Tourism
in Kerala
Kasaragod
Tour Guide
Kasargod,
the land of seven languages and several cultures. The name, Kasaragod, is
said to be derived from the word Kusirakood meaning Nuxvomica forests
(Kanjirakuttom). Kasaragod district was formed on May 24. 1984, with the
intention of bestowing maximum attention on the development of backward
areas that. With the formation of the new district, comprising the erstwhile
Kasaragod and Hosdurg taluks, it has become possible to develop this coastal
area fruitfully.
The place of harmonious co-existance of Hindu,
Muslim, Christian religions.
The district has famous tourist centres,
including the international fame BEKAL FORT & BEACH.
There are also
places which can be converted to attract the tourists.
Kasaragod is
known as the Land of Gods, Forts, Rivers, Beautiful hills and lengthy sandy
beaches.
PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND
AROUND KASARGOD TOWN 
Adoor
45 KMs east of Kasargod town. Famous for its ancient Siva Temple belonged to
have been founded by Arjuna. The place where the Kiratha Yuddham battle
between Arjuna and Lord Siva took place according to legend. The adjascent
forest not frequented by men is considered the abode of Lord Siva and his
devine consort. The stream below the valley is nature bounty.
Ajanoor
The famous Madiyan Kulom temple is situated in Ajanur village. It is about
five kms. from Kanhangad, the headquarters of Hosdurg taluk. The main deity
of the temple is Bhadrakali; but there are also other deities like
Kshetrapalan, Bhagavathi and Bhairavan. A pecularity of this temple is that
a Brahmin priest performs pooja only in the noon, while the morning and
evening poojas are performed by a sect called Maniyanis. The festivals in
the temple fall during the months of Edavam (May, June) and Dhanu (December,
January) and on these days all the poojas are performed in connection with
this festival.
Anandashram
& Nityanandasramam These are the two notable asramams in
Kanhangad.
Anandashramam, situated about five kms. east of the
Kanhangad Railway Station, was founded in 1939 by Swami Ramadas, a great
Vaishnava saint of modern times. The main asramam and other buildings have a
beautiful setting in the midst of shady mango, coconut and other
groves.There is a hill to the east of the asramam, to which the dovotees
retire for quiet meditation and from its west, the surrounding extensive
landscape can be seen in its natural grandeur. The spot at the highest point
of the hill is so fascinating that the devotees, who go up the hill and sit
silently, are blessed with deep peace and transquillity.
The
Nityanandasramam, which is situated on the hillock about half a km. south of
the Hosdurg taluk office, was founded by Swami Nityananda. The spot was at first
part of a forest area. Here Swami Nityananda constructed 45 guhas (caves) in
a mountain slope. There is a temple built in 1963, after the style and design
of the famous Somanatha Temple in Gujarat. A full size statue of Swami Nityananda
in sitting posture made of panchaloha is one of the attractions of the asramam.
Ananthapura
Lake Temple The only lake temple in Kerala and the Moolasthanam
(original seat) of Ananthapadmanabha Swami (Sri Padmanbha Swami Temple)
Thiruvananthapuram. is 5 km. from Kumbla. Local belief is that
Ananthapadmanabha had settled down here originally. The industrial park of
KINFRA is situated here.
Bekal
Fort
The largest and best preserved fort in the State.
The
alluring scene of the sea shore and its exhilarating natural scenary and beauty
attracts the visitors. Fast emerging as an International tourist centre.
Bela
Church Our Lady of Sorrows Church - oldest in the district
constructed in 1890 AD. 15 KM north of Kasargod. This Gothic style Roman
Catholic church which is uner the Manglore Diocese, has celebrated its
centenary recently and also renovated.
Bellikoth
Another centre in Ajanoor village renowned as the birth place of Poet
P.Kunhiraman Nair, veteren freedom fighter and playright Vidwan P.Kelu Nair
and Rasika siromani Kanan Nair. A cultural centre of the district.
Chandragiri
Fort Chandragiri lies three kms. south of Kasargod town. It has a
large square situated high above the Chandragiri river on its southern bank.
The fort it said to have been built in the 17th century by Sivappa Nayak of
Bednore, who established his authority over the area and built a chain of
forts. The Chandragiri river, on the bank of which it rises, marked the
traditional boundary between Kerala and the Tuluva Kingdom. There is a
beautiful bridge over the Chandragiri river at Thekkil, five miles from
Chandragiri. A mosque is situated nearby and the view of the bridge with the
mosque in the background is one of the most attractive sights on a drive
along the NH 17 from Kannur to Kasargod. A longest railway tunnel in Kerala
passes through Chandragiri Hills. A boat club has been recently started
here.
Cheruvathur
The place of illustrious poets and scholars of Kuttamath Kunniyur family.
The Veeramala hills at this place has the ruins of a Dutch fort built in the
18th centuary, is a picnic spot.
Edneer
Mutt It is 10 Km. North East of Kasargod. This Mutt belongs to the
Sankaracharya tradition, presently renowned as a seat of art and learning.
Govinda
Pai Memorial In Manjeswar, is the native place of M.Govinda Pai
(1883-1963), one of the greatest Kannada poets of modern time. He was
conferred the title of "Poet Laureat" by the erstwhile Government
of Madras. He is known as Rashtra Kavi Govinda Pai.
Hosdurg
Fort The fort with its round bastion looks imposing from a
distance. Somashekara Nayak of Ikkeri dynasty built the fort. The place made
well known by the Nithyanandasram with 45 caves.
Kammatam
Kavu An evergreen forest of about 50-60 acres with a perenial
stream is a centre of worship connected with Kammadam Bhagavathi Temple.
Kanjan
Junga 16 KMs east of Kasargod is an artist village, established by
Artist P.S.Pununchithaya, the renowned artist of the west coast.
Kanwatheertha
Beach Resort 3 Km. north of Manjeshwar, has a large swimming pool
lake, and a beach of 4 Km. length. The swimming pool is formed by sea water
in the neat vast beach is one of the gifts of nature.
Kariangode River Running through the hills and dales of Hosdurg
Taluk. Immorlised as Tejaswini by great novelist Niranjana laps on its
shore. The famous village of Kayyur - the cradle of agrarian revolutions
where the farmers and farm workers staged a historic battle against
feudalism and the British imperialism.
Kasargod
Town
The Muncipal town is situated on the bank of river
Chandragiri. The confluence of several languages and culture where eight
languages are spoken. The splendour of Kasaragod Saree comparable to that of
Kanjeepuram is a cynosure of the market.
Kasargod is the emporium
of cash crops like Areacanut and Coconut. Malik-Deenar Juma Masjid, Malika
Arjuna temple and Dolors Church are worshiping places of historical
importance. Pulikkunnu, one of the seats of the assembly of gods where 39
Theyyams are presented for the annual festivals. Other features - Important
business centre; 31 metre above sea level.
Kottancheri
Hills The rain forest near Konnakkad 30 KM north- east of
Kanhangad. Beautiful picnic centre and ideal for trekking. Thalakkaveri in
the Brahmagiri mountain of Coorg is near this hills. Reflection of genetic
beauty of Kodaikkanal.
Kottappuram
Mud fort build by the Nileshwar Rajas and later annexed by Bednore Nayaks in
the 18th centuary. A Juma masjid and a Hindu shrine stand close by.
Kudlu
Kasargod suburb - 4Km. towards north, where famous eight day
discourse between Madhavacharya, the great Dwaita Philosopher and Trivikrama
Pandit, the famous Adwaita Scholar took place, in the presence of King
Jayasimha of Kumbla ended in the victory of Madhavacharya and the acceptance
of Dwaita philosophy by Trivikrama Pandit. The 75 year old CPCRI - the
premier plantation crop research institute is located here.
Kumbala
13 Km. north of Kasargod. The ancient seat of Rajas of Kumbala. The town
stands on a bold peninsula in a lagoon seperated from the sea by a sand spit
and connected to it by a narrow channel. Parthi Subbha, father of Yakshagana
was born here in the 18th centuary. Famous Gopalakrishna temple situated
here.
Madhur
8 KMs north east of Kasargod. Famous Srimad Anantheswara Vinayaka temple is
situated here.
The rich architecture, imposing structure of the
temple, with its turrests and gables and the copper plate roofing rises
magestically against the beautiful land scape of hills paddy fields and
gardens with the river Madhuvahini flowing leisurely in front of it.
The Madhur Temple is a Siva temple with Srimad Anantheswara as its presiding
deity. But importance is given to the deity Maha Ganapathi. The Sivalingam
of the temple is said to have been found by a harijan woman, Madharu.
The special festival of the temple is Moodappa Seva, which is covering the
large figure of Maha Ganapathi with appam made of ghee and rice. The
festival is conducted only periodically in view of the huge expenditure
involved. It was celebrated in April 1962, after a lapse of about 160 years,
and recently in April 1992.
Namaskara Mandapam of the temple has
been decorated with beautiful figures of puranic heros in wood. A closer
examination of the wood carvings would disclose the various episodes of the
Ramayana, beginning with the Seethga Swayamvaram. The Mantapam in the
interior of the temple building as well as the outside façade of the
second and third storeys of the main building are also profuse with
attractive and exquisite wood carvings.
It is said that the
temple was attacked by Tippu Sultan of Mysore during his invasion and he
felt thirsty and drunk the water from the temple well, which changed his
mind and left the temple without damaging it. There is a mask on the temple
which is said to be made by Tippu with his sword.
Malik
Dinar Mosque
Over the years, Kasargod acquired the considerable
importance as a centre of Islam on the west coast. It is the site of one of
the mosques believed to have been founded by Malik Ibn Dinar. The mosque,
Juma Masjid, which is one of the best kept and most attractive in the
district, is located at Thalangara. It contains the grave of Malik Ibn
Mohammed, one of the descendants of Malik Ibn Dinar and the place is sacred
to Muslims. Another notable mosque, in Kasaragod is the Theruvath Mosque
which is in the centre of the town. 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.
Maipady
Palace 8 Km. east of Kasargod on the Kasargod-Perla road. There are
ancient palaces of Kumbala Rajas.
Mallikarjuna
Temple
Situated in the heart of the Kasargod town is one of the
famous temple in Kasargod district. The temple festival and yakshagana are
most attractive.
Manjeswar Lies in the northern most extrimity of Kerala and a
place of historical and religious importance. For a long time it was the
seat of a flourishing community Gowda Saraswatha or Konkini Brahmins. Famous
for the two old Jaina Bastis at Bangra Manjeswar. Manjula Kshethra Mahathmya
a legend which deals with the history of this place. The birth place of
Rashtra Kavi Govinda Pai.
Nellikunnu
Mosque Famous for Uroos, this mosque attracts thousands. Very near
to Kasargod town. The Nercha celebration, during the second half of
November, lasts for one week.
Nileshwar
Abbreviated form of Nilakanta Iswar. Formerly seat of Nileshwar Rajas who
belonged to the Kolathiri family. The place witnesed the battle between
Bednore Nayaks and Nileshwar Rajas. The cultural centre of the District. In
and around there are several Kavus where nature, God and man commune serene
silence. Major among them is Mannan purathu Kavu, wherethe grand finale of
the annual temple festival of the region takes place. Porattu of
Anjoottambalam Veerarkavu draws large crowds. Porattu is the satrical
representation of everyday life presented in pageantry during the Poram.
Perne
Out of the 28 Muchilottu Bhagavathi temples, Perne in the northern most and
the only one north of Chandragiri seema situated in the vicinity of
Ananthapuram. The mass marriage at the time of Pooram festival in the month
of Meenam is a unique feature of this temple.
Posadigumpe
An ideal picnic centre and tourist resort located on a hillock 487.68 metres
above sea level in Dharmathadka 30 KM north-east of Kasargod. From the hill
top one can see the Arabian Sea, Manglore, Kudremukh, etc.
Povval
Fort An old fashoned fort on the Kasargod-Mulleria route about 10
KMs from Kasargod.
Ranipuram
Formerly known as Madathumala. About 48 KMs east of Kanhangad. Lying
780 metres above sea level. In beauty and boundry of nature comparable to
Ooty. An ideal place for trekking. Tourist cottages are available here.
Trikaripur
The old seat of Thazekkattu mana famous for T.S.Thirumumbu, poet and freedom
fighter. Birth place of Guru Chandu Panikkar the famous Kathakali artist.
Trikkanad
& Pandyan Kallu A famous temple on the sea shore near the
Bekal fort, dedicated to Lord Siva. Also known as Dhakshina Kashi. Pandyan
Kallu, a rock rising in the sea about 2 KM from Trikkannad is an ideal place
for adventurous swimmers. It has the legend that ship of one of the Pandya
King who attacked the Trikkannad temple was converted into a rock by Lord
Siva. Palakkunnu Bhagavathi Kshethram, one KM north of Trikkannad is famous
for annual Bharani festival, which attracts thousands.
Tulur
Vanam Also known as Kekulom (the eastern place). Near Panathur
Temple here is consecrated to Kshethrapalan and Bhagavathy. Eight day annual
festival attracts large crowd from all over the district as well as from
Coorg.
Valiyaparamba
5 KMs south west of Cheruvathur seperated from the mainland by back waters.
One of the main tourist spots of the District. This is an island in the
Arabian Sea. An ideal place for picnic also a fishing centre.
Veeramala
Hills Situated at Cheruvathur. Hill top with ruins of a Dutch fort
built in the 18th centary. A picnic spot from where the natural beauty of
Kariangode river and surroundings can be enjoyed.
