Why I Love Kozhikode

Kozhikode Railway Station

Kozhikode Railway Station

                                   

• The railway station is spick and span and you can actually spot staff sweeping the premises. The chairs are still in good shape not dented or rusted. 

•  It’s one of the few cities in India where the rhythm of life still follows a leisurely pace. The markets open only at 9:30 in the morning. Seeing closed shops makes one smile.

                                                  

• The autos come in three different categories and they will honestly tell you so as well as the difference in the fare….By meter, pre-paid, without meter. So, say from the station to the KSRTC bus stand…. the pre-paid will be Rs.45, the regular autos Rs. 60 and the honest auto driver who goes by the meter, it will be Rs.39.50. The auto guy will also with a great smile explain that the difference in the unmetered and pre-paid rate is because coming to the station was without a fare! 

• It’s got the cleanest, most modern airport and the domestic terminal is almost empty, barely two airlines operate from here….there are actually airline booking counters which are not used. This is because Kozhikode is NRI territory, if you don’t mention it you’ll be driven straight to the International Airport terminal instead of domestic because it’ll be assumed you’re flying abroad. 

• The only city in Kerala where they actually speak Hindi and English in a way that can be understood.

• It’s where you’ll find the best upma this side of the country – at Sarvanna Bhavan opposite the KSRTC stand. It’s the only restaurant in Kozhikode that opens at 7 am. 

• It’s where people as far as Bengaluru in the neighbouring state of Karnataka drive down to sample the non-veg fare at Zain’s which is located on Convent Cross Road behind the Fire Station. Call – 495-2366311. Be warned, it opens only at the grand hour of 12:30 morning because it’s mainly a lunch place.

• It’s one of the few places where the guest houses are decent and stay as comfortable as a hotel and less expensive. There’s Alakapuri Guest House at Maulana Mohammed Ali Road (Call 495-2723451/52/53/54); Aradhana Tourist Home, Kamala Building, right next to the station (Call 495-2302220/21)

• Kozhikode is a hop, skip and jump from neighbouring states so it’s a great point to start and end the journey when travelling in Kerala because it works out cheaper since it’s at the northern end of Kerala which is at the tip of India. For example, the difference in air fares from say Thiruvanthapuram to Mumbai and from Kozhikode to Mumbai is a cool Rs.2050. 

• One of the most scenic routes by train is the one from Thiruvanthapuram to Kozhikode via Allepey.