The district of Kozhikode is situated on the south-west coast of India. It is bounded in the north by
Kannur District, in the east by
Wayanad District, in the south by
Malappuram District and in the west by the
Arabian Sea. The political history of Kozhikode is a story of treacherous and ill conceived conspiracies hatched by the Western powers. From the 13th century, Kozhikode attained a position of pre-eminence in the trade of pepper and other spices which made it India’s emporium of international trade. Basking in the setting of the serene Arabian Sea in the west and the peaks of the
Wayanad hills in the east, Kozhikode has all the elements that fascinate a visitor.
The total geographical area is 2,344 sq km which accounts for six percent of the total area of the state. Kozhikode has a humid climate with a very hot season extending from March to May. The most important rainy season is during the south-west monsoon which sets in the first week of June and extends up to September. There is an abundance of wild and marine life.
The Hindus constitute the majority of the population ahead of the Muslim and the Christian communities respectively. The temples and mosques contain sculptures and inscriptions, which are of considerable interest to students of art. Kozhikode is famous for folk songs or ballads known as
Vadakkan Pattukal. During temple festivals and important social functions entertainments like Koothu,
Kathakali, Ottanthullal and Kaikottikali are performed. Ritual dances such as Thira and
Theyyam are also performed.
