Kozhikode, or rather more popularly Calicut is one of the major cities in India. It is considered as the second best place in the entire country to live-in. The city is the second largest city in the influential state of Kerala, India. It is located in northern part of the parent state and is popularly recognized as an important centre of trade.
The Arabs started trading with the city as early as the seventh century; following them came the Portuguese, English, French, and Dutch. Amongst the most popular European merchants who landed their foot at the city also include Vasco Da Gama and his crew of 170 men. In fact, it is he who was the first European who landed on Indian soil for the first time. So Kozhikode is also popular as being the first discovered sea route to reach India. Today, the city takes pride for being the host to the famous-courageous merchant and explorer. There exists a large monument in the city that commemorates their arrival.
During the Middle Ages, because of the trading significance of the city, Calicut was also refereed as “the city of spices”. Spices that were grown in the city and regions surrounding it, namely black pepper and cardamom, were the prime trades. There are facts that the city continued to trade spices with the West for about 500 years. Even today the trading significance of the city continues to dominate the domain of commerce in the city and the encompassing state. Although, several new trading aspects got attached along the spice trade with the passage of time, but spice trading still continues to mark its presence.
The trade of the city contributed a lot in developing the city to its present state. Today, the city is uber-modern city where dwells all the pleasure, comforts, and conveniences of urbanization. Other than trade the other important industries in the city are manufacturing, rubber manufacturing, coffee, lemon, and pepper plantation.
Tourism is also slowly picking up pace in Calicut. The ancient colonial bungalows & churches, rich cultural heritage, large coffee estates, ancient temples, tribal traditions, great food, and several other rewarding opportunities for shopping etc. are the allures that bewitch the backpackers across India to visit the city. As a tourist destination the city has a lot to offer. There are both old and urban world allures and attractions to explore-relish. Besides, nature has always been good to the diverse lands of the city.
Of the popular tourist attractions in the city, the Thusharagiri Falls makes an imperative constituent. The waterfall is amongst the numerous waterfalls in the state, and is one of the most beautiful ones. The place is the site where two separate streams that originate from the Western Ghat meet. The Chalippuzha river, which is the resultant of the conflux forms three gusting waterfalls, forming foamy surrounding. From a distance the place looks like snow sprayed environment, which gives the place the name Thusharagiri, meaning snow-clad mountain.
The site of the waterfalls is at the outskirts of Calicut city, about 50 km away. There are taxis and cabs available to the tourist site. Besides, there are couple of the good Calicut hotels offering transportation to the site. What’s more, the place also makes as a perfect destination for trekking, rock-climbing, nature-watching, and hitchhiking. Plus, there also exists an excellent wildlife sanctuary.
Simply put, Calicut or Kozhikode is a beautiful city which is also a major centre of commerce and trade in the state. Meanwhile, it is also an excellent destination for vacationing. Head to the quaintly beautiful city to explore it, and for accommodations choose from best budget hotels in Calicut; there is plenty of them.
Dimpy Roy
Dimpy Roy is a travel writer working with an Online Travel Guide. She helps travelers to find best Calicut hotels for hazzle free vacations.