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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