Kappad
Beach, Kozhikode
Location : About 16 km from Kozhikode town

For the people of Kozhikode, this pleasant stretch
of rock studded beach is Kappakkadavu. To the tourist it is one
of the most charming of Kerala's beaches.
Kappad finds mention in history and geography texts as the gateway
to the Malabar coast. Here, 501 years ago, 170 men led by the Portuguese
navigator Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) sailed in and stepped into Kerala
to create a new chapter in history. The story of a long and tumultuous
socio-political relationship between India and Europe. It was the
spices and wealth of Malabar that first brought the Arabs, the Phoenicans,
the Greeks, the Romans, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English
to Kerala. Kappad has witnessed many such landings.
Kozhikode was then the most important trade centre of the Malabar
region and the Zamorins who ruled this mighty land were powerful
and shrewd. Though the Portuguese were welcomed in Kozhikode they
were not too well encouraged or entertained for long by the Zamorins,
which might be the reason they shifted their base to Kochi and Kollam
down south. Today only a little stone monument is left at the Kappad
beach to speak of its great historic importance. On the rocks nearby
is a temple believed to be 800 years old.
To the tourist, however, this little sea faring town is a haven.
The best route to Kappad is along the backwaters. Unspoilt and uncrowded,
the picturesque backwaters of Kozhikode offers a bewitching experience.
A ride down the backwaters through the Korappuzha river brings you
to the beach.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 16 km.
Nearest airport : Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode about
23 km from Kozhikode town
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