My Home Town Kasaragod : My Blog Starts Here....

                

     I couldn’t find a better way to begin my blog than saying the story of my hometown just because I know my city like back of my hand doesn’t mean that everyone else does. We often forget the fact that, the place we lived for a long and like to leave may be a destination on someone else’s favorite list. Who is better than me to show off my hometown to someone else? 

I will be more than happy to start with the story of my home town ‘Kasaragod’, where I have lived most of my days so far.  It is the northern gateway to beautiful ‘God’s Own Country’. The northern most district of Kerala is the land of seven languages and several cultures. The name Kasaragod comes from the combination of a couple of Sanskrit words ‘Kasara’ (Which means lake or pond) and Kroda (means a place where the best treasure is kept). The masterpiece of Unity in Diversity Kasaragod is the place of harmonious coexistence of Hindus, Muslims and Christianity religions. From the delightful beaches to sea-kissed forts the land is full of wonders for an explorer. 

The era of last 3 years Kerala witnessed Kasaragod growing as an international destination which is world renowned for its Coir and Handloom industries. Serene backwater stretches and tranquil palm-fringed beaches attract visitors to the land which has close cultural ties with neighboring state of Karnataka. Kasaragod; known as the land of gods, forts and majestic hills; dawns many especially those who visit Karnataka and Kerala due to ease of access and good tourism infrastructure along with diverse attractions. Kasaragod which has 29.3 Kms of long coastlines is the emporium of cash crops like Arecanut and Coconut.

It is the land where every occasion turns into celebration from our harvesting festival of  Onam  to the holy festival of Christianity- Christmas. All the festivals are celebrated here with great enthusiasm irrespective of all religions and caste. Kasaragod is surrounded by Kannur district in the south, Mangalore in the north, Dakshina Kannada in the east, and Arabian Sea in the west. The society of Kasaragod has got a vibrant culture and plethora of tradition those are highly influenced by bordering state of Karnataka. The regional language that is been spoken here, Malayalam has clear difference from the same of other districts of the state as it has influences from Tulu, Kannada, Urdu and Konkani. Kasaargod is unique for its linguistic tradition is also known as the ‘Saptha Bhasha Sangama Bhoomi’- The land of confluence of seven languages.Here the landscape is characterized by endless stretch of Coconut and Arecanut palms accompanying rolling hills along with tranquil backwater streams.

From state’s largest and most preserved fort to Kerala’s one of the finest beaches it is truly meaningful calling Kasaragod ‘The Land Of Thousand Pleasures’. The 300 years old imposing Bekal Fort is most popular tourist hotspot of Malabar and Kerala.  From the heights of this majestic fort one’s eye can catch the panoramic view of the alluring sea shore of Bekal And Pallikara Beaches and endless coconut palms. During last two years, Bekal has been emerging as an international tourist centre of the region. The hospitality infrastructure of Kasaragod, especially Bekal is completely out of ordinary as the place has got the presence of Asia’s reputed hotel brands like Taj Hotels and Resorts, and Lalit Group of Hotels and Resorts.

An evening walk through the serene Pallikara Beach is no less a fascinating experience. Not much far from Bekal Beach is the pristine beach town of Kappil. The remote and isolated beach has the Kodi Cliff nearby that offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. Kasaragod displays a diverse variety of temple architecture, one can experience best of it from visit to lake temple of Anathapuram, the only lake temple of Kerala believed to be the original abode of the residing deity of world’s richest Sri Anathapadnabha Swami temple in state capital of Trivanathapuram.

When you are in Kasaragod visit the most famous cashew growing town of Manjeswaram which also have the reputation of being the famous pilgrimage centre of the region. The place is dotted with numerous temples and mosques along with 2 Jain centers. Also visit the hermitage of Anandasram, a spiritual centre located 15km from Bekal offers quiet and peaceful atmosphere, and it is an ideal place for meditation and spiritual studies. Your visit to Kasaragod’s one of most famous spiritual hubs is worthy as because one can get impressed by the mosque’s typical Kerala style of architecture which can be seen only in very few places of Kerala.

Kasaragod is homes to the oldest ritualistic temple art form in India-’Theyyam’ which is spectacular performance of artistry and symbolism. The classical dance form of Karnataka called ‘Yakshaganam’ is also popular and highly performed in Kasaragod. 

In the bank of river Payyaswini is the unique Madhur Mahalinkeswara Temple. Feel the exquisite architecture beauty of the ancient Shiva temple where one can still listen to Brahmin boys enchanting Sanskrit verses. Being at the top of picturesque Ranipuram hills is the best of all experience one can have here in Kasaragod. 

A splendid hill station located 80 Km from main town, 750 mts above sea level, its trekking trails, shoal woods and monsoon forests surrounded make it a popular tourist hotspot. The green forest surrounding Ranipuram is the favorite home for wandering wild elephants.

When you are at Malabar’s favorite land involving yourself in backwater side activates like coir making and fishing is no more a dream for you. Get out for a morning stroll through the coconut fringed backwaters and queerly observe toddy tapper climbing the top of the coconut tree and tasting the freshly tapped coconut toddy today will surely rejuvenate yourself and accelerate you senses. 

Your visit to Kasaragod is incomplete before your visit to the most scenic theme village and resort of ‘Oyster Opera’, drop your jaws while walking through the sanctuary of natural beauty. Feel the taste and richness of Kasargod’s Hospitality at this theatrical backwater side resort. This theme village-cum-resort is extraordinarily unique with traditional huts built on land, water and treetop using locally available materials to keep the authenticity.

Kasaragod is also an Ayurvedic centre in the home of Ayurveda- Kerala. The ancient form of medical science and holistic system of based on nature is practiced in many part of the district. The region is blessed with pleasant climate, natural forest and cool monsoon season and is best suited for Ayurvedic practices in the district. One can grab the best of Ayurveda massages and therapies from Bekal at Taj’s Vivantha and Lalit Ashok resorts.

And now let me talk about my home land’s culinary varieties and specialties. Kasaragod has a cuisine as diverse as its culture. The taste of my motherland has a great influence of our long coastline and flavored by the coconut and enriched by our exotic and aromatic spice verities. The cuisine with sea food delights is our specialty. Kerala has the reputation of serving best breakfast in the world both in terms of taste and nutritional value. Some of the items that decorate your morning table in Kasaragod are Puttu (Steamed cake of rice flour and coconut) and Kadala Curry (Gram Masala), Idiappam (Noodle type rice cake) and egg curry,  Uppam (soft centered rice pancake)  and mutton stew, Kappa Curry (Boiled and then fried Tapioca) with Fish masala. The traditional feast of Sadya is another culinary variety. Sadya includes delicious variety of up to 27 vegetarian delights. The Sadya has different variety of ‘Payasam’ (a special form of sweet porridge or dessert) together with crispy ‘Pappadoms’ (deep fried wafers using coconut oil), and variety of pickles. 

With long coastline and innumerous lakes, Kasaragod has good recourses of marine wealth. Our mouthwatering sea food varieties are Prawns, Lobsters, Crabs and Mussels cooked with exotic spices especially the ‘Karimeen’ or Pearlspot, a backwater fish famous for its great taste. The Maplah Cuisine of Malabar which is a regional cuisine of Kasaragod shows clear Arabic, Dutch and Portuguese influences. Extensive use of fish, red chilly and souring agent of ‘Kudampuli’ is unique in its rich flavors. The aromatic and yummy ‘Malabari Biryani’ (Kozhikodan Biryani’) is our culinary masterpiece.

     
All though Kasaragod is not a ideal shopping destination, it is renowned for its handloom, gold ornaments, spices and tobacco. The well known ‘Kasaragod sarees’ are known for its uniqueness of style and elegance of design. The soft and light laced ‘Gold Kasavu Saree’ is another unique shopping variety of Kasaragod.

Kasaragod is the most emerging destination of Kerala, Visit the land of legends and folklore and celebrate life…..