View source for Cherupuzha Kannur-273060

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Cherupuzha 
| official_name                   =  
| other_name                      = 
| nickname                        = 
| settlement_type                 = Town
| image_skyline                   = File:Cherupuzha 1.jpg
| image_alt                       =
| image_caption                   = Cherupuzha Bridge 
| pushpin_map                     = India Kerala#India
| pushpin_label_position          = right
| pushpin_map_alt                 = 
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates                     =
{{coord|12.2728|N|75.3672|E|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type                 = Country
| subdivision_name                = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1               = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Kannur district|Kannur]]
| subdivision_type3               = [[Taluk]]
| subdivision_name3               = [[Payyanur Taluk|Payyanur]]  
| established_title               = <!-- Established -->
| established_date                = 
| founder                         = 
| named_for                       = 
| government_type                 = [[Panchayati raj (India)]]
| governing_body                  = [[Grama Panchayat]]
| unit_pref                       = Metric
| area_footnotes                  = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dop.lsgkerala.gov.in/en/node/1027|title = കണ്ണൂര്‍ ജില്ലയിലെ ഗ്രാമ പഞ്ചായത്തുകളുടെ അടിസ്ഥാന വിവരങ്ങള്‍ &#124; Deparyment of Panchayats}}</ref>
| area_rank                       = 
| area_total_km2                  = 75.64
| elevation_footnotes             = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://en-in.topographic-map.com/maps/bgmq/Cherupuzha/ |title=cherupuzha elevation map |website=topographic-map.com}}</ref>
| elevation_m                     = 46  
| population_total                = 30,733
| population_as_of                = 2011
| population_rank                 = 
| population_density_km2          = auto
| population_demonym              = 
| population_footnotes            = 
| demographics_type1              = Languages
| demographics1_title1            = Official
| demographics1_info1             = [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], English 
| timezone1                       = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1                     = +5:30
| postal_code_type                = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code                     = 670511
| area_code_type                  = Telephone code
| area_code                       = 04985
| registration_plate              = KL 86
| blank1_name_sec1        = [[Niyamasabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1        = [[Payyanur (State Assembly constituency)|Payyanur]]
| blank2_name_sec1        = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1        = [[Kasaragod (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kasaragod]]
| blank3_name_sec1        = Nearest [[Railway station]]
| blank3_info_sec1        = [[Cheruvathur railway station|Cheruvathur]] - 29 km
[[Nileshwar railway station|Nileshwar]] - 32 km
[[Payyanur railway station|Payyanur]] - 34 km
| website                 = {{URL|www.lsgkerala.in/cherupuzhapanchayat}}
| iso_code                = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-KL]]
| footnotes               =  
}}
'''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]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lsgkerala.gov.in/electionupdates/deStatusLB.php?distID=13|title = DE Status}}</ref>

==Tourism==
[[File:Rajagiri Hills, Kanhangad. (8).jpg|thumb|Rajagiri Hills]]
[[File:Kottathalachi Mount.JPG|thumb|Kottathalachi Mount Near Cherupuzha]]
Surrounded by green terrains and mesmerizing hills, [[Kariangode River|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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/kerala/2018/06/30/whitewater-rafting-tejaswini-adventure-travel.html |title=White water rafting: A pleasant adventure on river Tejaswini |work=[[Malayala Manorama]] |access-date=18 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/kerala-article/2013/rafting-thejaswini-river/437|title=Rafting on Tejaswini River, Kannur, Kerala, India}}</ref> [[Rafting|White Water Rafting]] at Tejaswini river is one of the 17 best places for rafting in India.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://chaloghummne.com/17-best-places-for-white-water-rafting-in-india/4746 |title=17 Best Places For White Water Rafting In India |date=22 February 2021 |access-date=22 February 2021}}</ref>

==Demographics==
As of [[2011 Census of India|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%.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kerala |first1=Directorate of Census Operations |title=District Census Handbook, Kannur |publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala |location=Thiruvananthapuram |page=224,225 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/3202_PART_B_KANNUR.pdf |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref>

==Administration==
Cherupuzha [[Grama Panchayat]] consists of 20 [[Ward (country subdivision)|wards]]. The ruling party is [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|UDF]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sec.kerala.gov.in/public/cnstncy/wd/3d6fb89d-b18e-48b0-a462-ebb9a8551fea |title=Ward list of Cherupuzha |website=sec.kerala.gov.in}}</ref>
Cherupuzha panchayat is part of [[Payyanur]] [[Block Panchayat]] and politically a part of [[Payyanur Assembly constituency]] under [[Kasaragod Lok Sabha constituency]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Niyamasabha constituencies of Kannur |url=http://www.ceo.kerala.gov.in/kannur.html |website=ceo.kerala.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S11/KL_Dist_PC_AC.pdf
 |title       = Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies
 |accessdate  = 2008-10-18
 |work        = Kerala
 |publisher   = Election Commission of India
 |url-status     = dead
 |archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090304011026/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S11/KL_Dist_PC_AC.pdf
 |archivedate = 2009-03-04
}}</ref>

==Law and Order==
The Panchayat comes under the jurisdiction of Cherupuzha police station, which was set up on 20 February 2016 by splitting Peringome police station. This police station is part of Payyanur subdivision under Kannur rural police district.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ps.keralapolice.gov.in/cherupuzha-ps/about |title=About - Cherupuzha police station}}</ref>

==Transport==

=== Air ===
The nearest airport (70&nbsp;km) is at [[Kannur International Airport|Mattanur]] and [[Mangalore Airport|Mangalore]], [[Calicut International Airport|Calicut]] are not far away.  

=== Rail ===
The nearest railway station is {{cvt|28.5|km|mi}} away at [[Cheruvathur railway station|Cheruvathur]] and {{cvt|32|km|mi}} from [[Nileshwar railway station|Nileshwar]] and {{cvt|34|km|mi}} away from [[Payyanur railway station|Payyanur]] on [[Shoranur-Mangalore Section]].  

===Roads===
Kerala Hill Highway ([[Hill Highway (Kerala)|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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/hill-highway-in-kerala-dpr-ready-for-just-79-kms-english-news-1.1353756 |title=Hill Highway in Kerala; DPR ready for just 79 kms |work=[[Mathrubhumi]] |access-date=13 September 2016}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File: Navajyothi College.jpg|thumbnail|Navajyothi College, Cherupuzha]]
* Navajyothi College, Cherupuzha<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vidyatime.com/degree-colleges/4/kerala/kannur/ |title=List of degree colleges in Kannur-Kerala |website=vidyatime.com}}</ref>
* St. Joseph's HS, Cherupuzha
* St. Mary's HS, Cherupuzha 
* Archangel's school, Cherupuzha<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archangelscherupuzha.in/submenudisplay/About%20Us |title=About-Archangel's school}}</ref> 
* Janaki Memorial UP school, Cherupuzha 
* GHSS, [[Thirumeni]]
* GVHSS, [[Pulingome]]
* GHSS, [[Kozhichal]]
* GHSS, Prapoyil<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dhsekerala.gov.in/schoolist.aspx?dcode=13|title=Schoolist|website=www.dhsekerala.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://schools.org.in/kerala/kannur/payyannur/gvhss-pulingome |title=List of schools in Cherupuzha}}</ref>

==Places of worship==
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 [[Archeparchy of Tellicherry]].<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Mary's Forane Church, Cherupuzha |url=https://www.archdioceseoftellicherry.org/sacellum/parishes/view_details/37 |website=archdioceseoftellicherry.org}}</ref>

===Cherupuzha Shri Ayyappa Temple===

[[File:Ariel view of Cherupuzha Shri Ayyappa Temple.jpg|thumb|Aerial 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cherupuzha Sree Ayyappa Temple (history and festivals) |url=https://ayyappatemplesblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/22/cherupuzha-sree-ayyappa-temple/ |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chathamangalam St. Jude's Church (local listings) |url=https://www.justdial.com/ |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church, Cherupuzha (listing) |url=https://www.bharatibiz.com/en/jerusalem-mar-thoma-church-cherupuzha-07746973639 |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mulapra Sree Dharmasastha (local directory) |url=https://www.justdial.com/Kannur/Mulapra-Sree-Dharmasastha-Mulapra/9999PX497-X497-221225034303-X2R8_BZDET |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pulingome Makham Uroos coverage |url=https://newspaper.mathrubhumi.com/kannur/news/kannur-1.10245375 |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pulingome Makham Uroos reportage |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/kannur/2023/02/06/kannur-pulingome-makham-uroos.html |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kripalayam Retreat Centre listing |url=https://www.justdial.com/Kannur/Kripalayam-Retreat-Center-Cherupuzha/9999PX497-X497-230111191821-S2H4_BZDET |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Kottathalachi |url=https://kottathalachi.com/about/ |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

===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 Syrian Catholic community as a parish of the [[Archeparchy of Tellicherry]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.archdioceseoftellicherry.org/sacellum/parishes/view_details/158 |title= St. Joseph's church, Pulingome |website= archdioceseoftellicherry.org}}</ref>

===Baptist Church, Kokkadavu===
The Baptist Church at Kokkadavu serves the local Christian community as a place for worship and fellowship.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spiritual centres in Cherupuzha (directory) |url=https://www.justdial.com/Kannur/Spiritual-Centres-in-Cherupuzha/nct-10621287 |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Narambil Bhagavathy (local folklore references) |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Places_of_worship_in_Cherupuzha |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Places of worship in Cherupuzha (overview) |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Places_of_worship_in_Cherupuzha |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Pulingome]], 6&nbsp;Km east of Cherupuzha
* [[Kozhichal]], 11&nbsp;Km east of Cherupuzha
* [[Chathamangalam (Kannur)]], 10&nbsp;Km south of Cherupuzha
* [[Padiyotchal]], 4.5&nbsp;Km west of Cherupuzha
* [[Peringome]], 10&nbsp;Km west of Cherupuzha
* [[Thirumeni]], 8&nbsp;Km south of Cherupuzha
* [[Chittarikkal]], 6&nbsp;Km north of Cherupuzha

==References==
{{commons category|Cherupuzha, Kannur}}
{{reflist}}

{{Kannur district}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Kannur district]]
[[Category:Villages near Payyanur]]