Have you ever been fascinated by the beauty of small islands that seem to float serenely on seas? There are several such islands all over the world that continue to be a source of curiosity and enigma to both local people and travellers alike. Kozhikode too has one such island to tell the world about – the spellbinding Velliyamkallu Rock Island. The island has a tumultuous past and has many myths associated with it – factors that add to its value as a tourism wonder.
Velliyamkallu became a source of popular imagination in Kerala through “Mayyazhipuzyaude Theerangalil”, a famous novel by noted Malayalam writer M. Mukundan. However, this island full of strangely shaped stones was much dreaded by navigators. It served as a vantage point for the warriors of the Zamorin against the invading Portuguese ships.
When the Portuguese got possession of the land, they used to throw troublemakers into the sea from the rocks of Velliyamkallu, thereby earning it the name Sacrifice Rock. Many rocks on the island still bear the marks of cannonball attacks by the Portuguese. Today, the island is a popular tourist attraction in the region. One can see many varieties of migratory birds here as well as species of plants.
