Day 3 started with the chants of shlokas at Vadya's place. I woke up, had the yummy breakfast and decided to roam around Kasargod.  I had the time till afternoon. So decided to cover as many places as possible.The plan was to leave to Puttur after lunch. 

Mom's wish was that I should visit the centuries old Edneeru matha. Couldn't say No.. So the first visit was to Edneeru matha. This Matha is situated in Kasargod Taluk. Its followers are spread around south of Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragodu Districts. They speak the Tulu language. Unlike Shivalli Madhava Brahmins the affiliation of Shivalli Smartha Brahmins to the Smartha mathas is not exclusive. People can be followers of more than one smartha matha. In some parts of Kasargod and southern Dakshina Kannada the Madhava mathas also yield some influence.

Edneeru matha, photography isn't allowed inside

 

The second pitstop was the Bekal fort. The fort is about 20kms from Kasargod town. The fort is situated on the sea shores which reminds you of  Chapora fort in Goa. Bekal Fort (Malayalam: ബേക്കല്‍ കോട്ട), is the largest fort in Kerala, situated at Kasaragod district, North Kerala and it is 67 km from Mangalore spreading over 40 acres (160,000 m²). Some important features of this fort are the water-tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening towards the south, the magazine for keeping ammunition and the broad steps leading to the Observation Tower, which is a rarity. From there one has an ample view of towns in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikkara, Bekal, Kottikkulam, Uduma etc. The nearest railway stations are Bekal Fort, Kotikulam, Kanhangad,and Kasargod. This observation center had strategic significance in discovering even the smallest movements of the enemy and ensuring the safety of the Fort.

Bekal fort

The wave hits the shores

I also find some butterflies..

The fort was huge and took a lot of time to cover. So, I decided to head back for lunch. On the way, I visited one more temple called Madhur temple.

Madhur temple was originally Madhanentheswara (Shiva) Temple and as the lore goes, an old so called "low caste" lady "Madaru" discovered an "Udbhava Murthy" (a statue that was not made by a human) of shiva linga. The Ganapathy statue was drawn by a priest's son, a small Brahmin boy, on the walls of the Garbhagriha(sanctum sanctorum) while playing. Day by day it became big and fat; so that the boy called Ganapathi as "boddajja" or "bodda ganesha". The legend of Kumble seme says Tipu Sultan wanted to demolish the temple like Adooru Mahalingeswara temple during his invasion of Coorg, Tulunadu, andMalabar. But after drinking water from the well of the temple, he changed his mind on attacking and demolishing the Garbhagudi and marched towards Malabar. But to satisfy his soldiers and Islamic scholars he made a cut with his sword symobolising the attack. The mark is still visible on the building that is built around the temple well.

Madhur temple

Being Sunday, the temple was crowded and I had reached just for the mangalaarati. After the aarti, I left to Vadya's place for lunch.. 

After lunch, we started riding to Puttur, to Vadya's home. The ride being small there weren't any pit stops inbetween. Though we stopped for ice cream after reaching Puttur. 

Gadbad

Vadya's house

Night we tried to utilize the dark sky before rain struck and moon rose over the horizon. Had a little success..Day 1 Ride: Kasargod -> Edneeru -> Bekal fort -> Kasargod -> Puttur

Route Map:

National Parks covered: None
Waterfalls covered: None
Total distance traveled: 110 kms


Ramnath's happiness index: 5/10.