Travel to the Blissful Town of Bekal

Ananthapura Temple

The Ananthapura Temple is the only lake temple in Kerala and is the original seat of Anantha Padmanabha Swami. The lake of this temple is believed to be the home of a crocodile who locals say is the guard of this temple. Built in the 9th century this temple can be visited by any visitor regardless of caste, ethnicity and religion. Devotees and tourists come to this temple to seek the blessing of the lord and also catch a glimpse of the crocodile that lives in the lake.

Photo Courtesy: Vinayaraj

Bekal Beach

A major attration in this town is the stunningly beautiful Bekal Beach. Travellers coming here can wade through backwaters, swim in the calm waters, stroll under the beautifully lined coconut trees and climb the hillocks here. It is an ideal place to head to from the noisy city and you can relax under the sun. An amazing experience on this beach is the sight of the setting sun.

Photo Courtesy: Soman

Bekal Fort

The Bekal Fort stands tall amidst the two palm-fringed beaches facing the eternal waves of the Arabian sea. Rumour has it that thefort was there since the days of the Chirakkal dynasty. This fort provides tourists with many options to explore and has been attracting both tourists and historians for ages. It is built up from the sea and a major portion of its exterior is drenched as the waves hit the citadel. The hallmarks of this fort are; the vistas of the tunnel in the south, the steps to the tank, the magazine to store military armours and the wide flight of steps to the observation tower. It is a perfect place for explorers to head to as you can enjoy exploring and unearthing the many secrets of this fort.

Photo Courtesy: Riju K

Kappil Beach

Kappil Beach is a vast, serene and secluded beach in Bekal and is now a major tourist hotspot. It is refreshingly different from the other beach destinations due to its tranquil surroundings. This sun-kissed beach acts as a perfect place to relax after you have explored the neighbouring Bekal Fort. Travellers craving for adventure can also climb the Kodi cliff to get a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. This cliff appears as if it emerged from the Arabian Sea and is a perfect spot for those who love to capture the essence of nature.

Photo Courtesy: Ikroos

Malik Deenar Mosque

Malik Deenar Mosque also known as the Malik Deenar Grand Juma Masjid was built by Malik Ibn Dinar in 642 AD. It is one of the ancient and historic Mosques of India and houses the tomb of Malik Ibn Mohammed, a descendant of Malik Ibn Dinar. It is built in typical Malabar style and is a holy place for the Muslims. During the celebrations of the Uroos Festival, the mosque is visited by many tourists and devotees.

Photo Courtesy: Rannusmash

Nileshwaram

Nileshwaram which is located 12 km away from Bekal is abbreviated form of the words ‘Nilakanta' and ‘Iswar'. It was the kingdom of the Nileshwaram Rajas in ancient times and is now considered as the cultural hub. The main attraction here is the palace and its various shrines. You can visit this yoga and cultural hub to undergo a rejuvenation therapy as well as naturopathy treatments such as herbal baths and mud baths.

Photo Courtesy: Prasad Pai

How to Reach Bekal

By Air: The Mangalore Airport lies about 70 km from Bekal and is the nearest airport. It is well-connected to all major cities of the country.

By Train: The nearest railway stations to Bekal are the Kasaragod Railway Station and Kanhangad, both about 12 km away. It is well-connected with all the major railheads of the country.

By Road: The town of Bekal is connected by roads to many places. Regular bus services and taxis are available to and from the town.

Photo Courtesy: Karunakar Rayker