Ketti, town in Tamil Nadu, India
Ketti is a small town in Nilgiri district in Tamil Nadu, located in a large valley at high elevation and surrounded by green hills and forest. The settlement consists of simple houses made of wood and stone, narrow roads, and terraced fields that spread across several hillsides.
The Badaga community settled here many centuries ago and cleared forests for farming. During colonial times, the British used the region as a retreat from the heat of the plains and introduced tea plantations, which remain an economic focus today.
Ketti is shaped by the Badaga community, who have lived here for many centuries and celebrate their own festivals, especially honoring the goddess Hethai Amma. The streets fill with people in colorful traditional clothes during these celebrations, sharing meals together, playing folk music, and dancing in circles.
Ketti is easily accessible by road or through the famous Nilgiri Mountain Railway, which offers scenic views. There are hotels and homestays in town plus a small clinic, bank, and post office for basic services.
Ketti holds the record for extreme rainfall in a single day, representing one of the highest precipitation amounts ever recorded in Tamil Nadu. This intense seasonal downpour nourishes the lush landscape and attracts visitors seeking the verdant surroundings and fresh mountain air.
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