Kasaragod can be called as the land of seven languages and several cultures. This is the place of harmonious coexistence of Hindu, Muslim, and Christian religions. The district also has some famous tourist centres, including the international fame Bekal fort & beach. From ancient time Kasaragod district was famous. In 9th and 14th centuries AD Arab travelers came to Kerala and visited Kasaragod. The Bekal fort is of great historical and archaeological interest. It is the largest and best preserved of its kind in the district. The land, on which it is situated, runs into the sea with fine bay towards the south. There are some places, which can be converted to attract the tourists and thus promote the tourism in the district.

Bekal:Bekal is an important place of tourist interest in the district situated on the seashore of Pallikara village. It lies 12 km south of Kasargod town. According to Bekal Rama Nayak who was a local Kannada writer, the word, Bekal is derived from the word Baliakulam that means Big Palace. The term Baliakulam over a period of time got corrupted as Bekulam and later as Bekal.

Adoor: This place is situated at the distance of 45 km East of Kasaragod town. This place is famous for its ancient Siva Temple that was founded by Arjuna. According to legend this is the place where the Kiratha Yuddham battle between Arjuna and Lord Siva took place. Adjacent to this place there is a forest where men can`t go as such and this place is considered the abode of Lord Siva and his divine consort. The stream flows below the valley is the real gift of nature, which is a tourist attraction.

Ashramas in Kasaragod : nityanand asramam and Anandashram are the two remarkable asramams present in Kanhangad. Among them Anandashramam is situated about five km east of the Kanhangad Railway Station. Swami Ramadas, a great Vaishnava saint of modern times, founded this ashramam in 1939.


Bekal fort:This is the largest and best-preserved fort in the State. The alluring scene of the seashore and its exhilarating natural scenery and beauty attracts the visitors. This place is emerging fast as an International tourist center.

Bela church:This is our Lady of Sorrows Church, which is oldest in the district constructed long back in 1890 AD. This is situated at 15 km north of Kasargod. This ancient Roman Catholic Church, which is under the Manglore Territory, has celebrated its centenary recently and also renovated to reposition itself.

Bellikoth: This is another centre in Ajanoor village which is renowned as the birthplace of Poet P.Kunhiraman Nair. He was the veteran freedom fighter. The playwright Vidwan P.Kelu Nair and Rasika siromani Kanan Nair are also born here at this place. There is also a cultural center that is regarded as only one center of the district.

Chandragiri fort: Chandragiri fort lies three km south of Kasargod town. It has a large square situated high above the Chandragiri River on its southern bank.

Cheruvathur:This is actually the place of illustrious poets and scholars of Kuttamath Kunniyur family. The veeramala hill at this place has the ruins of a Dutch fort built in the 18th century. In present days this place is regarded as a picnic spot.

Edneer mutt: It is placed at the distance of 10 km. northeast of kasargod. This mutt belongs to the Sankaracharya tradition, presently renowned as a seat of art and learning.

Govinda Pai memorial:It is placed in manjeswar, which is the native place of govinda pai (1883-1963). He was one of the greatest kannada poets of modern time. He was conferred the title of "poet laureate" by the previous government of madras. He is known as rashtra kavi govinda pai.

Hosdurg fort: The fort with its round organization looks imposing from a distance. This fort was built by the Somashekara nayak of ikkeri dynasty. The place is distinguished by the nithyanandasram with its 45 caves.

Kammatam kavu: This is an evergreen forest of about 50-60 acres with a perennial stream. It is the center of worship connected with kammadam bhagavathi temple.

Kanjan junga:This is the place established by artist P.S.Pununchithaya. This is placed at 16 km east of kasargod. P.S.Pununchithaya was a renowned artist of the west coast.

Kariangode River: This river is running through the hills and dales of hosdurg taluk. It is placed in the famous village of kayyur, which is the cradle of agrarian revolutions. In this village the farmers and farm workers staged a historic battle against feudalism and the British imperialism.

Kasargod town:This municipal town is situated on the bank of river Chandragiri. This place is the confluence of several languages and culture where eight languages are spoken. The splendor of kasaragod saree comparable to that of kanjeepuram is a cynosure of the market.

Kottancheri hills: This is the rain forest situated near Konnakkad. This is placed at 30 km northeast of kanhangad. The place is ideal for trekking as well as picnic. Thalakkaveri in the Brahmagiri Mountain of Coorg is also placed near to this hill. This is actually the reflection of genetic beauty of Kodaikkanal and has a tremendous scope for tourism.

Kottappuram:This mud fort was build by the Nileshwar rajas and later annexed by bednore nayaks in the 18th century. Near to this fort a juma masjid and a Hindu temple are placed to a close proximity.

Kudlu:This is actually the Kasargod suburb situated at 4km distance towards north. This is the place where the eight day long discourse between the Madhavcharya (Dwaita Philosopher) and the pandit (the famous adwaita scholar) took place.

Kumbala:This is placed at 13 km north of Kasargod. This is actually the ancient seat of rajas of Kumbala. The town stands on a bold peninsula in a lagoon separated from the sea by sand spit and connected to it by a narrow channel. Parthi Subbha who was the father of yakshagana was born here in the 18th century. Another famous temple named as Gopalakrishna temple is also situated at this place.

Madhur: Madhur is a Hindu Pilgrim centre, about 8 km from Kasargod , Kerala . The famous Srimad Anantheswara Vinayaka temple of Kerala is situated here at the distance of 8 km north east of Kasargod.

Malik dinar mosque:Over the years, Kasargod acquired the considerable importance as a center of Islam on the west coast. It is the one of the mosques that was founded by malik ibn dinar. At thalangara, the most attractive and best-kept sites are the mosque, juma masjid, which are located here. It also contains the grave of Malik Ibn Mohammed, one of the descendants of malik ibn dinar and the place is sacred to Muslims.

Maipady palace:This palace is situated at eight km. east of kasargod on the kasargod-perla road. There are various ancient palaces of kumbala rajas located in this place.

Manjeswar:This place lies in the northern most extremity of Kerala. This is a place of historical and religious importance. For a long time it was the seat of a flourishing community gowda saraswatha or konkini brahmins. This is also famous for the two old jaina bastis at bangra manjeswar and Manjula Kshethra Mahathmya a legend which deals with the history of this place. This is the birth place of rashtra kavi govinda pai.

Nellikunnu Mosque:This mosque is famous for uroos. Thousands of devotees come every year to visit the place. This is placed very near to kasargod town. The nercha celebration, which is celebrated during the second half of November, usually lasts for one week.

Nileshwar:This Nileswar is the abbreviated form of Nilakanta Iswar. Formerly this was the place of Nileshwar rajas that belonged to the Kolathiri family. The place witnessed the battle between bednore nayaks and nileshwar rajas. This is actually the cultural center of the district. In and around the place there are several kavus where nature, god and man commune serene silence. Among the major Kavus the mannan purathu kavu, where the grand finale of the annual temple festival of the region takes place is the main. Porattu of Anjoottambalam Veerarkavu also draws large crowds. Porattu is the satrical representation of everyday life presented in pageantry during the Pooram.

Posadigumpe:This is an ideal picnic centre and tourist resort that is located on a hillock at 487.68 metres above sea level. It is in Dharmathadka, which is situated at 30 km northeast of Kasargod. From the hilltop any one can see the Arabian Sea, Mangalore, Kudremukh, etc.

Povval fort: This is an old fashioned fort situated on the Kasargod-Mulleria route. This fort is placed at the distance of about 10 km from Kasargod.

Ranipuram: This is formerly known as Madathumala. This place is situated at the distance of about 48 km east of Kanhangad. This is lying 780 meters above sea level in beauty and boundary of nature comparable to Ooty even. This is also regarded as an ideal place for trekking. In the entire seasons tourist cottages are available here.

Trikaripur:This is the old seat of Thazekkattu Mana that is famous for T.S.Thirumumbu. He was the poet as well as freedom fighter. This place is also renowned as the birthplace of guru chandu panikkar who was the famous kathakali artist of Kerala.

Valiyaparamba: This is an island in the Arabian Sea placed 5 km south west of Cheruvathur. This is separated from the mainland by backwaters. This is one of the main tourist spots of the district. This is also an ideal place for picnic and fishing.

Veeramala hills: This place is situated at cheruvathur. This is actually a hilltop with ruins of a Dutch fort built in the 18th century. It is also a picnic spot from where the natural beauty of Kariangode River and surroundings can be enjoyed very well.

How to reach Kasaragod :

Roadways:The national highway is spread all over the district by 85.9 km. NH 17 which passes through this district mainly enters from Kannur side at Kalikadavu. It passes through all the major towns of the district such as Trikaripur, Cheruvathur, Nileshwar, Kanhangad, Kasargod, Kumbla, Uppla, Manjeshwar and enters Karnataka state at Thalappadi to Managlore.

Railways:Railways connect the district as Kozhikode-Mangalore-Mumbai route, which is 116 km long. Railway line passes parallel to the coastal line. The major Railway stations are Trikaripur, Cheruvathur, Nileshwar, Kanhangad, Kasargod, Kumbla, Uppla and Manjeshwar. Almost all Express trains will stop in these stations.

Airport:The nearest airport is situated in Mangalore, which is 70 km away. The other airports are situated at Kopzhikode or Calicut, which is 200 km away, at kochi or Cochin which is 350 km away .

More on Kasaragod District
Temples in Kasaragod District
Ashramas in Kasaragod
Culture of Kasargod district
Festivals and Fairs of Kasargod district
History of Kasaragod district