Mahe, also known as Mayyazhi, is one of the four districts or administrative regions of the Union Territory of Puducherry. It is geographically separated from Puducherry city and is located on the west coast of India, surrounded by Kerala. Mahe lies near the mouth of the Mahe River along the Arabian Sea and is known for its French colonial history, compact size and close links with nearby Kerala towns such as Thalassery, Kannur and Kozhikode. The district covers only about 9 sq. km and had a population of 41,934 as per the 2011 Census.
Quick Overview of Mahe District
| Particular | Details |
| Union Territory | Puducherry |
| District/Region | Mahe |
| Other Name | Mayyazhi |
| Area | About 9 sq. km |
| Population | 41,934 |
| Literacy Rate | 98.35% |
| Revenue Sub-Taluk | Mahe |
| Revenue Villages | 5 |
| Municipality | Mahe Municipality |
| Administrative Head | Regional Administrator |
| Main Local Court | Sub Court, Mahe |
| Main Railway Station | Mahe Railway Station |
| Railway Station Code | MAHE |
| Main PIN Code | 673310 |
| Official District Website | mahe.gov.in |
Location of Mahe District
Mahe is located on the Arabian Sea coast in the northern part of Kerala’s coastal belt, even though administratively it belongs to Puducherry Union Territory. It lies close to the Mahe River, also called the Mayyazhi River, which meets the Arabian Sea near the town.
The district is geographically surrounded by Kerala. Kannur district lies around much of Mahe, while parts of Kozhikode district are also nearby. This unusual location makes Mahe one of the well-known enclaves of Puducherry.
Important nearby places include:
- Thalassery
- Kannur
- Vadakara
- Kozhikode
- Kannur International Airport
- Kozhikode International Airport
Mahe is connected by road through the coastal highway network, including National Highway 66 in the surrounding region. Regular buses and taxis connect Mahe with Thalassery, Kannur, Vadakara and Kozhikode.
The district is also known for riverside areas, colonial-era buildings, churches and public spaces near the Mahe river mouth. Because of its location, Malayalam is widely spoken in everyday life.
Administration of Mahe District
Mahe has a different administrative structure from a large conventional district because of its small geographical area and its status as part of the Union Territory of Puducherry.
The district administration is headed by the Regional Administrator. This office coordinates the functioning of various government departments and handles important regional administrative responsibilities.
The Regional Administrator’s office is located at:
Government House, Mahe – 673310
The regional administration deals with matters related to:
- Revenue administration
- Land matters
- Executive magistracy
- Elections
- Disaster management
- Excise
- Land acquisition
- Regional transport
- Planning and development
- Coordination between government departments
Revenue Administration
Mahe has one Sub-Taluk and five revenue villages.
The five revenue villages are:
- Mahe
- Pandakkal
- Chalakkara
- Palloor
- Kallayi
The Revenue Department handles land records, patta matters, revenue recovery and several types of certificates.
Residents may approach the concerned revenue office for services such as:
- Residence Certificate
- Nativity Certificate
- Income Certificate
- OBC Certificate
- Possession Certificate
- Solvency Certificate
- Valuation Certificate
- Other revenue-related certificates
Mahe also has its own municipality, which is responsible for urban civic administration within the municipal area.
Mahe District Court
The main local judicial institution serving the area is the Sub Court, Mahe.
The court is located on:
Main Road, Mahe
The local judicial setup includes the Sub Court and Judicial Magistrate functions for matters falling within its jurisdiction. Mahe does not have a very large court complex because the district itself is geographically small.
Residents can approach the court for civil, criminal and other matters falling within the jurisdiction of the local judiciary.
People looking for case information should use the official eCourts Services system. Depending on the available information, cases can usually be searched using:
- CNR number
- Case number
- Party name
- Advocate name
- Filing number
The CNR number is generally the quickest way to locate a specific case online.
For matters requiring a higher judicial forum, cases may fall under the wider judicial structure of the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Mahe Railway Station
Mahe Railway Station is the railway station commonly used by residents and visitors travelling to Mahe.
Its station code is:
MAHE
The station is part of the Southern Railway network and comes under the Palakkad Division.
An important point is that Mahe Railway Station is geographically located near Azhiyur in Kerala, just outside the Mahe enclave. Despite this, it is named after Mahe and serves as one of the main railway access points for the district.
The station lies on the busy rail corridor connecting destinations in northern Kerala with Mangaluru and southern Indian cities.
Passengers can find train connections towards destinations such as:
- Kannur
- Kozhikode
- Mangaluru
- Ernakulam
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Chennai
- Bengaluru
Train stoppages can change, so passengers should check the latest Indian Railways timetable before travelling.
Nearest Major Railway Station
Thalassery Railway Station is one of the nearest major stations and is around 9 km from Mahe.
Travellers who cannot find a suitable train stopping at Mahe Railway Station can check trains arriving at or departing from Thalassery.
Mahe Pin Code
The main PIN code of Mahe is 673310.
The same PIN code is used for several locations associated with the Mahe region, including:
- Mahe
- Pallur
- Pandakkal
- Naluthara
One interesting feature is that Mahe belongs to Puducherry Union Territory but its postal operations are handled through the Kerala Postal Circle because the district is geographically located within Kerala.
People filling out postal, banking, government or courier forms should therefore enter:
Mahe, Puducherry – 673310
where that address format is applicable.
However, it is always better to verify the exact post office connected with a particular locality before sending important documents.
FAQs About Mahe District
Q. Is Mahe part of Kerala?
No. Mahe is geographically surrounded by Kerala, but administratively it is part of the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Q. Why is Mahe also called Mayyazhi?
Mayyazhi is the traditional Malayalam name of Mahe. The name is also associated with the Mayyazhi or Mahe River flowing through the area.
Q. Why does Mahe use PIN code 673310 when it belongs to Puducherry?
Mahe is geographically located on the Kerala coast, so postal services are managed through the Kerala Postal Circle. This is why its PIN code begins with the Kerala postal series.
Q. Is Mahe Railway Station located inside Mahe district?
Mahe Railway Station mainly serves Mahe but is geographically located just outside the enclave near Azhiyur in Kerala.
Q. Which is the nearest major railway station to Mahe?
Thalassery Railway Station is one of the nearest major stations and is about 9 km away.
Q. How many revenue villages are there in Mahe?
Mahe has five revenue villages: Mahe, Pandakkal, Chalakkara, Palloor and Kallayi.
Q. Does Mahe have its own court?
Yes. Mahe has a Sub Court on Main Road. Local judicial matters are handled through the Mahe court setup, while higher-level matters come under the broader Puducherry judicial system.
Q. Is Mahe a full district or only a town?
Mahe is both a town and a district-level administrative region of the Union Territory of Puducherry. The town of Mahe serves as the main administrative centre of the region.
