Kanhangad is a city and a municipality in Kasaragod district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is 28km from the district headquarters of Kasargod. Kanhangad is also known as the Commercial Hub of Kasaragod district.
::Kanhangad Town::
Hosdurg (or Hosa Durga / Puthiya Kotta meaning New Fort), half a kilometre south of the town center Kottachery, hosts the Municipal office, other administrative offices, police station, court and the government hospital.From here to Nileshwar there is parralal road through kallooravi, crossing the railway gate in Kushal Nagar. This road is named Shavaparambu road.
::Demographics::
As of 2001 India census, Kanhangad had a population of 65,499. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Kanhangad has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 74%. In Kanhangad, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Most widely spoken language is Malayalam.
::Tourism::
A prominent feature that attracts the attention of travelers in Kanhangad town center is a tall minaret, a contribution from the wealthy merchants of the town who are predominantly Muslim.
Anandashram (5 km from Kanhangad) is an internationally renowned spiritual center founded by Swami Ramdas in 1939. It offers a quiet, peaceful ambiance best suited for meditation and spiritual studies.
Hosdurg Fort (half a kilometre south of Kanhangad) is renowned for its chain of forts built by Somashekara Nayak of Keladi Nayaka dynasty of Ikkeri.
Nithyanandashram is a spiritual center near Hosdurg Fort.
Karpooreshwara Temple, built there in 1963, was constructed after the style and design of the famous Somnatha Temple in Gujarat. A full size statue of Swami Nityananda in sitting posture made of pancha-loha is one of the attractions of the ashram.
Bekal Fort BeachBekal Fort is a 300-year old fort, which is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala lies 10 km north of Kanhangad. With its admirable beaches, it has become the focal point for the development of tourism in north Kerala. The Bekal Fort is the biggest fort in Kerala. A controversy exists regarding the origin of the fort. Some argue that the fort was built by Ikkeri Nayakas.
In the book History of Bekal written by Nandakumar Koroth gives credit to all the rulers who ruled the tract of land from the 15th century. The solid construction resembles the one at Kannur St.Angelo fort built by Portuguese.
Adot Vana durga Temple, Bellikoth where the Sahashrachandika Yaagam was conducted for the prosperity of the people living all over the world.
Ranipuram is a small place in Kasargod district of Kerala state, south India. This place was formerly known as Madathumalauntil 1970s. About 48 km east of Kanhangad on the panathoor road branching off at panathady. Lying 1016 m (Google earth) above sea level adjacent to Bhagamandala forest range.
::Schools and Colleges::
Little Flower Higher Secondary School
Durga Higher Secondary School,Hosdurg
Christ C.M.I public school,Mavungal
Government High School Hosdurg
Iqbal Higher Secondary School
Chinmaya Vidyalaya Kanhangad
Jamaath Higher Secondary School, Centre Chithari
Govt. U.P. School, Melangot
Govt Higher Secondary School, Pallikara
Govt Higher Secondary School, Periya
Crescent English medium school, ajanoor
GHS Balla East,Chemmattamvayal
GVHS Kottappuram,
Nileshwar Institutions for higher education include Nehru Arts & Science College, Agricultural College and Swamy Nithyananda Polytechnic.And many more private institutions. One of the Private Paramedical Institution among them is
SES
It is one of the paramedical institution, which conducts Medical Lab technician course and Ass.Nusrsing Courses. It is Located in bustand view building Nileshwar, on third floor. It is established in 1991 By Abdul Hameed.
::Personalities::
Kanhangad has been the home town of many great personalities such as Maha Kavi P. Kunhiraman Nair-famous poet , Sri. K. Madhavan-Veteran Communist leader, Vidwan P. Kelu Nair-Author/Freedom Fighter, C.M.Padmanabhan Nair-Leader of socialist party and so forth.