Kasargod is the northern-most district of
Kerala. It is bounded in the east by the
Western Ghats, in the west by the
Arabian Sea, and in the south by
Kannur District. There are 12 rivers. The longest is the
Chandragiri River, originating from Pattimala in Coorg and embraces the sea at Thalangara.
Kasargod, covering an area of 1,992 sq km, has a population of over 2.6 million. The forest area is about 115 sq km. Agriculture forms the mainstay of the population. The important crops are rubber, cashew and ginger. In the coastal tract, paddy, coconut, arecanut, cashew, tobacco, vegetable and
tapioca are cultivated. Kasargod has an 80 km long sea coast.
Kasargod is also the cradle of many colourful art forms and folk music of Kerala. As the land of Yakshagana and
Theyyam, it is acquiring prominence in the tourist map of India. The enduring charm of its beach, the architectural marvel of the temples, mosques and churches, and the unique folk art forms are genuine areas of attractions for the tourist. Ananthapuram Lake Temple, the only lake temple in Kerala, is located in Kasargod. The famous Madhur Mahaganapathy Temple attracts thousands of pilgrims annually. The
Malik Dinar Mosque at Thalangara is one of the first ten mosques built in India after the advent of Malik Mohammad Dianar to propagate Islam in India. The famous church at Bela, constructed in 1890, is a famous pilgrim center and is the oldest church in this area. The 300 year old Bekal Fort is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala.
By utilising the Konkan Railway, Kasargod has the shortest access to important cities like Mumbai, Delhi,
Pune,
Panaji (Goa), Karwar, Mangalore and
Rajkot. The nearest airport is at Mangalore in Karnataka.
