Bekal Fort

Bekal fort Photograph by Ajayan

Kasaragod is famous for this 70 years old fort. Most of the tourists coming to Kerala, Bekal fort is one of their favorite. Bekal fort is one of the 15 ticketed monuments of India. Bekal fort is announced as the special tourist area in 1992, (the year in which I was born lol). Bekal Tourist Development Corporation was also formed (in 1995) in order to preserve and protect the fort and to make it a better tourist place in Kerala. Now Bekal fort is an international Tourist spot. Thousands of tourists visit the fort from outside India in every week.

The fort actually extends 0ver 35 acres of land. The fort is built in sea shore, which actually served as a military station of Tippu Sultan, during his battle to conquer Malabar. Later the fort is occupied by The British East India Company. The entrance to the fort, there exist a temple for lord “Hanuman” and also a Mosque nearby. The fort was built in such a way that with lot of slits or holes towards the sea in order to defend themselves from the invaders approaching from the Arabian Sea route. Pallikare beach is also attached to Bekal fort.Bekal fort covers a large land area which also 

inside Bekal fort,away Arabian sea photo by Ajayan

Bekal fort covers a large land area which also includes small houses, tanks, tunnels and observation towers. This clearly indicates that the militarians of Tippu Sultan used to stay here. The fort has an observation tower leading into the sea, which may be used during early times for defense, now became a favorite place of tourist for watching sunset. The sunset, where the sun goes down into the Arabian Sea is a great view. Bekal fort is one of the favorite places of photographers and Film industry. Song from the movie “Bombay” and “Karutha pakshikal” and also many advertisements, albums and commercial short films has been shot at Bekal Fort.

Bekal fort is actually a great building that reflects the technology and the intelligence of the people at that time. The fort is built with red stones with tunnels and holes in the walls that actually help in defense. The fort also has observation towers and a zigzag entry which are the   remarkable evidence of technology in defense strategy.

the footpath photo by Ajayan

Inside the fort it has a gardens, observation towers and small houses and benches. The observation towers are also built with red rocks, that has a huge size.The grass grown area in center with footpath alongside makes it a good view. The walls of fort except its front side are always washed by the waves from Arabian Sea. Evenings are good at Bekal fort. Most of the local people comes here is to watch the sunset. For Archeologist, Bekal is their favorite place. Actually you have to walk kilometers in order to see the fort completely, but we may not know the distance while walking. People who are interested in photography the can capture best moments in Bekal fort with the amazing background of Arabian Sea and the great fort itself. The Palikare beach from the observation towers is a great scene.


The timings of fort are from morning 8 to 6 in the evening. And also you have to pay for carrying cameras inside the fort. Citizens of India have to pay 5 INR (Indian National Rupees) as ticket charge and the foreigner has to pay $5.

Stay is available at Kasaragod, Khanghad and in nearby resorts. The Bekal resort located in Khanghad, part of Tourism Development Corporation is the best place to stay. Boat stays are also available in Bekal. You will also get the homely foods of Kerala in these restaurants and in resorts.

How to reach:

Nearest railway station: Kasaragod, Khanghad, Bekal (Local trains only) or Kottikulam.

Nearest Airport: Mangalore (50kms from Kasaragod) or Karipur airport Kozhikode.

You have to travel through Kasaragod – Khanghad highway (via chandragiri)to reach Bekal, from where it takes 5 minutes to reach Bekal fort.

Local as well as KSRTC buses are always available in this route for every 5 minutes. Exactly 11 INR ticket distance from Kasaragod and from Khanghad.

Ranipuram Hill Station-Ooty of Kerala

“I am the Conquer. I felt so when I stand at the top of Ranipuram hills. It was a great feeling, the fog and mist mixed cloud passed by me touching my whole body giving me a sensation. I was literally floating over the cloud. The cold breeze is so quick, as it is late for some event, passed by me again and again. The rays of setting sun over the horizon, falls over the hills seems like painted with different shades. I really love this, and I am really excited.  Now it is almost 5.30pm, we started climbing the hill at 2 and we took almost 4 hours to reach at top of this hill. I had a sip of red wine along with a great melody from the iPod and simply lay over the green land.”

Landscape. Far away ,the grass covered Ranipuram hills-photographed by Ajayan

Ranipuram is known Ooty of Kerala, is a hill station located in Kasaragod district. The place was formally known as ’Madathumala’ but renamed as Ranipuram by catholic diocese of Kottayam. Ranipuram is actually a forest area; the place is so cold in the evenings and will be covered by fog and mist, which restricts our vision. It is a place of great biodiversity.

 path made by cutting steps

People who are actually interested in trekking, Ranipuram is a great place and you gonna love this place.  There are two trekking routes. The path is made by cutting steps through the forest; as you can see in the photo. People who go for trekking always carry salt in their hand, to kill leach. It takes almost 3 hours to reach at top of hill.

The place is also the habitat for elephants and other wild animals. Varieties of Birds and butterflies are seen here. People who love photography of birds and butterflies can come over here. A wild life sanctuary has been proposed for Ranipuram, the biodiversity here include various flora and fauna and other species that in verge of extinction. Hence this is a biodiversity hotspot. The people living here are directly and indirectly dependent on this forest. They also live an eco-friendly life such that it doesn’t harm the species.

Once you reach the top of hill, the view is great, the forest cover and fog cloud and the sun over the horizon; you can capture a great landscape photograph. While climbing the hill you can also see the woody trees of big radius and with great height and of grown roots. The place has always a great climate, it is cool and without the sweat and irritation, even in summer. But I have read that summer is great season for people outside India, they actually love summer.

Stay at Ranipuram is available at the hill foots, Ranipuram resorts, a part of tourism development  is nice building that built with red rock is a good place to stay. Also small houses are built separately are also available.
Trekking at evening is dangerous because of fog and elephants and also the place will be too cold.

houses  built in between trees photograph by Ajayan

Ranipuram Tourist stay photograph by Ajayan

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to reach:

 

Sign board photograph by Ajayan

Nearest Airport: Mangalore, about 50kms from Kasaragod.

Nearest Railway Station: Khanghad, Kasaragod. (If you are coming from Kasaragod, you have to travel to Khanghad first.)

You have to travel through Khanghad-Bagamandella-Madikeri State Highway, about 40kms from Khanghad to reach Panathady, there you will get trip Jeeps to Ranipuram, or you can go for private cabs. You have to travel about 10kms to reach Ranipuram.

Buses are available from Khanghad to Panathady for every 15 minutes.

Ananthapura Temple

Sri Ananthapadmanabha swami Temple
-photo by Ajayan

Sri Ananthapadmanabha swami temple is situated in northern end of Kerala, in Ananthapura near Kumbla, Kasaragod district. The temple is dedicated to Lord MahaVishnu. This temple is situated in the middle of a rectangular lake. This is actually the specialty about the temple. I haven't seen such a model of construction before. In the "sreekovil"  Lord MahaVishnu (Sri Anantha Padbhanabha) is depicted as seated on the divine serpent Anantha. The 'Gopuram' and the "Sreekovil" of the temple is connected by a small bridge as you can see in the photo.The place Ananthapura is a rocky area. This is also a natural beauty of the place. 

The Ananthapura Temple is actually the original source of Sri Ananthapadmanabha swami temple that located in Trivandrum, Kerala. The place is actually a remote area without the disturbance of people and busy of city. It provides with peace of mind as well as some sort of positive energy.

Another wonderful thing is the presence of a crocodile in the lake over which the temple is built. The crocodile is named "BABIA". The mystery about this is that existence of single crocodile in the lake. When one dies another one appears and no one has ever seen more than one crocodile in the lake. And there is no river or other ponds where crocodile can exist. This is still a mystery. People from different places comes here to see this crocodile.

The temple  has paintings of puranic themes also, this is something the specialty of Indian temples. Most of them have marvelous paintings or the sculptures based on some puranic story. Here the temple is like we have to step down to the lake over which the "Sreekovil" is built. This temple is blessed with vibrant spiritual power of Lord Maha Vishnu which makes it a favorite place for people.

Landscape, rocky land covered by grass-photo by Ajayan

People coming over here can shoot nice landscape view of Ananthapura. The rocky land is also covered with green grass creates a contrast image. You can see in the photo. The mornings and evenings are very pleasant and beautiful scenery. The sunrise and sunset over the sprawling hillocks  can contribute much to HDR photography.  And this is also a vast panoramic scene.

HOW TO REACH:

Sign board-photo by Ajayan

Nearest railway station: Kasaragod

Nearest Airport: Mangalore

We have to travel through Kasaragod - Mangalore Highway (that is National Highway-47 running through Kerala) to Kumbla (about 20 min from Kasaragod and 1hr from mangalore), then you can catch local buses or private cabs to Ananthapura (about 6kms from Kumbla).

Stay is available at Kasaragod and at Kumbla. You can also have the natural and homely food of Kerala available in all of the restaurants.

About Kasaragod

Kasaragod Town, image courtesy Wikimapia

Kasaragod is a district in Kerala State, India. Kerala is well known for its own cultural diversity. Kerala is known as "Gods own country", behind this there  is a story that the place is created by "Parasurama", and here i am not going into detail about the story, I will post it later on.The district is the northernmost district of the State of Kerala.Kasaragod is situated on the banks of the Chandragiri river. The district is  walled by western Ghats in its east and Arabian sea in its west.And  Dakshin Kannada district and Kannur district to its north and south respectively.
History of Kasaragod is that the place was actually governed by Kolathiri Raja and was later conquered by Tippu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali, as a part of Malabar. Many of foreign invaded Kasaragod  during the time of Kolathiri Raja. the Britishers  also invaded Kasaragod.
The Kumbla, Chandragiri and Bekal are considered to be the chain of forts constructed  by the rulers of Malabar.

 Kasaragod district, is well known for its large 17th century fort.THE BEKAL FORT. The fort offers a view of the Chandragiri  river and the Arabian Sea. It is also a vantage point to watch the sunsets. The  history about the forts found in kasaragod are actually built in order to protect and fight against the enemies during the war, most of these forts are built on the river side so that they can attack the enemies who takes the river path.


Kasaragod is one of the most beautiful districts in Kerala state, endowed with 9 rivers ,hills, beaches, backwaters, as well as temples, churches, mosques and forts.The landscape is dominated by the characteristic coconut palms accompanying rolling hills and streams flowing into the sea. these are most beautiful views in Kasaragod as well as in Kerala itself.Travelers interested in photography  can visit Kasaragod with a great hope.People who love trucking and adventures, Ranipuram is a great place.people who are interested in archeology and in  historical aspects, can find lots of buildings that from early 1890's as monuments ,like temples, mosques and churches that  an architecturally impressive structures. More over Kasaragod is rich in cultural diversity, people speak almost 7 languages.And also Kasaragod contributes to most of the traditional festivals and art forms of  Kerala.

The major destinations includes Bekal Fort, Ananthapura temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Mallikarjuna Temple dedicated to Sri Shiva, Ranipuram a grassy hills station, Kottacheri hills located near Talacauery which is the starting point of the Kaveri river, Anandasramam a pilgrimage center, Nityanandasramam and fort dedicated to saint Nityananda, Pallikare Beach near to Bekal fort, Bella Church,Trikkannad Shiva Temple located on the shore of the Arabian Sea, Malik Dinar Mosque, Madhur Ganapathy Temple, Adoor wild life sanctuary, Parappa wild life sanctuary, Kareems forest park, Kammadam sacred grove wildlife sanctuary, Malom wildlife sanctuary etc are the most famous destinations in Kasragod.
I will be writing about these  destinations in upcoming posts.

How to reach Kasaragod:

There are many ways to reach Kasaragod,
Nearest Airport               : Manglore, about 50kms from kasaragod.
Nearest Railway station : Kasaragod.
Daily Buses are running to and from Kasaragod connecting major Cities of  India. The fares may change depending on other factors.