Kasaragod

Kasaragod Kasaragod
city
Population  (2001)
• Total	52,683

For the district with the same name, see Kasaragod district.

Kasaragod (Kannada ಕಾಸರಗೋಡು, 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 Kanjirakuttom. Kasaragod is also the northernmost municipality of Kerala. It's principal languages are Kannada and Malayalam.

Tourism in and around

Kasaragod has many tourist destinations. A few are given below:

Bekal Fort Beach

Malik Deenar 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. The proposed Ranipuram wild life sanctuary will be situated 45 km East of Kanhangd. Ranipuram is also famous for its hill station.

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 the 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. The 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, just 3 km from the city.

Kanipura (Kumbala) temple is famous for its festival in the month of January. The fireworks (vedikketu / Bedi) is famously followed for many years. This temple is one of the four main temples built by the then king of Maippady palace.

C.P.C.R.I - the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, 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.

Mogral is famous for its football shock. "Brothers Mogral" is a sports club which plays with its famous players all around Kerala. Kuthiripp Muhammad is one who worked best for bringing the football up in Mogral.

Govt. College, Kasaragod is situated in Vidyanagar, which about 6 kilometers from Kasaragod Railway Station and Town. This college is well known for its Department of Geology and also other science, arts and commerce departments.

The Mallam Durga Parameshwari Temple in Kerala is located in Muliyar Village in Kasaragod district, hardly 3 kilometers from Bovikanam. The presiding deity of this temple is Goddess Durga Parameshwari. The special feature of the Mallam Durga Parameshwari Temple is daily Annadanam which consists of distributing food among the devotees. During Tuesdays and Fridays the temple premises are crowded with devotees. They offer their prayers seeking a prosperous future and a happy living. At Mallam Durga Parameshwari Temple the Annual Festival lasts for 7 days and it is a time for joy and celebration. It is believed that the blessings of these poor men are indispensable for a blissful sustenance. It is next only to God's blessings. Moreover the temple of Goddess Durga Parameshwari is mostly visited by the women who offer their worship here. They keep "Vrath" in order to please the mother goddess who would bring peace and happiness to their lives. According to Kerala's popular legend, Goddess Durga killed the demon Daruka. Elsewhere in India it is Mahisasura whom she killed. Goddess Durga Parameshwari executed the two dangerous demons known as Chanda and Munda. She is the incarnation of Shakti on earth. It is the divine power that enables the sustenance on earth. She is therefore armed with Shiva's trident, Kumaara's spear, Indra's thunderbolt and Vishnu's discus and mace. Enamored by the striking beauty of the Goddess, Chanda and Munda wanted to marry her. Goddess was so angry that she mutilated them instantly much to the relief of mankind who was also disturbed by them.

Fairs and festivals

Eid, Bakrid, Muharram are celebrated in accordance with time of Calicut and uduppi. These festials along with Shivaratri, Dasara and onam are celebrated with much rigor by the people. And so is diwali. There are local festivals like Kumbala veddikett. Another festival of importance is Moodappaseva, a local festival celebrated in the Madhur Temple periodically. Kundamkuzhy Sree Panjalingeswara Kshethra Arattu Mahotsavam is very famous festival in this location.

Folk dances and traditions

The region is rich in traditional folk art forms. 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 are decorated, with whom her friends and relatives do this ritual dance. Theyyam is the dominant folk art form.Yakshagana is also common, but only on sidelines. Kolkali, poorakkali, mangalam kali, maruthkali, etc are folk arts performed in connection with the temple festivals. Mogral is famous for its cultural programmes which has been run by many of cultural associations. There people are so fond of Mappilappattu. It had most famous poets like "mogral kavi".

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), Bengaluru, Mangaluru, 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 Mangaluru (49km).

Economy

SHIP BUILDING INDUSTRY

Thalangara was famous for trades and industries in the past itself. The ship building industry of Thalangara is a well known in India as well as foreign countries. In the past years a number of ships were built here and sold in various states of India and exported to foreign countries. 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.

THALANGARA THOPPI

Thalangara Thoppi (Cap), Thalangara's own product, was the most popular item in the past. It was produced domestically in the earlier years. In the past years, it was rare to find a home without involving in making these Thalangara Thoppi. Late K.S. Abdul Khader Haji, M.P. Abdul Khader Haji and Padhindadkal Mohammed Haji were the founders of this industry. The products were exporting mainly to gulf countries. This industry played an important role in the economy of Thalangara in those years. Due to the introduction of the cheap rated mechanised products, the hand made caps can not compete with them in the global market. Presently the production of Thalangara Caps are very less.

Politics

Kasaragod assembly constituency is part of Kasaragod (Lok Sabha constituency).

See also

Bekal Fort Beach

• Kerala
• Nileshwar Muthappan Temple
• Kasaragod District
• Kasaragod Malayalam
• Kasaragod Tulu
• Kumbla
• Uppala
• Manjeshwaram
• Nileshwaram
• Kanhangad
• Bekal Fort
• Trikaripur
• Mappila Malayalam
• Elerithattu
• Kasaragod (Lok Sabha constituency)

External links

• Kerala Tourism
• C.P.C.R.I
• Kasarkode.net
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