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Kozhikode (Calicut)

Pop: 810,000 Area Code: 0495

There is not much to see or do in this city.
Kozhikode was a port at least as early at the 7th century for Chinese and Middle Eastern traders. Vasco da Gama, the first European to arrive in India by boat, landed first in Kappad, 16km north of Kozhikode. The Portuguese had regular skirmishes with the local rulers, the Zamorins, for about a century and a half. Eventually the Portuguese were allowed to base their operations here. The British, French, Dutch, Portuguese, and Haider Ali, the ruler of Mysore and his son Tipu Sultan, all competed for Calicut in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1792, the British took it over.

Orientation
Ansari Park (also known as Mananchira Maidan) is in the center of town. West of the park is the post office, north is the State Bank of India, east is the CSI Church, and south is the KTDC Hotel Malabar Mansion. Bank Rd goes north past the bank. From Bank Rd, Indira Gandhi Rd (Mavoor Rd) goes off to the right. Close to this intersection are the KSRTC bus station, Indian Airlines, shopping facilities, and PL Worldways. The beach is 2km west of the center of town.

Information
The KTDC Tourist Office (721-394), in the Hotel Malabar Mansion, south side of Ansari Park, sells a road map of Kerala for Rs 30, a city map (Rs 5), and brochures (Rs 5). There is a tourist counter at the railway station.

It is not safe to walk alone on the beach, 2km west of town center.

PL Worldways (65121), 3rd Fl, Lakhotia Computer Centre, intersection of Bank Rd and Indira Gandhi Rd (Mavoor Rd), sells international and domestic airline tickets and may be able to help obtain visas for other countries. They can also confirm airline reservations for Rs 100.
National Hospital (66408), Mavoor Rd, near the KSRTC bus station, is the best hospital in town. There is also Baby Memorial Hospital (365-162), RC Rd.

The Post Office is on the west side of Ansari Park. Postal Code 673001.

Money
Banks here generally exchange only cash. The State Bank of India is on Bank Rd. Travelers cheques can be exchanged at some hotels. PL Worldways (65121), Lakhotia Computer Centre, at the junction of Indira Gandhi Rd (Mavoor Rd) and Bank Rd, exchanges most types of traveler's cheques. Also you can purchase travelers cheques with major credit cards.

What to See
The 14th century Tali Temple has paintings depicting stories from the Vedas. Non-Hindus cannot enter. To get here, take RS Rd until it dead-ends at Francis Rd. Make a left and the temple is on the left.

The popular Music Fountain at Ansari Park dances along to Hindi cinema music for a two-hour show. Shows start at 6:30 pm. Admission Rs 3.

You can walk along the fairly uninteresting beach here, 2km from the center of the city.

Pazhassiraja Museum has bronze statues, old coins, and copies of ancient paintings. The Krishna Menon Museum, next door, contains the personal effects of the former President of Indian. The Art Gallery contains paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma. These places are open daily except Mon 10 am to 5 pm. On Wednesday the Krishna Menon Museum and the Art Gallery open at noon. They are located on East Hill, 5km from Calicut.

At Kappad, 16km from Kozhikode, there is a marker that commemorates Vasco da Gama landing there on May 27, 1498. If the water is not too rough this beach is supposed to be safe to swim at.

Where to Stay—Lower
Lakshmi Bhavan Tourist Home (722-027), GH Rd, has basic rooms for Rs 100/175.
Hotel Sajina (722-975) has basic rooms for Rs 100/150.
Sasthapuri (723-281), Jail Rd, off MM Ali Rd, near the railway station, has good rooms for Rs 150/175. It is a good budget place.
Hotel Asma Tower (723-560), Marvoor Rd, has rooms for Rs 300/350 and Rs 400/500 with A/C. It is a good value.
Metro Tourist Home (766-029), at the junction of Bank and Mavoors Rds, has rooms for Rs 175/225 and A/C rooms with TV for Rs 550.
KTDC Hotel Malabar Mansion (722-391), Mananchira Square, near Ansari Park in the center of town, has modern rooms with bath, TV, and phone for Rs 225/300 and Rs 400/500 for a large A/C room with hot water. It is a good value, but is often booked.
Hotel Diplomat (302-391), Railway Station Rd, near the railway station, has rooms built around a courtyard with bath and hot water for Rs 150/200, deluxe Rs 250 and Rs 350 with A/C.
Heena Palace (673-002), Railway Station Rd, near the railway station, has rooms with bath for Rs 200/250, with Star TV Rs 350 and with AC Rs 550.
Alakapuri (723-451), MM Ali Rd, has rooms for Rs 500. It has a nice garden.

Where to Stay—Middle to High
Paramount Tower (722-651; fax 721-639), Town Hall Rd, has modern rooms for Rs 400/500 and Rs 500/600 with A/C.
Kalpaka Tourist Home (720-222), Town Hall Rd, just south of Ansari Park, has good value rooms with hot water for Rs 250 and A/C rooms for Rs 500/700. It has a South Indian restaurant.
Sea Queen Hotel (366-604; fax 365-854), Beach Rd, near the beach, has clean, comfortable, large rooms for Rs 450/600 and Rs 800/900 with A/C.
Hotel Malabar Palace (721-511; fax 21794), GH Rd, has central A/C and rooms for Rs 1200/1600.
Taj Residency (766-448; fax same), PT Usha Rd, has rooms starting at $75/90.

Where to Eat
Kalpaka Tourist Home is a vegetarian place that serves a South Indian breakfast, Chinese, Indian and Continental.
Cochin Bakery, across from the State Bank of India, and the A/C Regal Cakes a few shops down, sell good baked goods.
Sana Rice Bowl in Paramount Tower has a lunchtime buffet. Sunset Point in Paramount Tower is a rooftop restaurant, from which there is a great view.
Woodlands vegetarian restaurant, White Lines Building, GH Rd, is one of the best places in town. Thalis (Rs 40)
Alakapuri Guest House, MM Ali Rd. near the railway station, has a very good South Indian restaurant.

Local Travel
Auto-rickshaw drivers will often use their meters. It cost about Rs 10 to get from the railway station to most hotels and the bus station.

Travel
Air The airport is in Karippur, 23km from Kozhikode. Indian Airlines (766-522) and Air India are on Bank Rd, north of Mavoor Rd. There are flights to Mumbai (three daily), Bangalore (one daily), Goa, Madurai, and Chennai (two daily). Jet Airways flies to Mumbai.

Train The railway station is about 1km south of Ansari Park on Railway Station Rd. There are trains to Ernakulam (4½ hr, 190km), Thiruvananthapuram (10 hr, 415km), Mumbai (36 hr), Mangalore (5 hr), Chennai, Bangalore, and Delhi (40 hr).

Bus From the KSRTC bus stand, Mavoor Rd, buses depart to Bangalore (8 hr, over 10 daily), Mysore (5½ hr, 15 daily), Mangalore (7 hr), Kochi (5½ hr, many buses), Thiruvananthapuram (10 hr, over 10 daily), Ooty, Madurai and Alappuzha (Alleppey).

Private buses depart from the New bus stand. Buses go to Mangalore (6 hr), Mysore (6 hr), Kochi (15 buses daily, 6 am to 11.50 pm, ordinary and express buses), and Devala (near Ooty, 10 hr).

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