Kasaragod (occasionally spelt Kasarkode) is a city and a municipality in Kasaragod district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of Kasargod district. The city was formerly called as kanjirakuttom.Kasaragod is also the northernmost municipality of Kerala.
::Geography::
Kasaragod is located at 12.5° N 75.0° E. It has an average elevation of 19 metres (62 feet).Kasaragod district consists of two taluks viz, Kasaragod and Hosdurg (Kanhangad).
::Demographics::
As of 2001 India census,Kasaragod had a population of 12,03342. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kasaragod has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 76%. In Kasaragod, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. The main languages are Malayalam and Tulu.Besides this languages,Konkani and Kannada are spoken here too . The Malayalam spoken here has influences from Tulu, Kannada, Konkani and Tulu spoken here is influenced by Malayalam.
::Kasaragod Town::
Kasaragod Town consists of following places knit together.
Adkathabail is the northern most centre of Kasaragod Town.S ome famous landmarks are G.U.P.S School, a Beedi Factory and the Gudde Temple.
Karandakkad is noted for its short 4-lane N.H-17. Kasaragod B.S.N.L is situated here.
Ashwini Nagar another suburb of the town.
New Bustand(Bus-stand) the central Bus-stand of Kasaragode town.
Anangoor part of the town has the Kasaragod Government College and Doordarshan Relay centre.
Kasaragod District Collecterate is situated at Vidyanagar.
M.G Road is the commercial part of Kasaragod City. It is the most crowded area of Kasaragod town.
Court Road often called as the "Heart of Kasaragod City". Mallikarjuna Temple, Kasaragod Taluk Office is situated here. As the name suggests,the Kasaragod District Court is also situated here.
Thalankara is the Muslim cultural place in Kasaragod. Few noted landmarks are Malik Deenar Mosque, Malik Deenar Hospital, Govt. Homeo Dispensary, Veterinary Hospital and Kasaragod Railway Station.
Kallangai is on NH17 in between Kasaragod and Kumbala towns. Office of Mogral Puthur Panchayat, A.L.P. School Kallangai, Office of Kallangai Ansarul Muslimeen Sangham, Muhideen Masjid, Subramanya Bhajana Mandir and Chandragiri Guest House are situated here.
Mogral puthur town is highly reputed area of the district.ghss mogral puthur,north malabar gramin bank,krishibhavan,al madarasathul islamiya,&many temples are situated here.chaithotam is the only vip area in the district.many football players are born here .arafath arts &sports club is on of the no.1 club of kasaragod. By rifu
::Tourism In and Around::
Kasaragod has many tourist destinations.Few are given below:
Mallikkarjuna Temple dedicated to lord Siva and lord Ganapathi, is situated in the heart of Kasaragod city. During Ganesh Chathurthi and Shivaratri, there are special celebrations in temple premises.
Theruvatthu Mosque situated on M.G road Kasaragod, is an important pilgrimage center for Muslims. During Uroos, the Mosque draws people from all over India.
Malik Deenar Mosque If today, Kasaragod is known as center of Muslim pilgrimage on western coast, it is all due to this mosque. The Mosque was founded by Malik Ibn Dinar and is situated in the part of city called Thalankara. It is distinguished for its unique architectural style, which strongly resembles a traditional Kerala kovilakam. An important local celebration takes place every year in commemoration of the arrival of Malik Ibn Dinar. The uroos attracts pilgrims from all around India and world.
Madhur Temple, is 6.5 km from Kasaragod. On the banks of serene Madhuvahini river, stands the imposing structure of Madhur Ananteshwara Vinayaka Temple, with its turrets and gables and the copper plate roofing, standing tall in front of paddy fields and gardens. It is a Shiva temple with Srimad Anantheshwara as its presiding deity. The sivalingam of the temple is said to be founded by a harijan woman, Madharu. Main festival is Moodappaseva, which involves a huge figure of Ganapathy being covered with appam. It requires lakhs of rupees for its conduct thus making it a periodic festival. The architecture is unique. This temple is said to have been attacked by Tippu Sultan, but not harmed out of devotion. The mark of his sword is still found in the Temple.
Chandragiri Fort' was built in 17th century by Shivappa Naik, is just 3 km from the city.
Edneer Mutt Situated about 8 km north-east of the city, this ancient mutt is a reputed seat of learning .It attracts devotees from all over India.
C.P.C.R.ICentral Plantation Crops Research Institute shortly termed as C.P.C.R.I, is an international research institute under I.C.A.R (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), which promotes research on plantation crops. It is just 4 km from city. The nearby beach called C.P.C.R.I beach is beautiful and is famous for its beautiful sunset. Also the fishing village nearby, situated on shore of a natural lake is an awesome sight.
Arikkady Hanuman Temple15 km north of Kasaragod, near Kumbala, lies the famous Hanuman Kovil known popularly as Arikkady Temple. At the entrance of the Temple lies the giant statue of lord Hanuman. The temple as a whole lies on the foot of an old-ruined Fort popularly known to locals as the Kumbala Fort, which is as old as the Bekal Fort and was built by the founder of the same. A Siva Temple is situated nearby. Sri Gopalakrishna Temple, with the presiding deity as lord Krishna,is situated 1 km south of this Temple.
::Fairs and Festivals::
Onam, like in any part of Kerala, is celebrated with pomp and much enthusiasm. Eid, Bakrid, Mohrum etc are celebrated in accordance with time of Kozhikode(Calicut). There are local festivals like Kumbala veddikettu(fireworks display). Shivaratri and Dasara are also celebrated with vigor. Christmas is also celebrated by people. Another festival that is important here is Moodappaseva, a local festival celebrated in the Madhur Temple periodically.
::Folk Dances and Traditions::
The region is rich in traditional folk art forms. Theyyam is the dominant folk art form. Kathakali, Yakshagana, Bhuta Kola are also common, but only on sidelines. Muslims have their own common folk and celebration art forms such as Oppana, Kolkalli, Dauf muttal etc. Oppana is a celebration dance held on the eve of Muslim marriage,where the women to be married is decorated, with whom her friends and relatives do this ritual dance. Kolkali, poorakkali, mangalam kali, maruthkali, etc are folk arts performrd in connection with the temple festivals.highly performace period time
::Developments::
Recent developments include the construction of a "Children's park". Also the railway station of Kasaragod has risen to the status of "Model Railway station". The Railway station at Kasaragod is one of the oldest in India, constructed at the time of British rule in India. In Kerala Budget 2007, Government proposed to set up a Tulu academy at Kasaragod (Manjeshwar).
::Transport::
Kasaragod city lies on the path of N.H-17. It is well connected by road to Cannanore (Kannur), Bangalore, Mangalore, Calicut etc. Kasaragod is well connected by rail to parts of India such as Trivandrum, Kochi, Calicut, Cannanore, Mangalore, Goa, Surat, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Jammu Tawi, Kanyakumari etc. Nearest Airport is at Mangalore(49km).
::Economy::
Kasaragod economy is mainly agrarian. However Beedi work is a thriving industry. Cash crops such as Coconut, Rubber are grown and commercially exploited. Other industries include Tile manufacture, Timber industry etc. Foreign investment or N.R.I Income is high in this part of the state.
Also interesting is that Kasaragod Cap, worn by Arabs is an old cottage industry, which is on the verge of extinction. The caps are hand stitched by artisans and exported to South East Asia and West Asia.
See also