Virajpet
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Virajpet ವಿರಾಜಪೇಟೆ Virajendrapete |
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|---|---|
| town | |
 Virajpet
 Virajpet
Virajpet
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| Coordinates: 12°12′N 75°48′E / 12.2°N 75.8°ECoordinates: 12°12′N 75°48′E / 12.2°N 75.8°E | |
| Country |
 India
|
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Kodagu |
| Established | 1792 |
| Founded by | Dodda Virarajendra |
| Government | |
| • Body | Virajpet Town Panchayat |
| • President | Koothanda Sachin |
| • Vice-President | Tasneem Akhtar |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.26 km2 (3.19 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 909 m (2,982 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 17,246 |
| • Density | 2,100/km2 (5,400/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kannada |
| • Regional | Kodava, Tulu, Are Bhashe |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 571 218 |
| Telephone code | 08274 |
| ISO 3166 code | IN-KA |
| Vehicle registration | KA-12 |
| Website | www |
The town of Virajpet also spelled as Virajapete is the second town of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. It is the main town of the Virajpet taluka, in the south of the district. The name is an abbreviation of Virarajendrapete after the former ruler of Kodagu, Virarajendra, and this latter form is still sometimes used.
It is a small town of importance for the local coffee and spice crops. Nearby towns are Gonikoppal, Ammathi and Ponnampet. Virajpet is around 30 km away from Madikeri, the district headquarters and is about 250 km from Bangalore and 165 km from Mangalore. The only way to reach Virajpet is by road.
The name "Virajpet" is a shorter version of previous name "Virarajendrapet", named after the Haleri King Dodda Virarajendra who founded the town in 1792. He founded the town to commemorate his meeting with General Robert Abercromby, his ally against Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, in 1791. It was the headquarters of Yedenalknad taluk.
The history of the destination is rich as it was ruled by various South Indian dynasties. The Gangas, the Kadambas, the Chalukyas, the Cholas, the Hoysalas, the Rastrakutas and the Vijaynagar Rayas also ruled the region. After the end of the ruling period, the region was segmented into three major towns namely, Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet.
Virajpet town is situated in the Kodagu District of Karnataka. It is considered as the main town of Virajpet Taluka. Located at a distance of 30 km from the district headquarters Madikeri, it shares its geographical borders with the major towns of the district – Ammathi, Gonikoppal and Ponnampet.
Some of the tourist attractions in and around Virajpet are the Ayyappa temple halfway up and the Shiva temple at the top of the Malethirike hill, a semispherical hill at Kakotuparambu which is about 8 km from Virajpet, St. Anne's church which is about 220 years old and has been built in Gothic architecture style. The tower of the church has two massive bells of the ancient times and are in use till date, the clock tower (pictured), Tadiandamol (the highest mountain in Kodagu) and the Igguthappa (local deity) temple, both in Kakkabe about 15 km from Virajpet.
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Wikipedia