District: Kasargod, State: Kerala, India Area: 1961 Sq. Km. Languages Spoken: Malayalam, Tulu Long Distance Code: +91-499 Importance: Best Time to Visit: August to March
Description
The proximity to the Arabian sea, always made the district town of Kasargod one of the most important trade destination since time immemorial. Actually known as Kusirakood, meaning forests, Kasargod is only the recent version of this old town. Kasargod was known for its exports of rice and coir, as noted by the Portuguese in the olden days. It was under the rule of the Kumbala kingdom and there were two dialects which are still spoken today, one being the state language of Malayalam and the other Tulu. <br />The reigns of the town were passed on to many a rulers later, from the Kolathiri kings to the Vijayanagar empire. The great Tipu Sultan also once ruled over this place which came in to the hands of the British after his death. <br />Kasargod is abundant in natural beauty with dense forests and calm lagoons.Today known as the land of forts, one can see various forts with various architectural forms. Even the temples in Kasargod display a variety of styles in temple architecture.<br />The unique style of Madhur Mahaganapathy temple, the typical Kerala style of the historic Malik Deenar Great Juma Masjid and many other structures speak in silence of the rich cultural heritage of the region.<br />
Location
This northern most district of the southern state of Kerala, Kasargod, is located at the distance of 575 kms from the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram. While the Kannur district lies in the south, Kasargod is surrounded by the state of Karnataka in the north and the east while on the west is the vast Arabian ocean. <br /><br />
These two notable ashrams in Kanhangad near Kasargod attract tourists and devotees alike. Anandashramam was founded in 1939 by Swami Ramadas and is set amidst beautiful natural settings of shady mango, coconut and other groves. The serene tranquility is what brings in more and more devotees to this place. \r\nSwami Nityananda founded the Nityanandasramam situated on the hillock about half a km. south of the Hosdurg. There are 45 caves on a mountain slope and a temple built in the style and design of the famous Samantha Temple in Gujarat, which are the main attractions of this place.
Kasargod once was a fusion of all the three religions in India. Hence Kasargod is known to be a prominent religious centre of Kerala. There are various religious centres in and around Kasargod. Ananthapura Lake Temple is the only lake temple of Kerala is dedicated to Ananthapadmanabha. It is a beautiful temple built in typical Kerala style. Ajanur has a famous ancient temple Madiyam Kovilakam Temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. It has intricate wood carvings and various cultural and religious programmes are held here. Malik Dinar Mosque This beautiful mosque was founded by Malik Ibn Dinar. It is one of the best kept and the most attractive mosques in the district. An important local celebration takes place every year in commemoration of the arrival of Malik Ibn Dinar. The Uroos attract pilgrims from all over India. Churches Dolorus Church of Bela is the hundred-year-old Roman Catholic Church is built in the Gothic style while Our Lady of sorrows Church, constructed in 1890 is the oldest in the district.\r\nThe other important religious sites are the Madhur, Manjeswaram and some Jain temples as well. \r\n
Another fort in the chain of forts built by Sivappa Naik to establish his hold over the region is the Chandragiri Fort three kms down south of Kasargod town. This large fort situated on the banks of the River Chandragiri was built in the 17th century. The river which used to mark as the traditional boundary between kasargod and the Tuluva kingdom has beautiful old bridge on it. Along with the mosque situated nearby with the bridge gives a picturesque view.
Around 10 kms from the fort of Chandragiri, one can experience a speed boat cruise over the picturesque Chandragiri River. On the way one can view the beautiful evergreen islands and the eye soothing coconut palm groves.
Sharing its western borders with the Arabian Sea, Kasargod has some of the finest beaches on the western coast of India. The Kappil Beach: Remote and secluded, it is fast becoming a major tourist destination, offering an unmatched experience of wide beaches and calm waters. The Kodi Cliff nearby offers a panoramic view of the blue waters of the Arabic Sea. The Pandiyan Kallu: A rock 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 Thrikkannad temple was converted into a rock. The Pallikere Beach: This beautiful expanse of shallow waters and beach offers a spectacular view of the Bekal Fort. The public beach has ample space for recreation and relaxation. With international standard facilities to be developed here, Pallikere will rank among the best beaches in the country.
One of the best preserved and the largest forts of the State, Bekal fort, is one of the most important monuments of Kasargod. Supposedly built by Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty in the late 17th century, it was taken over by Hyder Ali and later by the British. \r\nThis well preserved fort has an impressive observation tower along with many underground tunnels and sea bastions. This imposing structure is built on 35 acre of land which gently seeps in to the sea, giving a superb views of the vast ocean. The 300 year old Bekal Fort is also of archaeological importance due to its long chequered history.
These two notable ashrams in Kanhangad near Kasargod attract tourists and devotees alike. Anandashramam was founded in 1939 by Swami Ramadas and is set amidst beautiful natural settings of shady mango, coconut and other groves. The serene tranquility is what brings in more and more devotees to this place. \r\nSwami Nityananda founded the Nityanandasramam situated on the hillock about half a km. south of the Hosdurg. There are 45 caves on a mountain slope and a temple built in the style and design of the famous Samantha Temple in Gujarat, which are the main attractions of this place.
Kasargod once was a fusion of all the three religions in India. Hence Kasargod is known to be a prominent religious centre of Kerala. There are various religious centres in and around Kasargod. Ananthapura Lake Temple is the only lake temple of Kerala is dedicated to Ananthapadmanabha. It is a beautiful temple built in typical Kerala style. Ajanur has a famous ancient temple Madiyam Kovilakam Temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. It has intricate wood carvings and various cultural and religious programmes are held here. Malik Dinar Mosque This beautiful mosque was founded by Malik Ibn Dinar. It is one of the best kept and the most attractive mosques in the district. An important local celebration takes place every year in commemoration of the arrival of Malik Ibn Dinar. The Uroos attract pilgrims from all over India. Churches Dolorus Church of Bela is the hundred-year-old Roman Catholic Church is built in the Gothic style while Our Lady of sorrows Church, constructed in 1890 is the oldest in the district.\r\nThe other important religious sites are the Madhur, Manjeswaram and some Jain temples as well. \r\n
Another fort in the chain of forts built by Sivappa Naik to establish his hold over the region is the Chandragiri Fort three kms down south of Kasargod town. This large fort situated on the banks of the River Chandragiri was built in the 17th century. The river which used to mark as the traditional boundary between kasargod and the Tuluva kingdom has beautiful old bridge on it. Along with the mosque situated nearby with the bridge gives a picturesque view.
Around 10 kms from the fort of Chandragiri, one can experience a speed boat cruise over the picturesque Chandragiri River. On the way one can view the beautiful evergreen islands and the eye soothing coconut palm groves.
Sharing its western borders with the Arabian Sea, Kasargod has some of the finest beaches on the western coast of India. The Kappil Beach: Remote and secluded, it is fast becoming a major tourist destination, offering an unmatched experience of wide beaches and calm waters. The Kodi Cliff nearby offers a panoramic view of the blue waters of the Arabic Sea. The Pandiyan Kallu: A rock 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 Thrikkannad temple was converted into a rock. The Pallikere Beach: This beautiful expanse of shallow waters and beach offers a spectacular view of the Bekal Fort. The public beach has ample space for recreation and relaxation. With international standard facilities to be developed here, Pallikere will rank among the best beaches in the country.
One of the best preserved and the largest forts of the State, Bekal fort, is one of the most important monuments of Kasargod. Supposedly built by Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty in the late 17th century, it was taken over by Hyder Ali and later by the British. \r\nThis well preserved fort has an impressive observation tower along with many underground tunnels and sea bastions. This imposing structure is built on 35 acre of land which gently seeps in to the sea, giving a superb views of the vast ocean. The 300 year old Bekal Fort is also of archaeological importance due to its long chequered history.
