Nileshwaram

Nileshwaram or Neeleswaram/Nileshwar is a small town in Kasaragod District in Malabar, Kerala, India.

Understand
The people of Malabar call Neeleshwaram the cultural capital or 'Paithrika Nagari' of North Malabar because of the concentration of music, dance and temple festivals in this little town. The town has an area of 26 km² and the population is 55,000. Neelesharam is the third largest town in Kasaragod District after Kasaragod and Kanhangad. The town lies between two rivers called Neeleshwaram River and Thejaswini River. The town is home to folk arts, temple festivals, a palace, kavuus (sacred groves) and ancient market.

Get in
Nileshwaram is easily reachable by train from anywhere in India. The railway station is 1 km from the bus station. Buses are also available from Kasaragod and Kannur. The nearest airport is at Mangalore.

Get around
Auto-rikshaws charge ₹15 per km and buses charge only ₹7 for three km. Air-conditioned jeeps are available for ₹1,000 per day. Walking is pleasant in the evenings. Keep away from busy roads because noisy motorcycles can pester you 24 hours a day.

Do

 * Boating @ Kottappuram &mdash; Eleven houseboats are available for rent. Conference hall, AC bedroom, balcony, toilets and arrangements for riverbaths are available in them. Radio, TV and computer are there inside the boats. Capacity 20 to 80 people in different boats.

Go next

 * Bekal fort, 25 km
 * Kannur beach city, 56 km
 * Madikeri, Hill station, 123 km
 * Mahe beach, old French enclave, 86 km
 * Malom National Park, Ranipuram, 45 km
 * Pushpagiri Reserve Forest, 52 km
 * Scenic Balathode village, near Panathur. 47 km.
 * Tala Cauvery, 89 km
 * Ullal dargah and beach, 76 km