Kasaragod

Said to be from Kannada kāsara "Strychnos nux-vomica" and gōḍe "rampart". In Malayalam Kasaragod was known as kāññirakkōṭŭ (The land of kāññiram trees). kāññiram is Malayalam for Kasaraka trees (Kannada name) found in abundance here.{{cite book

| author = S. Muhammad Hussain Nainar |year=1942

| title= Tuhfat-al-Mujahidin: An Historical Work in The Arabic Language |publisher=University of Madras |page=97

| url= https://archive.org/details/Tuhfat-al-MujahidinAnHistoricalWorkInTheArabicLanguage |access-date=10 July 2021}}{{cite web |title=About District {{!}} Website of Kasargod {{!}} India |url=https://kasargod.nic.in/about-district/ |access-date=9 July 2021}}

Kasaragod was under the Kumbla dynasty until the 16th century, which was vassal to the kingdom of Kolathunadu based at Kannur.{{cite book |last1=Sreedhara Menon |first1=A. |title=A Survey of Kerala History |year=2007 |publisher=DC Books |location=Kottayam |isbn=9788126415786 |edition=2007 |url=https://dcbookstore.com/books/a-survey-of-kerala-history}} Kannada kingdoms focused on the port and surroundings in the 16th century CE.{{cite web |title=Kasaragod History |url=http://www.ksd.kerala.gov.in/hist.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925134038/http://www.ksd.kerala.gov.in/hist.htm |archive-date=25 September 2008 |access-date=11 March 2009 |publisher=Government of Kerala}}{{Cite book|last=Steever|first=Sanford B.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n2DxBwAAQBAJ|title=The Dravidian Languages|publisher=Taylor & Francis|date=15 April 2015|isbn=9781136911644|pages=158–159}}{{Cite book|last=Bhat|first=N. Shyam|title=South Kanara, 1799-1860, A Study in Colonial Administration and Regional Response|publisher=Mittal Publications|year=1998|isbn=9788170995869|pages=6}}{{Cite book|last=Caldwell|first=Robert|title=A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian Or South-Indian Family of Languages|publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=1998|isbn=9788120601178|pages=31|language=English}}

{{Main article|History of Kasaragod}}

File:Anantapura Lake Temple.jpg at Ananthapura, Kumbla]]

The ancient Tamil works of the Sangam Age record that the area covering the district was part of Puzhinadu which consists of the coastal belt from Kozhikode to Mangalore. Politically the area was part of the Ezhimala Kingdom with its capital at Ezhimala in present-day Kannur district. The most famous king of Ezhimala was Nannan whose kingdom extended up to Gudalur and northern parts of Coimbatore. Poozhinad, along with Karkanad which included the eastern regions of Ezhimala dynasty (Wayanad-Gudalur region with some portions of Kodagu), had its capital at Ezhimala. The Mooshaka kings were considered descendants of Nannan. By the 14th century, Mooshaka Kingdom was known as Kolathirinad and the rulers as Kolathiris. The Kolathunad Kingdom at the peak of its power reportedly extended from Netravati River (Mangalore) in the north{{cite book |last1=Sreedhara Menon |first1=A. |title=Kerala Charitram |year=2007 |publisher=DC Books |location=Kottayam |isbn=978-8126415885 |edition=2007 |page=175 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FAlXPgAACAAJ&q=%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%87%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B3+%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%82 |access-date=19 July 2020}} to Korapuzha (Kozhikode) in the south with Arabian Sea on the

west and Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in Arabian Sea.{{Cite book|title=District Census Handbook, Kasaragod (2011)|publisher=Directorate of Census Operation, Kerala|location=Thiruvananthapuram|pages=9|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/3201_PART_B_KASARAGOD.pdf}}

File:Malikdeenar Mosque in the Morning.jpg, Thalangara, Kasaragod, is one of the oldest mosques in India.]]

File:Maipady palace.jpg

Kasaragod, about 50 km south of Mangalore city, was an important centre of trade in earlier times. Ramacharitam, probably the oldest literary work written in Old Malayalam, which dates back to the 12th century CE, is thought to have written in Kasaragod district as its manuscripts were discovered from Nileshwaram and the poem mentions about Ananthapura Lake Temple in Kumbla in detail.{{Cite web |url=http://sdeuoc.ac.in/sites/default/files/sde_videos/SLM-MA-Mal-Aadyakala%20Malayala%20kavitha%20%281%29.pdf |title=Aadyakla Malayala kavitha |access-date=9 June 2021 |archive-date=8 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608091936/http://sdeuoc.ac.in/sites/default/files/sde_videos/SLM-MA-Mal-Aadyakala%20Malayala%20kavitha%20%281%29.pdf |url-status=dead }} Kasaragod was known to the Arabs by the name Harkwillia. The Malik Dinar Mosque in Kasaragod town is one of the oldest Masjids in the Indian subcontinent.Pg 58, Cultural heritage of Kerala: an introduction, A. Sreedhara Menon, East-West Publications, 1978 According to Qissat Shakarwati Farmad, the Masjids at Kodungallur, Kollam, Madayi, Barkur, Mangalore, Kasaragod, Kannur, Dharmadam, Panthalayini, and Chaliyam, were built during the era of Malik Dinar, and they are among the oldest Masjids in the Indian subcontinent.Prange, Sebastian R. Monsoon Islam: Trade and Faith on the Medieval Malabar Coast. Cambridge University Press, 2018. 98. It is believed that Malik Dinar died at Thalangara in Kasaragod town. Many Arab travelers visiting Kerala between the 9th and the 14th centuries visited Kasaragod, being an important trade centre then. Duarte Barbosa, a Portuguese traveler who visited Kumbla, near Kasaragod Town in 1514 recorded that rice being exported for coir to Maldives. According to Barbosa, the people in the southwestern Malabar coast of India from Chandragiri in the north to Kanyakumari in the south spoke a unique language, which they called as "Maliama" (Malayalam).{{Cite book |last=Barbosa |first=Duarte |title=The Book of Duarte Barbosa: An Account of the countries bordering on the Indian Ocean and their inhabitants (Volume 2) |publisher=Asian Educational Services |year=1989 |isbn=9788120604513 |pages=1–7 |language=en |quote=Per Barbosa, Malabar begins at the point where the kingdom of Narasyngua or Vijayanagar ends, that is at Cumbola (Cambola) on the Chandragiri river. But, as he (Barbosa) says, the Malayalam language extends as far north as the Chandragiri, and Malabar may be reckoned as extending south from this point to Cape Comorin.}}{{Cite web |last1=Barbosa |first1=Duarte |last2=Dames |first2=Mansel Longworth |year=1918 |title=The Book of Duarte Barbosa: An Account of the countries bordering on the Indian Ocean and their inhabitants - Volume I |url=https://indianculture.gov.in/libraries/pdf.js/web/viewer.html?file=https://indianculture.gov.in/system/files/digitalFilesICWeb/nlirepository/23567/61%2520B%2520275%2520%2528ii%2529%252021.pdf#page=301&zoom=60,0,1344 |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=indianculture.gov.in |publisher=Asian Educational Services |pages=194–198}}

Until the 16th century CE, Kasaragod town was known by the name Kanhirakode (may be by the meaning, 'the land of Kanhira trees') in Malayalam. The Kumbla dynasty, who swayed over the land of southern Tulu Nadu wedged between Chandragiri River and Netravati River (including present-day taluks of Manjeshwar and Kasaragod) from Maipady Palace at Kumbla, had also been vassals to the Kolathunadu kingdom of North Malabar, before the Carnatic conquests of Vijayanagara Empire.{{cite book

| author = M. Vijayanunni

| title= 1981 Census Handbook- Kasaragod District | publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala

| url= http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/5757/1/51134_1981_KAS.pdf

}} The Kumbla dynasty had a mixed lineage of Malayali Nairs and Tuluva Brahmins. They also claimed their origin from Cheraman Perumals of Kerala. Francis Buchanan-Hamilton states that the customs of Kumbla dynasty were similar to those of the contemporary Malayali kings.

The Kolathiri Dominion emerged into ten independent principalities, i.e. Kadathanadu (Vadakara), Randathara or Poyanad (Dharmadom), Kottayam (Thalassery), Nileshwaram, Iruvazhinadu (Panoor), Kurumbranad etc., under separate royal chieftains due to the outcome of internal dissensions.{{Cite book|title=Malabar Manual (Volume-I)|last=Logan|first=William|publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=2010|isbn=9788120604476|location=New Delhi|pages=631–666}} Many portions of the present-day Hosdurg taluk (Kanhangad) and Vellarikundu were parts of the Nileshwaram dynasty, who were relatives to both Kolathunadu as well as Zamorin of Calicut, in the early medieval period.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/neeleswaram-fete-to-showcase-its-heritage/article2645520.ece | title=Neeleswaram fete to showcase its heritage | author=The Hindu staff reporter | website=The Hindu | date=21 November 2011 | access-date=24 November 2016 }} The areas north to the Chandragiri river (present-day Taluks of Manjeshwaram and Kasaragod) were ruled by the Kumbala dynasty.

The Chandragiri Fort is built on the southern bank of the estuary of Chandragiri River, just opposite to Kasaragod town. The Bekal Fort at Bekal, Pallikkara, which is situated midway between Kasaragod and Kanhangad, and which is largest fort in Kerala, was built in 1650 by Shivappa Nayaka of Keladi.{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/a-portion-of-kasaragods-bekal-forts-observation-post-caves-in/article28993345.ece/ |title= A Portion of Kasaragod's Bekal Forts Observation Post Caves in |date=12 August 2019 |work=The Hindu}}

{{wide image|SeaFromBakel.jpg|1200px|Panoramic view from inside Bekal Fort, the largest fort in Kerala}}

File:Valiyaparamba Beach sun set.jpg beach]]

File:Buchanan Journey map.jpg (Malayalam district) drawn by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton in 1807. A portion of Kasaragod taluk of erstwhile British South Canara district to the south of Payaswini/Chandragiri river was also included in Malayalam region (just above the blue shaded region).]]

Francis Buchanan, the family doctor of Arthur Wellesley, visited Kasaragod in 1800. In his travelogue, he recorded information on places like Athiraparambu, Kavvayi, Nileshwaram, Bekal, Chandragiri and Manjeshwar.

Hosdurg and Vellarikundu was part of Kolathunadu (south of Chandragiri river) and Kasaragod and Manjeshwaram was in the Tulu Nadu region (north of Chandragiri river).{{Cite book|last=Buchanan|first=Francis Hamilton|date=1807|title=A Journey from Madras Through the Countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar|publisher=Cadell|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jD1NAAAAcAAJ}}{{Cite web|last=M.|first=Amruth|date=2004|title=Forest-Agriculture Linkage and its Implications on Forest Management: A study of Delampady panchayat|url=http://www.cds.ac.in/krpcds/publication/downloads/69.pdf}}

In 1763, Hyder Ali raided Bedanoor (Bidnur), the capital of the Ikkery Naiks. His son Tippu Sultan raided much of Malabar region in Kerala. As per the Treaty of Seringapatam of 1792, Tippu surrendered Malabar, except Kanara to the British. The British occupied Kanara only after the death of Tippu Sultan. it is said that Kinavoor Molom (Sree Dharma Shashtha Temple) is belonging to Karinthalam (one of 64 Brahmin villages in old Kerala). Initially South Canara was placed under the Bombay presidency.{{cite book

| author = M. Vijayanunni

| title= 1981 Census Handbook- Kasaragod District | publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala |page=11

| url= http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/5757/1/51134_1981_KAS.pdf

}} Later on 16 April 1862, South Canara was transferred to Madras Presidency and Kasaragod taluk was formed by replacing the erstwhile Bekal taluk. Kasaragod was the second-most populated Taluk in South Canara only after to Mangalore taluk, and also the second-largest Taluk.{{cite book

| author = Government of Madras | year=1953

| title= 1951 Census Handbook- South Canara District | publisher=Madras Government Press

| url= http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/6023/1/7746_1951.pdf

}}

File:Malkassignboard.JPG

Before the formation of Kerala, Kasaragod was a part of South Canara district of erstwhile Madras Presidency.{{Cite web |title=About Kasaragod – Government Polytechnic College, Kasaragod |url=http://gpckasaragod.ac.in/about-kasaragod/#:~:text=Before%20the%20formation%20of%20Kerala,district%20in%20the%20year%201984. |access-date=2025-03-12 |language=en-US}} However, in the 19th century CE, Kasaragod Taluk witnessed many struggles to separate the region from South Canara and to merge it with the Malabar District as it was the only Malayalam-majority region in South Canara. Kasaragod became a part of Kannur district of Kerala following the reorganization of states and the formation of Kerala on 1 November 1956.{{cite web |url= http://kasargod.nic.in/profile/afterdisform.htm |title= Kasargod After District Formation |publisher= Kasargod District |access-date= 11 March 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090410025049/http://kasargod.nic.in/profile/afterdisform.htm |archive-date= 10 April 2009 |url-status= dead }} Later Kasaragod was divided into two taluks for the ease of administration - Kasaragod and Hosdurg. Kasaragod was declared a district in 1984.{{Cite web |title=About Kasaragod – Government Polytechnic College, Kasaragod |url=http://gpckasaragod.ac.in/about-kasaragod/#:~:text=Before%20the%20formation%20of%20Kerala,district%20in%20the%20year%201984. |access-date=2025-03-12 |language=en-US}} The inclusion of Kasaragod with Kerala has been a contentious issue as there is a sizeable population that speaks Tulu and Kannada. At the time of 1951 Census of India, only 72.0% of the district's population chose their mother tongue as Malayalam.{{cite book | author = J. I. Arputhanathan | year=1955

| title= South Kanara, The Nilgiris, Malabar and Coimbatore Districts (Village-wise Mother-tongue Data for Bilingual or Multilingual Taluks) | publisher=Madras Government Press

| url= http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/6447/1/50056_1951_SOU.pdf}} 14.2% chose Tulu and 6.3% chose Kannada. But it is noted that as per the 2011 census report only 8.8% and 4.2% of the total population in the district speak Tulu and Kannada respectively as their mother tongue. In 2012, the Second Oommen Chandy ministry appointed a commission under the leadership the former Chief Secretary P. Prabhakaran to study about the backwardness and issues faced by this northernmost district of Kerala and to draw up special package for the district. In 2013, two more Taluks, namely Manjeshwaram and Vellarikundu were formed in the district.{{Cite news|title=12 new taluks to be formed in Kerala|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/12-new-taluks-to-be-formed-in-kerala/article4530074.ece|last=|date=21 March 2013|work=The Hindu}}

Kasaragod experiences a tropical monsoon climate under the Köppen climate classification. It receives a generous {{cvt|3825|mm|in}} of rain annually.

{{Weather box/concise_C

| location=Kasaragod, Kerala

| source=Climate-Data.org

"CLIMATE: KASARAGOD",

Climate-Data.org. Web: [http://en.climate-data.org/location/34993/].

| 31.4|31.5|32.2|32.7|32.2|29.3|28.2|28.4|28.8|30.0|31.0|31.5

| 21.7|22.8|24.3|25.9|25.7|23.9|23.4|23.6|23.5|23.8|23.1|22.0

| 1|1|5|55|262|1002|1190|647|338|229|77|18

}}

Kasaragod has the maximum number of rivers in Kerala - 12.{{Cite web|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/bekal/rivers-kasaragod.php|title=Rivers in Kasargod|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Kerala Tourism}} All of them are west-flowing rivers.{{cite book

| author = Government of India | year=2014–15

| title= District Census Handbook - Kasaragod (Part-A) 2011 | publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala

| url= https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/3201_PART_A_KASARAGOD.pdf

}} The longest of them is Chandragiri River (105 km long).{{Cite web |title=Rivers, Kasaragod, Kerala, India |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/bekal/rivers-kasaragod.php |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Kerala Tourism - Bekal |language=en}} The Kasaragod town is located on the estuary of Chandragiri river. It empties into the Arabian Sea at Thalangara. The Chandragiri Fort is built on its bank. The river originates at Pattimala in Kodagu (Coorg). The smallest river of Kerala is also in the district.

{{main|List of educational institutions in Kasaragod district}}

File:Central University of Kerala Campus 07.jpg is situated in the district.]]

File:CPCRI Main Building.jpg at Kasaragod was established in 1916.]]

File:Government college kasaragod 03.jpg was established in 1957.]]

Kasaragod district comes under the jurisdiction of Kannur University. Kasaragod is home to the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, originally established in 1916 as the Coconut Research Station. {{Cite web |title=CPCRI 🌴 |url=https://cpcriagribiz.in/home/commer#:~:text=The%20headquarters%20of%20the%20institute,through%20innovative%20technology%20transfer%20initiatives. |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=cpcriagribiz.in}}It is part of India's National Agricultural Research System under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.{{cite web | url =http://cpcri.gov.in/index.php/2014-03-04-05-40-42/2014-06-30-11-03-48/about-institute/ | title =About Institute | website =CPCRI.in | publisher =Central Plantation Crops Research Institute | access-date =25 January 2016 | quote ="The Coconut Research Station at Kasaragod in Kerala was initially established in 1916 by the then Government of Madras and subsequently it was taken over by the Indian Central Coconut Committee in 1948" | archive-date =1 February 2016 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160201175742/http://cpcri.gov.in/index.php/2014-03-04-05-40-42/2014-06-30-11-03-48/about-institute/ | url-status =dead }} According to the institute, Kerala "lies in the heart of the major coconut growing areas of the country." It is also home to the Indian Society for Plantation Crops, which publishes the Journal of Plantation Crops and holds symposiums on the subject.{{cite web | url =http://indsocplantationcrops.in/ | title =Indian Society for Plantation Crops| website =indsocplantationcrops.in | publisher = Indian Society for Plantation Crops| access-date =25 January 2016 }} The Central University of Kerala is also located in Kasaragod(Periya hills).

• The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute at Kasaragod was established in 1916.{{cite web|url=http://www.cpcri.gov.in/ |title=Central Plantation Crops Research Institute(CPCRI) |publisher=cpcri |date= |access-date=24 September 2012}}
• Government College Kasaragod was established in 1957.
• The Central University of Kerala was established in 2009.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150202231030/http://cukerala.ac.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=141&lang=en Description on official website][https://web.archive.org/web/20130722022223/http://www.cukerala.ac.in/docs/Prospectus-2013-Central-University-of-Kerala.pdf Prospectus of Central University of Kerala]
• Malik Deenar Institute of Management Studies is located at Seethamgoly, Kasaragod.{{Cite web |url=http://malikdeenarmba.com/index.php |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 June 2021 |archive-date=18 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818090136/http://www.malikdeenarmba.com/index.php |url-status=dead }}
• Lal Bahadur Shastry college of engineering, Kasaragod, was established in 1993.
• College of Engineering Trikaripur was established in 2000.{{cite web|title=CETKR {{!}} College Of Engineering Trikaripur|url=http://cetkr.ac.in/college.php|website=cetkr.ac.in|access-date=8 December 2017|language=en|archive-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208175052/http://cetkr.ac.in/college.php|url-status=dead}}
• Khansa Women's College For Advanced Studies, Kasaragod
• Jamia Sa Adiya Arts and Science College, Kasaragod
• Sharaf Arts & Science College, Padanna
• Zainab Memorial B.Ed. Centre, Kasaragod
• Peoples Arts & Science College, Munnad, Kasaragod
• Co-operative Arts & Science College, Badiadka, Kasaragod
• St. Gregorios College of Engineering, Perla, Kasaragod

File:Kasaragod Railway Station (4601247110).jpg lies on Mangalore-Shoranur railway line in Palakkad railway division.]]

The National Highway 66 which connects the western coast of India from Mumbai to Kanyakumari passes through coastal area of the district connecting the major coastal towns of Manjeshwar, Uppala, Kumbla, Kasaragod, Udma, Bekal, Kanhangad, Nileshwaram, and Thrikaripur.{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/all-new-national-highways-to-be-made-of-concrete-nitin-gadkari/articleshow/45718060.cms|title=All new national highways to be made of concrete: Nitin Gadkari|work=timesofindia-economictimes}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/270817/national-highway-work-gains-speed-in-kerala.html|title = National Highway work gains speed in Kerala|date = 27 August 2017}}{{cite web |title=Home |url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/kasaragod-thiruvananthapuram-nh-six-lane-track.html |website=OnManorama |access-date=19 November 2021}} It enters the district at Thalappady and goes out through Payyanur. There are State highways starting/ending at Kasaragod and Kanhangad.{{cite web| url=http://spb.kerala.gov.in/images/er/er14/Chapter5/Appendix/5-2.pdf| title=Economic review 2015| access-date=27 February 2016}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Total length of Major District Road (MDR) of Kasaragod is around 1460 km and it accounts for around 11.2 km of MDR for every 10,000 people in the district.{{Cite book|title=Economic Review 2020 - Volume I|last=Government of Kerala|publisher=Kerala State Planning Board|year=2021|location=Thiruvananthapuram|url=https://spb.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-01/English-Vol-1_0.pdf}} The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has stations to operate its service in the district.{{cite web |url=http://www.keralartc.com/html/aboutus.html |title=All about KSRTC |publisher=Keralartc.com |access-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625184242/http://www.keralartc.com/html/aboutus.html |archive-date=25 June 2018 |url-status=dead }} The railway goes through coastal area. Kasaragod railway station lies in Palakkad railway division of southern zone on Mangalore-Shoranur line.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1401249938942-b-Salient.pdf|title=SALIENT FEATURES OF PALGHAT DIVISION|website=sr.indianrailways.gov.in/|publisher=Southern Railway}} Kasaragod district is home to three of the 13 minor ports in Kerala - Manjeshwar, Kasaragod, and Nileshwaram.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=424}} The nearest international airports are situated at Mangalore (65 km away) and Kannur (110 km away).

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Religions in Kasaragod Town (2011){{cite web |title=Religion – Kerala, Districts and Sub-districts |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW32C-01%20MDDS.XLS |work=Census of India 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General}}

|label1 = Islam

|value1 = 54.65

|color1 = Green

|label2 = Hinduism

|value2 = 43.56

|color2 = DarkOrange

|label3 = Christianity

|value3 = 1.58

|color3 = Blue

|label4 = Other

|value4 = 0.22

|color4 = Black

}}

As of 2011 Census, Kasaragod municipality had a population of 54,172 which constitutes 26,319 males and 27,853 females. Kasaragod municipality spreads over an area of {{cvt|16.69|km2}} with 10,202 families residing in it. The municipality is divided into 35 wards for which elections are held every 5 years. The female sex ratio was 1058 against state average of 1084. Population in the age group 0-6 was 7,234 (13.4%) where 3,716 are males and 3,518 are females. The literacy rate of Kasaragod town was 94.76% higher than state average of 94%. Male literacy stands at 96.5% and female literacy was 93.1%.{{cite book |last1=Kerala |first1=Directorate of Census Operations |title=District Census Handbook, Kasaragod |publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala |location=Thiruvananthapuram |page=86,87 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/3201_PART_B_KASARAGOD.pdf |access-date=14 July 2020}}

{{bar box

| title = Languages in Kasaragod taluk{{cite web |title=Census of India - Language |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html |website= censusindia.gov.in |access-date= 17 April 2020}}

| titlebar = #FCD116

| left1 = Language

| right1 = Speakers

| float = right

| bars =

{{bar percent|Malayalam|red|70.5}}

{{bar percent|Tulu|black|16.2}}

{{bar percent|Kannada|blue|6.4}}

{{bar percent|Marathi|yellow|2.7}}

{{bar percent|Konkani|orange|2.3}}

{{bar percent|Others|grey|1.9}}

| caption = Distribution of languages

{{small|Source: 2011 Census}}

}}

File:Local Self Governance in Kasaragod District.svg.]]

The current Municipal Chairman of Kasaragod municipality is Adv. V. M. Muneer of IUML and the deputy chairperson is Shamseeda Feroz.{{Cite web|url=https://lsgkerala.gov.in/en/lbelection/electdmemberdet/2020/224|title=Kasaragod Municipality Election (2020)|website=lsgkerala.gov.in}}

The major political parties are Indian Union Muslim League, CPI(M), INC, CPI, and BJP. North Kasaragod is dominated by IUML which is followed by BJP, and the south is dominated by CPI(M). N. A. Nellikkunnu is the present Member of Legislative Assembly, from Kasaragod Assembly Constituency. It is a part of Kasaragod (Lok Sabha constituency). Indian National Congress (INC) member Rajmohan Unnithan is the present MP from Kasaragod (2019 elections).{{cite web|url=http://kasargod.nic.in/administration/mp.htm |title=Kasaragod Parliament Constituency |access-date=18 October 2009 |work=Kerala |publisher=Election Commission of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621111710/http://kasargod.nic.in/administration/mp.htm |archive-date=21 June 2008 }}

File:Kalikkadavu (4472443272).jpg town]]

Kasaragod district is the northernmost district of Kerala, which is much away from Thiruvananthapuram, the state headquarters, which is located in the southernmost tip of state. Manjeshwaram town is located about 600 km north of the state headquarters Thiruvananthapuram, about 30 km south of Mangalore, about 350 km west of Bangalore, the headquarters of the neighbouring state Karnataka, and about 950 km south of Mumbai city. In 2012, the Second Oommen Chandy ministry appointed a commission under the leadership of the former Chief Secretary P. Prabhakaran to study about the backwardness and issues faced by this northernmost district of Kerala and to draw up a special package for the district.{{Cite news|title=Commission to draw up package for Kasaragod|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Commission-to-draw-up-package-for-Kasaragod/article12890231.ece|last=Roy Mathew|date=24 May 2012|work=The Hindu}} In 2013, two more Taluks, namely Manjeshwaram and Vellarikundu were formed in the district. Before this, the district had only two taluks. The decision to implement a gas-based power plant at Cheemeni was taken by the second Chandy government.{{Cite news|title=Kerala to get three gas-based power projects|url=https://www.projectstoday.com/News/Kerala-to-get-three-gas-based-power-projects|last=|date=26 August 2013|work=Projects Today}} A government medical college was allowed for Kasaragod district, as a part of the government's new policy to establish at ensure availability of at least one government medical college in all 14 districts of the state in 2013.{{Cite news|title=MCI recognition for Manjeri medical college|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/mci-recognition-for-manjeri-medical-college/article27029294.ece|last=Special Currespondent|date=4 May 2019|work=The Hindu}}{{Cite news|title=A new government medical college in Kerala after 31 years|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/a-new-government-medical-college-in-kerala-after-31-years/article5082996.ece|last=Staff Reporter|date=2 September 2013|work=The Hindu}}

{{main|List of tourist attractions in Kasaragod}}

{{wide image|File:Kottappuram-nileshwaram-walking bridge.jpg|400px|Kottappuram walking bridge, Nileshwar}}

File:Edayilakkad.jpg island in Valiyaparamba]]

• Ananthapuram Lake Temple
• Arikady fort
• Bekal Fort{{Cite news|title=5 Lesser Known Forts in India|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/70545/5-lesser-known-forts-in-india-part-two|last=Simran Gill|date=14 June 2020|access-date=12 September 2020|work=Outlook India}}
• Chandragiri Fort{{cite book |title=Kerala Sanchaaram |last=Divakaran |first=Kattakada |year=2005 |publisher= Z Library |location=Thiruvananthapuram|page=925 }}
• Edayilakkad Island{{cite web |url=http://sisem.in/docs/ICZM_Kerala_concept_note_2015.pdf |title=Proposal Submitted to Government of India: Integrated Coastal Zone Management |year=2015 |website=sisem.in |publisher=Government of Kerala |page=60 |quote=The area has rich biodiversity. The sacred grove viz. Edayilakkad island preserves many rare and endemic species. |access-date=12 September 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Kanwatheertha beach
• Kappil beach{{Cite news|title=6 Lesser-Known Places in Kerala for a Weekend Break|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/70710/6-offbeat-and-lesser-known-locations-to-visit-in-kerala|last=Vishnu Mohan|date=27 July 2020|access-date=12 September 2020|work=Outlook India}}
• Kottanchery hills
• Malik Dinar Mosque
• Mayipady palace{{Cite news|title=Finding everland|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/477974/finding-everland.html|last=Giridhar Khasnis|date=17 May 2015|access-date=12 September 2020|work=Deccan Herald}}
• Nileshwaram Estuary beach
• Our Lady of Sorrows Church
• Pallikkara beach
• Ranipuram Hill Station
• Valiyaparamba Island

{{wide image|SeaFromBakel.jpg|1200px|Panoramic view from inside Bekal Fort}}

File:Panathur town.jpg is an important hilly town in the district (closer to Western Ghats).]]

File:Badiyadka Town Night View.jpg town at night]]

• Ambikasuthan Mangad – Malayalam writer
• Anil Kumble – former Indian cricketer, coach, and commentator
• Arya – Indian actor
• Asif Kottayil – Indian footballer
• Bellikoth Raghunath Shenoy – Indian economist
• D. K. Chowta – Indian businessman
• E. Chandrasekharan – minister of Kerala
• Harikumar Pallathadka – RTI activist
• K. K. Venugopal – Attorney General of India
• Kanayi Kunhiraman – Indian artist
• Kavya Madhavan – Indian actress
• Kayyar Kinhanna Rai – Indian Independence activist
• Mahima Nambiar – Indian actress
• Mirshad Michu – Indian football goalkeeper
• Mohammed Rafi – Indian footballer
• Mohammed Azharuddeen – Indian cricketer
• P. Kunhiraman Nair – Malayalam poet
• Pallathadka Pramoda Kumari – scientist
• Prakash Bare – actor
• Roopesh Shetty – actor in the Kannada, Tulu film industry, radio jockey in Mangalore, and model
• Santhosh Echikkanam – Malayalam short story writer
• Sara Aboobacker – Kannada writer
• Sathya – Indian actor
• Vysakh – Malayalam film director

• Kasaragod East
• Kuloor
• List of educational institutions in Kasaragod District
• List of tourist attractions in Kasaragod

{{Reflist}}

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{{Commons category|Kasaragod}}

• {{wikivoyage inline|Kasaragod}}
• [http://www.cpcri.gov.in/ CPCRI]
• [http://kasargod.nic.in/ Official Website of the District Administration]
• [https://invest.kerala.gov.in/?district=kasaragod]

{{Kerala}}

{{Kasaragod District Municipalities}}

{{Municipalities of Kerala}}

{{Authority control|state=expanded}}

Category:Cities and towns in Kasaragod district

Category:Populated coastal places in India