We’ve all seen Manisha Koirala in search of Aravind Samy in
the song “Uyire” traversing through the maze of moss-grown walls of a breath-taking
beautiful structure. That colossal structure is the “Bekal Fort” in Kasargod
district of Kerala.
Though being in Kerala, it wasn’t until recently I got the chance to visit this monument tucked away in the Northern part of the state. This imposing structure is one of the largest and well maintained forts in Kerala. It is built of red laterite stone over a sprawling 40 acres. The construction of this 17th century fort is attributed to the Kolathiri Rajas of Kasargod. It was later rebuilt by the Nayakas of Karnataka. It was then captured by Tippu Sultan and served as an important military base for the Mysore Sultans.
The entrance of the fort welcomes us with an Anjaneya Temple and a Mosque. The fort is built on the lap of the Bekal beach and offers an awe-inspiring 180 degree view of the beach itself. The fort also provides several peepholes on its observational towers which served to identify oncoming enemies . But now, each one lends a different view of the sand and the sea. There are several underground passages from the fort to the beach. There are also splendid walkways flanked by trees and flowers curving down to the beach.
The Bekal fort is a hotspot for wedding shoots, ad shoots and film shoots and it’s no wonder if you bump into one of them. Visiting this edifice during the rains when the red walls are speckled with green moss adds to the beauty of this impressive structure. So, if you’re enroute to Kerala from Karnataka or vice-versa, do stop by at the Bekal Fort to experience a little heritage of Kerala.
