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KERALA |
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[Acclaimed by the National Geographic Traveller as "One of the
ten paradises of the world" & by Emirates in-flight magazine as "One of
the ten hot spots for the millennium"] - is one of the beautiful
states in India, sandwiched between the Western Ghats on the east, and
the Arabian Sea on the West. A tropical paradise of waving palms and
wide sandy beaches, this thin strip of coastal territory slopes down
from the mountain ghats in a cascade of lush green vegetation.
Geographically Kerala is one of the smallest states in India covering
merely 1.3% of total area of the country. Karnataka in north and
Tamilnadu in East. Physically the state can be divided in to three
natural divisions, the sandy costal region with coconut groves, paddy
fields, back waters and sea. The midland region made up of fertile
reddish hills and valleys that grow most of Kerala's agricultural
crops. Peaks extensive ridges and ravines of the Western Ghats. Where
sandalwood, tea, coffee, rubber and most of Kerala's exotic spices are
grown.
Kerala enjoys balmy whether almost all through out the year. It is
neither too cold in the winter months nor too hot in summer. The best
time to visit is November to February, where the air bracing and on
some morning there is a light mist.
The
people of Kerala enjoy a unique cosmopolitan outlook, which is
reflected in there tolerance towards other races and religions. So it
has been called Kerala as "God's Own Country".
Click here for more tourist
attractions where you will find breath taking backwaters, exotic
beaches, magical hill stations....
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Capital |
Thiruvananthapuram |
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Language |
Malayalam, English |
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Area |
38,863 Sq. Kms |
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Length |
575
kms |
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Temperature |
35°C to 21°C |
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Airports |
Trivandrum,
Cochin, Calicut |
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HOSDURG,
KANHANGAD |
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HOSDURG, KANHANGAD which originally belonged to
Kannur district but has now become part of Kasaragod district
since its inception in 1984. The name Hosdurg is derived from the kannada word Hosa (which means new) and Durga (which means Fort) and
was once an integral part of South Canara (Karnataka) . Like the name
Hosdurg implies, this place is renowned for its chain of forts built
by the Somasekhara Nayak of Ikkeri dynasty.
ECONOMY:
Agriculture and Fishing has been the primary source of income and has
been the mainstay of the people here. Based on the nature of soil and
the topography, there is diversity in the selection of crops grown
here. Rubber, Pepper, Cashew and Ginger are the important crops that
are grown in the eastern part of the region, which comprises of
forests and hilly areas. In the costal areas coconut, paddy and
tobacco are cultivated mainly. There was a time when the economy was
based mainly on the agriculture. Kanhangad was once famous for its
tobacco production but now things has become a thing of the past.
Since the oil boom of the 80s, this place has witnessed large-scale
migration of young people to the oil producing Gulf countries in
pursuit of lucrative job. This has considerably changed economic
situation and life style of the people here. Now most of the families
depend on the gulf money that is sent in by the near and dear ones
working abroad.
EDUCATION :
The number of educational institutions in Kanhangad are limited to a
very few and the quality of education provided by these institutions
are not of very high standard. Apart from the government run and aided
schools in villages, Swamy Nithyananda Polytechnic College (Kushal
Nagar, Hosdurg) , Nehru Arts & Science College (Padnekat, Kanhangad),
Kanhangad Muslim Yatheem Khana (Orphanage) Technical School
(Kottachery, Kanhangad), Agricultural college (Padnekat, Kanhangad)
are the only educational institutions worthy of mention available for
the community. As these institutions are not at all enough to provide
quality higher education, majority of the students are compelled to
move to other districts and states like Karnataka to pursue their
higher education.
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The town of Hosdurg/Kanhangad is about 70 km
from Mangalore.
The nearest airport is at Mangalore, 85 km away.
DISTANCE FROM HOSDURG TO
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MANGALORE |
70 KM |
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BANGALORE
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417 KM |
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TRIVANDRUM (STATE CAPITAL) |
580 KM |
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KASARAGOD |
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Kasaragod district, lies between 110- 18 and 120 48 north
latitudes and between 740 52 and 750 26 cast longitudes,
is bordered in the east by the Western Ghats, in the west by the
Arabian Sea, in the North by the Karnataka state and south by Kannur
dist. This place is blessed with natural resources like water,
forest and mineral resources. This district holds great potential
for tourism and is poised for growth in this area. |
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Altitude |
Sea
level |
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Temperature |
35ēC
to 21ēC |
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rainfall |
358cm
(annual) |
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Best season |
September
to march |
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Area |
1992 sq.km |
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Forest |
115 sq.km |
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Beach |
77 Km |
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Rivers |
Chandragiri, Manjeshwar, Kumbala, Bekal, Kalanadu, Karyankode,
Uppala, Mogral, Chithari, Nileshwar |
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Railway |
116 Km |
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National
Highway |
85.9 Km
(NH17) |
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Taluks |
Kasaragod
& Hosdurg |
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Main language |
Malayalam,
Kannada |
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A QUICK LOOK AT THE SCENIC SPOTS |
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Bekal
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INDIA
is a country of forts and palaces and these forts were built as
defense against invading enemies. Among the forts, Bekal fort is the
largest and best preserved fort of Kerala. It is
situated 10 Kms north of Kanhangad and is of great historical and
archeological interest. The fort has been under the care of the
Archaeological Survey of India since the time of the British. Bekal
Fort, which is about 350 years old, is the largest fort in Kerala. It
is proposed to be developed into a tourist complex. This magnificent
fort which is nearly 16 hectares in extent virtually juts into the sea
with a beautiful bay on its southern side. The fortifications of
the semi-circular construction with an imposing frontage is still
intact as an architectural monument. Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty is said to have built the fort
between 1645-16660. But some other historians are of the opinion
that the fort was built by the then north Kerala rulers, the
Kolathiri Rajas. Sivappa Naik of Bednore captured the fort when the
Kolathiri Raja stopped paying tributes to him. Later, the fort fell
into the hands of Hyder Ali and later into his son, Tipu Sultan. With
the over throw of Tipu Sultan, Bekal was incorporated into the
dominions of the English East India
Company in 1799. A mosque and a Hanuman temple are located at the
entrance of the fort as a symbol of religious harmony. The facade of
the high walls with the battlement and the entire structure of the
fort are architecturally commendable. There is a large tower in the
middle of the fort at a height of 10 meters and with a circumference
of 27 m. From this tower, one can see the entire fort and the sea on
the west and the lush green valleys on the east and the undulating
blue mountains. The fort must have been built with a view to
spotting enemy vessels afar in the high seas. The waves lashing
against its many extensions jutting into the water for years have
not caused any serious damage. Neither time nor the mighty waves
have dimmed the magnificence of the Bekal fort. Peeping through its
ancient moss covered cannon holes, one can see the Arabian sea
shimmering in the sun and stretching into the horizon in all its
varying moods.
Bekal
hole aqua park : North
of the fort, off the highway is a unique 'Aqua Park', the only one
of its kind in north Malabar. Here, Pedal boats and water cycles
offer along hours of relaxation on the cool stretches of the Bekal
Hole backwaters.
Kappil Beach
: The Kappil Beach, remote and secluded is fast becoming a major tourist
destination, offering an unmatched experience of wide beaches and
calm waters. The Kodi Cliff nearby offers a panoramic view of the
blue waters of the Arabian Sea. It is situated 6 Km away from
Bekal Fort.
Pallikere
Beach : This
beautiful expanse of shallow waters and beach offers a spectacular
view of the Bekal Fort. The public beach has ample space for
recreation and relaxation. Pallikere beach lies to the south of the
Bakal Fort.
Ranipuram : (40 Kms away from Hosdurg/Kanhangad) This
hill station is situated 750m above sea level, Ranipuram is famous
for its trekking trails and varied vegetation - evergreen shola
woods, monsoon forests and grasslands. This was formerly known
as Madathumala. The extensive forests of Madathumala merge with the
forests of Karnataka. Wild elephants can be seen wandering on
the top of the mountains.
Kottancherry : It
is situated near Konnakkad in Hosdurg taluk, 30 Kms northeast of
Hosdurg town. It is 4000 ft. above the sea level. These
mountains are full of dense forests, meadows and medicinal plants. The
rain forests near Konnakkad is ideal for trekking. The rain forests
near Konnakkad is ideal for trekking.
Anandasram : This internationally renowned spiritual
center founded by Swamy Ramadas in 1939, offers a quiet, peaceful
ambience best suited for meditation and spiritual studies. The main
Ashram and other buildings are surrounded by shady trees. A tall
hill to the east of the Ashram is so fascinating that the devotees
go up the hill and meditate in deep peace and tranquility.
Chervathur : It
is the home of the illustrious poets and scholars of Kuttamath. The
ruins of a Dutch fort built in the 18th century can be found in the
Veeramala hills. It is a good picnic spot.
Nileshwar : The
cultural center of the district, this was the seat of the Nileshwar
Rajas. The Nileshwaram palace today functions as the folklore center
of the Dept. of Archaeology. The town is also famous for its
numerous kavus (shrines), temple festivals and the Kavil Bhavan Yoga
and Cultural Center which offers rejuvenation therapy and
naturopathy treatments like mud baths and herbal baths.
Chandragiri
fort : The
sight of the meandering chandragiri river and
the Arabian sea from the ramparts of this 17 century fort is an
enchanting experience. The sunset, viewed from the fort, is quite
enthralling. A cruise in a speed boat through the Chandragiri river,
takes one around evergreen islands amid coconut palm groves. The
boarding point is conveniently located beside the Chandragiri
bridge.
Veliyaparamba : (Situated 40 km
away from Kanhangad) This
is perhaps the most scenic backwater stretch in Kerala. Fed by four
rivers and dotted with numerous little islands, Valiyaparamba is
fast turning into a much favoured backwater resort that offers
enchanting boat cruises.
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