Kappad
Beach

Kappad beach, 16 km from Kozhikode,
stranded on the shore of history with the landing of Vasco
Da Gama on 27th of May, 1498. Even after 500 years
of the epoch-making mooring of the maverick navigator, Kappad
remains calm, as if cataclysmic changes had just scrubbed
around this spot. The beach, strewn with country fishing boats,
is still in pristine beauty. The shore, bereft of concrete
monstrosities, is in perfect silence ever since Gama left
for other destinations.
The Kappad Beach where Vasco
Da gamma furrowed the way for the European connection is one
of the gleaming studs of the Indian crown. The legends woven
around its historic origins and traditions cast a mystical
spell on this beach.
The beach, 16 km from Kozhikode,
stranded on the shore of history with the landing of Vasco
Da Gama with 170 men in three vessels on 27th of May, 1498.
A solitary pillar commemorates the event with the inscription,
"Vasco da Gama landed here, Kappakadavu, in the year
1498". This event marked the beginning of a new epoch
in world history and specifically in the history of Kerala
against the backdrop of bitter rivalries between local rulers
began a period of unbroken strife among foreign powers for
the domination of trade in Malabar. When Vasco da Gama landed
at Kappad beach, he was warmly welcomed by the benevolent
Zamorin of Malabar. This opened up the sea route for trade
from Europe to India and Malabar soon became the Gateway to
the east.
The pleasant, calm beach,
locally known as Kappakadavu, is studded with rocks and caressed
by friendly waves. An interesting feature of the landscape
is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple
on the rock is believed to be 800 years old. The sea here
is placid and seemingly untouched by history or time.
Kappad beach is at
a short walk on the Korapuzha river. Even after 500 years
of the epoch-making mooring of the maverick navigator, Kappad
remains calm, as if cataclysmic changes had just scrubbed
around this spot. The beach, strewn with country fishing boats,
is still in pristine beauty. The shore, bereft of concrete
monstrosities, is in perfect silence ever since Gama left
for other destinations.
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