Hello Friends,We are starting our blog, Kerala Dashan with post about the historic BEKAL FORT, which is the largest and the best-preserved fort in the state of Kerala. This fort, located on about 16 km South of Kasaragod on the national highway was constructed between 1645 and 1660 A.D. Shivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty is credited with its construction.Another version says that the fort was captured by Shivappa Naik from the Kolathiri Rajas, who were its owners. Around 1763 A.D. the fort was occupied by Haider Ali. During Tipu Sultans' (Haider's son) reign it housed the Huzur of Canara. It was later incorporated into the dominions of the English East India Company.
Some important features of this fort are the water-tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening towards the south, the magazine for keeping ammunition and the broad steps leading to the Observation Tower, which is a rarity. From there one has an ample view of towns in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikare, Bekal, Kottikkulam, Uduma etc. This observation center had strategic significance in discovering even the smallest movements of the enemy and ensuring the safety of the Fort.
The Fort appears to have been built up from the sea since almost three fourths of its exterior is drenched and the waves continually stroke the citadel. The Mukhyaprana Temple of Hanuman and the ancient Muslim mosque nearby bear 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 inherent in the fort.
Unlike most other Indian forts, Bekal Fort was not a center of administration, for no remains of any palace, mansion or such buildings are found within the fort. Arguably the fort was built exclusively for fulfilling defense requirements. The holes on the outer walls of the fort are specially designed to defend the fort effectively. The holes at top were meant for aiming at the farthest points; the holes below for striking when the enemy was nearer and the holes underneath facilitated attacking when the enemy was very near to the fort. This is remarkable evidence of technology in defense strategy.
This landscape of ethereal quality, its never-ending grasslands and sea views possess all the potential to be developed into a superb tourist destination. The Bekal fort is located on a vast 35-acre headland that runs into the Arabian Sea.
This imposing structure of laterite rising 130 ft. above sea level has a chequered history of 300 years ,which adds to its interest as an archaeology site. Due to its historic relevance, the fort is controlled by the Archaeological Survey of India
Getting There :
Nearest towns : Kanhangad – 8 km and Kasargod 18 km. These towns are well connected to nearby cities by bus and train.
Nearest railway station: Kasaragod on the Kozhikode(calicut)-Mangalore route.
Nearest airport: Mangalore, about 60 km from Kasaragod town;Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, about 180 km from Kasaragod town.
Accommodation :
- K-Tees Residency
contact@kteesresidency.com
+91 467 2275633, 2310837
- Hotel Nirvana
nirvanabekalfort@gmail.com
+91 467 2272900, 2272007
- Vivanta by Taj
reservations@tajhotels.com
+91 467 6616612, +91 22 66011825, 1800 111 825, +91 467 6616613
- The LaLiT Resort & Spa Bekal
ajoy@thelalit.com
+91 467 2237777, +91 467 223757
- Apsara Regency
+91 4994 230124, 220424, 220454
