Mettupalayam, Coimbatore

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Mettupalayam v • d • e Tamil Nadu • India
Mettupalayam
District(s)	Coimbatore
Coordinates	11.3000° N 76.9500° E
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 326 m (1,070 ft)
Population	66,313 (2001)
Codes • Vehicle	• TN 37, TN 38

Coordinates: 11.3000° N 76.9500° E

This article is about a town in Coimbatore district. For other uses, see Mettupalayam.

Mettupalayam (Tamil:மேட்டுப்பாளையம்)is a city and a municipality in Coimbatore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Transport Infrastructure
4 Things to see and do
5 References

[edit] Geography

Mettupalayam is located at 11.3000° N 76.9500° E^[1]. It has an average elevation of 314 metres (1033 feet). Mettupalayam is situated on the Bhavani River at the foot of the Nilgiri mountains.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^GRIndia, Mettupalayam had a population of 66,313. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Mettupalayam has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 68%. In Mettupalayam, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Transport Infrastructure

Mettupalayam is the railhead for the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and provides the interchange for passengers of this subline to the broad gauge railway.

Mettupalayam is the starting point for two of the Ghat Roads into the Nilgiri Hills. Subsequently it has established itself for the trade of fresh fruits & vegetables coming down from the hills and also for produce that grows in the plains and is destined for the hills. Fresh produce from here is supplied to most parts of Coimbatore district.

Coimbatore (Manchester of South India) is 38 km by road from Mettupupalayam. The nearest airport is in Coimbatore which has regular (Air timings) flights from Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Sharjah.

[edit] Things to see and do

Kotagiri road is fabulous walking spot for Mettupalyam locals, where one can watch spotted deers and elephants.

Vana Bathrakali Amman Kovil, Thirupathi, Karamadai Ranganadhar Kovil are all famous temples located near Mettupalayam.

Black Thunder a water theme park located 3 km from the town attract most tourist.

For a magnificent view of the hillside covered with forests, a train journey from Mettupalyam to Ooty in is recommended. This narrow gauge mountain train winds through 46 km of forests, tea plantations, 16 tunnels, and more than 250 bridges, starting from Mettupalayam on the plains. Moving at a pace little faster than walking, the journey takes four and half to five hours, but is more than compensated by stunning views.