Kasaragod

Chandragiri Fort built in the 17th century is in Kasargod District of Kerala, south India. It is a large squarish fort by the side of the river Payaswini. The fort has an eventful history behind it. In earlier days, the river was considered to be the border of two powerful kingdoms - Kolathunadu and Thulunadu. When Thulunadu was captured by the Vijayanagara Emperor, the Kolathunadu kings lost the Chandragiri region to them. During the decline of the Vijayanagara empire the area was administratively looked after by the Ikkeri Naikans. When the Vijayanagara empire fell in the 16th century, Vengappa Naik declared independence. Later Shivappa Naik took over the reins. He built a chain of forts of which Chandragiri is part.

Chandragiri Fort offers a breathtaking view of the river and the Arabian sea. It is a vantage point watch the sunset.

The district is bounded in the east by the Western Ghats, in the west by the Arabian sea, the north by the Kannada region of Karnataka and in the south by Kannur District. Based on physical features the district falls into three natural divisions—the lowland bordering the sea, the midland consisting of the undulating country and the forest clad highland on the extreme east. The land rises from the densely populated coastal region in the west to the forest-covered Western Ghats range in the east. Twelve rivers across the district form lush green gorges in places as they cut their way through out the hills before emptying into the Arabian Sea. The longest of these is the Chandragiri River which flows into the sea just south of the district headquarters, also named Kasaragod.