District Handbooks of Kerala

KASARAGOD

District Handbooks
of Kerala
KASARAGOD

Department of Information & Public Relations

Government of Kerala
 District Handbooks
of Kerala

KASARAGOD

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATIONAND PUBLIC RELATIONS

GOVERNMENT OF KERALA
District Handbooks of Kerala
Contents
KASARAGOD
Department of Information and Public Relations 1. Introduction ............................................................................5
March 2003
2. History ....................................................................................5
Editor - in - Chief 3. Topography ............................................................................7
G.Rajasekharan . I A S.
Director & Secretary 4. Climate .....................................................................................8

Compiled by 5. Forest .......................................................................................9

M. Gangadharan
6. Administration ......................................................................11
District Information Officer, Kasaragod
Editor 7. Local self government ........................................................ 13
K. Santhosh Kumar 8. Agriculture ............................................................................14
(Information Officer)
9. Literacy .................................................................................19
Assistants
N. Radhakrishna Pillai 10. Electricity ................................................................................20
Ajitha Das
11. Fisheries .................................................................................21
(Translators)
12. Health .....................................................................................21
Type setting and layout
Karma 13. Industries ...............................................................................22

14. Men of letters ........................................................................24

Published by the Director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Kerala. 15. Places of worship ...................................................................26
Printed at : KSAVRC Press, Thiruvananthapuram 16. Places of tourist interest........................................................ 32
Copies : 15,000
Price : Rs.10 17.Barefacts ..................................................................................42
Every care has been taken to ensure the authenticity of the facts given in this
hand book. However, the Information and Public Relations Department,
Government of Kerala should not be held responsible for error, if any.
 FOREWORD
Reference books have always been in great demand in Kerala INTRODUCTION
and the educated public approach the Information and Public Relations
Department, Government of Kerala, for authentic information on our State
and districts. It is in this context that District Handbooks used to be pub-
T heKusirakood
name, Kasaragod, is said to be derived from the word
meaning Nuxvomica forests (Kanjirakuttom). It is
lished. To be abreast of times, the Department has launched a website, with the intention of bestowing maximum attention on the development of
www.prd.kerala.gov.in and maintains the State Government web portal backward areas that Kasaragod district was formed on 24th May 1984.
www.kerala.gov.in. It has been our sincere endeavour to update these
on a day-to-day basis and popularise the use of computers through out
HISTORY
the State to enable information and services to reach the needy. How- Lying on the north western coast of the State, Kasaragod was
ever the Department feels that the time is not ripe for a complete switch
over from the print media and hence a new series of District Handbooks famous from time immemorial. Many Arab travellers, who came to Kerala
is now published. between ninth and 14th centuries AD, visited Kasaragod as it was then
an important trade centre. They called this area Harkwillia. Barbose,
I hope that this book would cater to the requirements of the tour- the Portuguese traveller, who visited Kumbla near Kasaragod in 1514,
ists as well as the general public who seek a handy booklet containing
had recorded that rice was exported to Male Island whence coir was
relevant information about the district. Suggestions for improvement of
the publication/the contents of the website/portals are welcome. imported. Dr. Francis Buccanan, who was the family doctor of Lord
Wellesly, visited Kasaragod in 1800. In his travelogue, he has included
information on the political and communal set-up in places like Athipramba,
G.Rajasekharan, I.A.S.
Director & Secretary
Kavvai, Nileswaram, Bekal, Chandragiri and Manjeshwaram.
Information & Public Relations
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kasaragod was part of the Kumbala Kingdom in which there were
18th March 2003. 64 Tulu and Malayalam villages. When Vijayanagar empire attacked

5
Kasaragod, it was ruled by the Kolathiri King who had Nileshwaram as
his headquarters. It is said that the characters appearing in Theyyam, the
ritualistic folkdance of northern Kerala, represent those who had helped
King Kolathiri in the fight against the attack of the Vijayanagar empire.
During the decline of that empire in the 14th century, the administration of
this area was vested with the Ikkery Naikans. They continued to be the
rulers till the fall of the Vijayanagar empire in 16th century. Then Vengappa
Naik declared independence to Ikkery. In 1645 Sivappa Naik took the
reigns and transferred the capital to Bednoor. Thus they came to be
known as Bednoor Naik. Chandragiri and Bekal forts are considered to
be parts of a chain of Forts constructed by Sivappa Naik.
In 1763 Hyder Ali of Mysore conquered Bednoor. His intention
was to capture entire Kerala. But when his attempt to conquer Thalassery
fort was foiled , Hyder Ali returned to Mysore and died there in 1782.His
son, Tippu Sulthan, continued the attack and conquered Malabar. As per
the Sreerangapattanam Treaty of 1792, Tippu surrendered Malabar
except Thulunadu (Canara) to the British. The British got it, only after
the death of Tippu Sulthan in 1799.
Kasaragod was part of Bekal taluk in the south Canara district of
Bombay presidency. Kasaragod taluk came into being when Bekal taluk
was included in the Madras presidency on 16th April 1882. Though
Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar moved a resolution in 1913 on the floor of
Madras Governor's Council demanding the merger of Kasaragod taluk
with the Malabar district, it had to be withdrawn because of the stiff
opposition of the members from Karnataka. In1927, a political convention
held at Kozhikode, passed a resolution stressing the above demand. In the
same year, an organisation titled Malayalee Seva Sanghom was
constituted. Thanks to the efforts made by many eminent persons like
K.P.Kesava Menon, Kasaragod became part of Kerala following the
reorganisation of states and formation of Kerala on the first November
1956.
6 7
National Movement
Kasaragod played a prominent role in the National Movement for
the freedom of the country. Mohammed Sherul Sahib and Kandige Krishna
Bhat were the frontline leaders of the independence movement. Umesh
Rao, K.M. Krishnan Nambiar, Shreesankarji, Naranthatta Raman Nair,
A.C. Kannan Nair, T.Gopalan Nair and Meloth Narayanan Nambiar were
prominent freedom fighters.
The agrarian struggle to end the exploitation and oppression by
landlords and chieftains were part of the National Movement. The
Kadakom Sathyagraha was started following the arrest of Gandhiji in
1932. The Palayi Harvest Agitation (1941), Cheemeni Estate Struggle
(1942), Kayyur Agrarian Riot (1944), Eleri Estate Agitation (1946),
Karinthalam Paddy Seizure Revolt (1948) and many other struggles waged
by the peasant organisations accelerated the tempo of the freedom move-
ment. Besides the agitation of the peasants, the various struggles unleashed
for the uplift of the scheduled castes and tribes also supported and enliv-
ened the National Movement.
TOPOGRAPHY
Kasaragod district lies between 11 0 18' and 120 48' north latitudes
and between 740 52' and 750 26' east longitudes. The district is marked
off from the adjoining areas outside the State by the Western Ghats
which run parallel to the sea and constitute an almost continuous
mountain wall on the eastern side. The Ghats dominate the topography.
The cost line is fringed with low cliffs alternating with stretches of sand.
A few miles to the interior, the scene changes and the sand level rises
towards the barrier of the Ghats and transforms into low red laterite hills
interspersed with paddy fields and coconut gardens.
The district is bounded in the east by the Western Ghats, in the
west by the Arabian sea, the north by the Canara district of Karnataka
and in the south by the Kannur District.
 Based on physical features the district falls into three natural divi- FOREST
sions-the low land bordering the sea, the mid land consisting of the undu-
lating country and the forestclad highland on the extreme east. Kasaragod district has a forest area of 117.5412. sq. kms. falling
under the Kannur Forest Division. Reserve forest stretches to 86.0221
CLIMATE sq.kms. and vested forest, to 28.4971 sq.kms. It stretches in two ranges-
The diversity of the physical features results in a corresponding Kasaragod and Kanhangad. The forest produces are shegaibark, sheakoy,
diversity of climate. In the plains, the climate is generally hot. Though the cardamom, canes, fibres, etc. Sambar, the fastest deer, is seen in some
mean maximum temperature is only around 900 F, the heat is oppressive areas. Wild boars are a nuisance to the cultivators of hilly areas.
in the moisture laden atmosphere of the plains. Humidity is very high and
rises to about 90 per cent during the south-west monsoon. The annual
RIVERS
variation of temperature is small; the diurnal range is only about 100 F. There are 12 rivers in this district. The longest is Chandragiri (105
AVERAGE RAINFALL kms.) originating from Pattimala in Coorg and embraces the sea at
Thalangara. The river assumes its name Chandragiri from the name
Month Rainfall (m.m.)
of the place of its source Chandragupta Vasti; where the great Maurya
January 30.9 emperor Chandragupta, is believed to have spent his last days as a sage.
February 0.0 The second longest river is Kariankod (64 kms.), across which a dam
March 0.0 is being built at Kakkadavu. Shiriya (61 kms.), Uppala (50 kms.), Mogral
April 38.1
(34 kms.), Chithari (25 kms.), Nileshwaram (47 kms.), Kavvayi (23 kms.),
May 339.9
Manjeswaram (16 kms.), Kumbala (11 kms.), Bekal (11 kms.) and Kalanad
June 1056.5
(8 kms.) are the other rivers. These rivers provide ample irrigation
July 675.4
facilities.
August 553.0
September 74.2 THE PEOPLE
October 306.3
November 28.1 The people of this district have, as is the case in other parts of the
December 49.8 state, a distinctiveness in personal appearance, marked by fairness of
Annual 3152.2 complexion, regularity of features, clean habits and a simple life.
The south-west monsoon starts towards the end of May or the The major religious groups are Hindus, Muslims and Christians.
beginning of June, heralded by thunder-storms and holds till September Brahmins, Nairs, Ambalavasis, Thiyyas and Kammalas are the major
when the rain fades out. October brings in the north-east monsoon. Dry divisions of the Hindu community. Thiyyas in the northern parts of
weather sets in by the end of December. January and February are the the district are known as Belichappad. The sub-divisions of Nair
coolest months of the year. March, April and May are generally very hot. community are Nambiar, Menon, Kurup etc. Kammalas are artisans like

8 9
Thattan (Goldsmith), Perumkollan (Blacksmith) and Asaris (Carpenters). POPULATION*
Brahmins consist of Bhat, Punichitaya, Kukkillaya, Kunikullaya, Ballullaya,
Person Male Female
Kadambulithaya, Kakunnaya etc.
Kerala T 31,838,619 15,468,664 16,369,955
Christians are settled mainly in the eastern hilly areas. They are R 23,571,484 11,450,785 12,120,699
the early settlers from the southern parts of the State. The first group of U 8,267,135 4,017,879 4,249,256
Christian settlers came to Rajapuram in 1943. The main Christian settle- Kasaragod District T 1,203,342 587,763 615,579
ments are Thomapuram, Palavayal, Vellarikundu, Cherupuzha, Bandadka, R 969,597 474,899 494,69
Pulingom, Kozhichal, Karibedkom, Malom, Balal, Kanhiradkom, Kadumeni, U 233,745 112,864 120,881
Malakkallu, Panathady and Cheemeni. These hilly terrains are converted
Kasaragod Taluk T 616,176 304,970 311,206
into rich plantations.
R 519,939 257,806 262,133
The Muslims are very pious and they follow rigid religious cus- U 96,237 47,164 49,073
toms. The purdha system is observed more strictly here by Muslim women Hosdurg Taluk T 587,166 282,793 304,373
than in any other parts of the State. R 449,658 217,093 232,565

Cherumas, Mavilans, Parayas, etc. are the scheduled castes. They U 137,508 65,700 71,808
are mainly agricultural labourers. The scheduled tribes consist of Koragas T-Total, R-Rural, U-Urban *Census 2001
of Kasaragod taluk, Marattis of Hosdurg and Kasaragod taluks and Adiyans
of Eravas. ADMINISTRATION
For the purpose of revenue administration, the district is divided
The cosmopolitan outlook and character of the people in the district
into two taluks and 75 villages.
are because of the contact they had with the trade missions that used to
The Collectorate functions at
visit this place years back. The Hindus, the Muslims and the Christians
the Civil Station, at Vidya
are, influencing and getting influenced by the culture of the other. Com-
Nagar, Chengala Panchayat,
munal harmony and religious tolerance are the noteworthy characteristics
five kms.away from Kasaragod
of the people. Though the people speak different languages, there is no
town. Kasaragod is the only
barrier on the cultural unity. Mosques, temples and churches stand side
revenue division in the district
by side as a symbol of communal harmony. Civil Station, Kasaragod
and its Office is at Kanhangad.

10 11
 Villages LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT
1. Kasaragod Taluk 2. Hosdurg Taluk There are one District
1. Kasaragod Panchayat,four Block Panchayats
2. Chengala 41. Badiadka and 39 Grama Panchayats in the
3. Thekkil 42. Udma
43. Pallikkera district.The Kasaragod District
4. Kalanad
5. Adhur 44. Panaya Panchayat office functions at the
6. Kudlu 45. Periya Civil Station compound.
7. Adoor 46. Pullur District Panchayat Building
8. Paady 47. Ajanur
9. Delampady 48. Chittari
10. Muliyar
49. Hosdurg
Block / Grama Panchayats
11. Munnad
12. Koluthur 50. Madikai Block Telephone Grama Telephone
13. Karivedakam 51. Kanhangad Panchayat number Panchayat number
14. Kuttikole 52. Ambalathara 1. Manjeshwaram 872673 1. Bellur 460073
15. Bediadka 53. Belur
16. Thalangara 54. Thayannur 2. Kumbdaje 860237
17. Bandiadka 55. Kallar 3. Mangalpady 840221
18. Kunjathur 4. Vorkady 802259
19. Hosabettu 56. Panathady
20. Ichilango 57. Balal 5. Puthige 855043
21. Uppala 58. Maloth 6. Meenja 850262
22. Kodlamogru 59. Nileswaram
23. Varkady 7. Manjeshwaram 872238
60. Perole
24. Meenja 61. Kinanoor 8. Kumbla 813033
25. Paivalike 62. Karindalam 9. Paivalige 805028
26. Kadambar
27. Kayyar 63. Parappa 10. Enmakaje 895031
28. Bayar 64. Beemanady 11. Badiadka 884026
29. Madhur 65. West Eleri 2. Kasaragod (04994) 430230 12. Karadka 460049
30. Nettanige 66. Chittarikkal
31. Ednad 67. Palaavayal 13. Kuttikole 495003
32. Kumbdaje 68. Kayyur 14. Muliyar 450226
33. Bambrana 69. Cheemeni 15. Delampady 470034
34. Badre
35. Koipady 70. Kodakkad 16. Chengala 490224
36. Badoor 71. Pillicode 17. Chemmanad 437276
37. Neerchal 72. Cheruvathur
38. Enmakaje 73. Padanna 18. Bediadka 410235
39. Bela 74. N. Trikaripur 19. Madhur 430427
40. Maire 75. S. Trikaripur 20. Mogral Puthur 422891

12 13
3. Kanhangad (04997) 704048 21. Udma 736242 In the highland region it is laterite.
22. Ajanur 766386 In the midland, the soil is a red fer-
23. Balal 742235 ruginous loam of lateritic origin
24. Kallar 725100 with an admixture of clay and sand.
25. Kodom-Belur 746350 The coastal strip is sandy. Diver-
26. Madikkai 740680 sity of crops and heterogeneity in
27. Pallikkara 772026 cultivation are the key notes of
28. Panathady 727300 agriculture here.
Ox race
29. Pullur-Periya 794030 The eastern tract comprises of forests and hilly areas. The forests
4. Nileswaram 780328 30. Cheruvathur 760221 comprise of a variety of timber with teak and other plantations. The hilly
areas are mostly cleared and put to private cultivation; the important crops
31. Kayyur-Cheemeni 750322
being rubber, cashew and ginger. In the skeletal plateau areas, cashew
32. Nileswaram 780360
trees are cultivated, while in some patches, arecanut, pepper and cocoa
33. East Eleri 721035
are grown. In the coastal tract, paddy, coconut, arecanut, cashew,
34. Pilicode 711504 tobacco, vegetable and tapioca are cultivated.
35. West Eleri 741336
36. Thrikkaripur 710236 Crops Cultivation
37. Kinanur-Karinthalam 795350 Crops Area Ha.
38. Padanna 776259 Paddy 1. Virippu 4,749
39. Valiyaparamba 758276 2. Mundakan 3,420
3. Puncha 217
ASSEMBLY, PARLIAMENTARY Coconut 56.183
Arecanut 12,738
CONSTITUENCIES Pepper 7,051
Cashew 19,962
There are five Assembly and one Parliamentary constituencies in Tapioca 1,280
the district. Manjeshwaram, Kasaragod, Udma, Hosdurg (reserved for Tobacco 44
Rubber 22,248
SC) and Thrikkaripur are the Assembly constituencies. Kasaragod is the
Sweet Potato 78
Parliamentary constituency. Vegetables 3,126
Pulses 389
AGRICULTURE Banana 792
Agriculture forms the mainstay of the population of the district. Ginger 129
The soil in the three natural divisions generally fall under three types. Oil Seeds 54

14 15
Land use pattern mation centre on all matters pertaining to these crops, to produce geneti-
cally superior planting materials and to carry out all India co-ordinated
As per survey reports, Kasaragod district covers a geographical
cropping improvement project on coconut, arecanut, spices and cashewnut.
area of 1,96,130 hectares. The composition of the geographical features
are as detailed below: T x D, Mangala arecanut, new species of cardamom, turmeric
Particulars Area in Hectares and cashew, mixed crop and multi-crop system, etc. are some of the con-
tributions of the CPCRI for the development of agriculture. The most
Forest Area 5,625 remarkable venture is tissue culture in co-
Land put to non-agricultural use 19,758 conut. Research on various diseases of co- Irrigated area*
Barren & uncultivable 8,562 conut, arecanut, cashew, pepper and field Crops Area in
Permanent pastures and grazing land -- crops has given better yields. Hects.
Land under miscellaneous tree crops 4,568
CPCRI is one of the ICAR institute Paddy 3302
Cultivable waste 13,308
implementing the NATP project on "Tech- Tubers 21
Fallow other than current fallow 1,319
nology Assessment and Refinement Vegetables 315
Current fallow 3,228
Through Institution Village Linkage" which Coconut 25670
Net sown area 1,39,765
is having emphasis on ensuring farmer's par- Arecanut 12996
Area sown more than once 8,770
ticipation in agro-eco system analysis, iden- Cloves and
Total cropped area (gross) 1,48,535 tification and prioritization of problems and Nutmeg 39
deciding appropriate technological interven- Other spices 123
CPCRI tions. Under the project different interven- Banana 647
tions have been implemented in farmers in Betal leaves 22
The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) is an
different micro farming situations. Sugarcane 2
establishment having national importance. It was established in 1970 by
the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Research is carried out on Others 1500
Agricultural Technology Information
various branches of Agricultural Sciences such as gardening, soil chemis- Centre (ATIC) is established at CPCRI, * 2000-2001
try, plant production, microbiology, plant diseases, cattle rearing, pisci cul- Kasaragod to provide the required technology information, diagnostic and
ture, etc.With headquarters at Kudlu, five kms. north of Kasaragod, the advisory services and supply of quality planting material to farmers through
CPCRI has regional stations at Kayamkulam, Vittal and Kozhikode. Its a single window delivery system.
research centres are at Peechi, Palode, Hirehally, Appangala, Mohithnagar
and Kehikuchi. There are seed farms at Kidu and Sathigode, one field The Krishi Vigyan Kendras functioning under CPCRI at Kasaragod
station at Thrissur and a World Coconut Germplasm Centre at Sipighat. and Kayamkulam cater to the training needs of farmers of Kasaragod
The objectives of the CPCRI are to serve as national forum for improving and Alappuzha Districts respectively. Farmers are immensely benefited
genetic potential of plantation crops, to conduct basic and applied research through the vocational training programmes, front line demonstrations and
on various aspects of these crops, to co-ordinate research works being on farm testing in the farmers' fields and other technology transfer activi-
done by other institutions and agencies in the country, to serve as an infor- ties organised by the Kendras.

16 17
 Quality planting materials of coconut, arecanut and cocoa are pro- LITERACY
duced and distributed to farmers from the various centres of CPCRI.
Farmers can write to CPCRI in advance for seedlings and can procure The Saksharatha Programme of the Government was well received
the same in person on intimation. and due to the zealous campaign conducted by the Government as well
The Institute offers project consultancies to individuals on nominal as voluntary organisations, the level of literacy has a marked improve-
charges on the establishment and maintenance of gardens of coconut, ment. As per available statistics, the district has 896,367 literates, of
arecanut and cocoa, farming systems, pests and disease management which the number of males is 464,844 and females 431,523.
and post harvest technology.
Literates*
CPCRI library has a collection of 50,000 documents pertaining to
palms and cocoa and subscribes to 225 journals. All documents of the Person Male Female
library are classified, catalogued and indexed and the process of comput-
erization using library software is in progress. Library at the headquar- Kerala T 25,625,698 12,817,963 12,807,735
ters and at regional stations provide documentation services to scientists,
R 18,747,212 9,400,183 9,347,029
researchers, students, farmers and personnel from plantation crops
industry. U 6,878,486 3,417,780 3,460,706
LIVE STOCK POPULATION*
Kasaragod Dist. T 896,367 464,844 431,523
Cattle 1,92,866 R 713,595 371,861 341,734
Buffaloes 9,397 U 182,772 92,983 89,789
Sheep 88
Pigs 4,734 Kasaragod Taluk T 447,722 236,585 211,137
Goats 55,602 R 372,883 198,284 174,599
Fowls 8,80,187
Ducks 2,306 U 74,839 38,301 36,538
Donkeys 5
Horses & Ponies 113 Hosdurg T 448,645 228,259 220,386
Dogs 71,075 R 340,712 173,577 167,135
Mules 15
Rabbits 1,968 U 107,933 54,682 53,251
Other Poultry 1,277
T - Total, R - Rural, U - Urban * Census 2001
*as per 1996 Census.

18 19
 EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS The number of unemployed youths registered at Hosdurg Town
Employment Exchange as on 31st December 2001 was 77,960. Females
Institution Govt. Aided Unaided Total 39,884 of which graduates numbered 7,279 and technically qualified 1,747.
Lower Primary Schools 141 115 7 263 The number of unemployed males is 38,076 and females 39,884. The
number of persons belonging to scheduled castes registered as unem-
Upper Primary Schools 73 72 4 149
ployed is 4,648, scheduled tribes 877 and physically handicapped 813.
High Schools 43 19 8 70
Higher Secondary Schools 31 14 - 45 In Kasaragod Employment Exchange, the total number of unem-
Colleges 2 2 - 4 ployed youths registered as on 31st December, 2001 stood at 27,264 of
which 11,256 are males and 13,038 females. Out of this total, the number
Engineering College 1 - - 1
of technically qualified persons are 522, graduates 1,587, scheduled castes
Teacher Training Institutes 2 1 - 3 3,230, scheduled tribes 2,066 and physically handicapped 440. A Self
Special School for the blind 1 - - 1 Employment Scheme KESRU (Kerala Self Employment Scheme for the
Industrial Training Institutes 2 - - 2 Registered Unemployed) is implemented through Employment Exchange.
Industrial Training Centres - - 7 7
FISHERIES
Polytechnic 2 1 - 3
Kendriya Vidyalaya 2 - - 2 Kasaragod district has an 80 kms. long sea coast extending from
Navodaya Vidyalaya 1 - - 1 Thrikaripur to Bengra-Manjeshwaram. There are many fish-landing cen-
tres in this district and some of them have fish-landing, cleaning and trans-
ELECTRICITY porting facilities. There is a light house at Kasaragod.
The existing power voltage has been increased after the commis-
Bengra-Manjeshwaram, Shiriya, Koipady, Kavugoly, Kasaba, Kizhur,
sioning of a 220 KV Sub Station at Mailatt. Besides there are five 110
KV Sub Stations Manjeshwaram, Kubannur, Kasaragod, Mulleria and Kottikulam, Pallikkara, Ajanur, Hosdurg Kadappuram, Thakadappuram,
Kanhangad. The 110 KV Sub Station at Cheruvathur is started function- Punjavi Kadappuram, Padanna Kadappuram, Kadankod, Valiyaparamba
ing. The work of eight 33 KV Sub Stations are in progress. The KPCL and Thrikaripur Kadappuram are the fishing villages in the district. There
a private establishment at Mailatty is the only power generating unit in the are many ice plants in the public and private sectors.
district.
HEALTH
EMPLOYMENT
In the field of health and sanitation, the district lacks modern facili-
There are two Employment Exchanges functioning in the district. ties. Patients requiring technologically advanced treatment are forced to
One is at Kasaragod and the other is at Kanhangad. go to Mangalapuram, Manipal or Kozhikode.

20 21
 HEALTH INSTITUTIONS Industrial Scenario
Systems Institutions/Particulars Number Industry No.
Large Industry : Nil
Allopathy District Hospital 1 Medium Industry : 1
Taluk Hospital 1 SSI Units : 5,759
Community Health Centres 5 Industrial Co-operative Societies : 62
Primary Health Centres 45 Handloom Societies : 8
Family Welfare Centres 249 Agro based : 665
Rubber based : 129
T.B. Centre 1
Plastic based : 68
District Medical Stores 1 Forest based : 472
L.C. Units 2 Animal Husbandry : 43
Food Inspector Offices 3 Textile based : 1200
J.P.H.N. Training School 1 Chemical based : 176
N.F.C.P. Unit 1 Engineering based : 665
Electronics based : 254
Government Blood Banks 2
Minerals : 294
Doctors in Government Institution 107 Building materials : 111
Beds in Government Institution 667 Others : 1682
Private Medical Institutions 64 Identified clusters
Private Blood Banks 2
For clay based artware - Bediadka
Ayurveda Hospitals 5 For wood based Industry - Kasaragod
Dispensaries 3 For Handicrafts - Ananthapuram
Homoeopathy Hospitals 3 Roads
Dispensaries 21
Category Length in kms.
INDUSTRIES National Highways 85.9
State Highways 141.8
Kasaragod has vast potentials for the establishment of large and Major district roads tarred 310.8
medium industries, but the district is at present industrially backward. There Other district roads tarred 274.7
is no major industry. As per the latest data available, there are 5,759 Other district roads earthern 10.0
small-scale industrial units in the district. The length of rail line passing through this district is 116 kms.

22 23
 MEN OF LETTERS
The Kuttamath Kunniyur family in Cheruvathur had given birth to
many poets. The first of this galaxy of Kuttamath scholars was Kunhunni
Kurup (1813-1885). He was talented Astrologer and Sanskrit scholar.
His important works are Devi Mahatmyam, Kapotha Sandesham and
Vyasolpathi. Kuttamath Cheria Rama Kurup (1847-1906) was a drama-
tist, poet, grammarian and Ayurvedic physician of considerable merit. He
has composed several Sanskrit works such as Subhadrapaharanam,
Rukmini Swayamvaram and Sita Swayamvaram. His Sarva Garala
Padmochanam is a comprehensive work on Visha Vaidyam (Toxicol-
ogy). Among his Malayalam works may be mentioned Kesivadham,
Kamsavadham, Sri Ramavatarams and three Thullal poems, viz.,
Krishnavatharam, Poothanamoksham and Ahalyamoksham.
Kuttamath Kunhi Kelu Kurup (1863-1915) distinguished himself
as a composer of Thullal poems, the most important of which are
Kharavadham, Seemanthini Swayamvaram, Sita Swayamvaram,
Kuchelagopalam, Sankaracharya Charitham and Radhamadhavam.
He has also organised a Thullal Kaliyogam of his own to popularise
Ottnthullal.
Kuttamath Kunhambu Kurup (1855 1911) was a great sanskrit scholar
and Ayurvedic physician. Among his works are a poem Kirtibhooshana
Charitham and three dramas, viz., Vaidarbhi Vasudevam,
Ushanirudham and Amsumatidharmaguptam.
The most distinguished of the Kuttamath scholars is Kunhi Krishna
Kurup (1881-1944), who is also known as Mahakavi Kuttamath. He is
the author of several important works in Malayalam. The earliest of
his literary composition is a poem called Kaliyamardanam. He has
composed a few dramas such as Devayani Charitham, Balagopalam,
Nachiketas, Dhruvamadhavam, Harischandra Charitham, etc.
and several devotional works like Sri Ramakrishnan Gita and
24
Mukambikapuranam
Kilippattu. He has also
composed an Attakadha
in Malayala m titled
Balagopalam.
P. Kunhiraman
Nair, another famous
poet of Kerala, hailed
from Bellikoth near
Kanhangad. T. Ubaid,
Yakshaganam
the cultural leader of
Kasaragod, was born at
Thalangara. Proficient in Malayalam and Kannada, T. Ubaid translated
many Malayalam literary pieces into Kannada and vice-versa. He was
also a researcher in Mopla songs.
Rashtrakavi, M. Govinda Pai of Manjeshwaram, is Kerala's contri-
bution to Kannada language and literature. Poet, art critic and literature
researcher, M. Govinda Pai (1883-1963) who has enriched Kannada
literature and poetry by his famous works, was conferred the title of poet
laureate by the erstwhile Government of Madras, along with Mahakavi
Vallathol. He excelled himself as a poet, nationalist, historian, dramatist
and linguist. Gommata Jinastuti was the first published work of Govinda
Pai. Govinda Pai also introduced the sonnet form in Kannada.
His Gilivindu, which literally means "a bunch of parrots", contains
some rare and beautiful gems of Kannada poetry. Govinda Pai also en-
riched Kannada learning with his historical studies and research. He was
an authority on the chronology and history of Tulunad. Govinda Pai was
also a prolific prose writer. His earliest composition in prose was Srikrishna
Charita (1909) which provides for remarkable reading. His best works
written in blank verse, viz., Golgotha (the last days of Christ, published in
1937), Vaisakhi (The last days of Buddha, published in 1946) and
25
Hebberaqlu (The Thumb, the number of people takes place. According to tradition, the day coincides
story of Ekalavya retold, pub- with the anniversary of the day on which a harijan spotted the Sivalingam.
lished in 1946) have won for The annual Jatra or festival of the temple starts with Dhwaja Arohanam
Govinda Pai a lasting place in the (hoisting of the temple flag) on the 27th of Kumbham (February, March)
gallery of the greatest poets of and concludes with the Avabhritha Snanam (holy dip) in the water of the
Kannada literature. These Payaswini on the fourth of Meenam (April) every year.
works also testify to his univer-
Ajanur Madiyan Kulom temple
sal outlook as well as to his deep
compassion for the poor and the In Ajanur village is situated the famous Madiyan Kulom temple. It is
downtrodden. about five kms. from Kanhangad. The main deity of the temple is
Bhadrakali; but there are also other deities like Kshetrapalan, Bhagavathi
Sri Parthisuba, the great and Bhairavan. A peculiarity of this temple is that a Brahmin priest per-
exponent of Yakshagana, was forms pooja only in the noon, while the morning and evening poojas are
believed to have lived at Kumbla performed by a sect called Maniyanis.The festivals in the temple fall dur-
near Kasaragod. Sri. T.S. ing the months of Edavam (May, June) and Dhanu (December, January).
Thirumumbu, a revolutionary
poet, was also a leader of the Ananthapuram
agrarian movement. At a distance of
Theyyam
about five kms. from
The colourful and ritualistic folk arts like Theyyam and Thirayattom
Kumbla is the Anantha
are performed here. Yakshagana, a colourful dance-drama, originally of puram Temple whichis said
Karnataka is also popularly performed here, and that too, some times in to be the ‘Moolasthanam’
Malayalam. of the Ananthapadmanabha
Swami (Sri Padmanabha
PLACES OF WORSHIP Swami Temple) of Thiru
vananthapuram. Local
Adoor temple tradition has it that Ananthapuram Temple

Forty five kms. east of Kasaragod town, Adoor is noted for its
ancient Siva Temple, believed to have been founded by Arjuna. The temple,
which is known as Sri Mahalingeshwara temple, is situated in picturesque
surroundings on the southern bank of the river Payaswini.
The Makara Samkramam is a very important festival day in the
temple when a Sahasra Kumbha Abhishekam with feeding of a large
Ananthapadmanabha of Thiruvananthapuram had settled down here origi-
nally.
Anantheswara temple
The fame of Manjeshwaram lies in the famous Srimad
Anantheswara Temple owned by the Gowda Saraswath community. It

26 27
attracts pilgrims from all over India, particularly from the region lying
between Kanyakumari and Goa. The annual car Festival of the temple is
on the sixth Lunar Day of the bright half of the Margashira month, usu-
ally between the third week of November and the third week of Decem-
ber. It is also called the Shashti Festival as the final day celebration
takes place on the Skanda Shashti day , a day sacred to Subrahmanya.
In the outer round of the temple, there is a flower garden named Anantha
Nandana Vana.
Bela church
About 11 kms. from Kumbla on the Kumbla-Badiadka road, is the
Mother Dolorus Church of Bela. This Gothic style Roman Catholic church
which is under the Mangalapuram Diocese, has celebrated its centenary
recently.The Christian church at Kasaragod has also celebrated its cente-
nary recently. The St. Thomas Church at Chittarikal is another famous
one. The eastern parts of the district about in a number of small and big
churches.
Kizhur Sasta temple
There is an ancient Sastha temple at Chandragiri which is known
as Kizhur Sastha Temple. This is the headquarters of the Anjooru
Nayanmar (five hundred Nairs). The festival which is peculiar to this
temple is Pattu Utsavam. Troups of professional singers sing jointly in
praise of the greatness of the deity. The dignitaries of all the Kazhakams
of Saliyas from Pattuvam to Panamboor (present new Mangalapuram)
known as Pathinalu Nagaram assemble here annually on the second
Saturday of Vrischikam (November).
Kumbla Sri Gopala Krishna temple
Two of the four sacred temples of Kumbla Seema are located in
Kumbla and its suburbs. They are the Mujankavu Sri Parthasaradhi Temple
and Kanipura (Kaniyara) Sri Gopalakrishna Temple. Kumbla is also called
Kanipura (Kaniyara) after the latter temple.
28
The temple of Sri Parthasarathi of Mujankavu is situated in Ednad
village, about four kms. east of Kumbla and about eight kms. north west
of Madhur.
The Sri Gopalakrishna Temple, is situated in the heart of the town
of Kumbla at the foot of an elevated hill which rises majestically in front
of it, with the Kumbla river flanking it on the left (north). The colourful
festival at Kumbla temple which lasts for five days every year, com-
mences with the Dhwajaarohanam on the Makara Sankramana day.
People in thousands from all over the region attend these festivities.
Madhur temple
At Madhur, eight kms.
north east of Kasaragod, is
the famous Madhur Srimad
Anantheswara Vinayaka
temple. The imposing struc-
ture of the temple, with its
turrets and gables and the
copper plate roofing, rises
majestically against the beau- Madhur temple
tiful landscape of hills, paddy fields and gardens with the river Madhuvahini
flowing leisurely in front of it.
The Madhur temple is a Siva temple with Srimad Anantheswara as
its presiding deity. The Sivalingam of the temple is said to have been found
by a harijan woman, Madharu.
A special festival associated with the Madhur temple is the
Moodappa seva.The large figure of Maha Ganapathi is covered with
appam. It requires enormous quantities of rice and lakhs of rupees for its
conduct. The festival is conducted only periodically in view of the huge
expenditure involved.It was celebrated in April 1962 after a lapse of about
160 years, and very recently in April 1992.
29
 The ceiling of the Namaskara Mantapam of the Madhur Temple
has been decorated with beautiful figures of puranic heroes in wood
carving. A closer examination of the wood carvings would disclose the
various episodes of the Ramayana, beginning with the Putrakame-
shtiyagam and ending with Seetha Swayamvaram.
The Mantapam in the interior of the temple building as well as the
outside façade of the second and third storeys of the main building are
also profuse with attractive and exquisite wood carvings.
Malik Dinar mosque
Kasaragod acquired over
the years, considerable impor-
tance as a centre of Islam on
the west coast. It is the site of
one of the mosques believed to
have been founded by Malik Ibn
Dinar. The mosque, Juma
Masjid, which is one of the best Malik Dinar mosque
kept and most attractive in the district, is located at Thalangara.It contains
the grave of Malik Ibn Mohammed, one of the descendants of Malik Ibn
Dinar and the place is sacred to Muslims. Another notable mosque, in
Kasaragod is the Theruvath Mosque which is in the centre of the town.
An important local celebration takes place every year in commemoration
of the arrival of Malik Ibn Dinar. The Uroos attract pilgrims from all over
India.
Narampady church
This is a Roman Catholic church on the Badiadka-Mulleria route,
about 10 kms. from Badiadka. This is known as St. John Britto Church
and this was established in 1939.
Nellikkunnu mosque
Uroos, celebrated in Nellikkunnu mosque, attracts people in thou-
sands. The Nercha celebration, during the second half of November, lasts
for one week.
30
Perne
Of the 18 temples of Muchilottu Bhagavathi, Perne is the northern
most and the only one north of Payaswini Seema. It is five kms. east of
Kumbla and near Ananthapuram Lake Temple, on the Kumbla-Badiadka
route . The mass marriage at the time of Pooram festival in the month of
Meenam, is a unique feature of this temple.
Temples of Kasaragod town
Kasaragod has a few important temples. Of these, the Mallikarjuna
temple, situated near the taluk office, is the most important. The annual
festival have falls in the month of March and it attracts huge crowds.
One of the most important temples of the Gowda Saraswathas in
Kerala is the Venkatramana temple.The Sri Arya Karthyayani temple
and the Sri Panduranga temple are also famous temples of the place.
Just on the eastern side of Pulikunnu by the Payaswini river, there
is a temple belonging to the Thiyya community where thirty nine deities
are worshipped. The main festival here, called Kaliyattam, falls in Feb-
ruary/March. There is also the Palakunnu temple (near Malik Ibn Dinar
mosque) akin to the Palakunnu Devasthanam of Udma. Bhagavathi
temples, such as Theruvath Bhagawathi and Kadappuram Sri Kurumba
temples, are spread all over the municipal area, worshipped by particular
communities.
Thrikkaripur Sri Chakrapani temple
Sri Chakrapani temple has a hoary past with a legend about its
origin in the ancient Brahmandapurana. The great sage Garga, ac-
cording to the legend describer many a holy place in Bharath Varsha
including Sri Chakrapani Temple to Yudhishtira, when the Pandava were
dwelling in the Gandhamadana Sailya Forest during their twelve year ex-
ile. Thrikkaripur where the temple is situated, is about 40 kms. north of
Kannur town. The temple has been bestowing spiritual solace and pros-
perity for generations.
31
Trikkannad assigned to him was the Vadakara fort. The third in succession was the
This is a Siva temple on the sea shore, within one km. of the Bekal Vadakkelamkur in charge of Vekkolath fort. This V(B)ekkolath fort is
bridge. The place arround Pandyan Kallu, a rock rising above the sea identified by some scholars as the present Bekal".
near the temple, is an ideal spot for adventurous swimmers. Swimming in
H.A. Stuart, in his Handbook of South Canara (1985), makes this
the sea is a popular sport here.
observation: "….. Several forts were built by the Shivappa Nayaks of
Palakunnu Bhagavathi Kshetram is one km. north of Trikkannad Badnore between 1650 and 1670 A.D. The two forts of Bekal and
on the Kasaragod-Kanhangad road. The annual Bharani festival attracts Chandragiri were originally under the Kolathiri or Chirakkal Rajas until
thousands. the time of Shivappa Nayaka's invasion. Perhaps, the Bednore rulers
might have rebuilt and improved it".
PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST
Bekal The Bekal fort, which is of great historical and archaeological in-
terest, is the largest and best preserved of its kind in the district and the
Bekal, situated on the seashore of Pallikkara village, is an impor- land on which it is situated, runs into the sea with fine bay towards the
tant place of tourist interest in the district. It lies 12 kms. south of Kasaragod south. According to the South Canara Mannual, Bekal fort fell into the
town. According to hands of Haider Ali in 1763. It housed the Huzur of Canara during Tippu's
Bekal Rama Nayak, a
time and the remains of a gallow reminiscent of the days of Mysorean
local Kannada writer,
occupation were seen here till a few years back. After the overthrow of
the word, Bekal is de-
Tippu Sultan in 1799, Bekal was incorporated into the dominions of the
rived from the word
Baliakulam, meaning English East India Company. The erstwhile Kasaragod taluk of South
Big Palace. The Canara district was known as Bekal for more than half a century.
place is said to have The Bekal fort is now under the Archeological Department of the
been the seat of a big Government of India.
palace in the past. The
Bekal fort
term Baliakulam got There is a Travellers' Bungalow, maintained by the Public Works
corrupted as Bekulam and later as Bekal. Department of the State Government within the Bekal fort. The natural
scenery at Bekal is alluring and makes a visit to the place an exhilerating
It was usual in older days for every royal palace to be protected by
experience. There is a recently renovated temple dedicated to Hanuman,
a fort. The Bekal fort might have, therefore, existed even from early
at the entrance to Bekal. An old mosque is also situated very near the
days of the Chirakkal Rajas. While giving a description of the Kolathiri
fort and this is believed to have been founded by Tippu Sultan.
Kingdom in his Kerala History, K.P. Padmanabha Menon writes; "The
eldest of the male members reigned as soveriegn Kolathiri. The next in It was in the year 1992 the central government declared Bekal Fort
succession, the heir apparent, was the Thekkelamkur. The residence as a special tourism area. It was with the intention of transforming Bekal

32 33
Fort into international tourism centre that in the year 1995 the government
formed Bekal Tourism Development Corporation.
It is in Chemmanad, Udma, Pallikkara and Ajanur Panchayats that
of the Bekal tourism project is implemented. At present the corporation is
engaged in arranging basic facilities for the project. Corporation has
decided to acquire 278 hectares of land for Bekal development.
Plans for bettering and increasing basic facilities will be implemented
in the four panchayats where Bekal tourism project is implemented. Water
supply scheme for the entire people of Pallikkara, Udma, Ajanur and
Chemmanad will be implemented. In the first phase, programmes like
waste incineration, road construction and installation of street lights will
also be carried out.
B.R.D.C. has programme to develop other tourist centres of the
district as part of Bekal project. Two House boats have already started
functioning at Valiyaparambu this year itself. Boats clubs will be estab-
lished at Bekal and Chandragiri soon. A Bekal facility centre was estab-
lished in 1998 near Bekal Fort. In the facility centre there is an informa-
tion centre.
Chandragiri
Chandragiri lies three kms. south of Kasaragod town. It has a
large square situated high above the Chandragiri river on its southern
bank. The fort it said to have been built in the 17th century by Sivappa
Nayak of Bednore, who established his authority over the area and built a
chain of forts. The Chandragiri river, on the bank of which it rises, marked
the traditional boundary between Kerala and the Tuluva Kingdom. There
is a beautiful bridge over the Chandragiri river at Tekkil, five miles from
Chandragiri. A mosque is situated nearby and the view of the bridge
with the mosque in the background is one of the most attractive sights on
a drive along the NH 17 from Kannur to Kasaragod. A long railway
34
tunnel passes through Chandragiri. A boat club has been recently started
here.
Cheruvathur
Cheruvathur is an important place on the NH 17. The former
Mangalore-Cheruvathur coast road starts from Mangalapuram, the head-
quarters of the South Canara district and runs through the coast line, till it
reaches Cheruvathur.
The Kunniyur family in Kuttamath Amsom near Cheruvathur has
produced a number of illustrious scholars who have contributed greatly to
Malayalam literature.
Edneer mutt
Situated on the Kasaragod-Puthur road, about eight kms. north east
of Kasaragod town, this ancient mutt is a reputed seat of learning. It
attracts devotees from all over Kerala, Karnataka and other states.
This belongs to the Thotakacharya (one of the four disciples of
Sankaracharya) tradition. Vadakke mutt in Trissur was established by a
disciple of Thotakacharya. The Swamiji of this mutt was the founder of
Padinjare mutt in Trichambaram and Edneer mutt was established by the
swamiji of Trichambaram. At present the mutt is renowned for the en-
couragement it gives to art and culture.
Govinda Pai memorial
Manjeshwaram is renowned as the native place of M. Govinda Pai
(1883-1963), one of the greatest Kannada poets of modern times. He has
enriched Kannada literature and poetry. He was conferred the title of
"poet laureate" by the erstwhile Government of Madras. He was also a
nationalist, historian, dramatist and linguistic.
His residence in Manjeshwaram is maintained as a memorial and
the Government of Kerala has established a first grade college dedicated
to his memory.
35
Hosdurg fort
The Hosdurg fort with its round bastions, looks imposing from a
distance. Several public offices are located within its premises. There is
a famous temple attached to the fort which is known as Karpooreshwara
temple. The fort is a major attraction for tourists. In Kanhangad, there
are two churches; one Catholic and the other a Protestant. There are
also a number of mosques here.
Kammatamkavu
An evergreen forest of about 50-60 acres, with a perennial stream,
is a centre of worship connected with the Kammatam Bhagavathi Temple.
Kanhangad
Kanhangad, the headquarters of the Hosdurg taluk, is 33 kms. south
of Kasaragod. It has an area of 32 sq. kms. and a population of 23,621.
Kanhangad has the reminents of a large fort built by Somasekhara Nayak
of Ikkeri (1714-39). It is locally called Hosdurg (hosa, new and durg, fort)
and it is after this fort that the Hosdurg taluk derives its name.
Kanwatirtha Beach resort
The clean and neat 3-4 kms. long beach and the swimming pool
like lake, half a km. long and proportionately broad, formed by sea water,
are gift of nature.
Kasaragod town
Kasaragod municipal town is situated on the banks of the Chandragiri
river and is 31 m. above sea level. Kasaragod is an important business
centre. Arecanuts and copra are the main trade.Pepper, copra and cashew-
nuts are the important commodities transported from here. One of the
36
important local industries is cloth cap making, which is the main means of
livelihood of a large number of Muslim women. The caps manufactured
at Kasaragod are exported to Zanzibar and other African countries.
Kasaragod is one of the minor ports of the district. The port is
located on the eastern bank of the backwaters formed by the Chandragiri
river, which is separated from the sea by a sand spit of about one kilome-
ter length. Schooners do not call at this port but anchor outside the bar.
Being the district headquarters, Kasaragod is a fairly developed urban
centre. There are a number of educational institutions in the town. The
Government College, Kasaragod, established in 1957, is the premier edu-
cational institution of the place.
Kottancheri hills
This rain forest near Panathur, is a beautiful picnic centre which is
also ideal for trekking. 'Talakkaveri', in the Brahmagiri mountains of Coorg,
is quite near Kottancheri Hills.
Kottappuram
The place derived its name from the mud fort built by the Nileswar
Rajas and later annexed by the Bednore Nayakas in the 18th century. A
Juma Masjid and a Hindu shrine stand close by.
Kudlu
It was at Kudlu in the suburbs of Kasaragod, where the famous
eight day discourse between Madhavacharya, the great Dwaita philoso-
pher and Trivikrama Pandit, the famous Adwaita scholar, took place. The
discourse held in the presence of king Jayasimba of Kumbla, ended in the
victory of Madhavacharya and the acceptance of the Dwaita philosophy
by Trivikrama Pandit.
37
Kumbla
Kumbla, which is situated 13 kms. north of Kasaragod town, was
the seat of the Rajas of Kumbla who once held sway over the southern
part of the Tuluva country which included the present Kasaragod taluk.
The town stands on a bold peninsula in a lagoon seperated from the sea
by a sand spit and connected to it by a narrow channel. In 1514, Duarte
Borbosa, the Portuguese traveller, visited Kumbla and he had recorded
that he had found the people exporting a very bad quality brown rice to
Maldives in exchange for coir, from the small port here. Early in the 16th
century, the port paid a tribute of 800 loads of rice to the Portuguese.
When Tippu captured Mangalapuram, the Kumbla Raja fled to
Thalassery; but he returned in 1799 and after an unsuccessful bid for
independence, submitted to the English and accepted a small pension of
Rs. 11,788 per annum in 1804.
It was in Kumbla that Parthishubha was born in the 18th century
and composed all his Yakshagana Prasangas which earned for him the
title, 'Father of Yakshagana'.
Maipady palace
Once, the present Maipady was the seat of the Kumbla Rajas.
The palace is about eight kms. from Kasaragod on the Kasaragod-Perla
road and within three kms. from Madhur.
Manjeshwaram
Manjeshwaram lies in the northern most extremity of Kerala and is
a place of historical and religious importance. According to Manjula
Kshetra Mahatmya, a legend which deals with the history of the place
and describes the pilgrimage undertaken by Virupaksha, a Gowda
Saraswatha Brahmin saint, this village was known as Manjula Khetra,
38
Manjukhetra or Manjarisha. The southern portion of the town stands on
a plain and the northern portion, on a steep bank which overhangs the
river. These two portions were held by the Jain Bangara Raja and the
Vittal Raja respectively, until Tippu Sultan hanged the former and forced
the latter to take refuge with the English at Thalassery. Manjeshwaram
has been for long, the seat of a flourishing community of a Gowda
Saraswatha or Konkini Brahmins. There are two old Jaina Bastis at
Bangra Manjeshwaram on the southern bank of the Manjeshwaram river.
Nileswaram
Nileswaram, which is the abbreviated form of Nilakanta Iswar,
was formerly the seat of the Nileswaram Rajas who belonged to the
family of Kolathiris. It was annexed by Somasekhara Nayaka of Bednore
in 1737 after a struggle of twelve years in which the French and the
English took part. When the Bednore Nayaka invaded the territory, the
Nileswar Raja obtained the aid of the English who had their factory at
Thalassery. In 1737, a treaty was signed by which the Bednorians agreed
not to advance south of the Valapattanam river and the English obtained
commercial concessions including the monopoly of pepper and carda-
mom in those portions of the Kolathiri dominion, which were occupied by
the Bednore people.
The fort at Nileswaram, however, remained in the hands of the
Raja and he allied himself with the French who held the fort on his behalf
till 1761. In the meantime, Bednore was captured by Haider Ali and the
Raja remained in power at Nileswaram till the territory was annexed by
the English in 1799 and the Raja was forced to submit and accept a pen-
sion. Among the temples of the place, mention may be made of the
Sri Kottappuram Vettakorumakan temple, Mannampurathu kavu, Pallikkara
Bhagavathi temple and the Thaliyil Neelakanta temple.
39
Nityananda Asramam Ranipuram
There are two notable ashramams in Kanhangad,viz.,the The former
Nityanandasramam and the Anandasramam. The former, which is situ- Madathumala has
ated on the hillock about half a km. south of the Hosdurg taluk office, was taken this new name
founded by Swami Nityananda.The spot was at first part of a forest area. recently. Lying 780
Here Swami Nityananda constructed 45 guhas (caves) in a mountain metres above sea
slope. There is a temple built in 1963, after the style and design of the level, it is only 9
famous Somanatha temple in Gujarat. A full size statue of Swami kms.from Panathur,
Nityananda in sitting posture made of panchaloha is one of the attractions which is 48 kms. east
of the ashramam. of Kanhangad .The Retreat hall, Ranipuram
extensive forest of
Anandashramam, situated about five kms. east of the Kanhangad Madathumala merges with the forests of Karnataka.The natural beauty
Railway Station, was founded in 1939 by Swami Ramadas, a great is comparable only to Ooty. This place is quite ideal for trekking.
Vaishnava saint of modern times. The main ashramam and other build-
Tulur vanam
ings have a beautiful setting in the midst of shady mango, coconut and
other groves. There is a hill to the east of the ashramam, to which the Also known as Kekulom (the eastern place), Tulur vanam is four
devotees retire for quiet meditation and from its west, the surrounding kms. east of Panathur. The temple here is consecrated to Kshetrapalan
extensive landscape can be seen in its natural grandeur. The spot at the and Bhagavathi. The eight day annual festival commencing from Sivarathri,
highest point of the hill is so fascinating that the devotees, who go up the attracts large crowds from all over the district, as well as from Coorg.
hill and sit silently, are blessed with deep peace and tranquility.
Valiyaparamba
Povval fort
Separated from the mainland by backwaters, this fishing village is
This is an old fashioned fort on the Kasaragod-Mulleria route, about an island with the Arabian sea as one of the borders and is an ideal picnic
10 kms. from Kasaragod. centre.

Posadigumpe Veeramala hills

Posadigumpe is an ideal picnic centre, located on a hillock, 487.68 This hill top with ruins of a Dutch fort, built in the 18th century, is a
metres above sea level in Dharmathadka, about 18 kms. east of Mangalpady. picnic spot from where the natural beauty of Kariangot river and sur-
On top of it, one can see the Arabian sea and the vast arecanut gardens roundings can be enjoyed. The Cheruvathur-Kariangot portion of NH 17
of Kasaragod, extending up to Mangalapuram city and to Kudremukh. runs paralleled to the hill near Mayica, Cheruvathur.

40 41
 BARE FACTS
Area (sq.kms.) : 1992 Sq.kms.

Population (in 000's) : 1203342

Male (in 000's) : 587763

Female (in 000's) : 615579

Sex ratio: females/1000 males : 1042

Density of population : 604

*****

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