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Kasaragod town, the headquarters of this district, is the northernmost municipal town in the state. Situated on the right bank of the mouth of the Chandragiri river, the area was once part of the Vijayanagar empire.
The northernmost district of Kerala, Kasaragod is world renowned for its coir and handloom industries. Fishing is a prime source of livelihood. Kasaragod is known as the land of Gods, forts, rivers, hills and beautiful beaches. The fort at Bekal is the largest and best preserved in the State.
Kasaragod displays a variety of styles in temple architecture - the unique style of the Madhur Mahaganapathy temple, a typical Kerala style of the historic Malik Deenar Great Juma Masjid and so on speak volumes about the rich cultural heritage of the region. Spectacular pageants of Theyyam, Yakshagana, Kumbla (buffalo race), Poorakkali, Kolkali, etc. enchant visitors.
Bekal Fort
INDIA is a country of forts and palaces and these forts were built as defense against invading enemies. Among the forts, Bekal fort is the largest and best-preserved fort of Kerala. It is situated 10 Kms north of Kanhangad and is of great historical and archeological interest.
The fort has been under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India since the time of the British. Bekal Fort, which is about 350 years old, is the largest fort in Kerala. It is proposed to be developed into a tourist complex.
This magnificent fort which is nearly 16 hectares in extent virtually juts into the sea with a beautiful bay on its southern side. The fortification of the semi-circular construction with an imposing frontage is still intact as an architectural monument.
Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty is said to have built the fort between 1645-16660. But some other historians are of the opinion that the fort was built by the then north Kerala rulers, the Kolathiri Rajas. Sivappa Naik of Bednore captured the fort when the Kolathiri Raja stopped paying tributes to him.
Later, the fort fell into the hands of Hyder Ali and later into his son, Tipu Sultan. With the over throw of Tipu Sultan, Bekal was incorporated into the dominions of the English East India Company in 1799.
A mosque and a Hanuman temple are located at the entrance of the fort as a symbol of religious harmony. The facade of the high walls with the battlement and the entire structure of the fort are architecturally commendable.
There is a large tower in the middle of the fort at a height of 10 meters and with a circumference of 27 m. From this tower, one can see the entire fort and the sea on the west and the lush green valleys on the east and the undulating Blue Mountains.
The fort must have been built with a view to spotting enemy vessels afar in the high seas. The waves lashing against its many extensions jutting into the water for years have not caused any serious damage. Neither time nor the mighty waves have dimmed the magnificence of the Bekal fort.
Peeping through its ancient moss covered cannon holes, one can see the Arabian sea shimmering in the sun and stretching into the horizon in all its varying moods.
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Kanhangad / Hosdurg Fort
This is renowned for its chain of forts built by Somashekara Nayak of Ikkeri dynasty and also for the Nithyanandashram, an internationally recognized spiritual centre.
Nileswaram
The cultural centre of the district, this was the seat of the Nileswar Rajas. The Nileshwaram Palace today functions as the folklore centre of the Dept. of Archaeology.
The town is also famous fort is numerous kavus (shrines), temple festivals and the Kavil Bhavan Yoga and Cultural Centre which offers rejuvenation therapy and naturopathy treatments like mud and herbal baths.
Cheruvathur
This is the home of the illustrious poets and scholars of Kuttamath. The ruins of a Dutch Fort built in the 18th century can be found in the Veeramala Hills. Cheruvathur is also a fascinating picnic spot.
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Trikkaripur
The old seat of the Thazhekattu Mana, Trikkaripur is the hometown of T S Thirumumb, poet and freedom fighter, and Guru Chandu Pannikkar, the famous Kathakali artist.
Chandragiri
4 Kms from Kasargod town. Situated on the Chandragiri River, southeast of Kasaragod town, this town is known for its large 17th century fort built by Sivappa Naik of Bandanore. The Chandragiri Fort, one of a chain of forts built by the same ruler, offers a breathtaking view of the river and the Arabian Sea. It is a vantage point to watch the sunset. There is a mosque nearby the ancient Kizhur State Temple at Chandragiri celebrates the annual festival called Pattu Utsavam. Chandragiri Cruises Boat trips to nearby islands and palm groves. Boarding point Chandragiri bridge.
Chandragiri Cruises
Boat trips to nearby islands and palm groves. Boarding point: Chandragiri bridge
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Ranipuram
40 Kms away from Kanhangad. This hill station is situated 750m above sea level, Ranipuram is famous for its trekking trails and varied vegetation - evergreen shola woods, monsoon forests and grasslands. This was formerly known as Madathumala. The extensive forests of Madathumala merge with the forests of Karnataka. Wild elephants can be seen wandering on the top of the mountains.
Kottancherry
This place bears great resemblance to the scenic beauty of Kodaikanal. The rain forests near Konnakkad is ideal for trekking.
Kappil Beach
Remote and secluded, this beach is fast becoming a major tourist attraction. The Kodi cliff nearby offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea.
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Pallikere Beach
This shallow beach offers a spectacular view of the fort and has ample facilities for recreation and relaxation.
Kanwatheertha Beach
A large swimming pool-like formation of the sea on the vast beach is the main attraction.
Bekal Hole Aqua Park
The only one of its kind in northern Kerala, this unique Aqua Park provides water sport facilities like pedal boats and water cycles.
Valiyaparamba
This is perhaps the most scenic backwater stretch in Kerala. Fed by four rivers and dotted with numerous little islands, Valiyaparamba is fast turning into a much favoured backwater resort that offers enchanting boat cruises.
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Nithyanandhashram
This Ashram situated in Hosdurg/Kanhangad was founded by Swami Nithyananda. 45 Guhas (caves) found in the Ashram were constructed by Swami Nithyananda and on the top these caves there is a temple built in 1963 after the sign and design of the famous Somanatha temple in Gujarat. Devotees from all parts of world are attracted by the ambience of the Ashram.
Anandasram
This internationally renowned spiritual centre founded by Swami Ramdas in 1939, offers a quite, peaceful ambience best suited for meditation and spiritual studies.
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Manjeswaram
A number of temples and fifteen mosques make this cashew growing town a prominent pilgrim centre. There are two old Jain Bastis at Bengara Manjeswar on the southern bank of the Manjeswar River.
Churches About 11 km from Kumbla on the Kumbla-Badiadka road is the Mother Dolorus Church of Bela. The hundred year old Roman Catholic church is built in the Gothic style. The Our Lady of Sorrows Church constructed in 1890, is the oldest in the district.
The memorial of the late Govinda Pai, the grand patriarch of Kannada literature, is also located at Manjeswaram.
Malik Deenar Mosque
Kasaragod acquired over the years considerable importance as a centre of Islam on the west coast. The historic Malik Deener Juma Masjid built in the typical Kerala style is believed to have been founded by Malik Ibin Dinar.
The Juma Masjid, which is one of the best kept and most attractive in the district is located at Thalankara.
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Ananthapura Lake Temple
This 9th century temple is the only lake temple in Kerala and is the Moolasthanam (original abode) of Ananda padmanabha, the deity of Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.
Madiyankulam Durga Temple
This Bhadrakali Temple at Kanhangad in Hosdurg is famed of its Bhutha dance (pootham) performed in connection with the annual festivals in May/ June & December/ January.
Bela Church
About 11 Kms from Kumbla on the Kumbla - Badiadka road, is the Mother Dolorus Church of Bela. The hundred year old Roman Catholic Church is built in the Gothic style. The Our Lady of sorrows Church constructed in 1890 is the oldest in the district.
Sree Mahalingeswara Temple
45 km from Kasaragod. Located in wooded surroundings on the southern banks of the River Payaswini this ancient Siva Temple contains a Sanskrit inscription in Kannada script which has been ascribed to the Western Chalukya King Kirthivarman II (745-755 AD).
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Madhur Temple
Hindu Pilgrim centre, 8 km from Kasaragod, it is well known for the Srimad Anantheswara Vinayaka Temple or Mahaganapathi Temple. The sacred temple even finds mention in the Sahyadri Centre of Skanda Purana. The sacred thirtham of the temple well is believed to cure all diseases.
The imposing structure of Srimad Anantheswara Vinayaka Temple-the rich architecture and copper plate roofing rises majestically against the beautiful landscape on the banks of Madhuvahini.
A rock is rising in the sea about 2 km from the Trikkannad Temple, Pandiyan Kallu is an ideal spot for adventurous swimmers. Legend has it that the ship of one of the Pandiya Kings who attacked the Trikkannad Temple was converted into a rock.
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