Bekal is a beautiful place located in the shoreline of Pallikkara Village in Kasaragod district. They say you must take a solo trip before you get married and this was my bachelorette escape. Located 16 km south of Kasaragod, this serene place lies at the southwestern tip of India. If you need a break from the all the drama of the fast paced city life, this is the perfect place for you.

Bekal is India’s first planned beach destination. It has been developed in a way so as to not disturb the ecological balance of the region. It is said that that the place had been the seat of a big palace in the past. Located in God’s Own Country, Kerala, Bekal is well endowed. In other words, Bekal is an amazing place that has a lot to offer in terms of natural wonders.

The first stop on my itinerary was of course the Bekal Fort. This fort stands amidst the sea with the musical sound of the waves. It is believed that Bekal Fort might have existed since the days of Chirakal Rajjas as it was common during those days to build a fort for defense purpose. This fort has stood undeterred over the ages and is a witness to all the eventful years. Bekal Fort also happens to be the biggest fort in Kerala, spread over forty acres.

I belong to that category of globe trotters who love beaches and I wouldn’t miss Kappil Beach for anything. Spread over an area of about 25 acres, a walk along the beach with the sand seeping inside your shoes is absolute bliss.

Bekal is also home to the Chandragiri Fort and Hosdurg Fort. Chandragiri Fort is situated next to Chandragiri River and offers a picturesque view to the Arabian Sea. I opted for a motorboat ride from Kappil Beach to reach the Chandragiri River. And it was great fun. The Hosdurg Fort has a religious feel to it owing to the Nityanand Ashram located there.

After having seen enough of monuments, I decided to visit the Vaiyaparamba Backwaters. This seemed to be as a popular tourist spot and for the right reasons too. Fed by four rivers and numerous islands, this beautiful place is a popular fishing centre where one can take boat rides. If you come to Bekal and don’t take a boat ride, you will miss out a lot. The calm blue water along with the array of tall palm trees is a sight to behold and I felt as if I was in paradise.

My next stop was the Malikarjuna temple, which was built by Ikkeri Kings in the 17^th century for paying tribute to warriors. The locals believe that the idol of Lord Shiva was placed in the temple by Arjuna. On the southern side of the temple, the Kumbala River flows. The beautiful figures of the various Gods and Goddesses had me mesmerized.

A trip to Kerala, without covering Bekal would mean that missing out a lot. So remember to include this beautiful place in your travel itinerary.