Mahé district (IPA: [mɐjːɐɻi dʒilːɐ]) is one of the four census districts of the union territory of Puducherry, India. Administratively it falls under the Puducherry district.[1] It consists of the whole of the Mahé region.[2] Mahé is the smallest district of India in terms of land area. The total area of Mahé district is surrounded on three sides by Kannur District and one side by Kozhikode District. Geographically Mahé district is part of North Malabar region.

Mahé
Map of Mahé showing the names of subdivisions.
Map of Mahé showing the names of subdivisions.
Mahé is located in Kerala
Mahé
Mahé
Location within Kerala, India
Coordinates: 11°42′N 75°32′E / 11.700°N 75.533°E / 11.700; 75.533
Country India
Union territoryPuducherry
Area
 • Total
8.69 km2 (3.36 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
41,816
 • Density4,800/km2 (12,000/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
 • AdditionalFrench
Time zoneUTC 5:30 (IST)
Telephone code 91 490
Vehicle registrationPY-03
Websitehttp://mahe.gov.in/

It is the sixth least populous district in the country (out of 773).

Geography

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Mahé district occupies an area of 8.69 square kilometres (3.36 sq mi).[3][4]

Demographics

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According to the 2011 census Mahé district has a population of 41,816, roughly equal to the nation of Liechtenstein.[5] This gives it a ranking of 635th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 4,659 inhabitants per square kilometre (12,070/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.86%. Mahé has a sex ratio of 1,176 females for every 1,000 males, and a literacy rate of 98.35%.

Religion

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Religion in Mahe district(2011)

  Hinduism (66.82%)
  Islam (30.74%)
  Christianity (2.29%)
  Other or none (0.15%)

Hinduism is the majority religion in Mahé district. Muslims form a significant minority.

Sri Puthalam Bhagavathy Temple in Mahé is an ancient historic temple of Bhagavathi. The legend of the temple relates the events that occurred during the conflict between the French and Indian armies.[6] There is a historic St Theresa Church in Mahé district; it was constructed by the Christian missionary Ignatius A.S. Hippolytes in 1757 as a part of Mahé Mission.[7]

Tourism

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Mooppenkunnu (Hillock)

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The Mooppenkunnu is a Hillock. It is a Heritage picnic spot in Mahé district. There are pavements to walk, benches to rest and a restroom facility for the tourists. The hillock contains the historic Light House and is a famous sunset view point.[8]

Walkway

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The walkway on the banks of Mahé River is a major tourist attraction. The walkway surrounds around the landscape of the Mahé town. The Walkway has park benches to relax and enjoy the beauty of Mahé River.[9]

Azhimukham

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Azhimukham is the estuary of Mahé River and the Arabian Sea. There is a small Tagore Park situated here. Recently there has been a reconstruction which added a 2 km walkway along the bank of river from the estuary towards Mahé Bridge.[10]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "District Census Handbook Mahe" (PDF). 2011 census of India. p. 20. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Mahe | District Mahe, Government of Puducherry | India". Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Mahe | District Mahe, Government of Puducherry | India". Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  4. ^ Dayawanti; et al., eds. (2010). "States and Union Territories: Pondicherry: Government". India, 2010 : a reference annual (54 ed.). New Delhi: Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. p. 1222. ISBN 978-81-230-1617-7. OCLC 505913470.
  5. ^ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011. 212 Liechtenstein 35,236 July 2011 est.
  6. ^ "Puthalam Temple | Mahe | India".
  7. ^ "St. Theresa Shrine | Mahe | India".
  8. ^ "Hillock (Mooppenkunnu) | Mahe | India".
  9. ^ "Walkway | Mahe | India".
  10. ^ "Azhimukham | Mahe | India".
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