Kasaragod Travel Information
Area : 1961 sq. kmPopulation : 1,071,508
Altitude : Sea level
The northernmost district of Kerala, Kasaragod is world reowned for it's coir & handloom industries, Fishing ia a prime source of livehood, Kasaragod is known as the land of gods, forts, rivers, hills & beautiful beaches. The fort at Bekal is the largest & best preserved in the State.
Kasaragod displays a variety of styles in temple architecture - the unique style of the Madhur Mahaganapathy temple, the typical Kerala style of the historic Malik Deenar Great Juma Masjid & so on spek volumes about the rich cultural heritage of the region. Spectacular pageants of Theyyam, Yakshagana, Kumbla, Poorakkali, Kolkali etc. enchant visitors.
Accessing Thrissur
Telephone access code : ++91-499
Air : Nearest Airport : Mangalore , Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode (200 km).
Rail : On the Kozhikode - Manalore - Mumbai.
Road : An excellent network of roads connects Kasaragod to major towns in Kerala, Karnataka & Tamilnadu.
Festivals
Pattulsavam, Madlyan Kovilakarn, Kanhangad (January)Highlights:
Cultural performances, religious rites, grand elephant processions o Chaliyaporattu, Chuliyar Bhagavathy Temple, Aniyal
Theru: Festival In March named after the popular folk art of North Kerala
Paiakunnu BharanL\ Marked by processions and brilliant fireworks (fu\i[ ~eek of March)
Nileswar Poorakali: Folk dance performed by men at the Nagacherry Bhagavathy Temple (March/April)
Kanathur Theyyam Kaliyattom (Last week of December)
Kalom Katupa (Utsavom, Palakunnu: Procession of women carrying earthen pots which are later displayed at the temple
Puppet Show : Prof. Srinath, Sirikannada Press, Opp. SBT
Art Forms
Theyyam:
The oldest ritualistic temple art form In India and one of the most spectacular in terms of artistry and symbolism. Theyyam literally means a form or shape, usually the representation of a divine or
heroic character from mythology. Performed in houses, tharawads and shrines during October - May. BRDC- Information Centre at the Bekal Fort provides an annual Theyyam calendar. For Theyyam performance and research contact, Folk Land, International Centre for Folklore and Culture, Elambachhi PO, Tnkkaripur, Kasaragod Yakshagana:
This classical art form of Karnataka is very common In Kasaragod. Two variations are RayalaUu and Bommayrzttu, Kannada Parthy Subba, the father of Yakshagana belongs to Kumbia in Kasaragod. Professional agency - Kottoor Karthikeya Kalakendra, Kottoor PO, Mullyar.
Poorakkali:
Poorakkali is a unique performing art of Northern Kerala. Poorakkali integrates rituals associated with the worship of the God of love, devotional songs, dances dedicated to several deities and an academic contest between heads of Poorakkali troops known as PauLckei\i, on issues ranging from logic and grammar to philosophy.
