picture gallery

backel beach..............


kapil beach.............
bakel fort........................

TOURISM IN KASARGOD

TOURISM IN KASARGOD

Kasargod, the land of seven languages and several cultures.The place of harmonious coexistence of Hindu, Muslim, Christian religions.The district has famous tourist centres, including the international fame BEKAL FORT & BEACH.There are also places which can be converted to attract the tourists.
Kasaragod is known as the Land of Gods, Forts, Rivers, Beautiful hills and lengthy sandy beaches.visit to these places evoke enthralling moments to the visitors.

Location and Maps

Kasargod is the northern-most district of Kerala State.It is spread in North-West and South-East axis.It is about 82 KMs in length andis more than the double of the East-West axis which is 40 KMs long at its broadest point. Kasargod District lies between NORTH Latitudes - 11o18' and 12o48' EAST Longitudes - 74o52'and 75o26' The distance from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram is 575 Kms.

PLACES OF MAJOR ATTRACTION AND IMPORTANCE

BEKAL FORT

Bekal, situated on the seashore of Pallikara village, is an important place of tourist interest in the district. It lies 12 kms. south of Kasargod town. According to Bekal Rama Nayak, a local Kannada writer, the word, Bekal is derived from the word Baliakulam, meaning Big Palace. The place is said to have been the seat of a big palace in the past. The term Baliakulam got corrupted as Bekulam and later as Bekal.

It was usual in older days for every royal palace to be protected by a fort. The Bekal for might have, therefore, existed even from early days of the Chirakkal Rajas. While giving a description of the Kolathiri Kingdom in his Kerala History, K.P. Padmanabha Menon writes; “The eldest of the male members reigned as sovereign Kolathiri. The next in succession, the heir apparent, was the Thekkelamkur. The residence assigned to him was the Vadakara fort. The third in succession was theVadakkelamkur in charge of Vekkolath fort. This V(B)ekkolath fort is identified by some scholars as the present Bekal”. The Bekal fort, which is of great historical and archaeological interest, is the largest and best preserved of its kind in the district and the land on which it is situated, runs into the sea with fine bay towards the south. According to the South Canara Mannual, Bekaln fort fell into the hands of Haider Ali in 1763. It housed the Huzur of Canara during Tipu’s time and the remains of a gallow reminiscent of the days of Mysorean occupation were seen here till a few years back. After the overthrow of Tipu Sultan in 1799, Bekal was incorporated into the dominions of the English East India Company. The erstwhile Kasaragod taluk of South Canara district was known as Bekal for more than half a century.
ANANDASHRAM & NITYANANDASRAMAM

These are the two notable asramams in Kanhangad

Anandashramam, situated about five kms. east of the Kanhangad Railway Station, was founded in 1939 bySwami Ramadas, a great Vaishnava saint modern times. The main asramam and other buildings have a beautiful setting in the midst of shady mango, coconut and other groves. There is a hill to the east of the asramam, to which the devotees retire for quiet meditation and from its west, the surrounding extensive landscape can be seen in its natural grandeur. The spot at the highest point of the hill is so fascinating that the devotees, who go up the hill and sit silently, are blessedwithdeeppeaceandtranquility.The Nityanandasramam, which is situated on the hillock about half a km. south of the Hosdurg taluk office, was founded by Swami Nityananda. The spot was at first part of a forest area. Here Swami Nityananda constructed 45 guhas (caves) in a mountain slope. There is a temple built in 1963, after the style and design of the famous Somanatha Temple in Gujarat. A full size statue of Swami Nityananda in sitting posture made of panchaloha is one of the attractions of the asramam.

ANANTHAPURA LAKE TEMPLE The only lake temple in Kerala and the Moolasthanam (original seat) of Ananthapadmanabha Swami (Sri Padmanbha Swami Temple) Thiruvananthapuram. is 5 km. from Kumbla. Local belief is that Ananthapadmanabha had settled down here originally.

BELA CHURCH Our Lady of Sorrows Church - oldest in the district constructed in 1890 AD. 15 KM north of Kasargod. This Gothic style Roman Catholic church which is under the Manglore Diocese, has celebrated its centenary recently and also renovated.

KARIANGODE RIVER

Running through the hills and dales of Hosdurg Taluk. Immorlised as Tejaswini by great novelist Niranjana laps on its shore. The famous village of Kayyur - the cradle of agrarian revolutions where the farmers and farm workers staged a historic battle against feudalism and the British imperialism.

MADHUR TEMPLE

MADHUR 8 KMs north east of Kasargod. Famous Srimad Anantheswara Vinayaka temple is situated here.

The rich architecture, imposing structure of the temple, with its turrests and gables and the copper plate roofing rises majestically against the beautiful land scape of hills paddy fields and gardens with the riverMadhuvahini flowing leisurely in front of it.
The Madhur Temple is a Siva temple with Srimad Anantheswara as its presiding deity. But importance is given to the deity Maha Ganapathi. The Sivalingam of the temple is said to have been found by a harijan woman, Madharu.The special festival of the temple is Moodappa Seva, which is covering the large figure of Maha Ganapathi with appam made of ghee and rice. The festival is conducted only periodically in view of the huge expenditure involved. It was celebrated in April 1962, after a lapse of about160years,andrecentlyinApril1992.
Namaskara Mandapam of the temple has been decorated with beautiful figures of puranic heroes in wood. A closer examination of the wood carvings would disclose the various episodes of the Ramayana, beginning with the Seethga Swayamvaram. The Mantapam in the interior of the temple building as well as the outside facade of the second and third storey of the main building are also profuse with attractive and exquisite woodcarvings.
It is said that the temple was attacked by Tippu Sultan of Mysore during his invasion and he felt thirsty and drunk the water from the temple well, which changed his mind and left the temple without damaging it. There is a mask on the temple which is said to be made by Tippu with his sword.

MALIK DINAR MOSQUE Over the years, Kasargod acquired the considerable importance as a centre of Islam on the west coast. It is the site of one of the mosques believed to have been founded by Malik Ibn Dinar. The mosque, Juma Masjid, which is one of the best kept and most attractive in the district, is located at Thalangara. It contains the grave of Malik Ibn Mohammed, one of the descendants of Malik Ibn Dinar and the place is sacred to Muslims. Ibn Dinar. The Uroos attract pilgrims from all over India.
MALLIKARJUNA TEMPLE Situated in the heart of the Kasargod town is one of the famous temple in Kasargod district. The temple festival and yakshagana are most attractive.

RANIPURAM

Formerly known as Madathumala. About 48 KMs east of Kanhangad. Lying 780 meters above sea level. In beauty and boundary of nature comparable to Ooty. An ideal place for trekking. Tourist cottages are available here.