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10 Reasons to Visit Bekal

October 26, 2020 5 min read

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10 Reasons to Visit Bekal

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Bekal is a paradise for tourists and film-makers.

The splashing of the sea waves to the bottom of the fort along with the breathtaking surroundings is an incredible combination you must experience. When you stand at the edge of the Bekal fort looking at the expanse of the sea, you can hear the ovation of the victory of Mysore King Tipu Sultan and his military. The history-cultural fusion etched on the architecture of the Bekal fort makes this destination a wonderful rendezvous for an ideal getaway.

Situated in North Kerala, Bekal Fort is a paradise for tourists and film-makers. The splashing of the sea waves to the bottom of a historic fort along with the breathtaking surroundings is an incredible combination you must experience. When you stand at the edge of the Bekal fort looking at the expanse of the sea, you can imagine the ovation of the victory of Mysore King Tipu Sultan and his military. The history-cultural fusion etched on the architecture of the Bekal fort makes this destination a wonderful rendezvous for an ideal getaway.

Also See: Vivanta by Taj Bekal

A visit to Bekal will not be in vain as the place has numerous specialities of its own. If you visit the place understanding its historical importance, you can enjoy the inner beauty and architecture of the historic fort too. Here are 10 reasons to visit Bekal if you are planning to visit North Kerala.

Reasons to Visit Bekal

Bekal Fort

1. Bekal – Classic History

Even in the 21st century, Bekal fort stands majestically overlooking the Arabian Sea. Built-in AD 1650 by Shivappa Nayaka of Keladi, a ruler of Karnataka, Bekal fort has witnessed many conquests.  The fort was occupied by large cannons centuries ago, and the strong presence of the Mysore Sultans is proved by the artefacts and other objects excavated by the archaeological department. Bekal Fort was the military station of the Mysore military when they came to conquer Malabar. Later in 1799, the British Army seized Bekal fort following the assassination of Tipu Sultan.

Bekal History

2. Splendid view of the sea from the top of the Bekal Fort

The amazing sea view from the top of the fort is the major tourist attracting factor of the Bekal. Standing on the top of the fort, you can witness the saffron red sun kissing the horizon in the evening.  The fort has a special observation deck, and when you stand there, an astonishing view of the sea can be captured. A stroll through the pathway of the fort is enough for you to fall in love with this place.

Bekal Beach Fort

3. Serene Backwaters near Bekal Beach

One of the top reasons to visit Bekal is the amalgamation of backwaters and beaches. Valiyaparamba backwaters offer a scenic getaway for the visitors so when you visit Bekal, do not forget about the pristine backwaters which flow in calm and slow. The beach in Bekal is noisy, and the sound of the waves can be heard from the distance. The proximity of the beach to the fort is pictured best in the movie ‘Bombay’. Bekal has served as a sublime backdrop for many Bollywood movies. The exhilarating sight of waves hitting the rocks on the shore will be imprinted on your mind when you leave Bekal.

Serene Backwaters Bekal Fort Beach

4. Amazing architecture of the Fort

Bekal Fort is structured in a keyhole shape spread over an area of 40 acres. The fort head is built in a circular shape with red-brown stone. The fort ground includes walls, pavements, and a fortress believed to be built in the 17th century. The observation tower built by Tipu Sultan presents you fascinating view of the rocky seashore of the Arabian Sea. A temple, a Darbar, and some coins of the period of Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali have been unearthed.  At first glance, the historical architecture is reflected from each part of the Bekal fort.

Bekal Fort Architecture

5. Bekal Symbolises Malabar Culture & Heritage

The Malabar area has its own culture and cuisine style, which is entirely different from the other parts of Kerala. Malabar culture is special and gorgeous. Bekal is situated in Kasaragod district, and the district is profuse with art forms like Yakshaganam and Theyyam. Using the laterite bricks, the sculptures of the Theyyam are displayed there.

6. To learn how you can preserve the history

Unlike other forts which were amongst the amazing places to visit in India have been abridged to damages caused by lack of protection. Luckily, Bekal Fort is an exclusion as it still keeps the old beauty and exquisiteness. How does the laterite brick structure survive the test of time? The keyhole-shaped construction with the stoned trails still kept intact? The answer lies in the exemplary engineering of old artisans and the faultless preservation efforts by the government. The observation area was once used for keeping cannons. The tunnel inside the fort is opened for visitors.  The fort is now under Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC), conducting tourism promotion activities.

7. An ideal destination for a culinary holiday

Malabar is also famous for its delicious cuisine and a concoction of delectable snacks. Kerala cuisine, particularly the dishes of Malabar, is always preferred by almost all tourists, regardless of where they come from. You can’t see any similarity of Malabar culture with any other district. Plan a trip to Bekal and indulge in sightseeing and some culinary travel adventures.

Bekal Fort Food

8. Explore the tourist places near Bekal

Near Bekal, there are some more places which you should never miss to explore on your trip. Places like Kappil Beach, Pallikere Beach, Nityanandashram Caves, and Hosdurg Beach are some of the well-known places of Bekal. Kappil beach is one of the main weekend tourist destinations in the area and has plenty of visitors during the holidays.  The adjacent beaches are offering beautiful sights and your holiday spend here will be a memorable one.

9. Nityanandashram Caves

Nityanandashram Caves are a cluster of forty-five caves, which are located in Hosdurg, generally called Nityanandashram.  The caves have six entrances that are carved on a single rock. Three of the caves’ entrance is facing towards the east and the remaining three towards the west.  The key attraction of these caves is the statue of Swami Nityananda moulded-in panchaloha. The place is considered perfect for performing meditation and is familiar as the international spiritual centre.

10. Bekal Hole Aqua Park

Located one kilometre away from Bekal fort, Hole Aqua Park offers activities like pedal boats, lightweight canoes, and water cycles. Aqua Park is the best place to spend your holiday with family and friends. Enjoying water rides with your friends will be a colourful experience for you.

Also See: Popular Beaches in Kerala

Before heading to Bekal, make sure that you are visiting all these places with all the information about history and culture. A trip to the Malabar area will always be a cultural and historical one, so you have to gather information about the destination and the nearby areas.  Now pack your bags and head to Bekal for a wonderful getaway.

Bekal can be your ideal holiday destination with its exuberant atmosphere and exceptional possibilities of sightseeing. The destination is perfect for couples, lone travellers, and family travellers. Imagine a stroll in a breezy evening with your beloved spouse or family through the pathway.

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