Latest news with #KozhikodeDistrictTourismPromotionCouncil
The Hindu
27-07-2025
- The Hindu
Digital recreation of Portuguese Fort at Chaliyam in final stages
Efforts by the Kozhikode District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) to digitally recreate the Portuguese fort at Chaliyam, which was destroyed by the Zamorin's army in the 16th century, are in their final stages. The Chaliyam Fort holds a special place in the history of erstwhile Calicut under the Zamorins. The Portuguese built the fort at the mouth of the Beypore river around 1530, reportedly with the support of local chieftains opposed to the Calicut kingdom. It was constructed at a strategic location to corner the Zamorin, as the structure was just about 10 km from then Calicut city. The Zamorin's attack on the fort in 1571 followed his alliances with Bijapur Sultan Adil Shah and the Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar for a 'joint enterprise against the Portuguese on the west coast,' writes K.V. Krishna Ayyar in his book Zamorins of Calicut. Official sources said on Sunday (July 27, 2025) that augmented reality (AR) 3D models and software to digitally recreate the Chaliyam Fort for viewers at the beach were ready. 'An interactive signboard will be installed at the site, allowing visitors to access the experience by scanning it with their mobile phones,' they added. 3D model of the fort The AR interface will offer three options— a 3D model of the fort, video descriptions in English and Malayalam detailing its history, and an immersive walkthrough that lets users open the fort's doors using augmented reality. The 3D model was developed by a research team from the State Archaeology Department and Government Arts and Science College, Kozhikode, after examining historical records. Mr. Ayyar, quoting from Zainuddin Makhdoom's Thuhfathul Mujahideen, wrote that it was agreed 'Adil Shah should attack Goa, Nizam Shah should march on Chaul, and the Zamorin should proceed against Chaliyam.' The Zamorin's army, consisting of Nairs and Muslims, bombarded the fort and blocked Portuguese reinforcements. Supplies sent by the Portuguese allies in Cochin and Cannanore were intercepted. Ayyar wrote that the Portuguese were 'compelled to devour dogs.' Soon after, the Portuguese captain surrendered. The Zamorin then demolished the fort, 'leaving not one stone upon another.' The Portuguese efforts to control Malabar ended soon after. The Calicut king later rebuilt the Mishkal Mosque at Kuttichira—earlier torched by the Portuguese—using wooden planks taken from the destroyed Chaliyam Fort.
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
11th edition of Malabar River Festival to begin in Kozhikode on July 25
The 11th edition of the Malabar River Festival, an international white-water kayaking championship, will begin at Chalippuzha in the Kodenchery grama panchayat in Kozhikode on Friday (July 25, 2025). The three-day event is being organised by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) and the Kozhikode District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), with technical support from the Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association (IKCA) and the support of the three-tier panchayat, according to a press release. The championship will take place on the Iruvazhinjipuzha and Chalippuzha rivers till Sunday (July 27, 2025). Linto Joseph, MLA, will inaugurate the festival at Pulikkayam at 9 a.m. District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh, district panchayat president Sheeja Sasi, grama panchayat presidents Alex Thomas Chempakassery (Kodenchery) and Bindu Johnson (Thiruvambady), elected representatives, and prominent social and political figures will attend the event. The Olympic events, including men's and women's slalom and extreme slalom, will be held at Chalippuzha in Pulikkayam, while the extreme slalom final, downriver, and boater cross events will take place at Pulloorampara on the Iruvazhinjipuzha river. Tourism and Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas will inaugurate the closing ceremony and present prizes to the winners at 5 p.m. on July 27. As part of the festival, music performances by the Gramophone Music Band will be held at Pulikkayam at 5 p.m. on July 25, followed by performances by local artists on Saturday (July 26, 2025) and the Mersey Music Band on Sunday at Elanthakadavu. Following the death of former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, the freestyle demonstration competition scheduled to be held at Meenthullippara in Chakkittapara on the Kuttiady river on Thursday (July 24, 2025) was cancelled. Kayakers from foreign countries and northern Indian States are currently training on the Chalippuzha and Iruvazhinjipuzha rivers. Pre-events were also organised in various panchayats as part of the festival's promotion.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Malabar River Festival cut short to three days
The 11th edition of the Malabar River Festival, which was scheduled to begin on Thursday (July 24, 2025), will commence a day later, and in a low-key manner without any festivities in honour of former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan who passed away on Monday (July 21, 2025). 'The events will be held at Pulikkayam and Pulloorampara as scheduled. But the procession and other cultural programmes have been cancelled,' said Linto Joseph, Thiruvambady MLA, who is in charge of the festival. Cultural programmes have also been cancelled. As scheduled, the extreme slalom competitions in all categories will be held at Pulikkayam in Kodenchery on July 25 and 26. The downriver race and super finals will be held at Pulloorampara on July 27. Over 10 foreign kayakers have already arrived at Kodenchery and are engaged in training for the International White Water Kayaking Championship in Chalippuzha and Iruvazhinji rivers where the competition will be held. The special invitees for this season include Anton Sveshnikov, Ryan O'Connor, and Daria Kuzischcheva from Russia, Manu Wackernagel, Zack Stones, Millie Chamberlain, Dayla Ward, Rata Lovell Smith, and Philip Palzer from New Zealand, Patrick Sheehan and Jose Todd from the US, Kilian Ivelic from Chile, Jill Joos from Belgium, and Maria from Italy. Manu Wackernagel was the Rapid Raja in the previous edition of the festival. Several national-level kayakers, both professionals and amateurs, are also taking part in the championship. The pre-events of the festival such as ankling, rain walk, farm tour, painting, mud football, off-road fun drive, badminton tournament, tug-of-war, tourism seminar, cycling, and bullock race have already been held at Kodiyathur, Thiruvambady, Kodenchery, Koodaranhi, Puthupadi and Perumanna grama panchayats, besides Mukkam municipality. The festival is jointly organised by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society and the Kozhikode District Tourism Promotion Council with technical support from Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association.
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Upland Kozhikode abuzz with pre-events of Malabar River Festival
With just a week remaining for the 11th edition of the Malabar River Festival commencing at Kodenchery and Thiruvambady, the upland villages of Kozhikode district are abuzz with pre-event activities and preparations for the event. The hilly hamlet of Kodenchery often wakes up to watch kayakers, both amateur and professional kayakers, rowing downstream the Chalippuzha, practising for the International Kayaking Competition to be held as part of the festival from July 24 to 27. River rafting is also being held in full swing here. While international kayakers are expected to arrive within a few days, several national-level kayakers, including national champion Amit Thapa, have already arrived at Kodenchery for practice sessions and training budding kayakers. The Malabar River Festival begins at Meenthullippara in Chakkittapara panchayat on July 24 where freestyle demonstrations will be held. However, the inauguration will be held at Pulikkayam at Kodencheri on July 25, where extreme slalom competitions in all categories are to be held. The downriver race and super finals will be held at Pulloorampara on July 27. The pre-events spread across several upland villages in the district have succeeded in creating enthusiasm in the high range. There are events such as ankling, rain walk, farm tour, painting, mud football, off-road fun drive, badminton tournament, tug-of-war, tourism seminar, cycling and bullock race in Kodiyathur, Thiruvambady, Kodencheri, Koodaranhi, Puthuppadi and Perumanna grama panchayats besides Mukkam Municipality that receive good patronage from the local community. The Malabar River Festival is jointly organised by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) and the Kozhikode District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) with the technical support of the Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association (IKCA).
