Kozhikode, also known by its anglicised name Calicut, is a vibrant coastal city located along the Malabar Coast in the southern state of Kerala, India. Historically celebrated as the “City of Spices,” it served as a major global trading hub for eastern spices like black pepper and cardamom, drawing Arab, Chinese, and European merchants for centuries. Notably, it is where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama first set foot in India at Kappad Beach in 1498. Today, Kozhikode is famed for its rich maritime heritage, warm hospitality, and its designation as India’s first UNESCO City of Literature