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.