The historic Kappad beach in Kozhikode is where the Portuguese Navigator, Vasco da Gama first set foot in India on the 27th of May 1498 with 120 men in three vessels marking the beginning of the linkage of this country by the Europeans. The rock studded beach, locally known as Kappakadavu, is a well known tourist destination. 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.