Calicut Halwa. Every sweet shop, every bakery, every major store selling food items and packaged foods, sells the ubiquitous Calicut Halwa. The black Calicut Halwa is made very simply out of maida and sugar, palm jaggery, and is cooked in coconut oil.The other coloured halwas do not taste much different, even though the orange, white and yellow varieties are jazzed up with chopped nuts, elaichi, and jeera. Flavours are not added, only colours. There is a banana halwa, too, which is made in vanaspati and not oil. The halwa is an integral part of Kerala cuisine.
Kozhikode cuisine also offers fare for every palate. Vegetarian fare includes the sadya (the full-fledged feast with rice, sambhar, pappadum, pickles and seven different side dishes). However, the non-vegetarian food offered in the city is a unique mix of Muslim and Christian preparations. Some popular dishes include the Kozhikode Biriyani or the Malabar Biriyani, Ghee Rice with meat curry, a whole host of sea-food preparations (prawns, mussels, mackerel, sea-fish) and paper thin Pathiris to provide accompaniment to spicy gravy. Other well-known Kozhikode specialties are crisp and wafer thin Banana Chips made from coconut oil, and the Kozhikode Halwa.
Places to Visit:
Kozhikode Beach and Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
Valayanad Devi Temple and Beypore Beach
Srikanteshwara Temple and Thalikkunu Shiva Temple
Thusharagiri Fall and Kakkayam Dam
Connectivity:
By Air- through Calicut International Airport
By Rail:
By Bus:
We welcome all to come to and enjoy the hospitality, sights and unique culture of Kozhikode!
By: Team Kozhikode
