Kasaragod, Kerala

Kasaragod, Kerala

This is a truly amazing destination in case one is looking to relax in the midst of nature.

One can bet on the serenity this place offers, especially when visited just after monsoon.One must visit the beach in case it is very lightly raining. This experience is awesome at fort beach which is more aggressive and thrilling. However, one must pay caution all time at this beach.

Kasargod is the place where the Bollywood movie, Bombay was shot.

The place is known for its aggressive beach and a beautiful unique fort.


Bekal Fort & Beach:
The fort is called as Bekal situated in Bekal, Kasargod. This place is around 15kms from Kasargod and is indeed at the beach. The fort by itself is facing the beach and is beautiful due to its location.

Inside Bekal Fort

Inside Bekal Fort

The fort is well maintained and is lush green inside. It is spread on 4 acres of land and its huge thick and tall grass makes it much a more scenic when the wind is blowing over it. It is a feast to the eyes and mind to view such a beautiful nature in action.

Bekal Fort

Bekal Fort

Beach and Park:
There are 2 beaches, one is more peaceful and serene and the other is too aggressive. The waves/tides  are very high and are unpredictable shown below in the picture "Aggressive Beach". The access to the more aggressive beach is less known and will be automatically known to inmates of the Nirvana Resort. However, the access is for anyone and everyone once you get to know of it.

Aggressive Beach, Bekal

The route to the aggressive beach can be best described as adventurous, it goes around the fence of the fort on the right side. It is a very small lane (one foot lane) into the plantations. It is hardly 50 to 75 meters of walk to the beach.

Beach @ Beach Park, Bekal

The other beach is at the beach park. The beach park is around 2 kms from Bekal fort. One can ask some local people there and get to the park. The park might be worth a visit if it is not raining. This park boasts of having a Zoo (little expensive entry fee, but below Rs 100/-) and small eateries. It might be worth a coffee break in case it is a cold season.

Park @ Beach Park, Bekal

Travel:
Traveling is a bit of trouble. However if one enjoys driving in the ghats and has patience to maneuver through then it is still a pleasure to drive to Kasargod.
It is roughly around 365kms but takes around 7 hours to drive. If suppose one leaves home by 7am in the morning can estimate to reach Kasargod by 4pm in the evening with breakfast and lunch breaks of 45mins each. It is still worth it as one will feel very refreshing after reaching Kasargod and its beaches.
There are 2 routes to Kasargod,

• Route 1: one goes through Bangalore-Mysore-Madikeri-Charkala-Kasargod
• Route 2: Bangalore-Hassan-Sakleshpur-Mangalore-Kasargod

Now the difficult question, which one to choose?
The description of the routes below might probably help one to choose the right route for their convenience.
Route 1: Good through out except 30kms of road filled with Potholes between Sulia to Madikeri, and this 30kms is not a ghat section. However, 80% is ghat section between Kasargod to Madikeri and Madikeri to Mysore is anyways well known ghat driving (this road is pleasure.. it is neatly laid). The painful part is the Mysore to Bangalore route, it is a slow moving traffic with traffic lights - average speed could be anywhere between 50 to 60kms/hr
Route 2: Excellent for some distance (up to Sakleshpur). And one can drive at an average of 90 to 100km/hr speed up to Sakleshpur. From Sakleshpur to Kasargod via Mangalore which happens to be around 140kms and of which 70 to 80% is stressful driving due to road conditions.

NOTE: Gernearlly tourists opt for Route 2 upward journey and Route 1 while returning back home.

Stay:
There are two resorts which are good and one can have a plesant stay.

• Nalanda Resort
• Nirvana Resort 

Nirvana Resort is preferable option in case you want to stay closer to the beach and bekal fort. This resort is so close to the fort and beach that you will find it more and more relaxing by just hopping to these places. This resort has some very special guests such as Peacocks. The experience is so nice that you will feel you are welcomed by these peacocks.

Restaurant, Nirvana Resort, Bekal

Peacock @ Nirvana, Bekal

Nirvana Resort, Deluxe Rooms, Bekal

There is a nice old man in the resort who will offer his help unconditionally. The food is cooked and served freshly with less variety. The resort is small with just 11 rooms and the maintenance is average but you will not be disappointed though.

Nalanda is away from the said destinations and is around 24kms from Bekal. However it is also having a very relaxing atmosphere as it is on the banks of a small river.

There is also a temple attached to the fort and in the premises of fort. It is a hindu temple, and the god worshiped is Hanuman. It is serene temple and worth a visit.

Best time to visit: Monsoon if one likes rains (moderate) otherwise just after monsoon.