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Kozhikode (Calicut) Accommodation and eating in Kerala
Kozhikode’s reasonably priced city-centre hotels, most of which operate a 24-hr check-out, can fill up by evening, especially during conventions. The beach area is a quiet alternative. Your best bet for a proper meal is to eat at your hotel, though you can get south Indian snacks in town at the dependable Indian Coffee House on Kallai Road. The open-air Park Restaurant, by Mananchira tank, makes an appealing city centre oasis in the evenings. Mezban at the Asma Tower on Mavoor Road is comfortable with a tasteful a/c section where you can get Continental and local breakfasts. The strong menu includes excellent local Malaban cuisine - try the fish. Nandhiniee Sweets, on MM Ali Road, is an ultra-hygienic sweets, nuts and savoury snacks pit stop, where you can also get great fresh-fruit cocktails, badam milk and faldoda shakes.
Alakapuri Guest House, MM All Road, near the railway station, 1km from KSRTC bus stand of 0495/723451. Guilt around a courtyard, some rooms have huge bathtubs, polished wood and easy chairs; ttie cheaper, non-a/c, options are rather spartan. The first-floor cafe serves great south Indian food all day; in the evening go down to the restaurant out in the courtyard garden. Single rates available. Beach Hotel. Beach Road 0495/365363. Built in 1890 as the Malabar English Club, this well-conserved and atmospheric building has been a hotel since the 1940s. Comfortable rooms overlooking the beach have teak floors and large verandas; cheaper rooms surround a garden at the back. A restaurant serves Malaban and seafood dishes.
Imperial, Kallai Road, 0495/753966. Large Hotel around a courtyard with plain and cheap rooms and a very good vegetarian restaurant: not recommended for single women. Kalpaka Tourist Home, Corner of SM Road and Town Hall Road 0495/720222 Five storeys ranged around a weirdly shaped courtyard-cum-sari store make for a space-stationesque interior, which is now ageing. The views from the eastern side are best. Some a/c rooms, and 24hr check-out. KTDC Malabar Mansion, SM Street 0495/722391. Modern high-rise hotel, near the railway station at the top of the main street Huge a/c suites, reasonable non-a/c rooms, beer parlour and a good south Indian restaurant. Good value.
Sasthapurt, MM Ali Road s 0495/723281. Small budget place with well-maintained rooms and a decent roof-garden restaurant and a bar. It’s lucked away down a side street to the right of palayam bus station. Taj Residency, FT Usha Road 0495/765354, |
7664480. The grandest hotel in town but it lacks the ubiquitous Taj style; nonetheless, the rooms are well appointed and comfortable and there’s a pool, coffee shop, multi-cuisine restaurant, and health and Ayurvedic centre. Breakfast is included in the tariff.
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Kozhikode (Calicut) in Kerala
The busy coastal city of KOZHIKODE (Calicut), 225km north of Kochi, occupies an extremely important place in Keralan legend and history. It is also significant in the story of European interference in the subcontinent, as Vasco da Gama first set foot in India at Kozhikode in 1498. However, as a tourist destination, it's a dud, with precious few remnants of its historic past. The few foreigners that pause here invariably do so only to break the long journey between Mysore and Kochi. Kozhikode s roots are shrouded in myth. According to Keralan tradition, the powerful king Cheraman Perumal is said to
North of Kozhikode in Kerala
The beautiful coast of Kerala, north of Kozhikode, is a seemingly endless stretch of coconut palms, wooded hills and virtually deserted beaches; the towns hold little of interest for visitors, most of whom bypass the area completely. However, then you miss out on the fun of a search through the villages for Teyyattam, the extraordinary masked trance dances that take place throughout the region during winter.
Kozhikode (Calicut) Arrival and information in Kerala
The railway station (0495/701234), served by a handful of coastal expresses and several passenger trains, is close to the centre. Trains heading north on the Konkan Railway include the fast, all a/c Rajdhani Express #2431 (Fri & Sac) which stops at Madgaon (Goa) on the way to Delhi, but the most convenient, in terms of departure time, is the Netravati Express #6636 (daily 9.45am). Neither trains stop at Mangalore but at a nearby town. Kankanadi-Trains south include the Mangala Lakshadweep Express #2618 (daily 7.35am) to Ernakulam and the overnight Malabar Express #6330 (daily 10.40pm) to Thiruvananthapuram. O£ the three bus
Thrissur in Kerala
The breezy bazaar town of THRISSUR (Trichur), roughly midway between Kochi (74km south) and Palakkad (79km northeast) on NH-47. is an obvious base for exploring the cultural riches of central Kerala. Near the Palghat (Palakkad) Gap - an opening in the natural border made by the Western Ghat mountains - it presided over the main trade route into the region from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. For years Thrissur was the capital of Cochin State, controlled at various times by both the zamorin of Kozhikode and Tipu Sultan of Mysore. Today, it justifiably prides itself on being the cultural capital of
Travel details for Travel details in Kerala
For details of ferry services on the backwaters - primarily between Alappuzha and Kollam. Trains Kochi/Ernakulam to: Alappuzha (3-5 daily; 1hr 20min): Bangalore (1 daily; 14hr); Chennai (3-5 daily; 12hr45min-14hr40min); Coimbatore (3-4 daily; 4hr 45min-5hr 30min); Delhi (2 daily; 40hr 30min-49tir), Kanniyakumari (2-3 daily; 8hr); Kollam (8-9 daily; 3-4tir|; Kottayam (8-9 daily; 1hr 5min); Kozhikode (6-7.daily; 3hr 20min-6hr 20min); Mumbai (2-3 daily; 28hr 20min 10hr 25min); Palakkad (5-6 daily; 3hr 20mm); Tliiriivananthapuram (9-11 daily; 4hr 20min-5hr): Thrissur (12-14 daily; 1 hr 30min-2hr). Kozhikode to: Kochi (6-7 daily; 4hr 30min-5hr 10min); Mangalore (3-4 daily; 5hr 40min-6hr); Mumbai (2-3 daily; 16hr 20min-23hr); Thiruvananthapuram (4-6
Kozhikode (Calicut) The City in Kerala
Few traces remain of the model city laid out in the fourteenth century, which followed a Hindu grid formula based on a sacred diagram containing the image of the cosmic man, Purusha. The axis and energy centre of the city was dictated by the position of the ancient Tali Shiva temple (closed to non-Hindus) which survives to this day. Everything, and everybody, had a place in the scheme. The district around the port in the northwest was reserved for foreigners. Here, a Chinese community lived in and around Chinese Street (now Silk Street) and, later, the Portuguese, Dutch and British
Thripunitra Eating in Kerala
Unusually for Keralan cities, Kochi offers a wide choice for eating out, from the delicious fresh-cooked fish by the Chinese fishing nets at Fort Cochin, to the sophistication of the Bmntori Boatyard. Between the two extremes, various popular, modest places in Ernakulam serve real Keralan food. The ferries run all evening, and so it is possible to enjoy a meal on one of the more atmospheric islands before heading back to Ernakulam at about 9pm.
North of Kozhikode Kannur (Cannanore) and around in Kerala
KANNUR (Cannanore), 92km north of Kozhikode, was for many centuries the capital of the Kolathiri rajas, who prospered from the thriving maritime spice trade through its port. In the early 1500s, after Vasco da Gama passed through, the Portuguese took it and erected an imposing bastion, St Angelo's fort, overlooking the harbour, but today this is occupied by the Indian army and closed to visitors. If you come to Kannur at all, it will probably be on the trail of Teyyattam, spectacular spirit-possession rituals that are an important feature of village life in the area from late October until May.
Accommodation and eating in Eastern Madhya Pradesh
Most of Bandhavgarh s new and established hotels, all of which are in Tala, cater for travellers on a higher budget, and offer "jungle-plan" prices - all-inclusive 24hr deals including meals and two Jeep safaris per person. However, there are also a few budget lodges and mid-priced hotels. The only option for eating outside your hotel is at one of the friendly, cheap dhabas on the main road.
Kottayam Accommodation and eating in Kerala
Kottayam has a good choice of mid-range hotels but if you are in search of utter luxury, head out to one of the five-star resorts that nestle on the banks of the nearby Vembanad lake in Kumarakom. You'll be hard pushed to find a decent budget hotel here, apart from the Ambassador. There are basic "meals" restaurants in the centre of Kottayam, such as the Black Stone, close to the bus station on TB Road, and a fairly dingy Indian Coffee House on TB Road, but the best is the vegetarian thali restaurant at Homestead Hotel. For an evening out, die
North of Kozhikode Practicalities in Kerala
Straddling the main coastal transport artery between Mangalore and Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur is well connected by bus and train to most major towns and cities in Kerala. In addition buses also travel to Mysore turning inland at Thalassery (aka Tellychery) and climbing the beautiful wooded ghats toVirajpet in Kodagu. Decent budget accommodation is available at Plaza Tourist Home (0497/360031), close to the railway station gates on Fort Road, which has reasonable rooms and an Indian Coffee House restaurant downstairs. A few metres up the road lies Madan (0497/768204), a sunny friendly budget lodge set in a courtyard with simple rooms. Swadeshi Woodlands
Cheruthuruthy Practicalities in Kerala
Cheruthuruthy s accommodation is limited, with some students staying as jjuests in private accommodation or at the new on-site, self-catering international Hostel. The village has a couple of simple guesthouses and the atmospheric Government Rest House (0488/462760; 0), a short distance along the Shoramur road from Kalamandalam, has eight vast and very basic rooms, some with Western-style toilets, and all sharing a veranda. The bustling and (Unattractive town of Shoramur has more options but none that could capture tthe charm of Cheruthuruthy and its environs. Food may be available by .arrangement, and there are simple "meals" shops in the village;
Ernakulam in Kerala
ERNAKULAM presents the modern face of Kerala, with more of a city feel than Thiruvananthapuram, but small enough not to be daunting. Other than the fairly dull Parishath Thamburan Museum (Tues-Sun 9.30am-noon & 3-5.30pm) in Darbar Hall Road, there's little in the way of sights. Along the busy, long, straight Mahatma Gandhi (MG) Road, which more or less divides Ernakulam in half 500m back from the sea, the main activities are shopping, eating and movie-going. Here you can email and phone to your heart's content, and choose from an assortment of great places to eat Keralan food. This area is
Thiruvananthapuram Information and tours in Kerala
All the tourist offices at the airport are open during flight times. The Government of India's counter (0471/501498) offers general information regarding Kerala and the adjacent states, while the Government of Kerala has two counters, one at the domestic terminal (0471/501085) and the other at the internacion.il terminal (0471/502298), offering Kerala-specific information including, for example, on backwater cruises. The Government of Kerala also has an office in the main block at the Thampanoor bus stand (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; 0471/327224) which is good for general information and maps and sells tickets for backwater cruises between Kollam and Alappuzha. They have another counter
Thriuvananthpuram Accommodation in Kerala
Accommodation Thriuvananthpuram's mid-range and expensive hotels are, in general, cheaper then in most state capitals, but are not concentrated in any one district. Budget hotels are grouped mainly in the streets around Central Station Road- Good areas to start looking are Manjalikulam Road, five minutes' walk west from the railway station, or the lanes off Aristo Junction; note that the best of the budget places tend to be full by late afternoon. If you prefer to base yourself at the beach, head for Kovalam.
Some history in Kerala
The god Farashurama, "Rama with the battle-axe", the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, is credited with creating Kerala. Born a brahmin, he set out to re-establish the supremacy of the priestly class, whose position had been usurped by arrogant kshatryas, the martial aristocracy. Brahmins were forbidden to engage in warfare, but he embarked upon a campaign of carnage, which only ended when Varuna, the all-seeing god of the sea, gave him the chance to create a new land from the ocean, for brahmins to live in peace. Its limits were defined by the distance Parashurama could throw his axe; the waves
Eating in Mumbai
In keeping with its cosmopolitan credentials, Mumbai (and Colaba above all) is crammed with interesting eating places, whether you fancy splashing out on a buffet lunch-with-a-view from a flashy five-star revolving restaurant, or simply tucking into piping-hot roti kebab by gaslight in the street.
Kovalam’s beaches Accommodation in Kerala
Kovalam is crammed with accommodation, ranging from standard budget rooms with just a double bed and bathroom to five-star hilltop chalets. Only rock-bottom rooms are hard to find, as all but a handful of the many budget travellers' guesthouses have been recently upgraded to suit the standards of the large number of package tourists that flock here over Christmas. This also means that hotels are often block-booked weeks in advance; it pays to phone around and reserve a room before you arrive, which also saves you from the menace of the touts that hang around the bus stand. If you
Alappuzha Practicalities in Kerala
The shambolic KSRTC bus stand, on the east of town, is served by half-hourly buses to Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakukm; less frequent buses run to Kottayam, Thrissur and Palakkad. The boat jetty is just one minute's walk west from the bus stand. As the backwaters prevent trains from continuing south beyond Alappuzha, only a few major daily services and a handful of passenger trains depart from the railway station, 3km southwest of the jetty. Among these are the Bokaro/Tata Express #8690 at 6am, the Trivandrum-Mumbai CST Express #6332 at 7.20am and the-Alleppey-Chennai Express #6042 at 3pm; all three stop at
Accommodation and eating in North Bengal
Kalimpong's acute water shortages are likely to influence your choice of accommodation - few of the lower-range options have running water. The market area (Tenth Mile) and the area around the Motor Stand are where you will find most budget hotels. The best restaurants are in the hotels - the Kalimpong Park, Crown and China Garden. Other options include the legendary Gompu's bar and restaurant a: Dambar Chowk which serves great momos; the Mandarin, a Chinese restaurant at the Motor Stand; and the basic but friendly Kelsang, tucked around the corner from the Motor Stand servmg curd and Tibetan food.