Bekal Fort

Bekal Fort is a massive fort situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea in Kasargod District of Kerala. This fort stands 130 feet above sea level and is around 300 years old. The fort is 16 km away from the city of Kasargod and lies near the national highway. It spreads over 35 acres of land. Bekal Fort was built for defense purposes and so there is no palace inside. The main attractions of this spot are the beach, underground tunnels, and the observation tower in the fort. There are 2 stories related to the construction of Bekal Fort. One is that it was built in the 1650’s by Shivappa Nayaka of the Ikkeri Dynasty. There is another group that believed that it was constructed by Kolathiri Rajas but later captured by Shivappa Nayaka. In A.D. 1763, the fort was seized by Hyder Ali of Mysore and later on by Huzur of Canara and then the British. There is an Anjaneya Temple nearby which is as old as the fort and attracts devotees to the fort even from faraway places. The observation tower that stands at the centre of the fort offers beautiful views of the coastline as well as the towns of Kanhangad, Pallikkara, Bekal, Kottikkulam, and Uduma. The fort is taken care of by the Archaeological Survey of India. Bekal Fort remains a favorite location of historians, tourists, and nature lovers. In the parking area of the fort, there is a rock garden made of laterite, which is an architectural marvel. Bekal Fort is one of the most visited sites by the people of Kerala. The fort is open from 6.00 am to 6.30 pm. Entrance fee is Rs. 20 per person.