Once the capital of the powerful Zamorins and a prominent trade and commerce centre, Calicut (or Kozhikode) was the most important region of Malabar in the days gone by. Today, lush green countrysides, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience make Kozhikode a popular destination.
Calicut, also called Kozhikode, is located on the Malabar Coast in Kerala. Calicut is a flourishing trade and marketing center for pepper coconut, coffee, rubber, lemon grass oil etc. Visit Mananchira Square, constructed around a huge tank (chira) fed by a natural spring; see the area around the tank partly converted into a park with landscaped gardens and a musical fountain; notice the arched entrance guarded by Tipu Sultan’s cannons; observe ethnic buildings around the Square with old-world charm. See ‘Calico’ work, a fine variety of handwoven cotton, believed to have originated here. Explore bustling markets. Many temples, mosques and churches dot the city.