2024 brings the good news that Etihad Airways is adding two new destinations to its India schedule. Passengers are now able to jet-set from Abu Dhabi International Airport to the Kerala based cities of Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram every day of the week, increasing the airline’s services to the country to 10. But do you know much about the cities? We have done our research and have come up with three great places to visit in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram.
KOZHIKODE: What to put on your radar
A GRAIN OF HISTORY
Imagine rolling waves and picture-perfect golden sand and you have yourself a vision of Kappad Beach. And while the place is superb for a day underneath the sun, the stretch of coastline holds great significance to the entire country as it is the landing site of Portuguese explorer Vasco-da-Gama and his band of 170 men in 1498. After a stroll along the beach, treat yourself to some tasty local delicacies and tea from the wooden stalls dotted along the seaside. and if you have a penchant for ornithology, tick off some candidates on your bird-watching list with the likes of Bar-tailed Godwits which use the beach as a stop-off point during their epic journey from the Arctic to Oceania. Chill out until evening where you can catch special sunset panoramas.
SEEK INNER PEACE
Arguably one of Kozhikode’s most popular attractions, the Tali Maha Kshetram allows an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Built in the 14th century as a place of worship for the Hindu deity Shiva, the temple is decorated with mural paintings and fine granite sculptures that tell the stories of Shiva and Puranas. Try appam, a thin pancake that is made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk or offer up an appam prasadam as a sacrifice to the deity. But be aware of an incredibly strict dress code that only sees men enter wearing mundus and women gaining entry wearing a saree or salwar kameez.
GET CREATIVE
Who doesn’t love expressing themselves in the form of art and at Sargaalaya, the home of Kerala’s art and craft heritage, you can discover the secrets behind some of the state’s most creative work. Think terracotta sculpting, seashell jewellery making and cane furniture crafting among 27 traditional works at the centre. Looking out over the banks of the Kuttiady River, the building itself is a work of art, floating above the water and enjoying the thick forest of Iringal as its backdrop. But the ‘village’ is so much more than just a workshop; guests can check-in for the evening in beautiful bedrooms, check out the local marine life in the aquarium or go on a boating tour of the area. Catch the village’s International Arts and Crafts Festival in the last week of December and first week of January to enjoy the works of various craft markers and artists from all around India.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The three things to see and do
MEET A MERMAID
Have you ever seen a mermaid? At Shanghumukham Beach, visitors will get the chance to gaze upon the largest sculpture of the mermaid in the world, the Sagarakanyaka by locally renowned artist Kanayi Kunkiraman. Sitting at a length of 87 feet and a height of 25 feet, the structure caused quite a stir when it was first revealed in 1992 due to the mermaid’s lack of clothing. Once you have garnered enough content for Instagram, hit the beach for some sun, sand and sea before tucking into a quick bite at Take-A-Break restaurant or a cup of chow at the classic Old Coffee House. A perfect day out.
THE TEMPLE OF RICHES
Discover a sense of spirituality as well as adventure at what is widely regarded as the world’s richest temple, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Replete with six vaults, allegedly full of invaluable precious stones, gold and silver, as well as one yet to be opened, the building is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Light and place a ghee lamp in front of the temple as a special offering, before discovering the 365 and one-quarter beautiful carvings of what is known as The Corridor. There is even an 80-foot high flag pole (dhwaja stamba) that is covered entirely in gold-plated copper sheets. The temple is always packed with crowds so the best opportunity to see the attraction in relative peace is in the early hours of the morning which is possible due to a 24-hour schedule.
GET BACK TO NATURE
We end our mini tour of Kerala with a stop at the art and natural history institution, the Napier Museum. Set in the sprawling public gardens of Trivandrum Zoo, the museum showcases a collection of stone, ivory, wood and bronze carvings and antique objects from around India. The building is a masterpiece in itself with Indo-Saracenic structures, Gothic roofs and minarets, reflecting Kerala’s rich architectural legacy. Once you are done with the collections inside, get your walking shoes on and stroll around the massive gardens which are home to 82 species of animals from around the world. And for aesthetes, if you still need more art, head to the northern sector of the grounds to the Sree Chitra Art Gallery that is home to more than 1,100 paintings.
