Kozhikode, The Traveler’s Paradise.

 

 Kozhikode, The Traveler’s Paradise.

The city of Kozhikode is my hometown. It is a traveler friendly city in light of its cultural heritage, and rich diversity in cuisine.

            My hometown was a major port town and the capital of the Zamorin kingdom in the middle ages, and had trade relations with the Portuguese, Dutch, French and Arab countries, which indicates the secular tradition of Kozhikode and its global appeal. Known for being the creative adobe to writers like S. K. Pottakad, Uroob, and musicians such M. S. Baburaj, the city continues to contribute to the literary and cultural fabric of the world. This is made evident as it hosts the acclaimed Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) every year. Also, Kozhikode is home to art forms like ‘Mapilapattu’, ‘Kolkali’, and ‘Oppana’ which has remained integral to the lives of the people here, and the attraction that city as a tourist destination puts forth. 

Beyond this, Kozhikode is an important destination for anyone with a sweet tooth, or for that matter, anyone who has teeth and a tongue. An entire street in Kozhikode is named after the most famous dessert here; the SM Street (a.k.a ‘Mittayi Theruvu’) which famous for the dessert lovingly called the “Kozhikodan Halwa'' which is sold in plenty here. The name was adopted due to the English referring to the dessert as ‘Sweat Meat’.The Kalanthan’s Milkshake and the Milk Sarbath place are underrated spots where one could cool oneself down in the tropical heat of Kozhikode, these stads attract big crowds every summer afternoon. Dishes like ‘Pathiri’, ‘Chattippathiri’, ‘Irachipathiri’, ‘Elanchi’, ‘Pazham Nirachathu’, and ‘Unnakkaya’ are familiar to the palettes in most households in and Kozhikode and are treasure troves to explore. But the ‘Kozhikodan Birayani’ is arguably the most loved dish from Kozhikode made popular by restaurants like ‘Paragon’, ‘Topform’, and ‘Rahmat’. The dish is ingrained into the city’s very being, and is a festival for the palettes. Each turn of the road presents a new restaurant here, and with it a new experience.

  
Anyone new to the city can find their way about with ease in Kozhikode. This is in part due to the people here who are very friendly. One can find cheap, and cozy home stays in the city and its surroundings where you can experience the food and culture of the city up close. Above all, Kozhikode is a safe city where no one will intrude your personal space. Nor will one feel uncomfortable here. The city is experienced in hosting guests from all across the world. One can be assured a joyous, fun and fulfilling stay here anytime during the year.

The multicultural aesthetic of the city and the warm and welcoming people makes my hometown a city one cannot miss out while travelling in Kerala, which is reflected in the increasing numbers of foreign visitors every year.

 

Sources:

1.      https://kozhikode.nic.in/about-district/history/

2.      http://www.kozhikode.com/history.htm

3.      https://web.archive.org/web/20091012185335/http://www.kkd.kerala.gov.in/generel.htm

4.      https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/eat-your-way-through-kozhikode-keralas-culinary-capital-1962590

5.      https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/A-food-lover%E2%80%99s-guide-to-Kozhikode/article14468973.ece

6.      https://www.onmanorama.com/food/foodie/2019/01/08/kozhikode-food-fusion-of-culture-

7.      https://www.keralatourism.org/tourismstatistics/tourist_statistics_2018_book20191211065455.pdf