Kozhikode

Calicut is the anglicised form of Kalikut. The Arabic for the Malayalam , Kozhikode. It is also called the Cock Fort. According to the historian, K.V Krishnan Iyer, the term means koyil (Palace) Kodu (Fortified). Anyhow, it is a historical town with a hoary past. From time immemorial, the city attracted travellers, with its charming physical features and prosperity. Even today , the glory that was Calicut has not faded. The political history of Kozhikode is a story of treacherous and ill conceived

conspiracies hatched by the Western powers.Vasco De Gama landed at Kappad in May 1498, as the leaders of a trade mission from Portugal and was received by the Zamorin himself.The history of Kozhikode district as an administrative unit begins from January 1957.When the states of the Indian Union were reorganised on linguistic basis on 1st November, When the states of the Indian Union were reorganised on linguistic basis on 1st November, 1956, the erstwhile Malabar district was separated from Madras state (Tamil Nadu) and added to the new unilingual state of Kerala. The Beauty and serenity of Kozhikode beach is not yet exploited to develop it into a tourist centre. Still People from all around gather here to enjoy the sunset and it is a popular retreat for local people. Two sea piers almost 125 years old extending well inside the sea are a speciality. The Lions Club Childrens park along with the near by ice-cream parlours make evenings pleasent for visiting families. Fisherman with their small rowing boats entering the sea, fighting the waves and returning with varieties of fish is worth watching. A marine water aquarium is situated at Kozhikode beach and varieties of marine and fresh water fish can be seen here. Kuttichira was the main square in the Calicut urban area from 14th Centuary onwards. The square was formed around a tank with several mosques around and nearby. This area was mainly inhabited by Muslim traders.Mosques are built in the traditional systems of timber construction with tiered roofs. These mosques are preserved without much alterations and additions from the original form

Calicut now wins a place in the Planetarium map of the world. Regional science centre Calicut houses a 250 seater Planetarium fitted with a sophisticated Zeiss projector. The Science centre abounds with puzzles which make mathematics easy. An array of rolling balls move in a circuitous path and perform acrobatics. They ring bells, generate electricity and play musical chimes on their way. Parabolic reflectors carry whispers from one end of the park to the other end. Objects float in space defying gravity. Chemistry brings magic at home. The Science Centre unravels mysteries, explains things which otherwise would be called supernatural

The ports of the Malabar Coast have been participated in the Indian Ocean trade in spices, silk, and other goods for over two millennia. Kozhikode emerged as the centre of an independent kingdom in the 14th century, whose ruler was known as the Zamorin.