Puttur, Karnataka

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Puttur | type = city | latd = 12.77 | longd = 75.22
locator_position = right | state_name = Karnataka
district = Dakshina Kannada
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altitude = 87
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 48,063| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
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sex_ratio =
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Puttur (Tulu/Kannada : ಪುತ್ತೂರು) is a town in the Dakshina Kannada district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of the Puttur Taluk. The town is located 52 km from Mangalore, along the Mysore-Mangalore highway, in a hilly region between the coast and the Western Ghats. In 2006, it has a population of 48,063. The major occupation of its inhabitants is agriculture. The National Research Centre for Cashew is located in Puttur. Tulu, Kannada and Konkani are spoken here.

The other cities which are very close to Puttur are Sullia (35 km), "Kumbra" (10 km), Shakemale (11km) and Vittla (Vittal) (15 km).

Geography

Puttur is located at coord|12.77|N|75.22|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Puttur.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Puttur] ] . It has an average elevation of 87 metres (285 feet).

The town municipal area comprises portions of surrounding villages namely Balnad, Padnoor, Kabaka, Bannur, Chikkamudnoor, Kemminje, Aryapu villages in addition to the thickly populated Puttur Kasaba, the original Town area.

Civic Administration

Puttur Town Municipal Council was formed in the year 1973 by upgrading the Town Panchayath. The area covered by the then TMC was only Puttur Kasaba village extent being 11 km². Later in the year 1996 the portions of adjacent villages, which were developing as part of this Town, were merged to form the present Town Municipality extending the area to 34 km² with 27 councilor wards.

Puttur is the second biggest town in the District, situated on Mangalore-Mysore Highway (Bantwal-Mysore State Highway 88) and is 52 km away from Mangalore, the District head quarter. Puttur was the Taluk Head Quarters to the present Sullia Taluk, Belthangady Taluk and present Vittla (Vittal) Firka of Bantwal Taluk. After the taluk reorganization Puttur is the taluk head quarters with 37 Village Panchayaths covering 68 villages. Even after the reorganization of Taluks, Puttur continues to be a center for the economic, educational & medical services for the surrounding Taluks. The southern portion of this Taluk is surrounded by the villages of Kerala State.

Economy

Agriculture

Puttur is an agro based town of the Coastal region surrounded by several hillocks with lush green forest situated in the belt of Western ghat heavy rainfall. The Major occupation of the people is agriculture. The crops grown mainly are paddy, areca, coconut, cashew, rubber, cocoa, chilli, vanilla, pepper and plantains. In addition dairy farming, sericulture and horticulture activities supplement the earnings of the people to some extent.

Campco Chocolate Factory

It is a joint venture of Government of Karnataka and Government of Kerala. It is an enterprise to promote the welfare of Cocoa growers of both the states. It is the Biggest Factory of its kind in the Asian Continent with imported machineries from Holland. The Factory produces Cocoa butter of which major Portion is exported. The different varieties of Chocolate produced here are having indigenous market and some portion is exported. The Nestle company has an agreement with Campco and produces chocolate in its brand name. This chocolate factory has given a new life to the Cocoa Growers of both the States.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Puttur had a population of 48,063. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. The average literacy rate is 79%, which is higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 75%. About 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Culture

:"See also: Tulu Nadu (Culture)"

Puttur, being part of Dakshina Kannada district, has the same culture as that of Tulunadu. Kambala races are held from December till March. Bhuta Kola, a form of spiritual dance, is a periodic ritual held in this area.

Transport

RailPuttur railway station falls on the railway line linking Mangalore and Bangalore. It is around 1 km away from heart of the town.

AirThe nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport which is at a distance of around 74 km from Puttur

RoadPuttur is situated on Mangalore-Mysore state highway and it is 52 km away from Mangalore. It is also connected to the national highway NH-48(Mangalore-Bangalore) through Uppinangadi which is at a distance of 13 km from city.

Tourism

Bendru Theertha (Hot Spring): About 15 km from Puttur there is a natural hot water spring (in the local language Tulu dialect known as Bendru Theertha). It is believed by the local people that the water is said to be more auspicious and a dip in the lake drives away all skin diseases like eczema, allergic rashes and many more ailments. It is situated in a scenic spot by the side of river Seerehole which flows west ward and merges with Arabian Sea.

Beeramale Hill: Beeramale Hill is an attractive tourism spot of Puttur. The height of the Hill is around 1000 feet from the Sea Level. The Dooradarshan TV Relay Center is recently established on this Hill. An open auditorium, a library are open to public. Sri Vishwakarma Temple is situated on one side of this hill.

Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple: This is an ancient temple of said to be built in 11-12th Century, Lord Shiva is main deity of this temple. In the premises of this temple we find unique pond on the western side. It is said that in olden days pearls were found to be growing in the pond. In the local dialect "muttu" means pearls, which brought the name "Mutthur" to this place later called as as Puttur. During the month of April the car festival is celebrated for 10 days with much gaiety and fervor. The town is at its colorful best with the dazzling, light and marvelous display of fire crackers. More than a lakh people visit Puttur during the festival.

Dr. Shivarama Karanth Balavana: K. Shivaram Karanth, Jnanpith Award recipient stayed here for about 40 years. Dr. Karanth made most of his literary contributions and cultural endeavors at Balavana. He was a literary giant and most of this literary contributions were published here. Those books earned great name and fame for himself and Puttur. Now Balavana is taken over by the Government of Karnataka and a government appointed committee manages this property.

A library of his literary works and an attractive museum is established and is open to the public. A swimming pool was built to teach the children swimming. Summer camps are held here for the children of town and surrounding villages to bring out the hidden talents of children in the field of arts and cultural activities.

Mai De Deus Church: It is one of the ancient church built in 1830 by the Roman Catholic missionaries from Goa in Gothic style. This holy church is renovated with elegant architectural beauty.

Juma Masjid Kallega: It is said that about 300 years ago Tippu, the ruler of Mysore who was fighting against the British took procession of part of Puttur. A mosque was built in Puttur at Kalle near Puttur. Later "the Kalle" was called as "Kallega" by the local people. This is the oldest mosque of town.

Education

List of colleges
*Engineering colleges
**Vivekananda College of Engineering, Puttur.
*General Course colleges
** Sri Vivekananda College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Puttur.
**Vivekananda College of Education, Puttur.
**Government Junior College, Puttur.
**St Philomena College, Puttur.
**Mar Ivanios College of Education, Perabe, Puttur.
*Law colleges
**Vivekananda Law College, Puttur.

ee also

Nearby Places/Cities/Towns
*Bellare
*Belthangadi
*Mangalore
*Madikeri
*Kasargod
*Siddapur
*Subramanya
*Sullia
*Vittla (Vittal)

References

External links

* [http://www.putturtown.gov.in City of Puttur official site]
* [http://www.nrccashew.org National Research Centre for Cashew]
* [http://news.suddimahithi.com/puttur/ Puttur e suddi paper]
* [http://wikimapia.org/country/India/Karnataka/Puttur/ Maps of Puttur]