Bekal Fort, Kasaragod

Built

Around 1650

Area

About 40 acres

Timings

8 am to 5.30 pm

Best time

October to March

Nearest railway station

Kasaragod (about 16 km)

Nearest airport

Mangaluru (about 75 km)

History

The fort is generally attributed to Shivappa Nayaka of the Keladi kingdom, who built it around 1650 to guard this stretch of coast. Its position made it an important military post, and it later passed through the hands of Tipu Sultan and the British. Unlike many forts it was never a palace; it was built purely for defence.

What to see

Seen from above, the fort has a keyhole outline, and its massive laterite walls run right down to the water. The zigzag entrance, trenches and many small openings in the walls for guns show how carefully it was designed against attack. An observation tower gives the best views over the sea and the long sandy beach, and a tunnel is said to connect it to the rest of the fort. Allow about two hours to walk the ramparts.

Timings and best time

The fort is open from 8 am to 5.30 pm. Allow an hour or two. Late afternoon is especially pleasant, when the heat eases and the light over the sea softens. October to March is the best season; the monsoon brings very heavy rain but also a dramatic sea.

How to reach

Kasaragod railway station is about 16 km away, and Kasaragod bus station about 15 km, with local buses and autos to Bekal. The nearest airport is Mangaluru, roughly 75 km to the north. There is also a small Bekal Fort halt station on the coastal line for local trains. We can add Bekal to a north Kerala itinerary with Kannur and Thalassery.

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