District Profile

Kasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala, is endowed with rich natural resources and is noted for its majestic forts, ravishing rivers, hills, green valleys and beautiful beaches. The rich and varied cultural heritage of the district is portrayed through spectacular presentations of Theyyam, Yakshagana, Poorakkali, Kolkali and Mappilappattu. Seven languages are prevalent in Kasaragod. Malayalam is the administrative language. Other languages are Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, Marati, Urdu and Beary.

Prior to State reorganisation, Kasaragod was part of the South Kanara district. Kasaragod became a part of Malabar district following the reorganisation of States and formation of unified Kerala State. Later, Kasaragod Taluk of Malabar district was bifurcated in to Kasaragod and Hosdurg Taluks and integrated with the then newly formed Cannanore district. Kasaragod district was formed on 24th May 1984 with a view to bestowing maximum focus on the development of backward areas.The district headquarters is located at Vidyanagar in Chengala Grama Panchayt.

Demography

 

District at glance

Total Area          

199166 Hect.

Forest Area

5625 Hect

Dry area

115.09Hect

Population

1307375  (as per 2011Census)

Male    

628613

Female

678762

Literates

1037492

Male    

516476

Female

521016

Administrative set up

Sl No

Division

Number

 

1

Taluk

4

Kasaragode,Hozdurg,Vellarikundu, Manjeswaram

 

2

Village

127

 

3

Municippality

3

Neeleswaram, Kanchangad, Kasaragde

4

Block Panchayat

6

Neeleswaram, Parappa, Kanhangad, Kasaragode, Karadukka, Manjeswaram.

5

Grama Panchayat

38

 

6

Assembly Constituencies

5

Trikkaripur, Kanchangad, Uduma, Kasaragode, Manjeswaram.

7

Parliament Constituency

1

Kasaragode

 

Education

SL No.

Institution

Govt

Aided

unaided

Total

1

L P School

141

108

17

266

2

UP School

72

70

11

153

3

High School

91

34

17

142

4

Special School

2

 

7

9

5

HSS

50

17

7

74

6

VHSE

11

1

 

12

7

Poly Technics

3

1

 

4

8

ITI/ITC

7

 

3

10

 

Colleges

3

2

8

13

10

 

Medical college

 

 

 

0

11

Ayurveda

 

 

1

1

12

Homeo

 

 

 

0

13

Agriculture

1

 

 

1

14

Dendal college

 

 

1

1

15

Engineering college

 

 

3

3

Tourism

Ranipuram

Ranipuram is located about 85 km from the town of Kasaragod at 750 m above sea level. Ranipuram is famous for its trekking trails, evergreen shoal woods, monsoon forests and grasslands. This area was formerly known as Madathumala. The extensive forests of Madathumala merge with the forests of Karnataka. The natural beauty of Ranipuram can be compared to Ooty. Wild elephants can be seen wandering on the top of the mountains.

   

Bekal Fort

The Bekal Fort is situated about 16 km south of Kasaragod on the national highway. The Bekal Fort is about 300 year old and one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. This imposing circular structure of laterite rises about 130 feet above sea level and stands on a 35 acre headland that runs into the Arabian Sea. The Bekal Hole Aqua Park is situated near the Bekal fort. This park is the one of the unique Aqua park in northern Kerala and provides water sports facilities like paddle boats and water cycles.

Ananthapura Lake Temple

Ananthapura Lake Temple is a famous Hindu Temple located in a Lake in Kasaragod District. It is believed that this temple used to be the original place of the Ananthapadmanabha Swami of Padmanabhaswamy temple located in State capital Thiruvananthapuram . It is the only lake temple in Kerala State .

Legends Believe that the Ananthapura Lake Temple is guarded by crocodile named as Babiya , when one dies another crocodile takes its place. The Temple lake or tank in which the Sanctum is situated is a large structure measuring 302 feet square. You will find a cave at the corner of the lake which has a opening and priests of the temple believes that Lord Anantha Padmanabha went from here to the temple of Thiruvananthapuram. Both the temple have same god but the main difference is in their position.