Virajpet Clock Tower Marks 111 years Today, A Symbol of History and Resilience

The foundation stone for this historic structure was laid on February 5, 1914, by Sir Hugh Daly, who was then the Chief Commissioner of Kodagu (then known as Coorg). Photo: Virajpet Town Municipal

Virajpet: Virajpet’s iconic clock tower, a significant landmark in Kodagu, has completed 111 years on February 5, 2025, Wednesday.

The foundation stone for this historic structure was laid on February 5, 1914, by Sir Hugh Daly, who was then the Chief Commissioner of Kodagu (then known as Coorg). The land for the tower was generously donated by the Mukkatira family from Devanageri village, situated near the town.

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According to historians, the clock tower was built in honour of the Coronation Durbar held in Delhi in 1911, when King George V was formally declared Emperor of India. The structure was officially inaugurated in January 1915 by the then District Magistrate, R.K. Ellis. Records suggest that it was later handed over to the Town Municipal Council (TMC) by Mukkatira Ayyappa.

In 1977, the clock tower faced the threat of demolition when the then Public Works Department Minister, Chennabasappa, proposed removing it to widen the road. However, following strong opposition from local residents, the structure was preserved and continues to stand as a testament to the town’s heritage.

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