Bekal Fort Beach Park

Bekal and Pallikara beaches are the hope of North Malabar’s (North Kerala, India) tourism growth in the coming years. Bekal is a hidden and its getting ready to fly in to the international tourist map in the coming years. Bekal beach and Pallikkara beaches are located in the south and north side o the gigantic Bekal Fort in Kasaragod district. Pallaikara beach is the longest beach in Kerala and it has a very large park with the long view of Bekal fort. BRDC (Bekal Resorts Development Corporation Ltd.) has its beach tents and resorts there to provide beach accommodation to the travellers. Many good accommodation centres and hotels are now available in the premises. Kappad is only 10 kilometres from Bekal and it’s the favourite backpacker destination in Kasaragod district. Asia’s largest Spa Resort has launched there by Lalit hotels recently. An unmatched experience of the sun, sea and the sand is this shallow beach, that offers, apart from the charm of unexplored nature, spectacular views of the Bekal Fort nearby. Adding more charm to the spectacular landscape are the swaying palm trees that border the beach. The Bekal beach encompasses a grassy park and a long, beautiful stretch of sand that turns into a circus on weekends and holidays when local families descend here for rambunctious leisure time.

Bekal is unarguably one of the best potential beach resort destinations in South Asia. India has a very few comparable locations that offer the diversity of attractions to be found in Bekal. Yet, unlike most other existing resort destinations which are close to a major urban centre, and thus already over developed, the Bekal area is still virgin and pristine, offering the opportunity to set up a new planned resort destination. Bekal situates in the Kasaragod District. This is a prominent Tourist-spot in Kerala. The prime attraction of the tourism project Bekal is spread over 130 acres of land. This glorious citadel is advanced in 300 years. It is set up at an elevation of 135 ft and an area that covers almost 35 acres near to the Arabian sea. This is the biggest fortress in Kerala. The shores of the Arabian sea that hugs the citadel, the serene lagoon, the tree tops that dances and oscilates in the breeze, the red heaps of the soil etc endear Bekal to be a real Tourist-spot to the umpteen holidayers. As to water sports, there is a Bekal Hole Aqua-park here. Thousands of tourists stay here every day in order to appreciate the calm and placid sea and the halcyon sea-side. To be sure, Bekal will be an unforgettable tourist spot.

In 1995 Government of Kerala formed Bekal Resorts Development Corporation Limited (BRDC) as a public sector Company under the Companies Act 1956, for speedy implementation of Bekal Project. The project area consists of 134 Sq.Km. spread over 4 Panchayath's of Chemnad, Uduma, Pallikere and Ajanoor of Kasaragod district. BRDC has acquired 233.37 acres of land for development of 6 Resort sites and Bekal Beach Park. In 1992, the Government of India declared Bekal as a Special Tourism Area. Extremely scenic landscape, extensive beaches, numerous estuaries and backwaters and unspoilt environs qualified Bekal as a potential site for an international standard beach destination. Bekal is unarguably one of the best potential beach resort destinations in South Asia. India has a very few comparable locations that offer the diversity of attractions to be found in Bekal. Yet, unlike most other existing resort destinations which are close to a major urban centre, and thus already over developed, the Bekal area is still virgin and pristine, offering the opportunity to set up a new planned resort destination.

The international tourist's dream spot,this haven of a place is surrounded by the serenity of the sea. This ancient fort is ridden with mysterious caves,wells and hideouts.Besides, it has one of the most magnificent beaches in the country. Bekal Fort is situated at a distance of 16 km from Kasargode. Just about a kilometre's distance away is Pallikkara railway station. Safari rides on horses and camels are available nearby.There is also a Bekal Beach Park which is open on all days from 8am to 7pm. Kerala beaches have international recognition from very ancient time as it was the gate way to Kerala for all traders and merchants and Navigators from Europe and Middle East for their trade. Vasco Da Gama the European who discovered a sea route to India landed at the beach side of Kappad near Calicut. Kerala had India’s oldest commercial port at Muziris near Kodungallur in Eranakulum district. The total length of Kerala’s coast line is around 55o kilometres so that it has a huge potential in beach tourism. Kovalam in Trivandrum district is the most popular and international beach destination Kerala. For the European tourists Kovalam is their home town with its pleasant hospitality and atmosphere. Kerala beaches are clean and palm fringed everywhere and safe to take bath, swim, surf, and for sunbath.

Bekal Fort is the biggest fort in Kerala spreading over forty acres. The unique Bekal Fort stands amidst the roaming but heartening music of the seas along with the eternal note of the unending waves, carrying the thrilling memories of a bygone era. This foremost souvenir of the 'Gods own Country' remains undeterred over the ages as a silent witness to centuries of eventful yester years. The Bekal Fort has been a source of attraction for historians, tourists and nature - lovers for centuries since it embodies memories of a glorious past. The Fort appears to have been built up from the seas since almost three fourth of its exterior is drenched and the waves do stroke the citadel. The Hanuman temple and the ancient Muslim Mosque nearly hold testimony to the age-old religious harmony that prevailed in the area. The zigzag entrance and the trenches around the fort show the defence strategy connected with the fort.