Bekal Fort

Overview
You have known Kerala for its backwaters. You've heard of the state also for its beaches. Now is the turn of the largest and best preserved fort of Kerala, the Bekal Fort. A renowned place of great archaeological and historical interest, Bekal Fort is about 350 years old. There is a proposal underway to develop this place into a tourist complex which, it is hoped, will radically transform the place.

Legends Associated
It is said that the fort has been built by the Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty though some of the historians differ on this. They are of the view that the fort was built by the rulers of the northern Kerala, the Kolathiri Raja. According to them, Sivappa Naik captured the fort when the payment of tribute was stopped by Kolathiri Raja. The fort later fell into the hands of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. The fort was occupied by the British East India Company in 1799. Right at the entrance of the fort, you can find that a mosque and a Hanuman temple coexist at the same place symbolizing the communal harmony between the two communities.

Design and Construction
The fort is an architectural marvel complete with the high walls that are so essential for a fort. The shape of the fort is that of a giant keyhole. The large tower right in the middle of the fort facilitates your view across the entire fort as well as the sea on the west. It seems that the fort was built with a view to get an early warning in case enemy vessels were coming through the sea route to attack. Though many extensions of the fort are projected into the sea and sea waves lash continuously onto the walls, the walls of the fort have withstood the lashings pretty easily. It is a laterite fort located on a rocky headland having a grand view of the Arabian Sea.
Nearby Attractions
Kodi Cliffs
The Kodi cliffs are located between the Kappil beach and the Chandragiri Fort. The best thing to do from the Kodi cliffs is to watch the sun set from the cliff.

Bekal Hole Aqua Park
Those who are water sports buffs would love the place. The most popular facility of the park is pedal boats and the water cycles that will entertain you no end.

Kappil Beach
It is only 6 km away from the Bekal Fort and the place is an untouched paradise. Though the place is not that well know in the tourists circles, it is fast gaining in popularity.

How to Reach?
By Air
The nearest airport is Mangalore which is 66 km away.

By Rail
The nearest railway station is Kodikulumin and most of the trains stop here. The main town Kasargod is also a well connected railway station for the tourists.

By Road
The place is connected by good road network with all the major towns of the area.