Tourism in Kasaragod district is often considered synonymous with the tiny town of Bekal. The beach at Bekal and the Bekal Fort, which stands adjacent to it present visitors with wonderful windows to both natural beauty and history.
The development of Bekal Beach is headed towards making it the first planned beach destination in India. Bekal is a ‘green field’ destination as is evident in its colour and the foreground greenery.
The biggest attraction of the place is the astounding structure of Bekal Fort; the largest and best preserved one in Kerala. At a height of 130 feet and spread over forty acres the Fort stands on a 35-acre promontory between two long classically beautiful palm fringed beaches stretching along the shores of the Arabian Sea.
More than 300 year old, one story attributes Bekal Fort to Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty in AD 1650. Another prevailing belief gives credit for its creation to the Kolathiri Rajas from whom Sivappa Naik is said to have captured it later. Archeologists have excavated several historical coins and other artifacts from the fort premises and these have proved to be a source of attraction for historians, Kerala tourism and nature-lovers.
The Bekal fort appears to have been built up from the sea since a large part of its exterior is lashed by the waves. The nearby Hanunam temple and the ancient Muslim Mosque built by Tipu Sultan of Mysore evike memories of a glorious past and bear testimony to the religious harmony that once prevailed in the area. The zigzag entrance and the trenches around the fort are signs of the exceptional defense strategy of the fort. Also impressive are the sea bastion, underground tunnels and the strategically placed observation tower which provides a good view of all the important places in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikare, Bekal, Kottikulam, Uduma, etc.
Located 16km south of Kasaragod on the national highway, the Bekal can be accessed through all mean of transportation. The nearest airport are Mangalore (50km); Karipur International Airport ie., Calicut (Kozhikode) International Terminal (180km).
