Kasaragod
World renowned for its coir and handloom industries, Kasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala has a 293 kilometre long coastline. This tranquil place is famous as the land of gods, sea-kissed forts, majestic hills, rivers and delightful beaches. Rich in history, Kasaragod is home to the largest and best preserved fort in the State-Bekal.
The historic Malik Deenar Juma Masjid and the unique Madhur Mahaganapathy Temple display a variety of styles in traditional architecture. Strategically located on the banks of the Payaswini River, this yesteryear port town of the Kolathiri Rajas abounds in myths and legends and exudes a magical charm with its spectacular art forms of Theyyam, Yakshagana, Poorakkali, Kolkali etc.
Place to Visit
Valiyaparamba Backwaters: (30 km from Bekal) This is one of the most scenic backwater stretches in Kerala. Fed by four rivers and dotted with numerous little islands, this much favoured destination offers enchanting houseboat cruises. The Bekal Resorts Development Corporation provides houseboat services on the Tejaswini River from Kottapuram in Nileshwaram to Kannur, along the Valiyaparamba Backwaters. Day and night cruises are available as also canoeing, bonfire dinners on nearby islands, homestays, ayurvedic therapies, visits to temples, forts and tribal village.
Ranipuram: (85 km from Kasaragod) Situated 750 m above sea level, Ranipuram is famous for its trekking trails and varied vegetation, evergreen shola woods, monsoon forests and grasslands. This area was formerly known as Madathumala. The extensive forests of Madathumala merge with the forests of Karnataka. With its rich greenery, abundant blooms, misty moors and the wild elephants occasionally sighted wandering around Ranipuram makes for a great getaway. Accommodation: DTPC cottages.
Bekal Fort & Beach: (16 km south of Kasaragod on the National Highway) The 17th century Bekal Fort is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. This imposing circular structure of laterite rises 130 ft above sea level and stands on a 35 acre headland that runs into the Arabian Sea. There is an observation tower with picturesque peepholes, an ancient Anjenaya Temple with stucco images of Gods on its walls, an ancient mosque said to have been built by Tipu Sultan, a sea bastion and underground passages that are great crowd pullers. The shallow Bekal beach offers a spectacular view of the fort and has ample facilities for recreation and relaxation. The fort is open from 09.00 to 05.30 hrs.
Chandragiri Fort & River: (4 km from Bekal) South-east of Kasaragod Town, situated near the confluence of the Payaswini River and the Arabian Sea, the Chandragiri Village is known for its large 17th century fort built by Sivappa Naik of Bedanore. The Chandragiri Fort, one among a chain of forts built by the same ruler perched atop a hill is in ruins now. But the location offers a breathtaking view of the convergence of the river and the Arabian Sea and is a vantage point to watch the sunset from the ancient Kizhur State Temple at Chandragiri, which celebrates the annual festival called Pattu Utsavam.
Chandragiri Cruises: Boat trips to nearby islands and palm groves. Boarding Point - Chandragiri Bridge.
Chandragiri Boat Club: The Boat Club offers speed boat rides, houseboat cruises island camping and wildlife tours in the hinterlands. Fishermen near the Chandragiri Bridge will give you a ride on the backwaters and arrange trips to nearby islands.
Special Attractions
Anandashram: (15 km from Bekal) This internationally renowned spiritual centre founded by Swami Ramdas in 1939, offers a quiet, peaceful ambience suited for meditation and spiritual studies. Ph: 0467-2203036. www.anandashram.org
Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI): The Institute was established in 1970 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and has its headquarters in Kudlu, 5 km north of Kasaragod. CPCRI serves as a national forum for improving the genetic potential of plantation crops and conducting basic and applied research on various aspects of these crops to produce genetically superior planting materials for coconut, arecanut, cashewnut and spices.
Cheruvathur: Home of the illustrious poets and scholars of Kuttamath, this is also a fascinating picnic spot. The ruins of a Dutch Fort built in the 18th century can be sighted at the Veeramala Hills.
Edneer Mutt: (10 km northeast of Kasaragod) The mutt of Edneer, renowned as a seat of art and learning, belongs to the Sankaracharya tradition.
Kanhangad/Hosdurg: (15 km south of Bekal) Renowned for its chain of forts built by Somashekara Nayak of Ikkeri Dynasty, another popular landmark here is the Nithyanandashram, an internationally famed spiritual centre.
Kavil Bhavan Yoga and Meditation Centre: Situated next to Mannapurathe Kavu Bhagavathy Temple, this yoga centre combines produces such as mud baths, acupuncture and meditation in treating ailments like asthma, obesity etc.
Kappil Beach: (6 km from Bekal Fort) Remote and secluded, this beach is fast becoming a major tourist attraction. The Kodi Cliff nearby offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea and 2 km away is the Pallikunnam Temple.
Kanwatheertah Beach: (3 km from Majeswaram) A large swimming pool-like formation of the sea on the vast beach is the main attraction.
Kota Palli: (45 km south of Kasaragod) Meaning mosque within a fort, there is actually no fort at the Cheruvathur Kota Palli, other than the large laterite outcrop on the top which gives it a fort-like appearance. Devotees flock to the grave of the sage buried here, believed to have miraculous powers. It is said that all ones whishes will be granted.
Kottancherry: (30 km northeast of Kanhangad) Lying close to the Cauvery, this idyllic spot covered in lush vegetation and hilly terrain is a favourite with nature lovers and ecotourists. The nearby scenic village of Konnakkad, replete with rainforests and verdant surroundings, is ideal for trekking.
Manjeswaram: (15 km north of Kasaragod) A number of temples and fifteen mosques make this cashew growing town a prominent pilgrim centre. The memorial of the late Govinda Pai, the grand patriarch of Kannada literature, is also located at Manjeswaram. Temples: There is a Sreemad Anantheshwara Temple situated on the Karnataka border. There are two old Jain Bastis at Bengara Manjeswar on the southern bank of the Manjeswar River.
Churches: About 11km from Kumbala on the Kumbala-Badiadka road is the Mother Dolorus Church of Bela. This 100 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.
Nileshwaram: (40 km south of Kasaragod) Once the cultural centre of Kasaragod District, this place is home to the Nileshwar Rajas, said to have come from Kozhikode nearly 600 years ago. Their palaces showcase the fine architecture and spectacular woodwork of the times. The Nileshwaram Palace today functions as the folklore centre of the Dept. of Archaeology. The town is also famous for its numerous kavus (shrines), temple festivals and the Kavil Bhavan Yoga and Meditation centre.
Kottappuram: (5 km southwest of Nileshwaram at Thadapuram) The backwaters of Kottapuram is a great place for leisure activities like boating. One of the oldest coir factories in Malabar is situated here.
Pandiyan Kallu: A rock rising from 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 and hence the name Pandiyan Kallu.
Puliyamkulam: (35 km from Bekal) The highlight of this village is the Kareem Forest Park situated in a place that was once a wasteland. The singlehanded dedication of a man transformed this arid area into a nature-rich zone teeming with rare plants, trees and birds. 25 years of hard work have earned him the praise of botany experts who certify that he has grown 300 species of flowering plants and increased the water table in the area. The ‘Kareem Model’ story has found its way into textbooks as well.
Possadi Gumpe: (East of Manjeswaram and 15 km south of Bekal) This is an ideal picnic spot, located on a hillock 1,060 ft above sea level. Facilities are minimal at this beautiful destination, so it is best to go well-equipped with food, water and trekking gear.
Trikkaripur: The old seat of the Thazhekattu Mana, Trikkaripur is the hometown of T.S. Thirumumbu, poet and freedom fighter, and Guru Chandu Panikkar, the famous Kathakali artist.
Thalankara: This quiet suburb of Kasaragod rose to international fame because of the caps made here. These flat round caps, with intricate designs woven out of gold threads on its side bands, were once exported to Arab and African countries as well as to the Muslim traders in Lakshadweep.
Thaikadappuram Beach: Near Nileshwaram, this beach is famous for the rare Olive Ridley Turtles that visit during the rainy season to lay eggs. Activists of Neythal, a non-governmental organisation run and Olive Ridley breeding centre here. September to January is the ideal time to visit the beach.
Ummichipoyil and Varikulam: (23 km from Nileshwaram) Rock cut caves called Muniyaras dating back to 2000 years are seen at Ummichipoyil. At Varikulam, overlooking the Chandragiri River, you will find more such architectural forms.
Places of Worship
Ananthapura Lake Temple: (30 km from Bekal on the Kumbala-Badiadka road. Open 05.30-12.30 hrs, 05.30-07.30 hrs) This 9th century temple is the only lake temple in Kerala and is the moolasthanam (original abode) of Ananthapadmanabha, the deity of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. The sanctum sanctorum is reachable only by a bridge. A crocodile at the temple pond, said to be 150 years old, is a major attraction.
Madhur Temple: (8 km northeast of Kasaragod, on the banks of the Madhuvahini River. Open 05.00-12.30 hrs, 05.30-08.00 hrs) The Sree Madanantheswara Sidhivinayaka Temple, with its unique three-tiered dome, copper-plated roofing and a cloistered court, rises majestically against the beautiful landscape of the Madhuvahini River. Believed to contain the essence of spirituality, a cleansing dip here is considered to be purifying.
Madiyankulam Durga Temple: This Bhadrakali Temple at Kanhangad in Hosdurg is famous for the Bhutha Dance performed in connection with the annual festival in May/June & December / January.
Malik Ibn Deenar Mosque: (Located at Thalankara, 1 km from Kasaragod on Station Road) This historic mosque built in the typical Kerala style is believed to have been founded by Malik Ibn Dinar who is credited with having brought Islam to the Malabar region.
Sree Mahalingeswara Temple, Adoor: (45 km from Kasaragod) Located in sylvan 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).
Tulur Vanam: (4 km east of Panathur) Also known as Kekulom (the eastern place), the temple here is consecrated to Kshetrapalan and Bhagavathi. The eight-day annual festival commencing from Sivarathri, attracts large crowds from all over the district as well as from neighbouring Coorg in Karnataka.
