Bekal

Bekal is a small place located on the shores of the Arabian Sea in the Pallikare village in Kasargod district of Kerala state, South India. Bekal Fort is a major tourist attraction in the state. It is situated around 15 km. to south of Kasargod town. According to Bekal Rama Nayak, a local Kannada writer, the word Bekal is derived from the word Baliakulam, meaning Big Pond. The term Baliakulam got corrupted as Bekulam and later as Bekal.

This extraordinary part of Kerala, with its scintillating natural features is aptly marked by a number of ancient temples, forts and festivals. Virgin beaches, serene backwaters, and scenic mountain ranges in this part of God's own country offer a mixed bag of amusement to visitors coming from different parts of the world. Bekal Fort is the largest fort in Kasargod District of Kerala, south India. The fort faces the Arabian Sea. Bekal fort stands on a promontory between two long classically beautiful palm fringed beaches. This is the largest, best preserved fort in kerala.

Unlike most other Indian Forts, Bekal fort was not a center of administration for no remains of a Palace are found within the Fort. Probably the fort was built for fulfilling the defense requirements. The holes on the outer walls of the fort are so remarkable that they are specially designed to defined the fort effectively. The holes at the top are meant for aiming at the farthest points; the holes below are meant for hitting when the enemy is nearer and the holes under neath facilitate attacking when the enemy is very near to the fort. This is a remarkable evidence for the medival technology of defence strategy. Apart from this, the wild and ecstatic beauty of the setting sun is a glorious presence in the fort.