The watchtower
Coastal views.
CookBooc — CC BY-SA 4.0 · TP RADHAKRISHNAN — CC BY-SA 4.0 · TP RADHAKRISHNAN — CC BY-SA 4.0 · TP RADHAKRISHNAN — CC BY-SA 4.0 · TP RADHAKRISHNAN — CC BY-SA 4.0
Bekal Fort is a medieval fort on the Arabian Sea coast in the Kasaragod district of Kerala, southern India, about 13 km south of Kasaragod town in a straight line, and the largest fort in Kerala, spreading over about 16 hectares. Shivappa Nayaka of Keladi built it in 1650. It was never an administrative centre, so it has no palaces or mansions, but it does have a water tank, a magazine and steps up to an observation tower built by Tipu Sultan, with views along the coast and the nearby towns. The fort seems to rise from the sea, with almost three quarters of its outer wall touching the water. Its dark laterite walls have holes at three levels for defence, a zigzag entrance and trenches, and it is fringed with palms and a sandy beach. Visitors walk the ramparts and around the tower, then go down to the beach next door. Sunset is the best time, and heat and humidity are high, so bring water and a hat.
Coastal views.
On the sea.
Beside the fort.
Bekal, Kasaragod district, Kerala, India
At sunset.
With care.