Kasargod

The Mahaganapathy Temple at Madhur near Kasaragod is a well known place of worship. The temple has unique style of architecture.

The large fort at Chandragiri nearby is also a place worth to visit. This fort was built in the 17^th century by Shivappa Nayaka of Bedanore. Nearby situated are the ancient Kizhur Sastha Temple and one mosque.

ANANTHAPURA

Ananthapura, 12 km north-east of Kasargod town, is known for its lake temple. This holy temple is believed to be the original seat (‘moolasthanam’) of Anantha Padmanabha of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram.

BEKAL FORT

The Bekal fort is 10 km south of Kasaragod town. The fort has been under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India since the time of the British.

Bekal Fort, which is about 350 years old, is the largest fort in Kerala. It is proposed to be developed into a tourist complex. This magnificent fort which is nearly 16 hectares in extent virtually juts into the sea with a beautiful bay on its southern side. The fortifications of the semi-circular construction with an imposing frontage is still intact as an architectural monument. Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty is said to have built the fort between 1645-16660. But some other historians are of the opinion that the fort was built by the then north Kerala rulers, the Kolathiri Rajas. Sivappa Naik of Bednore captured the fort when the Kolathiri Raja stopped paying tributes to him. Later, the fort fell into the hands of Hyder Ali and later into his son, Tipu Sultan. With the over throw of Tipu Sultan, Bekal was incorporated into the dominions of the English East India Company in 1799. A mosque and a Hanuman temple are located at the entrance of the fort as a symbol of religious harmony. The facade of the high walls with the battlement and the entire structure of the fort are architecturally commendable. There is a large tower in the middle of the fort at a height of 10 meters and with a circumference of 27 m. From this tower, one can see the entire fort and the sea on the west and the lush green valleys on the east and the undulating blue mountains. The fort must have been built with a view to spotting enemy vessels afar in the high seas. The waves lashing against its many extensions jutting into the water for years have not caused any serious damage. Neither time nor the mighty waves have dimmed the magnificence of the Bekal fort. Peeping through its ancient moss covered cannon holes, one can see the Arabian sea shimmering in the sun and stretching into the horizon in all its varying moods.

KANHANGAD

The Chuliyar Bhagavathy Temple here is a popular place of worship. ‘Thirayattu Utsavam’ of this temple acquires special significance because of the different types of Theyyam performances.

NILESWAR

Nileswar is an important cultural centre. The Nileswar Rajas were patrons of art and culture. There is a Folklore centre of the Kerala Archaeological Department in the Palace of the Nileswar Rajas.

MAHE

Mahe is part of the Union Territory of Pondicherry. It is about 25 km south of Kannur and 60 km north of Kozhikode. Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam and Pondicherry were once FRENCH Territories. Mahe is a brisk trade centre of foreign liquor as the price is comparatively lower than the price in the neighboring areas of Kerala state.