ABOUT KASARAGOD

Kasaragod
Kasaragod is situated at the extreme northern tip of Kerala over looking Arabian sea. The name, Kasaragod, is said to be derived from the word Kusirakood meaning Nuxvomica forests (Kanjirakuttom). Kasaragod district was formed on May 24, 1984, by combining Kasaragod taluk and Hosdurg taluk.

Kasaragod is known as the land of Gods, beaches, , rivers, hills and forts. Boarders of Kasaragod are west Arabian sea,north east Karnataka and south kannur.Kasaragod is a land of temples, mosques and churches. The main tree religions of kasaragod are Hindu, Muslims and Christians.Kasargod is rich in folk-culture, visual arts and festivals. some of them are Theyyam, Kolkali,Daff mutt,Mappila patt,Poorakkali, Yakshaganam, Kallampattu,Porattu, Oppana, Mappillapattu, Cock-fight etc. Most of the peoples of Kasaragod are farmers. The important crop raised are Areca nut, Coconuts ,Rubber, Paddy,Cashew,Pepper,Vegitables,Tapioca,Banana,Tobacco etc. Mlayalam, Kannada, Tulu, English, Hindi,Konkani are the major languages of the district. There are 12 rivers in the districts,they are Chandragiri ,Manjeshwaram, Mograal, Shrirya, Kavvayi, Kumbala, Kalanadu, Bekkal, Kaariyankodu, Uppala, Chitharikkal,Nileshwar.

NH 17 passes through this district and covers major towns. From north it leads to Managalore and south it leads to Kannur districts. Nearest Airports are Mangalore 70km and Calicut 200km.Right time to visit for the tourist is in between September and January. The temperature falls in between 23oc and 32oc.

Kasaragod is situated at the extreme northern tip of Kerala over looking Arabian sea. The name, Kasaragod, is said to be derived from the word Kusirakood meaning Nuxvomica forests (Kanjirakuttom). Kasaragod district was formed on May 24, 1984, by combining Kasaragod taluk and Hosdurg taluk.

Kasaragod is known as the land of Gods, beaches, rivers, hills and forts. Boarders of Kasaragod are west Arabian sea, north east Karnataka and south kannur.Kasaragod is a land of temples, mosques and churches. The main three religions of kasaragod are Hindu, Muslims and Christians.Kasargod is rich in folk-culture, visual arts and festivals. some of them are Theyyam, Kolkali,Daff mutt, Mappila patt,Poorakkali, Yakshaganam, Kallampattu,Porattu, Oppana, Mappillapattu etc. Most of the peoples of Kasaragod are farmers. The important crop raised are Areca nut, Coconuts ,Rubber, Paddy,Cashew, Pepper,Vegitables, Tapioca, Banana etc. Mlayalam, Kannada, Tulu, English, Hindi,Konkani are the major languages of the district. There are 12 rivers in the districts,they are Chandragri ,Manjeshwara, Mogral, Shrirya, Kvvayi, Kumbala, Kalanad, Bekal, Kariyankod, Uppla, Chithari,Nileshwar.

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History

Lying on the north western coast of the State, Kasargod was famous from time immemorial.

Many Arab travellers, who came to Kerala between 9th and 14th centuries A.D., visited Kasargod
as it was then an important trade centre. They called this area Harkwillia.

Mr.Barbose, the Portuguese traveller,who visited Kumbla near Kasargod in 1514, had recorded that
rice was exported to Male Island whence coir was imported.

Dr.Fracis Buccanan, who was the family doctor of Lord Wellesly, visited Kasargod in 1800.
In his travelogue, he has included information on the political and communal set-up in placeslike Athiparamba, Kavvai, Nileshwar, Bekkal, Chandragiri and Manjeshwar.

Kasargod was part of the Kumbala Kingdom in which there were 64 Tulu and Malayalam villages.

When Vijayanagar empire attacked Kasargod, it was ruled by the Kolathiri king
who had Nileswar as his headquarters.
It is said that the characters appearing in Theyyam, the ritualistic folk dance of northern Kerala,
represent those who had helped king Kolathiri fight against the attack of the Vijayanagar empire.

During the decline of that empire in the 14 century,the administration of this area was vested with the Ikkeri Naikans.They continued to be the rulers till the fall of the Vijayanagar empire in 16th century.
Then Vengappa Naik declared independence to Ikkeri.

In 1645 Sivappa Naik took the reins and transferred the capital to Bednoor.Thus they came to be known as Bendoor Naiks. Chandragiri fort and Bekkal fort are considered to be part of a chain of forts constructed by Sivappa Naik for the defence of the kingdom.

In 1763 Hyder Ali of Mysore conquered Bednoor and his intention was to capture entire Kerala.
But when his attempt to conquer Thalassery Fort was foiled,Hyder Ali returned to Mysore and died there in 1782.His son, Tippu Sulthan, continued the attack and conquered Malabar. As per the Sreerangapattanam treaty of 1792, Tippu surrendered Malabar except Tulunadu (Canara) to the British.

The British got Canara only after the death of Tippu Sulthan in 1799.
Kasargod was part of Bekal taluk in the South Canara district of Bombay presidency.
Kasargod taluk came into being when Bekal taluk was included in the Madras presidency on April 16, 1882.
Though Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar moved a resolution in 1913 on the floor of Madras Governor's Council demanding the merger of Kasargod taluk with the Malabar district, it had to be withdrawn because of the stiff opposition of the members from Karnataka. In 1927,a political convention held at Kozhikode, passed a resolution stressing the above demand.

In te same year, an organisation titled Malayalee Seva Sangham was constituted.Thanks to the efforts made by many eminent persons like K.P.Keshva Menon, Kasargod became part of Kerala following the reorganisation of states and formation of Kerala in November 1,1956.

National Movement
Kasargod played a prominent role in the National Movement for the freedom of the country. Mohammed Sherul Sahib and Kandige Krishna Bhat were the frontline leaders of the independence movement.Umesh Rao, K.M.Krishnan Nambiar, Shreesankarji, Naranthatta Raman Nair, A.C.Kannan Nair, T.Gopalan Nair, and Meloth Narayanan Nambair were prominent freedom fighters.

The agrarian struggles to end the exploitation and oppression by landlords and chieftains were part of the National Movement. The Kadakom thyagraha various struggles unleashed for the uplift of the
scheduled castes and tribes also suported and enlivened in National Movement.

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Tourist Places

Anandashram and 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.

Bekkal Fort
Bekal, situated on the seashore of Pallikara village, is an important place of tourist interest in the district. It lies 12 kms. south of Kasargod town. According to Bekal Rama Nayak, a local Kannada writer, the word, Bekal is derived from the word Baliakulam, meaning Big Palace. The place is said to have been the seat of a big palace in the past. The term Baliakulam got corrupted as Bekulam and later as Bekal.

It was usual in older days for every royal palace to be protected by a fort. The Bekal for might have, therefore, existed even from early days of the Chirakkal Rajas. While givinng a description of the Kolathiri Kingdom in his Kerala History, K.P. Padmanabha Menon writes; “The eldest of the male members reigned as soverign Kolathiri. The next in succession, the heir apparent, was the Thekkelamkur. The residence assigned to him was the Vadakara fort. The third in succession was the Vadakkelamkur in charge of Vekkolath fort. This V(B)ekkolath fort is identified by some scholars as the present Bekal”.

H.A.Stuart, in his Handbook of South Canara (1985), makes this observation: “….. Several forts were built by the Shivappa Nayaks of Badnore between 1650 and 1670 A.D. The two forts of Bekal and Chandragiri were originally under the Kolathiri or Chirakkal Rajas until the time of Shivappa Nayaka’s invasion. Perhaps, the Bednore rulers might have rebuilt and improved it”.

The Bekal fort, which is of great historical and archaeological interest, is the largest and best preserved of its kind in the district and the land on which it is situated, runs into the sea with fine bay towards the south. According to the South Canara Mannual, Bekaln fort fell into the hands of Haider Ali in 1763. It housed the Huzur of Canara during Tipu’s time and the remains of a gallow reminiscent of the days of Mysorean occupation were seen here till a few years back. After the overthrow of Tipu Sultan in 1799, Bekal was incorporated into the dominions of the English East India Company. The erstwhile Kasaragod taluk of South Canara district was known as Bekal for more than half a century.

The Bekal fort is now under the Archeological Department of the Government of India.

There is a Travellers’ Bungalow, maintained by the PUBLIC Works Department of the State Government within the Bekal fort. The natural scenery at Bekal is alluring and makes a visit to the place an exhilerating experience. There is a recently renovated temple dedicated to Hanuman, at the entrance to Bekal. An old mosque is also situated very near the fort and this is believed to have been founded by Tipu Sultan.

Bela Church Kasaragod Town
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.

Kasaragod 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.

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.

Nellikunnu Mosque
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.

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General Information

District - Kasaragod
Population - 12,04,078
Formed on - May 24,1984
Males - 5,88,083
Females - 6,15,995
Area - (in sq.Km)1,992
Rainfall - (in year) 358.1cm
Sex ratio - Females/10001,047
Sea shore - 77km
Density of Population - 604 sq.km
Rail way - 116km
No. of railway station - 12
No.of Telephone Exchanges - 58
No. of Villages - 75
Primary school - 412
High school - 70
Taluks
1.Kasaragod
2.Hosdurg
Higher secondary school - 45
Municipality
1.Kasaragod
2.Kanchanghad
post office - 234
colleges - 33
Assembly Constituencies
1. Manjeswaram
2. Kasaragod
3. Uduma
4. Hosdurg
5. Thrikkaripur

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Importent Phone Numbers

Carewell Hospital 230180
Carewell Hospital 230180
Chaithra Medical Centre 256968
Fathima Hospital 230524
Fathima Hospital 230524
Malik Deenar 230112
Janardhan Maternity & Nursing Home 230243
Ruby Ambulance 230468
Kalanad Nursing Home 237310
Sa-Adiya Hospital 238569
Kasaragod Nursing Home 230597
Fire Service Telephone Numbers - STD (04994)
Kanhangad:Local 101/2202101
Govt. Hospital 2204333
Mazoor Hospital 2202070
Railways Telephone Numbers
kasaragod 04994-230200
Kanahngad 0467-2204444
Cheruvathur 0467-2260222
Manjeshwar 04994-272233
Nileshwar 0467-2280330
Uppala 04994-240233
Kumbala 04994-213035
Trikaripur 0467-2210232
Police Telephone Numbers
Kasaragod : Local 100/230100
Kanhangad 2204229
Adhur 220024
Badiaduka 284033
Bedakam 295238
Bekal 2236224
Cheruvathur 2210242
Chittarikal 2221054
Cheemeni 2250220
Kumbala 213037
Manjeshwar 272640
Nileshwar 2280240
Rajapuram 2224029
Vellerikundu 2242300

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