The unique Bekal Fort stands amidst the roaming but heartening music of the seas along with the eternal note of the unending waves, carrying the thrilling memories of a bygone era.This foremost souvenir of the ‘Gods own Country’ remains undeterred over the ages as a silent witness to centuries of eventful yester years. The Bekal Fort has been a source of attraction for historians, tourists and nature - lovers for centuries since it embodies memories of a glorious past.

Bekal beaches are famous for its scenic beauty and its very long fort jutting into the Bekal beach. The beach offers excellent surroundings and ample opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Rather than the beautiful beaches, the 300-year-old fort is famous as it gives a most spectacular view of the Arabian Sea from the top of the fort. This fort is one of the largest of its kind in India. Bekal fort rises 130 ft higher than the sea level. In and around Bekal there are a string of beaches ideal for enjoying sun and surf those are pristine and unpolluted.

The Fort appears to have been built up from the sea since almost three fourth of its exteriors is drenched and the waves stroke the citadel. The Mukhyaprana Temple of Hanuman and the ancient Muslim Mosque nearby hold testimony to the age-old religious harmony that prevailed in the area. The zigzag entrance and the trenches around the fort show the defense strategy connected with the fort.Bekal served as an important military station of Tipu Sultan when he led the great military expedition to capture Malabar. The coins and other artifacts unearthed by the archaeological excavation conducted recently at Bekal fort is a manifestation of the strong presence of the Mysore Sulthans. The death of Tipu Sulthan in Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799 saw the end of Mysorean control and subsequently the fort came under the British East India Company.

Unlike most other Indian Forts, Bekal fort was not a center of administration for no remains of a palace are found within the fort. Arguably the fort was built exclusively for fulfilling the defense requirements. The holes on the outer walls of the fort are specially designed to defend the fort effectively. The holes at top are meant for aiming at the farthest points; the holes below are meant for hitting when the enemy is nearer and the holes underneath facilitate attacking when the enemy is very near to the fort. This is a remarkable evidence of medieval technology in defense strategy.

Best time to visit

The best season to visit Bekal is between August and March. The maximum temperature is 36.5 degree Celsius and the minimum is 27.25 degree Celsius. The annual rainfall is 344 cm.

Getting here

By Air

The nearest airport is at Mangalore, 66 km north.

By Rail

The train station for Bekal is at Kodikulumin, near the village of Palakkunnu and most of the trains stop here regularly. The district center Kasargod has the main railway station linked to all the main stations.

By Road

Bekal is sixteen kilometers south of Kasargod on the National Highway -17.Good roads connect Bekal to major towns in Kerala and neighboring state Karntaka.

Hotels in Kasargod

www.hotelskerala.com/kasargod.htm