Pazhassiraja Museum and Art Gallery is situated about 5 km from Kozhikode town at East Hill, Kozhikode district, north Kerala. It has been named after the famous Pazhassiraja Kerala Varma of the Kottayam royal family. Pazhassiraja led the famous ‘Pazhassi Revolt’ against the East India Company during the 1700’s. Pazhassiraja was nicknamed the Lion of Kerala and is also accredited with starting guerilla war in the hills of Wayanad to give a blow to the unbearable British rule. An absolute treasure trove for historians and connoisseurs of art, the Pazhassiraja Museum is located in the land of spices, which lured navigators from time immemorial. The Art Gallery adjacent to the museum displays the paintings of Kerala’s esteemed artists, Raja Ravi Varma, whose works brought international repute to the State.The museum is under the surveillance of the Archaeological Deparment of the State. Pazhassiraja is also credited with introducing guerilla warfare in the hills of Wayanad to resist the increasingly intolerable British colonialism. This great freedom fighter was shot dead in an encounter on 30 November 1805.
Location info:
Address: 5km from Kozhikode town, Kozhikode district, Kerala, India.
The place is hot and humid and temparature ranges from Summer, 35.0 C – 22.5 deg C. Winter, 32.0 CC – 22.0 deg C.
History:
The Art Gallery and the Pazhassiraja Museum are named after the illustrious Pazhassiraja Kerala Varma who belonged to the Padinjare Kovilakom of the Kottayam Royal family. Popularly known as the Lion of Kerala , this valorous personality led the remarkable ‘Pazhassi Revolt’ during the second half of 1700 against the British East India Company. He is also Pazhassiraja is also accredited with the introduction of the guerilla warfare in the Wayanad hills to resist British colonial powers. However this patriotic fighter was shot dead on 30 November 1805.
Interesting things to do:
You can see mural paintings, antique bronzes, ancient coins, models of temples, umbrella stones, dolmenoid cists (quadrangular burial chambers with capstones), and similar megalithic monuments, and also see Art Gallery.
Interesting things to Visit:
Krishna Menon Museum:Krishna Menon Museum situated at East Hill is five km by bus from the Railway station / city bus station. Lying adjacent to pazhassi raja Museum, a store house of knowledge.Beypore:Situated 11 Km from the city, off Kallayi road. City buses ply form the city bus station and Palayam terminals. The hall mark of Beypore is its traditional ship building yard where the world famous “URU” is build, which has been a mode of transportation on the high seas for ages.Planetarium:The Kozhikode Planetarium is located at Jaffar Khan Colony within the city, and it presents educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky.Dolphin’s Point:Located at just a few kilometers from the city center, the Dolphin’s Point is a popular tourist attraction where you can watch dolphins playing in the sea.Kalipoika:It is situated about 2 km from Kozhikode. An exciting boating experience can be enjoyed here from 08:00 to 19:00 hrs.Kappad:Kappad see shore is famous because Vasco Da Gamma landed here in 1498 from Europe.
Mobile range info:
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Kozhikode International Airport.
Nearest Airport:Karipur International Airport and Cochin International is also near to this place.
Road Transport:It is well connected to all the major towns in Kerala, Kerala Karnataka and Tamil Nadu by an excellent road network. and It also connects highways like NH 17, NH 212.
Nearest Visiting places:
Badagara (Commercial Centre):
48 kms from Kozhikode, in Badagara is Kalaripayattu, which is a flourishing, and great commercial centre of martial arts. Badagara is also famous for being the birthplace of Thacholi Othanan, the hero of the ballads of North Malabar.Thikkoti Lighthouse:22kms from Kozhikode is the lighthouse, which overlooks Velliyamkallu, the rock much dreaded by navigators, off Moodadi coast, which was built after a ship, wreck and the remains of which can still be seen here. The Velliyamkallu rock is the transit home of migratory birds.Thusharagiri:Lying 50kms east of Kozhikode, Thusharagiri is a little tribal tourist spot in Kerala. Tow streams originating from the Western Ghats meet here to form the River Challipuzha. The river diverges into three waterfalls, creating a snowy spray, which gives the name ‘Thusharagiri’ which means ‘snowy peak’.Peruvannamuzhi Dam:60kms from Kozhikode, the Peruvannamuzhi dam site, set amide hills is a beautiful picnic spot. The reservoir hence provided facilities for speedboat and rowboat cruises. Inhabited islands, a bird sanctuary and a crocodile farm add to the charm of the place.Velliyamkallu:It is a massive rock which had once served as a vantage point for the ‘marakkars’ to attack the Portuguese invaders. The beautiful natural engravings on the rock add to the overall charm of this tourist attraction in Kozhikode.Lions Park:A park for children situates next to the light house at Calicut beach. The park is open from 3 pm onwards. It is good to enjoy the sunset from hereMananthavadi: . The forests of Mananthavadi are amongst the most picturesque locales of Kerala. The place is also of historical importance as it is here that Pazhassi Raja, a native chieftain famous for his guerilla tactics against the British, breathed his last.The tomb of Veera Pazhassi Raja, known as the Lion of Kerala has been erected here as a memorial to this valiant leader, who committed suicide to avoid capture, by the British.Buddha Vihar:The Budha Vihar situated at Customs Road near south beach of Kozhikode is a marked example of the presence of Budhists in Kozhikode. There is a good collection of writings on Budha.Mananchira:Mananchira is the heart of the Kozhikode city and has important institutions like the Town Hall and the Public Library. One of Kozhikode’s oldest institutions, the Commonwealth Trust’s office is located here at Mananchira.Science Planetarium:Kozhikode wins a place in the planetarium map of the world. Situate within city at Jaffarkhan Colony. It reveals the mysteries of universe and enlightens about the planets and stars.Kakkayam:Kakkayam situated 45km away from Kozhikode is a perfect place for trekking and rock climbing. Nestled between the Southern Ghats, the place with lush greenery and abundant wild life, provides stunning views. The eye-catching Urakkuzhi (oorakuzhi) waterfall is the major attraction. The ideal time to visit this place is between November and April.Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary:This sanctuary is the home to about 100 species of resident and 60 species of migratory birds. The sanctuary is surrounded by hillocks and spreads over an area of 3 km at an altitude of 200m above sea level. The ideal season to visit this sanctuary is between December and April.Kirtads:This unique museum houses the tools and devices used by the ancient tribal communities of Kerala. A good library with books on Anthropology and Sociology is an added attraction.Wayanad Ghats:The green ghats enroute to Wayanad has nine hairpin bends, each turn taking one to a higher altitude offering a better view of the picturesque plains below. This route explored by a tribal was developed by the British .Lokanarkavu Temple:This temple, associated with the heroes and heroines of the Vadakkanpattu combines an arresting simplicity and a legendary aura. The candid murals and carvings here are a delight to art lovers.Tali Temple:Tali Temple is one of the oldest and the most ancient temples around. It is a very distinct temple, and its history goes all the way back to the times of the Zamorin rule. IN general, Tali Temple is a Shiva Temple, and it results in many pilgrimages and visitors every year.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
Thiruvampadi Petrol Pump SH 34, Kozhikode Kerala.Thamarashery Petrol Pump NH212, Thamarrassary Kozhikode, Kerala.Thadambattuthazham petrol pump Kappad – Thusharagiri – Adivaram road Calicut, Kozhikode, Kerala.
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Hotel Kadavu Resort N.H.17 Calicut Bye Pass Road Calicut, 673632 Tel: 0483 2830023.Hotel Asma Tower SH 24, Kozhikode Kerala 673004 Tel: 09847611275.Hotel Alakapuri MM Ali Road, Kozhikode, Kerala Tel: 0495 2723451.Hotel Vinayaka Calicut, Kozhikode Kerala.
Things to carry:
Tips & Suggestions:
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:Police Station Chevayur Police Station A. R. Camp Road, Vellimadukunnu Calicut, Kozhikode Kerala 673012.Koduvally Police Station NH212, Kozhikode Kerala 673572.
Nearest Hospital:PVS Hospital Railway Station Road Kozhikode, Kerala Tel: 0495 2705045.Baby Memorial Hospital Kozhikode, Kerala Tel: 0495 2723272.Kottaparambu Hospital NH 17,Kozhikode Kerala.Ashoka Hospital Bank Road, NH 17 Kozhikode, Kerala 673001 Tel: 0495 2721123.