Kasargod

Kasargod lies on the northern most part of Kerala. This district is of great historical importance. Kasargod is called the land of seven languages and several cultures.The forts and Palace in this district symbolises the conquest it withstood against the invaders. Kasargod is gifted with many forts, rivers, hills, beautiful sea shores, forests and mineral resources.  Kasargod is also blessed for its architectural style of  constructing mosques & temples. This district is even called as 'land of gods' as it is gifted with all these marvelous things.
Kasargod is a centre of commerce of cash crops like Arecanut and Coconut.



District Area    1991 sq.km.
Talukes            Kasargod, Hosdurg
Muncipalities    Kasargod, Kanjangad
Altitude    Sea Level
Tourist Season    August to March

Adoor
    Adoor lies 45km to the east of Kasargod town. Adoor is known for the ancient temple of Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be founded by Arjuna. This is the place where the Kiratha Yuddham- battle between Arjuna and Lord Shiva took place according to the legend. The near by forest not occupied by people is considered to be the living place of Lord Shiva and his sacred associate. There is a stream flowing below the valley.

Ajanoor
    The famous Madiyan Kulom temple is situated in Ajanoor village. Bhadrakali is the main Godess of the temple, but Ksgetrapalan, Bhagavathi and Bhairavan are also workshiped here. An idiosyncrasy of this temple is that only pooja in the noon is performed by a Brahmin priest, while other time poojas are performed by a section called Maniyanis. The festival of the temple falls in the months of Edavam (May-June) and Dhanu (December-January).

Bellikoth
Another centre in Ajanoor village renowned as the birth place
of Poet P.Kunhiraman Nair, veteran freedom fighter and playright Vidwan P.Kelu Nair and Rasika siromani Kanan Nair. A cultural centre of the district.

Ananthapura Lake Temple
    The only lake temple in Kerala and the original seat on Ananthapadmanabha Swami Thiruvananthapuram. The place is 5 km from Kumbla. The industrial park of KINFRA is situated here.

Bakel Fort
    Bakel Fort is the largest fort in Kerala. Tis is also preserved at the best. It is one of the tourist spots emerging as an International tourist centre. The fascinating scene of the sea shore and its natural beauty and scenery gives a great liveliness and joy to the visitors.

Bela church
    The church is the oldest church in the district constructed in the year 1890. The place is 15 km from Kasargod. Lady of Sorrows church is Gothic style Roman Catholic Church which is under Manglore diocese.

Chandragiri Fort
    Chandragire Fort was built in the 17th century by Shivappa Nayak of Bednore, after establishing his authority over the area. Chandragiri lies 3 km towards the south of Kasargod. The fort is on the bank of Chandragiri river. The river is the boundary between Kerala and Tuluva Kingdom. Through the Chandragiri hills passes a longest railway tunnel in Kerala.

Cheruvathur
        The place of distinguished poet and scholar of Kuttamath Kunniyur family. The Veeramala hills at this place is a tourist spot. There are remainings of the fort built by the Dutch in the 18th century.

Hosdurg Fort
    The fort with its round bastion looks impressive from a distance. The fort was constructed by Somashedara Nayak. The place is well known by the Nithyanandasram with 45 caves.

KAMMATAM KAVU
An evergreen forest of about 50-60 acres with a perenial stream is a centre of worship connected with Kammadam Bhagavathi Temple.

BAKEL FORT

HISTORY...

During the Perumal Age Bekal was a part of Mahodayapuram. The Kodavalam inscription (Pullur, 7 KM from Kanhangad) of Bhasakara Ravi II (the King of Mahodayapuram) illustrate the undisputed political sway of Mahodayapuram over this region. Following the political decline of Mahodayapuram Perumals by the 12th century AD, North Kerala including Bekal came under the sovereignty of Kolathunadu. The maritime importance of Bekal increased much under Kolathiries and it became an important port town of Thulunadu.
Battle of Talikota in 1565 led to the decline of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire and many feudatory chieftains rose in political prominence including the Keladi Nayakas (Ikkeri Nayaks). The Nayakas realised the political and economic importance of Tulunadu (Kasaragod District) and attacked and annexed this part of the country. Bekal served as a nucleus in establishing the domination of Nayakas in Malabar. The economic importance of the port town prompted the Nayakas to fortify Bekal subsequently. Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka initiated the construction of the fort and it was completed during the period of Shivappa Nayaka. The speedy completion of the port was aimed at the defence of the fort from overseas attack and to strengthen their attack on Malabar. Chandragiri fort near Kasaragod was also constructed during this period.
Somashekhara Nayak captured Manjeswar and Thaliparamba and built a fort at Kanhangad Hosdurg which means new fort. The other forts found in Kasaragod are constructed on the coastal region and on the route to Madikeri (Mercara in Coorg). It is believed that the 'Kotteyar' community found in Bekal, Panayal and other places in Kasaragod were brought to this land by the Nayaks to build and defend the fort. There was a prolonged struggle between the Kolathiries and Nayaks to recapture and maintain their hold over this area. These unending battles came to an end with the rise of Hyder Ali who conquered and defeated the Nayakas. Subsequently Bekal fell into the hands of Mysore kings.






Bekal served as an important military station of Tipu Sultan when he led the great military expedition to capture Malabar. The coins and other artifacts unearthed by the archaeological excavation conducted recently at Bekal fort is a manifestation of the strong presence of the Mysore Sulthans. The martyrdom of Tipu Sulthan who died fighting against the British in 1799 saw the end of Mysorean control and subsequently the fort came under the British East Indi Company.
During the reign of the Company Bekal became the headquarters of the newly organized Bekal Taluk of South Canara District in Bombay presidency. South Canara became a part of the Madras presidency in 1862 and Kasaragod Taluk was up in the place of Bekal Taluk. Gradually the political and economic importance of Bekal and its port declined considerably. Kasaragod became part of Kerala with the state reorganization in 1956.
Its solid construction resembles the St. Angelo Fort at Kannur built by and also the Thalassery fort.
The Ikkeri Nayakas had not developed guns to defend themselves from the invaders approaching from the Arabean sea route. But the western part of the fort is built in a solid manner with numerous slits on the walls for defending the fort from the naval power of other rulers. So it is believed that the present look of fort was the outcome of the conflict between European powers. Modfication to the fort was made by all the rulers who ruled the land from the time of the Ikkeri Nayakas. Moreover a number of forts built by the Ikkeri Nayakas have failed to stand the test of time and perished. Located at the centre of the fort is an Observation Tower built by which offers a breathtaking view of the coastline as well as that of neighbouring places like Kanhangad and Pallikare. Also in existence is a rest house built by the British Government.
Presently the protection and preservation of Bekal fort has been entrusted to the Archaelogical Survey of India.