Kappadkadavu as the locals call Kappad is no ordinary beach. It’s the beach that launched a thousand ships so to speak. Vasco da Gama stepped ashore with 170 men in 3 ships on 27th May 1498 at Panthalayani, about 6 km away. His visit launched trade between Portugal and India. The Dutch and English followed suit wanting a hold over calico and they didn’t leave for nearly 450 years. Vasco da Gama died on his third visit to India in 1524 but he left India finally only in 1538 when his remains interred in St. Francis church returned to Portugal. What remains behind still is the gold crown studded with precious stones that Vasco da Gama presented to the king of Kochi. The crown is still to be seen in the Hill Palace museum at Thripunitura in Kochi.
Kappad is one of the still serene, untouched beaches with a charm all its own unruffled by the weight of its history. For much before Vasco da Gama came the Arabs, the Greeks and the Romans attracted by the spices and riches of Malabar. As Kappad beach is the entry point to the Malabar coastline.
Kappad is one of the still serene, untouched beaches with a charm all its own unruffled by the weight of its history. For much before Vasco da Gama came the Arabs, the Greeks and the Romans attracted by the spices and riches of Malabar. As Kappad beach is the entry point to the Malabar coastline.
Beach Sights
· A stone pillar with an inscription commemorates the event of Vasco da Gama’s landing
· Rock formation at one side and beach stretches endlessly on the other
· Shore is a short 20 m and the sand is swallowed by soil
· Wading isn’t really possible as the waters are quite deep
· A rock abutment into the sea has a temple Urapottam Kavu considered to be 800 years old
Location
- The best route is to imagine you’re on the ship of Vasco da Gama and cruise through the backwaters towards Korappuzha river and come ashore on Kappad
- Take the train or plane to Kozhikode and Kappad is 16 km away.
- Drive down 20 minutes to Kappad or bus it or take the auto
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