Malabar Mahotsavam, the first of its kind in Kerala, is the annual tourism festival of Kozhikode that is celebrated in the month of January. Organised by the Kozhikode District Tourism Promotion Council, this festival was started in the year 1992 and was celebrated from 13 to 16 January annually at the heart of the city, Mananchira Maidan (ground) or at the beach. Malabar Mahotsavam showcases the centuries old rich cultural heritage of Kerala and it is divided in to many sections such as classical dance and music, traditional and folk arts, literary, drama and ganamela etc. It aims to bring back the old Malabar traditional and cultural glory staging various classical dances like Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Ottanthullal etc and ritual artforms like Koothu, Theyam, Thira etc. Malabar Mahotsavam has become a major attraction of domestic tourism that offers the opportunity to enjoy the performances of well-known scholars and artists in various art and culture. Fire works and native cuisines are also arranged during the festival period.