Kalpetta

State: Kerala

District: Wayanad

Main languages: Malayalam

 

History:

 

Kalpetta is a city and a municipality in Wayanad district. This city is located in the Indian state of Kerala. This beautiful city is surrounded by various coffee plantations and dense mountains. The city is also the headquarters of Wayanad district and is the major hub to all the tourist destinations in Wayanad, which also means the land of fields. 

 

Geography:

 

The city is located at an elevation of 780 meters or 2,559 ft. The city is located at 11.6 degrees latitude and 76.1 degrees longitude.

 

Climate:

 

The city experiences a uniform and pleasant climate through out the year due to its elevation from the sea and also because of the dense forests and mountains which cover the region. Light woolens can be useful during the rainy seasons though rainfall is expected at any time of the year. 

 

Demographics:

 

As per the 2001 India census, Kalpetta had a population of 29,602. Kalpetta is also one of the rare cities of India where the male and female ratio is equal. Kalpetta has an average literacy rate of 77% which is much higher than the national average of 59.5%. Almost 12% of the population of the city is under the age of 6 years.

 

Economy:

 

The city survives mainly on tourism as a source of income because it is the major hub to most of the tourist destinations in this area. The coffee plantation is also one of the main sources of income here along with agriculture. 

 

Religious significance:

 

The city is also one of the centers for visiting the nearby temples. There are many temples located in and near Kalpetta like the Madiyoor Sri Maha Vishnu Temple which is about 2 km from Kalpetta Town. It is on Kozhikode Highway and is one of the most popular and ancient temples of the region. The other temples here include the Grammam Devi Temple, which is a popular Devi Temple. Various kinds of archanas are done here, like "mutrukkal","Poomoodel"&"Aayillyam", that are the offerings to the goddess. Other temples of the region include Mariyamman Devi Temple in the heart of the town, Ayappa Swamy Temple on Kozhikode Highway and the Ananthanatha Swami Temple which is an ancient Jain temple located here. There is also a 300 year old mosque here which is the oldest mosque in the district called the Varambetta Mosque. The beautiful Glass Temple, dedicated to the Jain Paraswanatha swami, is made from glass and reflects thousands of images.

 

Tourism:

 

There are various places to seen in and near Kalpetta which include Edakkal Caves, Pookode Lake, Meenmutty Falls, Banasura Sagar Dam, Soochipara, Chethalayam Falls, Chembra Peak and Brahmagiri. There are various tourist resorts and health spas here where you can just rejuvenate and relax. The natural beauty in the area is one of the most spectacular attractions for tourists. 

 

Transportation:

 

The city is easily accessible from roads by Kozhikode which is about 74 km away and has the nearest airport also. The other cities connected here by road are Mysore, Ooty, Madikeri and Bangalore.