Cherupuzha is a town in Kannur district, Kerala, India. It is the headquarters of the Cherupuzha Panchayat which is a special grade panchayat in Kerala.[3]
Surrounded by green terrains and mesmerizing hills, Tejaswini river in Cherupuzha offers adventurous tourist activity like white water rafting in Western ghats. Kollada near Cherupuzha is the starting point to kick off the rafting trip on the river. The rafting experience at Cherupuzha is an ideal stepping stone for those who aspires challenging high altitude rapids. Inflatable rafts are used here which is less expensive and easily maintained.[4][5]White Water Rafting at Tejaswini river is one of the 17 best places for rafting in India.[6]
Demographics
As of 2011 Census, Cherupuzha Grama Panchayat had a population of 30,733 where 15,004 are males and 15,729 are females. There were 7,052 families residing in the panchayat limits. The sex ratio of Cherupuzha was 1,048 lower than state average of 1,084. In Cherupuzha, 9.7% of the population was under 6 years of age.
Average literacy rate of Cherupuzha was 95% higher than state average of 94%. Male literacy stands at 96.3% and Female literacy at 93.7%.[7]
Kerala Hill Highway (SH 59) passes through Cherupuzha town connects it with Iritty and other towns in eastern areas of Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Mysore and Bangalore can be accessed on the eastern side of Iritty.[10]
Cherupuzha is home to several places of worship representing Hindu, Christian and Muslim traditions.
St. Mary's Forane Church, Cherupuzha
St. Mary's Forane Church, Cherupuzha is one of the oldest Christian institutions in the area and a noted Marian shrine in North Malabar. The parish dates to the mid-20th century and is part of the Archdiocese of Tellicherry. [14][15]
Cherupuzha Shri Ayyappa Temple
Ariel view of Cherupuzha Shri Ayyappa Temple
The Cherupuzha Shri Ayyappa Temple, located on Thirumeni Road, began as a bhajan (devotional) centre and developed into a temple complex in the late 20th century; it is widely regarded locally as a significant Ayyappa centre in North Malabar and holds an annual festival in December. [16][17]
Chathamangalam St. Jude's Chapel
St. Jude's Church at Chathamangalam (near Thirumeni) serves pilgrims who come to the shrine; the church is dedicated to St Jude and attracts devotees from the surrounding area. [18]
Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church
The Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church (Cherupuzha) is a Mar Thoma parish established in the area in the 1970s and functions as a local parish and community centre. [19]
Mulapra Sree Dharmashastha Temple
Mulapra Sree Dharmashastha (Ayyappa/Dharmashastha) temple, about 5 km from Cherupuzha on the Thirumeni road, is a local Hindu shrine with an annual festival held in January. [20]
Pulingome Makhaam
Pulingome Makhaam (also spelled Makham/Maqam) is a Muslim shrine near Cherupuzha with an annual Uroose festival; local newspapers report large attendance and community food (annadanam) during the festival. [21][22]
Kripalayam / Krupalayam Retreat Centre
Kripalayam (sometimes spelled Krupalayam) is a Christian retreat centre and prayer facility near Cherupuzha that holds regular prayer gatherings and retreats. [23]
Kottathalachi Mala
Kottathalachi (Kottathalachi Mala) is a hilltop Christian pilgrimage site north of Cherupuzha; a cross was installed there on Good Friday in 1958 and the site is known locally as the "Malayattoor of Malabar". The site draws large numbers of pilgrims, especially on the first Sunday after Easter. [24]
St. Joseph’s Church, Pulingome
St. Joseph’s Church, Pulingome, was established in the mid-20th century by migrants from Travancore and continues to serve the local Catholic community as a parish of the Tellicherry (Thalassery) Archdiocese. [25]
Baptist Church, Kokkadavu
The Baptist Church at Kokkadavu serves the local Christian community as a place for worship and fellowship. [26]
Narambil Bhagavathy and Theyyam traditions
Narambil Bhagavathy is a local form of the Bhadrakali deity venerated in the Cherupuzha area; associated theyyam performances and local temple folklore are part of the region's ritual calendar. [27]
Other religious centres
Other temples and shrines in and around Cherupuzha include Edavaramba Vishnumurthy Temple, Kariyakkara Ara of Pottan Theyyam, Muchilottu Bhagavathy Temple (Vilakkuvettam), Chunda Thattummal Vishnumurthy Temple, Ayannur Shiva Temple, Kamballur Bhagavathy Temple, Pulingome Sankaranarayana Swami Temple and Meenkulam Sreekrishna Temple. [28]
↑ Kerala, Directorate of Census Operations. District Census Handbook, Kannur(PDF). Thiruvananthapuram: Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala. p.224,225. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
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