Bekal Fort near Kasaragod is one of the most historic places to visit in Kerala. It is smeared with history and is noted for its Observation Tower. It is a popular tourist attraction and has been drawing visitors since 1992 when its gates were opened for tourism. The Bollywood flick ‘Bombay’ was shot here and it further accentuated the reputation of the fort as a must-see attraction.
How to reach Bekal Fort: Bekal Fort is snuggled in Kasaragod with barely 35 km separating it from the main town. It can be easily reached through any private vehicle from the city. The railway station which is nearest to the fort is the Kasaragod station while the nearby airports would be at Mangalore (50 km) and at the Karipur International Airport (200 km).
Things to do at Bekal Fort: Bekal Fort lies in the lap of nature and is the neighbor of some fabulous water bodies. The beach is located in the vicinity where one can get into a number of adventure sports. The fort itself is humongous and is sprawled over an area of 40 acres. It will take you a lot of time to explore the various facets of this attraction.
One of the USPs of the fort is its water-tank luring you with a flight of steps. It is a sheer delight to walk over it. Then there is the Observation Tower. It was perhaps used in the past to keep an eye on the movement of the enemies. Now, it serves as an excellent viewpoint for feeding your eyes on the beauty of the nearby towns and hamlets.
Beaches near Bekal Fort: Bekal Fort is clubbed under the most picturesque places to visit in Kerala not just for its history but also for its stupendous set of beaches. There are quite a few beaches within a range of a few kms. Here is a quick check:
- Bekal Fort Beach: It is the beach which is situated just beside the mammoth fort at a mere distance of 1 km. Thus, the imposing sight of the towering fort can be easily viewed from its shores. Even though the water is not very deep in this region, there are many amenities for unwinding and entertainment.
- Kappil Beach: It is one of the quietest beaches you will ever come across. Its solitude is its high point. However, with growing popularity, its tourist count is shooting up and is stripping it of some of its seclusion. It is situated at a distance of 6 km from the fort. It is very picturesque and has an embalming presence of tall palm trees on the shores.
- Kanwatheertha Beach: It is located at a distance of 3 km from Manjeswaram. It is slightly far from the Bekal Fort but can be visited while touring the area. Its central attraction is the pool-like structure which the ocean has conjured on the shore. It is really breathtaking and an enigma of nature.
- Pandiyan Kallu: It is a rocky area which is ideal for swimming. There are legendary tales associated with the place which makes it an interesting tourist corner.
Image Source: WikiPedia
World Wide Travel Advisor 