Bekal fort, the largest and the best-preserved fort in Kerala, lies
16 Kms south of Kasaragod on the national highway at the northern
tip of the state. The fort, a circular imposing structure of laterite
rising 130 ft. above sea level, stands on a 35 acre headland that
runs into the Arabian sea.
Bekal, situated on the seashore of Pallikara village, is an important
place of tourist interest in the district. It lies 12 kms. south of
Kasargod town. According to Bekal Rama Nayak, a local Kannada writer,
the word, Bekal is derived from the word Baliakulam, meaning Big Palace.
The place is said to have been the seat of a big palace in the past.
The term Baliakulam got corrupted as Bekulam and later as Bekal.
The Bekal fort is now under the Archeological Department of the Government
of India.
There is a Travellers’ Bungalow, maintained by the PUBLIC Works
Department of the State Government within the Bekal fort. The natural
scenery at Bekal is alluring and makes a visit to the place an exhilerating
experience. There is a recently renovated temple dedicated to Hanuman,
at the entrance to Bekal. An old mosque is also situated very near
the fort and this is believed to have been founded by Tipu Sultan
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