Page 662 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

660  SOUTH INDIA

Laterite ramparts of Bekal Fort, outside Kasaragod town
g Kasaragod after the defeat of Tipu Sultan Dinar, who was a disciple of the
District (see p521). Prophet Muhammad, and who
Many beautiful beaches lie to introduced Islam to Kerala in
400 km (249 miles) NW from Kochi. the north and south of the fort. about AD 664. The grave of
£ @ n Tourism Promotion The closest, Pallikere Malik Ibn Muhammed, a
Council (04994) 256 450.
Beach, provides a descendant of Malik
Kerala’s northernmost district, spectacular view of Ibn Dinar, lies here.
flanked by the Western Ghats the fort. The Kerala The 9th-century
to the east and the Arabian government, along Ananthapura Temple,
Sea to the west, is a fertile with the Bekal Resorts 30 km (19 miles) north
region of thickly forested hills Development of Bekal, is the only
and meandering rivers. The Corporation, has plans A typical temple in Kerala
district is named after its main to develop this area as a temple lamp erected in the centre
town, Kasaragod, a bustling major tourist complex. of a lake. It is said to
centre of the coir and handloom About 6 km (4 miles) north be the original abode of
industries. About 8 km (5 miles) of Bekal, Kappil Beach is a Ananthapadmanabha, the
north of Kasaragod is the secluded area, and ideal for presiding deity of the Anantha
Madhur Temple. This beautiful swimming. Kodi Cliff, at one Padmanabhaswamy Temple
temple, with its copperplate end of the beach, is a scenic in Thiruvananthapuram, the
roofing, has a commanding spot with wonderful views of state capital (see pp630–341).
location overlooking the the sunset on the Arabian Sea. The small hill station of
Madhuvahini river. The Chandragiri Fort, on the Ranipuram is situated 80 km
Situated 16 km (10 miles) banks of the Chandragiri river, (50 miles) east of Kasaragod.
south of Kasaragod is Bekal is 10 km (6 miles) north of Set amid acres of rubber and
Fort, the largest and best- Bekal. This 17th-century fort spice plantations, it offers good
preserved fort in Kerala. This is also attributed to Shivappa opportunities for trekking.
enormous, circular structure Nayak, who built it to defend This region is also the centre
is built with large blocks of his kingdom against the for a number of performing
laterite, and its outer wall rises Vijayanagar rulers (see pp534–5). arts, such as Theyyam
majestically from the sea to a The imposing Malik Dinar (see p659) and Yakshagana,
height of 39 m (128 feet). Inside Mosque, nearby, is said to have the elaborate folk art form
is a cunningly concealed tunnel been founded by Malik Ibn from Karnataka (see p539).
that leads directly to
the sea. The fort’s
origins are shrouded
in mystery, though it
is generally thought to
have been built in the
mid-1600s by a local
chieftain Shivappa
Nayak, whose fiefdom
was in neighbouring
Karnataka. The scene
of much conflict, the
fort was eventually
occupied by the British Ananthapura Temple, built in the middle of a lake
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p703 and pp718–19

660-661_EW_India.indd 660 26/04/17 11:50 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm