Heritage landmarks of Kozhikode
The Matri dei cathedral, also known as the Mother of God Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Malabar. Locally, it is called the Devamatha Palli. It is believed to date back to 1513 AD when the then Zamorin and the Portuguese reached an agreement wherein the Portuguese were allowed to build a factory in Calicut. A chapel for the Mother of God or Matre de Deo was build adjacent to the factory. The church houses a 200-year-old portrait of St. Mary.Located near the beach, the Matri dei cathedral is as much a place of worship as a structure of wonder. The carvings on the doors are worth mentioning. The church also houses enormous statues of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Matri dei cathedral is located at about half a kilometre from the Calicut city.
The Tali temple is situated in Kozhikode district in Kerala, and it dates back to the 14th century CE. The temple is noted for its annual festival namely, Revathi Pattathanam, a cultural and intellectual seven-day event celebrated in the Malayalam month of Thulam (mid-October – mid-November). The temple features majestic wood carvings, beautiful wall paintings, and roofs with intricate designs. The walls of the sanctum sanctorum (sreekovil) are built in the shape of a chariot that has brass designs and mural paintings.
The ‘Mishkal Mosque’ located in Kuttichira, Kozhikode is one of the oldest mosques in Kerala. It was built 650 years ago by an Arab merchant, Nakhooda Mishkal, after whom it is named. Mishkal mosque, the four-storeyed mosque situated in Kuttichira, has a history of more than 650 years. It is named after Nakhooda Mishkal, an Arab trader who built this structure. Made of timber, the Mishkal mosque was initially five storeyed. But it was damaged in arson during an attack by the Portuguese in 1510. Though it still bears traces of the assault, the mosque stands today as the prime example of communal harmony, for it was the Zamorin, a Hindu king, who avenged his Muslim subjects by repairing the mosque.
Unlike other mosques, the Mishkal mosque does not have cupolas and minarets. The intricate carvings on the walls and ceilings, and the Gopuram-style arches at the entrance show a noticeable resemblance to traditional temple architecture. The area inside the mosque is well-ventilated with Mihrab-style doors. During its renovation, a wooden Mimbar, or pulpit, with intricate motifs was added to the structure. Square and rectangular tanks, a few yards away the famous Kuttichira pond, are attached to the mosque complex.
