A serene village in Kasargod district in Kerala, Located in the southwestern tip of India, Bekal is a land with a storied past. Here the ancient forts and golden beaches whisper to the wind legends unknown to mankind. The sun kissed beaches, the regal forts, majestic hills, meandering rivers, numerous estuaries and backwaters, the unexplored virgin environs and the rich cultural tradition of this land all pale in comparison to the ancient stories it has to share.
To preserve the rich heritage, natural vegetation and the pristine charm of this quaint village, the Government of Kerala has started the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation Ltd (BRDC). It is a venture intended to make Bekal a 'Beach Tourist Destination' at par with international standards.
Rama Nayak, a local Kannada writer is of the view that the name 'Bekal' is derived from the word 'Baliakulam' which means a big palace. The place is said to have been the seat of a big palace in the past. In the course of time the word term Baliakulam was changed to Bekulam and later to Bekal. Under the power of Kolathanadu, one of the most powerful feudal kingdoms on the Malabar Coast, Bekal became an important maritime centre and a crucial port town of Tulunadu, the name by which the old Kasaragod was known to the world.
The extraordinary impact the place had on the political and economic realm of the region attracted many rulers and chieftains to this place. They successively attacked and annexed the region that brought them the power to control the political and economic dominion of the state.
Bekal, a great place to pause and explore, is now an international tourist destination and a hub of tourist circuits to Malabar.
Nature and Wildlife
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Ranipuram hills Proposed Wildlife sanctuary
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Kottancheri Hills
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Veeramala Hills
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Possadigumpe
Forts
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Bekal Fort
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Chandragiri Fort
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Hosdurg Fort
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Kumbala Fort
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Povval Fort
Heritage
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Maipady Palace
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Kanjan Junga
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Edneer Mutt
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Anandashram
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Nityananda Ashram
Beaches and Backwaters
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Valiyaparamba Backwaters
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Bekal Beach
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Kanwatheertha Beach Resort
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Kappil Beach
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Azhithala Beach
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Pandiyan Kallu
Religious Sites
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Ananthapura Lake Temple
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Mallikarjuna Temple
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Anantheshwara Vinayaka Temple, Madhur
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Thrikkannad Shiva Temple
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Malik Dinar Mosque
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Madiyankulam Durga Temple
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Bela Church
The diversity of the physical features results in a corresponding diversity of climate. In the plains, the climate is normally hot. Though the mean maximum temperature is only around 32 Celsius, the heat is oppressive in the moisture laden atmosphere of the plains. Humidity is very high and rises to about 90 percent during the south-west monsoon. The annual variation of temperature is small.
The south-west monsoon starts towards the end of May or the beginning of June, heralded by thunder-storms and holds till September when the rain fades out. October brings in the north-east monsoon. Dry weather sets in by the end of December. January and February are the coolest months of the year. March, April and May are generally very hot.
