Kasaragod
Kasaragod
Kasaragod | |
|---|---|
city | |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 52,683 |
- For the district with the same name, see Kasaragod district.
Kasaragod (occasionally spelt Kasarkode; Malayalam :കാസര്ഗോഡ്) is a city and a municipality in Kasaragod district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of Kasargod district. The city was formerly called as kanjirakuttom.Kasaragod is also the northernmost municipality of Kerala.
Geography
Kasaragod is located at 12°30′N 75°00′E / 12.5°N 75.0°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 19 metres (62 feet).
Kasaragod district consists of two taluks viz, Kasaragod and Hosdurg (Kanhangad).
Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[2] Kasaragod had a population of 12,03342. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kasaragod has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 76%. In Kasaragod, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. The main languages are Malayalam and Tulu.Besides this languages,Konkani and Kannada are spoken here too . The Malayalam spoken here has influences from Tulu, Kannada, Konkani and Tulu spoken here is influenced by Malayalam.
Kasaragod Town
Kasaragod Town consists of following places knit together.
- Adkathabail is the northern most centre of Kasaragod Town.S ome famous landmarks are G.U.P.S School, a Beedi Factory and the Gudde Temple.
- Karandakkad is noted for its short 4-lane N.H-17. Kasaragod B.S.N.L is situated here.
- Ashwini Nagar another suburb of the town.
- New Bustand(Bus-stand) the central Bus-stand of Kasaragode town.
- Anangoor part of the town has the Kasaragod Government College and Doordarshan Relay centre.
- Kasaragod District Collecterate is situated at Vidyanagar.
- M.G Road is the commercial part of Kasaragod City. It is the most crowded area of Kasaragod town.
- Court Road often called as the "Heart of Kasaragod City". Mallikarjuna Temple, Kasaragod Taluk Office is situated here. As the name suggests,the Kasaragod District Court is also situated here.
- Thalankara is the Muslim cultural place in Kasaragod. Few noted landmarks are Malik Deenar Mosque, Malik Deenar Hospital, Govt. Homeo Dispensary, Veterinary Hospital and Kasaragod Railway Station.
- Kallangai is on NH17 in between Kasaragod and Kumbala towns. Office of Mogral Puthur Panchayat, A.L.P. School Kallangai, Office of Kallangai Ansarul Muslimeen Sangham, Muhideen Masjid, Subramanya Bhajana Mandir and Chandragiri Guest House are situated here.
Tourism In and Around
Kasaragod has many tourist destinations.Few are given below:
Malik Deenar Mosque If today, Kasaragod is known as center of Muslim pilgrimage on western coast, it is all due to this mosque. The Mosque was founded by Malik Ibn Dinar and is situated in the part of city called Thalankara. It is distinguished for its unique architectural style, which strongly resembles a traditional Kerala kovilakam. An important local celebration takes place every year in commemoration of the arrival of Malik Ibn Dinar. The uroos attracts pilgrims from all around India and world.
Mallikkarjuna Temple dedicated to lord Siva and lord Ganapathi, is situated in the heart of Kasaragod city. During Ganesh Chathurthi and Shivaratri, there are special celebrations in temple premises.
Theruvatthu Mosque situated on M.G road Kasaragod, is an important pilgrimage center for Muslims. During Uroos, the Mosque draws people from all over India.
Madhur Temple, is 6.5 km from Kasaragod. On the banks of serene Madhuvahini river, stands the imposing structure of Madhur Ananteshwara Vinayaka Temple, with its turrets and gables and the copper plate roofing, standing tall in front of paddy fields and gardens. It is a Shiva temple with Srimad Anantheshwara as its presiding deity. The sivalingam of the temple is said to be founded by a harijan woman, Madharu. Main festival is Moodappaseva, which involves a huge figure of Ganapathy being covered with appam. It requires lakhs of rupees for its conduct thus making it a periodic festival.
Chandragiri Fort' was built in 17th century by Tippu Sultan, is just 3 km from the city.
C.P.C.R.ICentral Plantation Crops Research Institute shortly termed as C.P.C.R.I, is an international research institute under I.C.A.R (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), which promotes research on plantation crops. It is just 4 km from city. The nearby beach called C.P.C.R.I beach is beautiful and is famous for its beautiful sunset. Also the fishing village nearby, situated on shore of a natural lake is an awesome sight.
Govt. College, kasaragod is situated in Vidyanagar, which about 6 kilometers from Kasaragod Railaway Station and Town. This college is well known by its Dept. of Geology and also other science, arts and commerce departments.
Fairs and Festivals
Onam, like in any part of Kerala, is celebrated with pomp and much enthusiasm. Eid, Bakrid, Mohrum etc are celebrated in accordance with time of Kozhikode(Calicut). There are local festivals like Kumbala veddikettu(fireworks display). Shivaratri and Dasara are also celebrated with vigor. Christmas is also celebrated by people. Another festival that is important here is Moodappaseva, a local festival celebrated in the Madhur Temple periodically.
Sustainable Environmental Research Institute (SERI)[1] is a non-governmental organisation conducting ecotur, "North Kerala Ecotour" in Kasaragod in particular and Kannur and Wayanad Districts. this our has attracted tourist sfrom Switzerland and U.K. Tourists prefer ayrvediv treatments in some of the main treatment cetres in Kasaragod and Wayanad. The main attraction SERI's North Kerala Ecotour is that they provide Homestays and thus assure chemical free and hot fresh Kerala home food with fresh water and sea food prepations. Also included are Dosa, iddli and other tasty breakfast items. House bost stay in Kasaragod District is amain attraction and many prefer house bost stay in Kasaragod District. Couples from aborad both by newly married and as well as maturred couples choose House boat stay and home stays in Kasaragod. The ayurvedic treatments releases the stress of many visitors and a medical toursim is an attraction of this tour package which meant forr helping the villages of North Kerala. They also conduct tour to Cochin and Alapuzha.
Folk Dances and Traditions
The region is rich in traditional folk art forms. Theyyam is the dominant folk art form.Yakshagana is also common, but only on sidelines. Muslims have their own common folk and celebration art forms such as Oppana, Kolkalli, Dauf muttal etc. Oppana is a celebration dance held on the eve of Muslim marriage,where the women to be married is decorated, with whom her friends and relatives do this ritual dance. Kolkali, poorakkali, mangalam kali, maruthkali, etc are folk arts performrd in connection with the temple festivals.highly performace period time
Developments
Recent developments include the construction of a "Children's park". Also the railway station of Kasaragod has risen to the status of "Model Railway station". The Railway station at Kasaragod is one of the oldest in India, constructed at the time of British rule in India. In Kerala Budget 2007, Government proposed to set up a Tulu academy at Kasaragod (Manjeshwar).
Transport
Kasaragod city lies on the path of N.H-17. It is well connected by road to Cannanore (Kannur), Bangalore, Mangalore, Calicut etc. Kasaragod is well connected by rail to parts of India such as Trivandrum, Kochi, Calicut, Cannanore, Mangalore, Goa, Surat, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Jammu Tawi, Kanyakumari etc. Nearest Airport is at Mangalore(49km).
Economy
Kasaragod economy is mainly agrarian. However Beedi work is a thriving industry. Cash crops such as Coconut, Rubber are grown and commercially exploited. Other industries include Tile manufacture, Timber industry etc. Foreign investment or N.R.I Income is high in this part of the state.
Also interesting is that Kasaragod Cap, worn by Arabs is an old cottage industry, which is on the verge of extinction. The caps are hand stitched by artisans and exported to South East Asia and West Asia.
See also
