Travel Guide Kozhikode (Calicut)

550,440 inhabitants, more than 2 million inhabitants with the agglomeration. Kozhikode, the ancient Calicut, is the second largest city in the state after Kochi. The city has a long history: capital during the time of the Zamorin dynasty, the city's port was the most important on the Malabar coast, the point where Arabs and Chinese exchanged their goods and shipped local production. It was here that Vasco da Gama landed on 18 May 1498, or rather on the beach of the fishing village of Kappad, some 15 km from Calicut. Then the Dutch, the British, the French arrived in Kerala, and the British obtained by treaty the sovereignty over the region in 1792. Many temples, mosques and churches testify to the rich past of this city (Tali Shiva temple, Varakkal temple, etc.). It is also known for its halwas, these delicious cakes sold in the numerous pastry shops of the city (on S.M. Street in particular).