http://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Kerala Kerala Kerala or Keralam (Malayalam:

, About this sound Kraam (helpinfo)) is a state of India, located south

most on its west coast. It was created on 1 November 1956, by the States Reorganisation Act, combining various Malayalam speaking regions. The state has an area of 38,863 km2 (15,005 sq mi) and is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the south and southeast and the Lakshadweep Sea[note] towards the west. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the state. Kochi and Kozhikode are the other major cities. Kerala is also known for its many small towns that are scattered across the state, thus creating a higher density of population. Stone age carving in Edakkal Caves had pictorial writings believed to be dating to at least 5000 BC, from the Neolithic man, indicating the presence of a prehistoric civilization or settlement in this region.[4] From as early as 3000 BC, Kerala had established itself as a major spice trade center. Kerala had direct contact across the Arabian Sea with all the major Red Sea ports and the Mediterranean ports as well as extending to ports in the Far East. The spice trade between Kerala and much of the world was one of the main drivers of the world economy. For much of history, ports in Kerala were the busiest (Muziris) among all trade and travel routes in the history of the world. During the classical Sangam period the region was ruled by the Chera Dynasty, which traded with the Greeks, Romans and Arabs. The Tamil Chera dynasty, Ays and the Pandyan Empire were the traditional rulers of Kerala whose patriarchal dynasties ruled until the 14th century.[5][6] The Cheras collapsed after repeated attacks from the neighboring Chola Empire and Rashtrakuta Empire. Feudal Namboothiri Brahmin and Nair city-states subsequently gained control of the region.[7] Contact with Europeans after the arrival of the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama in 1498 gave way to struggles between colonial and native interests. In 1795, the area was under the control of the British East India Company. From 1858, the power was shifted from the Company to the British, with the area being under the British Raj. After independence in 1947, the state of Kerala was created in 1956 from the former state of Travancore-Cochin, the Malabar district of the Madras State, and the Kasaragod taluk of Dakshina Kannada.[8] Kerala is a popular tourist destination famous for its backwaters, Ayurvedic treatments[9] and tropical greenery. Kerala has a higher Human Development Index than all other states in India.[10][11] The state has a literacy rate of 94.59 percent,[2] the highest in India. A survey conducted in 2005 by Transparency International ranked Kerala as the least corrupt state in the country.[12] Kerala has witnessed significant migration of its people, especially to the Persian Gulf countries during the Kerala Gulf boom, and is heavily dependent on remittances from its large Malayali expatriate community.[13][14][15][16] Contents * 1 Etymology * 2 History o 2.1 The Colonial Era o 2.2 Post Independence o 2.3 Formation of the State of Kerala and beyond o 2.4 References in Hinduism * 3 Geography and climate * 4 Flora and fauna * 5 Subdivisions * 6 Destinations of Kerala * 7 Government * 8 Economy * 9 Transport o 9.1 Roads in Kerala o 9.2 Railway o 9.3 Water ways o 9.4 Airports

* 10 Demographics * 11 Education * 12 Culture * 13 Media * 14 Sports * 15 Tourism Etymology Natives of Kerala, known as Malayalis, refer to their land as Keralam.[17] Scholars agree, that Kerala is the Kannada word of the Classical Tamil Cheralam ("Land of the Cheras") or chera-alam ("declivity of a hill or a mountain slope/range"). The country was anciently called Cheralam and Cherala Nadu.[18][19][20] A 3rd-century-BC rock inscription by emperor Asoka the Great references Kerala as Keralaputra.[21] Similarly, the Roman trade map Periplus Maris Erythraei references the Chera territory as Cerobothra. History Main article: History of Kerala A Muniyara, dolmens erected by Neolithic tribesmen, in Marayur. The spices from Malabar coast may have landed initially at Gulf of Aden and they eventually were transported to the East African trading ports in and around the city known in Grecian-Roman literature as Rhapta. Merchants then moved the commodities northward along the coast. In Roman times, they traveled to Muza in Yemen and finally to Berenice in Egypt. From Egypt they made their way to all the markets of Europe and West Asia. The beginning of the trade is hinted at in Egyptian hieroglyphic inscriptions during the New Kingdom period about 3,600 years ago. The Pharaohs of Egypt opened up special relationships with the kingdom of Punt to the south. Although the Egyptians knew of Punt long before this period, it was during the New Kingdom that we really start hearing of important trade missions to that country that included large cargoes of spices. Particularly noteworthy are the marvelous reliefs depicting the trade mission of Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty. Findings of the earliest times of Kerala include Dolmens from the Marayur town area, which belong to the Neolithic period, dating back 10.000 years.[22] Rockpainting was also prevalent during these ages. The most famous ones were found in the Edakkal Caves in Wayanad. These carvings date back to the early Stone Age period of 5000 B.C.[23][24][25] A more recent finding is an Indus script symbol, which appears also in the Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilization. The prominent Indus script expert Iravatham Mahadevan said, that these findings were very significant and he called it a "major discovery".[26] A cave near the Edakkal Caves in Thovarimala Ezhuthupara, Wayanad district, known locally as "Ezhuthupara" also carries pre-historic carvings dating back many millennia. Kerala finds mention in the annals of international trade from as early as 3000 BC, having established itself as the major spice trade centre of the world and traded with Sumer.[27][28] Kerala and Tamil Nadu once shared a common language and culture; this common area was known as Tamilakam.[29] Political map of Kerala and Tamil Nadu during the Sangam period at ca. 210 BCE St. Thomas Church (Palayur) is the oldest church in India Dutch commander De Lannoy surrenders to Marthanda Varma at the Battle of Colachel. Depiction at Padmanabhapuram Palace A nineteenth-century map of Madras Province in British India. After independence,Kerala was formed by merging Malabar, Cochin, Travancore and the South Kanara district During the 1st century BC the region was ruled by the Chera Dynasty established by the Dravidian tribe Villavar, whose mother tongue and court language was the ancient Tamil.[30] The capital of Cheras was Vanchi. The southern Kerala was ruled by the Pandyan Kingdom with their capital at Nelcynda.[5][6] The merchants from China, West Asia and Roman Empire had trade links with Cheras. The Sangam literature from the period has descriptions of the Roman ships coming to Muziris, laden with gold as exchange for pepper.[31] Kerala is represented as the eastern tip of the known world in Tabula Peutingeriana, the only known surviving map of the Roman cursus publicus. [32] :192 195, 303307 The west Asian-semitic [33] Jewish, Christian, and Muslim immigrants[33] established Juda Mappila, Nasrani Mappila, and Muslim Jonakan Mappila communities.[33][34] The Jews first arrived in Kerala in 573 BC.[35][36] The works of scholars and Eastern Christian writings state that Thomas the Apostle visited Muziris in

Kerala in 52 CE to proselytize amongst Kerala's Jewish settlements and convert them to Christianity. However, the exact year of his arrival is disputed. [37][38] Muslim merchants led by Malik ibn Dinar settled in Kerala by the 8th century CE and introduced Islam. The Later Chera Kingdomwas returned to power (c. 8001102) with the help of Arab spice Merchants, also called the Kulasekhara dynasty, was founded by Kulasekhara Varman who was also a Vaishnavaite saint. Ay kings ruled southern Kerala, but by the 10th century the Ay kingdom declined and became a part of the Chera Kingdom.[39] A Keralite identity, distinct from the Tamils became linguistically separate during this period.[40] The Kulasekhara dynasty came to an end by twelfth century, weakened due to the invasions by Pandyas and Cholas.[31] In the absence of a strong central power, the state became divided under small principalities governed by Nair Cheftains. The kingdoms of Kochi, Venad, Kolathiri and Kozhikode Samuthiri emerged powerful. The Colonial Era After Vasco Da Gama's arrival in Kappad Kozhikode in 1498, the Portuguese began to gain control of the lucrative pepper trade which was revived in the Thirteen century AD to some extend.[41][42][43] On 25 March 1505, Francisco de Almeida was appointed the Viceroy of India with his headquarters at Kochi. The period from 1500 to 1571 saw constant battles by the Saamoothiri and his navarch Kunjali Marakkar against the Portuguese until the latter were defeated and their fort destroyed by the Zamorin's forces at Chaliyam. The fall of Chaliyam fort marked the beginning of the end for the Portuguese in the great game of the East. Elsewhere, the Portuguese had established forts at Kannur, Cochin and Kollam . The Dutch East India Company like the Portuguese before them took advantage of the conflicts between Kozhikode and Kochi and ousted the Portuguese to gain control of the trade. However, the Dutch were weakened by constant battles with Marthanda Varma of the Travancore Royal Family, the most prominent of them the Battle of Colachel in 1741. The Dutch finally surrendered to the British on 20 Oct 1795 when the latter marched from Calicut as part of the larger Napoleonic Wars between Holland and England in Europe. In 1766, Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore invaded northern Kerala. In the late 18th century, Tipu Sultan, Alis son and successor, launched campaigns against the expanding British East India Company, resulting in two of the four Anglo-Mysore Wars. He ultimately ceded Malabar District and South Kanara to the Company in the 1790s. The Company forged tributary alliances with Kochi in 1791 and Travancore in 1795. Malabar and South Kanara became part of the Madras Presidency.[44] The major revolts that occurred before independence were the 1946 Punnapra-Vayalar uprising in Travancore and the 1921 Malabar Rebellion in Malabar which was under British rule. The Dewan of Travancore Velayudan Thampi Dalava, and Pazhassi Raja in Malabar, among others, vied for greater autonomy or independence.[45] Many actions, spurred by such leaders as Vaikunda Swami,[46] Sree Narayana Guru and Chattampi Swamikal, instead protested such conditions as untouchability; notable was the 1924 Vaikom Satyagraham, which resulted, Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma of Travancore issuing in 1936, the Temple Entry Proclamation that opened Hindu temples to all castes; Malabar soon did likewise. But Cochin did not do the Temple entry proclamation (1948) until after India's independence. The 1921 Moplah Rebellion involved Mappila Muslims rioting against Hindu zamindars Zamindari system and the British Raj.[47] Post Independence After India gained her independence in 1947, Travancore and Cochin were merged to form Travancore-Cochin on 1 July 1949. On 1 January 1950 (Republic Day), Travancore-Cochin was recognised as a state. The Madras Presidency was organised to form Madras State in 1947. Formation of the State of Kerala and beyond On 1 November 1956, the state of Kerala was formed by the States Reorganisation Act merging the Malabar district, Travancore-Cochin (excluding four southern taluks, which were merged with Tamil Nadu), and the taluk of Kasargod, South Kanara.[48] Elections for the new Kerala Legislative Assembly were held in 1957; this resulted in the formation of a communist-led government[48] headed by E.M.S. Namboodiripad. Radical reforms introduced by the E. M. S. Namboodiripad's government in favour of farmers and labourers helped change, to a great extent, the iniquitous social order that had prevailed in the land for a long time. References in Hinduism

The Matsya Purana mentions the Malaya Mountains in Kerala as the setting for the story of the Matsya Avatara of Lord Vishnu and King Manu (King Satyavrata).[49][50][51][52] The Vamana Purana also mentions King Mahabali as the righteous and virtuous ruler that has his capital in Kerala. Kerala has been referenced in puranas as created by Parashurama by throwing his axe into the sea. The Aitareya Aranyaka is the earliest Sanskrit work that specifically mentions Kerala.[2] Geography and climate Main article: Geography of Kerala See also: Climate of India Munnar hill station, Kerala Kerala is wedged between the Lakshadweep sea and the Western Ghats. Lying between north latitudes 818' and 1248' and east longitudes 7452' and 7722',[53][54] Kerala experiences the humid equatorial tropic climate. The state has a coast of length 590 km (367 mi)[55] and the width of the state varies between 35 and 120 km (22 75 miles). Geographically, Kerala can be divided into three climatically distinct regions: the eastern highlands (rugged and cool mountainous terrain), the central midlands (rolling hills), and the western lowlands (coastal plains). Located at the extreme southern tip of the Indian subcontinent, Kerala lies near the centre of the Indian tectonic plate; hence, most of the state is subject to comparatively little seismic and volcanic activity.[56] Pre-Cambrian and Pleistocene geological formations compose the bulk of Keralas terrain. The eastern Kerala region consists of high mountains, gorges and deep-cut valleys immediately west of the Western Ghats' rain shadow. Forty-one of Keralas west-flowing rivers, and three of its east-flowing ones originate in this region. The Western Ghats form a wall of mountains interrupted only near Palakkad, where the Palakkad Gap breaks through to provide access to the rest of India. The Western Ghats rises on average to 1,500 m (4920 ft) above sea level, while the highest peaks may reach to 2,500 m (8200 ft). Anamudi is the highest peak at an elevation of 2,695 metres (8,130 ft). Just west of the mountains lie the midland plains comprising central Kerala, dominated by rolling hills and valleys.[53] Generally ranging between elevations of 2501,000 m (8203300 ft), the eastern portions of the Nilgiri and Palni Hills include such formations as Agastya Mala and Anamala. Keralas western coastal belt is relatively flat, and is criss-crossed by a network of interconnected brackish canals, lakes, estuaries, and rivers known as the Kerala Backwaters. Lake VembanadKeralas largest body of water dominates the Backwaters; it lies between Alappuzha and Kochi and is more than 200 km in area. Around 8% of India's waterways (measured by length) are found in Kerala.*57+ The most important of Keralas forty -four rivers include the Periyar (244 km), the Bharathapuzha (209 km), the Pamba (176 km), the Chaliyar (169 km), the Kadalundipuzha River (130 km), the Valapattanam (129 km) and the Achankovil (128 km). The average length of the rivers of Kerala is 64 km. Many of the rivers are small and entirely fed by monsoon rains.[53] These conditions result in the nearly year-round water logging of such western regions as Kuttanad, 500 km of which lies below sea level. As Kerala's rivers are small and lack deltas, they are more prone to environmental factors. The rivers also face problems such as sand mining and pollution.[58] The state experiences several natural hazards such as landslides, floods, lightning and droughts. The state was also affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. A catastrophic flood occurred in Kerala in 1341 AD that drastically modified the terrain and consequently affected the history.[59] The flood resulted in changing the course of the river Periyar, recession of Arabian Sea by several miles downwards making the Kuttanad region cultivable, closure of the Muziris (Kodungalloor) harbour and creation of a new harbour at Kochi.[60][61] With 120140 rainy days per year, Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the seasonal heavy rains of the southwest summer monsoon.[62]:80 In eastern Kerala, a drier tropical wet and dry climate prevails. Kerala's rainfall averages 3,107 mm annually. Some of Kerala's drier lowland regions average only 1,250 mm; the mountains of eastern Idukki district receive more than 5,000 mm of orographic precipitation, the highest in the state. During summer, Kerala is prone to gale force winds, storm surges, cyclone-related torrential downpours, occasional droughts, and rises in sea level.[63]:26, 46, 52 The mean daily temperatures range from 19.8 C to 36.7 C.[53] Mean annual temperatures range from 25.027.5 C in the coastal lowlands to 20.022.5 C in the eastern highlands.[63]:65

Flora and fauna Main article: Flora and fauna of Kerala Haliastur indus in Kerala A blue tiger (Tirumala limniace) butterfly in Chalakudy Petals of the gloriosa lily (Gloriosa superba) flower curve upward into a claw-like shape; below, its stamens grow radially outwards. A fulvous forest skimmer (Neurothemis fulvia) in Chalakudy, near Thrissur Population density map of Kerala graded from darkest shading (most dense) to lightest (least dense) The Kerala Legislative Assembly Building in Thiruvananthapuram Much of Kerala's notable biodiversity is concentrated and protected in the Western Ghats. Almost a fourth of India's 10,000 plant species are found in the state. Among the almost 4,000 flowering plant species (1,272 of which are endemic to Kerala and 159 threatened) are 900 species of medicinal plants.[64][65]:11 Its 9,400 km of forests include tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests (lower and middle elevations 3,470 km), tropical moist and dry deciduous forests (mid-elevations4,100 km and 100 km, respectively), and montane subtropical and temperate (shola) forests (highest elevations100 km). Altogether, 24% of Kerala is forested.[65]:12 Two of the worlds Ramsar Convention listed wetlandsLake Sasthamkotta and the Vembanad-Kol wetlandsare in Kerala, as well as 1455.4 km of the vast Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Subjected to extensive clearing for cultivation in the 20th century,[66]:67 much of the remaining forest cover is now protected from clearfelling. Kerala's fauna are notable for their diversity and high rates of endemism: 102 species of mammals (56 of which are endemic), 453 species of birds, 202 species of freshwater fishes, 169 species of reptiles (139 of them endemic), and 89 species of amphibians (86 endemic).[64] These are threatened by extensive habitat destruction, including soil erosion, landslides, salinization, and resource extraction.[67] Eastern Keralas windward mountains shelter tropical moist forests and tropical dry forests, which are common in the Western Ghats. Here, sonokeling (Dalbergia latifolia), anjili, mullumurikku (Erythrina), and Cassia number among the more than 1,000 species of trees in Kerala. Other plants include bamboo, wild black pepper, wild cardamom, the calamus rattan palm (a type of climbing palm), and aromatic vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides).[65]:12 Living among them are such fauna as Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus), Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca), Nilgiri Tahr, Common Palm Civet, and Grizzled Giant Squirrel.[65]:12, 174175 Reptiles include the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), viper, python, and Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) . Kerala's birds are legionMalabar Trogon, the Great Hornbill, Kerala Laughingthrush, Darter, and Southern Hill Myna are several emblematic species. In lakes, wetlands, and waterways, fish such as kadu (stinging catfish) and Choottachi (Orange chromideEtroplus maculatus) are found.[65]:163165 Cassia Fistula, (Malayalam: , Kani Konna), is the state flower of Kerala. Subdivisions Main articles: Districts of Kerala and Corporations, Municipalities and Taluks of Kerala Kerala's fourteen districts are distributed among Kerala's six historical regions: North Malabar (Far-north Kerala), Malabar (northern Kerala), Kochi (central Kerala), Northern Travancore, Central Travancore (southern Kerala) and Southern Travancore (Far-south Kerala). Kerala's modern-day districts (listed in order from north to south) correspond to them as follows: * North Malabar: Kasaragod, Kannur, Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad, Koyilandy and Vadakara Taluks of Kozhikode * Malabar: Wayanad except Mananthavady Taluk, Kozhikode except Vadakara and Koyilandy Taluks, Malappuram, Palakkad District except Chittoor Taluk and a part of Thrissur * Kochi: A part of Ernakulam, Chittoor Taluk of Palakkad, and a part of Thrissur. * Northern Travancore: Part of Ernakulam, and Idukki. * Central Travancore: Southern part of Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and northern part of Kollam. * Southern Travancore: Southern part of Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram. (traditionally, Nanchinad in Kanyakumary, which is part of Tamil Nadu)

Kerala's 14 districts, which serve as the administrative regions for taxation purposes, are further subdivided into 63 taluks; these have fiscal and administrative powers over settlements within their borders, including maintenance of local land records.Taluks of kerala are further divided into 1453 revenue villages and 1007 Gram panchayats. Mah, a part of the Indian union territory of Puducherry (Pondicherry), is a coastal exclave surrounded by Kerala on all of its landward approaches. Destinations of Kerala Main tourist destinations of Kerala include Alappuzha, Bekal, Bharananganam, Guruvayur, Idukki, Kannur, Kochi, Kottayam, Kovalam, Kozhikode, Kumarakom, Malayattoor, Munnar, Parumala, Peermade, Sabarimala, Thekkady, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Varkala Wayanad and Sasthamkotta Government Main article: Government of Kerala Government of Kerala is setup according to rules and regulations by Government of India. State is governed via a parliamentary system of representative democracy; universal suffrage is granted to state residents. There are three branches of government. The unicameral legislature, the Kerala Legislative Assembly, comprises elected members and special office bearers (the Speaker and Deputy Speaker) elected by the members from among themselves. Assembly meetings are presided over by the Speaker and in the Speaker's absence, by the Deputy Speaker.[citation needed] Kerala has 140 Assembly constituencies.[68] The state sends 20 members to the Lok Sabha and 9 to the Rajya Sabha, the Indian Parliament's upper house.[69] The Governor of Kerala is the constitutional head of state, and is appointed by the President of India.[70][71] The executive authority is headed by the Chief Minister of Kerala, who is the de facto head of state and is vested with extensive executive powers; the Legislative Assembly's majority party leader is appointed to this position by the Governor. The Council of Ministers, which answers to the Legislative Assembly, has its members appointed by the Governor on advice of the Chief Minister. Auxiliary authorities known as panchayats, for which local body elections are regularly held, govern local affairs.[72] The judiciary comprises the Kerala High Court (Located at Ernakulam has a Chief Justice combined with 26 permanent and two additional (pro tempore) justices) as the apex court in the state and a system of lower courts. Kerala High Court also hears cases from the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. The state's 20052006 budget was 219 billion INR.[73] The state government's tax revenues (excluding the shares from Union tax pool) amounted to 111,248 million INR in 2005, up from 63,599 million in 2000. Its non-tax revenues (excluding the shares from Union tax pool) of the Government of Kerala as assessed by the Indian Finance Commissions reached 10,809 million INR in 2005, nearly double the 6,847 million INR revenues of 2000.[74] However, Kerala's high ratio of taxation to gross state domestic product (GSDP) has not alleviated chronic budget deficits and unsustainable levels of government debt, impacting social services.[75] Kerala hosts two major political alliances: the United Democratic Front (UDFled by the Indian National Congress)and the Left Democratic Front (LDFled by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). At present, the LDF is the ruling coalition in government; V.S. Achuthanandan of the CPI(M) is the Chief Minister of Kerala and Oommen Chandy of the UDF is the Chief Opposition leader. Strikes, protests and marches are ubiquitous in Kerala due to the comparatively strong presence of labour unions.[76][77] Economy The interior of a building in the Technopark, at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). 75% of the state's IT exports are from Technopark Main article: Economy of Kerala See also: :Category:Industries based in Kerala Since independence, Kerala was managed as a democratic socialist welfare economy. Since the 1990s, liberalisation of the mixed economy allowed onerous Licence Raj restrictions against capitalism and foreign direct investment to be lightened, leading to economic expansion and job creation. In fiscal year 2007-2008, nominal gross state domestic product (GSDP) was Indian Rupee 162,414.79 crore (US$36.06 billion).[78] Recent GSDP growth (9.2% in 20042005 and 7.4% in 20032004) has been robust compared to historical averages (2.3% annually in the 1980s and between 5.1%[79]:8 and 5.99%[80] in the 1990s).[79]:8 The state clocked 8.93% growth in enterprises from 1998 to 2005

compared with 4.80% nationally.[81] Relatively few such enterprises are major corporations or manufacturers.[63] Kerala's Human Development Index rating is the highest in India.[82] This apparently paradoxical "Kerala phenomenon" or "Kerala model of development" of high human and low economic development results from the strong service sector.[63]:48[83]:1 Kerala's economy depends on emigrants working in foreign countries (mainly in the Persian Gulf countries such as United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia) and remittances annually contribute more than a fifth of GSDP.[13][14][15]As of 2008, the Gulf countries altogether have a Keralite population of more than 2.5 million, who send home annually a sum of USD 6.81 billion,[84] which is more than 15.13% of Remittance to India in 2008. Rural women processing coir threads The service sector (including tourism, public administration, banking and finance, transportation, and communications63.8% of GSDP in 20022003) and the agricultural and fishing industries (together 17.2% of GSDP) dominate the economy.[80][85] Nearly half of Kerala's people are dependent on agriculture alone for income.[86] Some 600 varieties[65]:5 of rice (Kerala's most important staple food and cereal crop)[87]:5 are harvested from 3105.21 km (a decline from 5883.4 km in 1990)[87]:5 of paddy fields; 688,859 tonnes are produced per annum.[86] Other key crops include coconut (899,198 ha), tea, coffee (23% of Indian production,[88]:13 or 57,000 tonnes[88]:6 7), rubber, cashews, and spicesincluding pepper, cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Around 1.050 million fishermen haul an annual catch of 668,000 tonnes (19992000 estimate); 222 fishing villages are strung along the 590 km coast. Another 113 fishing villages dot the hinterland. Traditional industries manufacturing such items as coir, handlooms, and handicrafts employ around one million people. Around 180,000 small-scale industries employ around 909,859 Keralites; 511 medium and large scale manufacturing firms are located in Kerala. A small mining sector (0.3% of GSDP)[85] involves extraction of ilmenite, kaolin, bauxite, silica, quartz, rutile, zircon, and sillimanite.[86] Home gardens and animal husbandry also provide work for hundreds of thousands of people. Other major sectors are tourism, manufacturing, and business process outsourcing. As of March 2002, Kerala's banking sector comprised 3341 local branches; each branch served 10,000 persons, lower than the national average of 16,000; the state has the third-highest bank penetration among Indian states.[89] Unemployment in 2007 was estimated at 9.4%;[90] underemployment, low employability of youths, and a 13.5% female participation rate are chronic issues.[91]:5, 13[92] Poverty rate figures range from 12.71%[93] to as high as 36%.[94] More than 45,000 residents live in slum conditions.[95] The state treasury has suffered loss of thousands of millions of rupees thanks to the state staging over 100 hartals annually in recent times. A record total of 223 hartals were observed in 2006, resulting in a revenue loss of over Indian Rupee 2000 crore.[96] Transport See also: Roads in Kerala Trivandrum Central Railway Station Building Cochin International Airport A road in Kerala Roads in Kerala Main article: Roads in Kerala Kerala has 145,704 kilometers (90,536 mi) of roads (4.2% of India's total). This translates to about 4.62 kilometers (2.87 mi) of road per thousand population, compared to an all India average of 2.59 kilometers (1.61 mi). Virtually all of Kerala's villages are connected by road Roads in Kerala includes 1,524 km of National highway (2.6% of nation's total), 4006 km of state highway and 23,702 km of district roads.[97] NH 17 connects Edapally (Kochi) to Panavel (near Mumbai) and is the longest stretch of national highway through the state. The other major national highway passing through the state is the National_Highway_47_(India) which connects Salem to Kanyakumari and passes through the major towns and cities like Palakkad, Thrissur, Kochi, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. The length of the National_Highway_47_(India) through Kerala is 416.8 km.[98]

The NH 47 stretch from Cherthala to Thrissur via Kochi is of 4 and 6 lanes and 4-lane work is progressing beyond Thrissur. NH 19 (Kochi - Rameswaram), NH 208 (Kollam - Thirumangalam), NH 212 (Kozhikode - Mysore), NH 213 (Kozhikode Palakkad), NH 220 (Kollam - theni) are the other national highways serving the state of Kerala.[99] Most of Kerala's west coast is accessible through two national highways, NH 47, and NH 17 and eastern hills are accessible through proposed Hill Highway (Kerala). The Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP), which includes the GIS-based Road Information and Management Project (RIMS), is responsible for maintaining and expanding the state highways system; it also oversees major district roads.[100][101] Traffic in Kerala has been growing at a rate of 1011% every year, resulting in high traffic and pressure on the roads. Kerala's road density is nearly four times the national average, reflecting the state's high population density. Kerala's annual total of road accidents is among the nation's highest.[102] Railway The Indian Railways' Southern Railway line runs throughout the state, connecting all major towns and cities except those in the highland districts of Idukki and Wayanad. Kerala's major railway stations are Kasaragod, Kannur, Thalassery, Vadakara, Kozhikode, Tirur, Shornur Junction, Palakkad Junction, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Ernakulam Junction, Alappuzha, Chengannur, Kottayam, Kollam Junction and Thiruvananthapuram Central. Water ways The backwaters traversing the state are an important mode of inland navigation. National Waterway 3 traverse through the state. Airports The state has three major international airports at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode, that link the state with the rest of the nation and the world. The Trivandrum International Airport is the first International airport in a non-metro city in India.[citation needed] TIA is considered as an "all weather" airport in the country.[citation needed] The Cochin International Airport (COK) was the first Indian airport incorporated as a public limited company and is funded by nearly 10,000 Non Resident Indians from 30 countries.[103] A fourth international airport is proposed at Kannur.[104] Demographics See also: Religions of Kerala Main article: Demographics of Kerala The 31.8 million[105] Keralites are predominantly of Malayali descent, while the rest is mostly made up of Jewish and Arab elements in both culture and ancestry. Kerala's 321,000 indigenous tribal Adivasis, 1.10% of the population, are concentrated in the east.[106]:1012 Malayalam is Kerala's official language; Tamil, Tulu, Kannada, Hindi and various Adivasi (Tribal) languages are also spoken by ethnic minorities especially in the south-western region. Population trend[107][108] Census Pop. % 1951 13,549,000 1961 16,904,000 24.8% 1971 21,347,000 26.3% 1981 25,454,000 19.2% 1991 29,099,000 14.3% 2001 31,841,000 9.4% Source: 2001 Census of India[107] Kerala is home to 3.44% of India's population; at 819 persons per km, its land is nearly three times as densely settled as the rest of India, which is at a population density of 325 persons per km.[109] Kerala's rate of population growth is India's lowest,[110] and Kerala's decadal growth(9.42% in 2001) is less than half the all-India average of 21.34%.[111] Whereas Kerala's population more than doubled between 1951 and 1991 by adding 15.6 million

people to reach 29.1 million residents in 1991, the population stood at less than 32 million by 2001. Kerala's coastal regions are the most densely settled, leaving the eastern hills and mountains comparatively sparsely populated.[53] A fisherman in rural Kerala Females comprise 51.42% of the population; males form the remaining 48.58% of the population.[112]:26 Kerala's principal religions are Hinduism (56.2%), Islam (24.70%), and Christianity (19.00%).[113] In comparison with the rest of India, Kerala experiences relatively little sectarianism.[114] According to 2001 Census of India figures, 56% of Kerala's residents are Hindus, 24% are Muslims, 19% are Christians, and the remaining 1% follows other religions.[113] The major Hindu castes are Nambudiri, Nairs, Ezhavas and Dalits. Notably, steps taken by many progressive and tolerant Hindu kings[115] over the years and movements like Narayana Gurus, movement for social reform and tolerance helped to establish Kerala as one of the most socially progressive states in India. The Abrahamic religions attest to Kerala's prominence as a major trade centre. Islam and Judaism arrived in Kerala through Arab traders.[116] A significant Jewish community existed in Kerala until the 20th century when most of them migrated to Israel leaving only a handful of families.[117] The Paradesi Synagogue at Kochi is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Christianity is believed to have reached the shores of Kerala in 52 AD with the arrival of St Thomas, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ[118][119][120][121][122] The major Christian denominations are Catholic, Oriental Orthodox and Protestant. Religion in Kerala Religion Percent Hinduism 56.2% Islam 24.7% Christianity 19.0% Others 1.1% Jainism has a considerable following in the Wayanad district. Buddhism was dominant at the time of Ashoka the Great but vanished by the 8th century AD.[123] Kerala has witnessed significant migration of its people, especially to the Persian Gulf countries, starting with the Kerala Gulf boom, and is uniquely dependent on remittances from its large Malayali expatriate community.[13][14][15] Kerala government states gender relations are among the most equitable in India[Need quotation to verify],[124] despite discrepancies among low caste men and women.[125]:1 Certain Hindu communities such as the Nairs, some Ezhavas and the Muslims around North Malabar used to follow a traditional matrilineal system known as marumakkathayam, although this practice ended in the years after Indian independence. Other Muslims, Christians, and some Hindu castes such as the Namboothiris and the Ezhavas follow makkathayam, a patrilineal system.[126] Owing to the former matrilineal system, women in Kerala enjoy a high social status.[127] Kerala's human development indices primary level education, health care and elimination of povertyare among the best in India. According to a 2005-2006 national survey, Kerala has one of the highest literacy rates (94.59%) among Indian states[2] and life expectancy (73 years) was among the highest in India in 2001.[128] Kerala's rural poverty rate fell from 69% (19701971) to 19% (19931994); the overall (urban and rural) rate fell 36% between the 1970s and 1980s.[129] By 19992000, the rural and urban poverty rates dropped to 10.0% and 9.6% respectively.[130] These changes stem largely from efforts begun in the late 19th century by the kingdoms of Cochin and Travancore to boost social welfare.[131][132] This focus was maintained by Kerala's post-independence government.[63][82]:48 List of Major cities in Kerala Rank City District Population Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram Kochi, India Kochi Kozhikode Kozhikode

1 Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram 744,983 2 Kochi Ernakulam 595,575 3 Kozhikode Kozhikode 436,556 4 Kollam Kollam 361,560 5 Thrissur Thrissur 317,526 6 Alappuzha Alappuzha 177,029 7 Palakkad Palakkad 130,767 Source: 2001 Census of India [108] This is a list of city populations and does not indicate urban agglomeration populations Kerala has the highest life expectancy in the country which is nearly 75 years and 78 years respectively for males and females. The life expectancy of Kerala is similar to developed nations in the world that shows the facilities for treatment and health. Kerala's healthcare system has garnered international acclaim. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation designated Kerala the world's first "baby-friendly state" because of its effective promotion of breast-feeding over formulas[133] For example, more than 95% of Keralite births are hospital-delivered.[134]:6 Aside from ayurveda (both elite and popular forms),[135]:13 siddha, and many endangered and endemic modes of traditional medicine, including kalari, marmachikitsa>:17 and vishavaidyam, are practiced. These propagate via gurukula discipleship,[135]:56 and comprise a fusion of both medicinal and supernatural treatments,[135]:15 and are partly responsible for drawing increasing numbers of medical tourists. A steadily aging population (11.2% of Keralites are over age 60[82]) and low birthrate[136] (18 per 1,000)[137] make Kerala one of the few regions in the developing world to have undergone the "demographic transition" characteristic of such developed nations as Canada, Japan, and Norway.[83]:1 In 1991, Kerala's total fertility rate (children born per women) was the lowest in India. Hindus had a TFR of 1.66, Christians 1.78, and Muslims 2.97.[138] Kerala's femaleto-male ratio (1.058) is significantly higher than that of the rest of India.[83][139]:2 sub-replacement fertility level and infant mortality rate is lower compared to other states (estimated at 12[63][137]:49 to 14[140]:5 deaths per 1,000 live births). However, Kerala's morbidity rate is higher than that of any other Indian state118 (rural Keralites) and 88 (urban) per 1,000 people. The corresponding all India figures are 55 and 54 per 1,000, respectively.[140]:5 Kerala's 13.3% prevalence of low birth weight is substantially higher than that of First World nations.[137] Outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis, and typhoid among the more than 50% of Keralites who rely on 3 million water wells is a problem worsened by the widespread lack of sewers.[141]:57 Education Main article: Education in Kerala Children lining up for school in Kochi The University of Kerala's administrative building in Thiruvananthapuram. Kerala has highest literacy among the states of India. State topped the Education Development Index (EDI) among 21 major states in India in year 2006-2007.[142] More than 94% of the rural population has access to primary school within 1 km, while 98% of population benefits one school within a distance of 2 km. An upper primary school within a distance of 3 km is available for more than 96% of the people, whose 98% benefit the facility for secondary education within 8 km.The access for rural students to higher educational institutions in cities is facilitated by widely subsidised transport fares. Kerala's educational system has been developed by institutions owned or aided by the government.In the educational system prevailed in the state schooling is for 10 years which is subdivided into lower primary, upper primary and high school, After 10 years of secondary schooling, students typically enroll in Higher Secondary Schooling in one of the three major streamsliberal arts, commerce or science. Upon completing the required coursework, students can enroll in general or professional under graduate programmes. Schools and colleges are run by the government, private trusts, or individuals. Many of the schools owned by private sector are aided by government. Most of the public schools are affiliated to Kerala State Education Board. Other familiar educational boards are Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), the Central Board for Secondary

Education (CBSE), or the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). English is the language of instruction in most self financing schools, while government and government aided schools offer English or Malayalam. No fees(or a nominal fees) are required in schools run by or aided by government. Fees concerning the higher and technical education are very low; the ratio of recovery of government's revenue expenditure was 2.6% in 20062007.[143] However, the lacking of fees or low fees does not imply low educational cost, as the students incur other costs of several types (examination fees, special fees, material costs, clothing travelling, private tuition...). In fact, according to the 61st round of National Sample Survey (20042005), per capita spending on education by the rural households resulted to be more than twice the national average (Indian Rupee 41 for Kerala, Indian Rupee 18 for India). Urban India spending, on the contrary, resulted to be greater than Kerala's (Indian Rupee 74 for India, Indian Rupee 66 for Kerala). However, the survey reveals that the rural-urban difference in expenditure on education by households was much less in Kerala than in the rest of India.[144] The Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics is flourished between the 14th and 16th centuries. In attempting to solve astronomical problems, the Kerala school independently created a number of important mathematics concepts including resultsseries expansion for trigonometric functions. The universities in kerala are Kannur University, Mahatma Gandhi University, University of Calicut, University of Kerala, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala Agricultural University, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit.[145] Premiere educational institutions in kerala are IIMK, one of the seven Indian Institutes of Management, National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC), Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) Culture Kathakali Performance Close-up A Kathakali artist Mohiniaattam A mohiniaattam performance Boatrace The annual snake boat race is performed during Onam Celebrations on the Pamba River Kerala house A Kerala-style house with a thulasi thara, a platform for tulasi, in the front. Main articles: Arts of Kerala and Culture of Kerala Kerala's culture is derived from both a Tamil-heritage region known as Tamilakam and southern coastal Karnataka. Later, Kerala's culture was elaborated upon through centuries of contact with neighboring and overseas cultures.[146] Native performing arts include koodiyattom (a 2000-year-old Sanskrit theatre tradition, officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity[147]), kathakalifrom katha ("story") and kali ("performance")and its offshoot Kerala natanam, Kaliyattam -(North Malabar special), koothu (akin to stand-up comedy), mohiniaattam ("dance of the enchantress"), Theyyam, thullal NS padayani. Kathakali and Mohiniattam are widely recognized Indian Classical Dance traditions from Kerala. Other forms of art are more religious or tribal in nature. These include chavittu nadakom, oppana (originally from Malabar), which combines dance, rhythmic hand clapping, and ishal vocalisations. Margam Kali is one of the ancient round group dance practiced by Syrian Christians of Kerala. However, many of these art forms are largely performed for tourists or at youth festivals, and are not as popular among most Keralites. Contemporary art and performance styles including those employing mimicry and parody are more popular. Kerala's music also has ancient roots. Carnatic music dominates Keralite traditional music. This was the result of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma's popularisation of the genre in the 19th century.[148][149] Raga-based renditions known as sopanam accompany kathakali performances. Melam (including the paandi and panchari variants) is a more percussive style of music; it is performed at Kshetram centered festivals using the chenda. Melam ensembles comprise up to 150 musicians, and performances may last up to four hours. Panchavadyam is a different form of percussion ensemble, in which up to 100 artists use five types of percussion instrument. Kerala has various styles of folk and tribal music. The popular music of Kerala is dominated by the filmi music of Indian cinema. Kerala's visual arts range from traditional murals to the works of Raja Ravi Varma, the state's most renowned painter.

Kolla Varsham or Malayalam Era, which is assumed to have been established by King Udaya Marthanda Varma in 825 AD, serves as the official calendar of Kerala.[150] The Malayalam calendar is used to plan agricultural and religious activities. Kerala's national dish is Rice and curry. The sadhya (feast) is traditionally served on green banana leaves. Such dishes as idli, payasam, pulisherry, puttukadala, or PuttuPayarPappadam, puzhukku, rasam, and sambar are typical. Keralitesboth men and women aliketraditionally don flowing and unstitched garments. These include the mundu, a loose piece of cloth wrapped around men's waists. Women typically wear the sari, a long and elaborately wrapped banner of cloth, wearable in various styles. Presently, North Indian dresses such as Salwar kameez are also popular amongst women in Kerala. Elephants are an integral part of daily life in Kerala. Indian elephants are loved, revered, groomed and given a prestigious place in the state's culture. They are often referred to as the 'sons of the sahya.' The ana (elephant) is the state animal of Kerala and is featured on the emblem of the Government of Kerala. The predominant language spoken in Kerala is Malayalam. Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar (1736 1799) is considered to be the father of modern Malayalam prose. He is the author of Varthamanapusthakam (1790), the first ever travelogue in an Indian language Malayalam literature is medieval in origin and includes such figures as the 14th century Niranam poets (Madhava Panikkar, Sankara Panikkar and Rama Panikkar), and the 17th century poet Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan whose works mark the dawn of both modern Malayalam language and indigenous Keralite poetry. The "triumvirate of poets" (Kavithrayam), Kumaran Asan, Vallathol Narayana Menon, and Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer, are recognised for moving Keralite poetry away from archaic sophistry and metaphysics, and towards a more lyrical mode. In the second half of the 20th century, Jnanpith awardees like G. Sankara Kurup, S. K. Pottekkatt, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai and M. T. Vasudevan Nair have made valuable contributions to the Malayalam literature. Later, such Keralite writers as O. V. Vijayan, Kamaladas, M. Mukundan, and Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy, whose 1996 semi-autobiographical bestseller[151] The God of Small Things is set in the Kottayam town of Ayemenem, have gained international recognition.[152][153] Malayalam cinema carved a niche for itself in the Indian film industry. It has been producing both parallel and mainstream cinema of great acclaim for years. Directors like Adoor Gopalakrishnan, John Abraham, G. Aravindan have been some of the great names in the Indian parallel cinema. Kerala has also given birth to numerous acclaimed actors such as Bharat Gopy, Prem Nazir, Mammotty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Murali and Oduvil Unnikrishnan. Media Main article: Media in Kerala The National Family Health Survey - 3, conducted in 2007 ranked Kerala as a state with the highest media exposure in India. Dozens of newspapers are published in Kerala, in nine major languages,[154] but principally Malayalam and English. The most widely circulating Malayalam-language newspapers are Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi, Madhyamam, Mangalam,Chandrika, Deepika, Kerala Kaumudi and Deshabhimani. Major Malayalam periodicals include Mathrubhumi, India Today Malayalam, Madhyamam weekly, Grihalakshmi, Veedu, Vanitha, Chithrabhumi, Kanyaka and Bhashaposhini and overtake automobile magazine. Doordarshan is the state-owned television broadcaster. Multi system operators provide a mix of Malayalam, English and international channels via cable television. There are 17 Malayalam TV channels like Asianet, Indiavision, Surya TV, Kairali TV, Manorama News, Amrita TV, Jeevan TV and JaiHind TV broadcast along with the major national channels. All India Radio, the national radio service, reaches much of Kerala via its Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur, Alappuzha , Kozhikode and Kannur Malayalam-language broadcasts. Television serials, reality shows and the Internet have become a major source of entertainment and information for the people of Kerala. A Malayalam version of Google News was launched in September 2008.[155] Regardless, Keralites maintain high rates of newspaper and magazine subscriptions. A sizeable "people's science" movement has taken root in the state, and such activities as writers' cooperatives are becoming increasingly common.[83][156]:2 BSNL, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Docomo, Vodafone, Aircel, Idea and Airtel compete to provide cell phone services. Broadband internet is available in most of the towns and cities and is provided by different agencies like the staterun Kerala Telecommunications (which is run by BSNL) and by other private companies like Asianet Satellite communications, VSNL. BSNL provides broadband service in most of the villages.

Malayalam films are known for their realistic portrayal of characters and being socially oriented without giving a lot of importance to glitz and glamour. Movies produced in Hindi, Tamil and English (Hollywood) popular among Keralites. Late Malayalam actor Prem Nazir holds the world record for having acted as the protagonist of over 720 movies.[157] Nowadays Malayalam movies are dominated mainly by two actors; Mammootty and Mohanlal who have been in the Malayalam movie industry for over 25 years. They have won several National and State awards and are considered among the greatest actors in India[158][159] Sports Main article: Sports in Kerala The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi is one of the largest multi-use stadiums in India Several ancient ritualised arts are Keralite in origin. These include kalaripayattukalari ("place", "threshing floor", or "battlefield") and payattu ("exercise" or "practice"). Among the world's oldest martial arts, oral tradition attributes kalaripayattu's emergence to Parasurama.[160] Other ritual arts include theyyam and poorakkali. Cricket and football are the most popular sports in the state.[161] Two Kerala Ranji Trophy players gained test selection in recent years. Sreesanth, born in Kothamangalam, has represented India since 2005.[162] Among other Keralite cricketers is Tinu Yohannan, son of Olympic long jumper T. C. Yohannan.[163][164][165] Kerala also now has a team in the Indian Premier league called Kochi Tuskers Kerala. Notable Kerala footballers include I. M. Vijayan, C. V. Pappachan, V. P. Sathyan, and Jo Paul Ancheri.[166][167] Other popular sports include badminton, volleyball and kabaddi. Among Kerala athletes are P. T. Usha, T. C. Yohannan, Suresh Babu, Shiny Wilson, K. M. Beenamol, M. D. Valsamma and Anju Bobby George. Volleyball is another popular sport and is often played on makeshift courts on sandy beaches along the coast. Jimmy George, born in Peravoor, Kannur, was a notable Indian volleyball player, rated in his prime as among the world's ten best players.[168] Tourism Main article: Tourism in Kerala The official logo of Kerala Tourism Kovalam beach, Trivandrum Sunset at Varkala Beach Kerala, situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Named as one of the "ten paradises of the world" and "50 places of a lifetime" by the National Geographic Traveler magazine, Kerala is especially known for its ecotourism initiatives.[169][170] Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demographics, has made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Growing at a rate of 13.31%, the state's tourism industry is a major contributor to the state's economy.[171] Until the early 1980s, Kerala was a relatively unknown destination;[172] most tourist circuits focused on North India. Aggressive marketing campaigns launched by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, the government agency that oversees tourism prospects of the state, laid the foundation for the growth of the tourism industry. In the decades that followed, Kerala's tourism industry was able to transform the state into one of the niche holiday destinations in India. The tagline Kerala- God's Own Country has been widely used in Kerala's tourism promotions and soon became synonymous with the state. In 2006, Kerala attracted 8.5 million tourist arrivals, an increase of 23.68% over the previous year, making the state one of the fastest-growing destinations in the world.[173] Popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Cherai, Varkala, Kappad, Muzhappilangad and Bekal; the hill stations of Munnar, Wayanada, Wagamon, Peermade, Nelliampathi and Ponmudi; and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulam National Park. The "backwaters" region, which comprises an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kollam, Kumarakom, and Punnamada (where the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in August), also see heavy tourist traffic. Heritage sites, such as the Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Mattancherry Palace, are also visited. Cities such as Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are popular centres for their shopping and traditional theatrical performances respectively. During early summer, the Thrissur Pooram is conducted, attracting foreign tourists who are largely drawn by the festival's elephants and celebrants.[174] The main pilgrim tourist spots of Kerala are SabarimalaTemple,PadmanabhaswamyTemple (Thiruvananthapuram), Padanilam Parabrahma Temple(Mavelikkara),

Chettikulangara Temple, Vadakumnathan Temple, Guruvayoor Temple, Sarkara Devi Temple, Malayattor Church and Parumala Church. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alappuzha_district Alappuzha district Alappuzha (Malayalam: ) is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala in India. It was formed as Alleppey District on August 17, 1957. The name of the district was officially changed to Alappuzha in 1990. The district is a widely known tourist destination, and is well-known for its coir factories. Most of Kerala's coir industries are situated in and around Alappuzha. The district is also known for its communist traditions. It is home to the Punnapra Vayalar strikes against the British and also the revolt against feudal raj. Alappuzha is strongly connected by waterways to various other parts of Kerala, including the famous tourist destination, Kumarakom. It has the highest population density among all districts of the state. It is 29.46% urbanised. [2] For administrative purposes, the district is divided into two revenue divisions viz: 1. Alappuzha division comprising Cherthala, Ambalapuzha and Kuttanad taluks with 47 villages and 2. Chengannur division comprising Karthikapally, Chengannur and Mavelikkara taluks with 44 villages. The panchayats in the district are Arookutty, Aroor, Aryad, Chennam Pallippuram, Cherthala South, Ezhupunna, Kadakkarappally, Kanjikkuzhi, Mannancherry, Mararikulam North, Mararikulam South, Kodamthuruth, Kuthiathode, Muhamma, Thaikattussery, Thanneermukkom, Thuravoor, Panavally, Pattanakkad, Perumbalam, Purakkad, Champakulam and Vayalar. The municipalities in the district are Alappuzha, Cherthala, Chengannur, Kayamkulam and Mavelikkara Alappuzha, the district headquarters, is a town with picturesque canals, backwaters and lagoons, was described as the "Venice of the East" by Lord Curzon[1]. Snake boat races are the most significant traditional event in Alleppey. These spectacular regattas are usually held between August and October, and involve long thin boats powered by up to 120 oarsmen. The most famous snake boat race is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. Chemmeen was filmed in two villages in Alappuzha. In the opening credits, a written statement in Malayalam thanks the people of both villages. Area 1414 km - 3.64% of area of the state Population 2,109,160 - 6.61% of the population of the state (2001) Population density 1492/km (2001) Literacy 83%-94% (2001) Sex ratio 1050 females/1000 males Urbanization 29.46% The church located at Kokkamangalam or Kokkothamangalam was one of the seven churches founded by St.Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Another church in Edathua attracts thousands across the country. St. George Ferona church is believed to be a centre for so many miracles. The picturesque CSI Christ Church in Alappuzha town was built in 1818 by the first CMS (Church Missionary Society) missionary to India, Rev. Thomas Norton. It was the first Anglican Church to be established in the erstwhile state of Travancore. Contents * 1 Tourism * 2 Kuttanadu * 3 Festivals * 4 Education * 5 Taluks * 6 Cities, towns and villages Tourism The name Alappuzha is derived from 'Aal(Sea)+ puzhai(River/Mouth)(The joint place of river and Sea)' (Malayalam/Tamil ). Alappuzha is one of the most important tourist centres in the state, with a large network of inland canals earning it the sobriquet "Venice of the east". These large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline.

Alappuzha was one of the busiest centres of trade in the past with one of the best known ports along the Malabar coast. Even today it retains its charm as the centre for Coir carpet industries and prawn farming. Alappuzha the ideal headquarters for backwater tourism as well as for visits to the lovely church filled town of Kottayam, and the town of Aranmula, famous for its historic Aranmula Snake Boat Race which is an annual event. Chengannur in Alappuzha is the nearest railway station to Sabarimala. The Krishnapuram Palace is in Kayamkulam. The budha idol, Saradamandiram are the main attraction of Mavelikkara.The budha statue is in seated posture, resembling Padmasana. A feature common to the idols is that hair has not been engraved on the head. Studies by the Archaeology Department have not been able to explain the absence of hair which is common in Buddha statues of the Gandhara and Mathura tradition. The head has markings resembling a headgear. Though the department has made a pagoda-like structure for the statue, no information on the idol is available to tourists who visit the area. Local people in the area light lamps before the idol. The idol at Mavelikara is 4 feet (1.2 m) high and is perhaps, the biggest. The engravings on the head resemble a helmet of Greek statues. The mark of a sacred thread is visible on the body. Another feature is the marking of a shawl on one shoulder. Here the Archaeological Department has put up a board specifying the age of the statue. Saradamandiram was the residence of Keralapanini. Alappuzha is also known for its spectacular snake - boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year. This competition - the Nehru boat race takes its name from India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who inaugurated in 1952. It is excitement all around as snake - boats, each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind. The event is a tremendous success with tourists and the local population alike. The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alappuzha give one first hand experience of the life style; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, Coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years. Latest addition to Alappuzha is the Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum featuring countless arts and artefacts. Revi Karunakaran was the architect of modern Coir industry that still employs more than 500,000 people in the state of Kerala. The objects featured at the Museum were collected by his family over three generations and features unique artistic pieces from all parts of the world. Kuttanadu Alleppey paddy fields in Kuttanadu Kuttanad or Kuttanadu is an area of Alappuzha District, densely covered with waterways. Kuttanad is famous because of its paddy fields and farmers dedicated to the growth of paddy. It was once called the "Keralathinte Nellara", which means "rice bowl of Kerala". Many factors such as expense, labour shortage etc. seriously affected the agriculture in this region. Many former rice fields are now used for other crops which require much lesser investment. Kuttanadu is the birth place of literary legend Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. Festivals Chettikulangara Bharani is the most important festival in Alappuzha district. The festival is one among the important temple festivals of Kerala. Chettikulagara Bhagavathi Temple, the famous temple dedicated to the awesome Goddess Bhagavathi is about 4 km from Mavelikkara. The important festival here occurs on the Bharani asterism in February/ March.The main rituals of the festival are the 'Kuthiyottam' and 'Kettukazcha'. The 'Kuthiyottam' features a procession of young boys who have observed rigorous ritual penance. Traditional drums, music and glittering ornamental parasols accompany this procession of boys who dance in a trance. Padanilam Parabrahma Temple sivarathri is also an important festival in Alappuzha district.This festival is held every year in the Padanilam Temple.The temple is situated in a small town called Padanilam.Padanilam is situated in about 16 km from Mavelikkara town.This place can also be called as the festival village of Alappuzha because Padanilam witness a large number of festivals every year including vrischika mahotsavam,irupathiyetttamonam....etc.Padanilam is a place of religious unity. A grand annual festival is celebrated at the unique 'Nagaraja Temple' here in October/November.'Chirappu Mahotsavam' is a big occasion at Mullackal Temple in December. Another festival celebrated by the temple is a oneday Thaipooyan Kavadi. The famous Chandanakudam is celebrated at the Kidangam-Parampu Temple during December every year. Kottamkulangara Temple in Alappuzha have two festive seasons in February and March, because of two deities with separate flag masts in same compound wall.

The churches here celebrate grand annual feasts, an occasion to regale and rejoice. The 'Arthunkal Perunnal' is celebrated at the Arthunkal Church. The famous regatta forms part of many festivals here at many places. Annual Vallam Kali (Nehru Trophy Boat Race) is held in the backwaters in the month of September associated with the Onam festival. The main attraction is the Chundan Vallam (Snake Boat) race, in which a number of contestants are in the run for the famous Prime Minister's trophy, a trophy donated by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. Another important celebration in Alappuzha is "Beach Festival" held from December 30 to January 2.The annual festival conducted in Champakulam "Valiya Palli" ia another big festival. Education * The biggest college in Alappuzha is Sanathana Dharma College. * The St. Joseph's College[disambiguation needed] is the exclusive college for girls; it is run by the Canossian Sisters. * The Carmel Polytechnic College at Punnapra has been instrumental in the formation of thousands of technicians during the past 50 years. * The Carmel International School at Punnapra is a recent addition to the educational map of Alappuzha. * Al-Ameen Public School at Chandiroor(North End of Alappuzha District) is a part of reknown Al-Ameen Educational Trust. * There are a Medical college T.D.medical College & 8 engineering colleges, namely; * College of Engineering, Cherthala, Pallippuram, Alappuzha. * College of Engineering, Chengannur, Alappuzha. * College of Engineering & Management, Punnapra, Alappuzha * Archana College of Engineering, Panamel, Alappuzha. * K R Gouri Amma College of Engineering for Women, Cherthala, Alappuzha * Sree Vellappally Natesan College of Engineering, Mavelikkara, Alappuzha. * Sree Buddha College of Engineering, Nooranadu, Pattoor P O, Padanilam, Alappuzha. * Mount Zion College of Engg. for women, Kozhuvallur, Chengannur, Alappuzha. Taluks * Karthikappally * Chengannur * Mavelikkara * Ambalappuzha * Kuttanad * Cherthala Cities, towns and villages Settlements in Alappuzha district include: Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha, Aroor, Arthunkal, Aryad, Budhanoor, Champakulam, Charummoodu, Cherthala, Chungom, Ennakkad, Haripad, Kainakary, Kalarcode, Kalavoor, Kayamkulam, Kedangara, Kodukulanji, Kottamkulangara, Koyippally, Kudassanad, Mararikkulam, Mavelikkara, Mithrakari, Mullakkal, Muthukulam, Padanilam, Pallana, Pallathuruthi, Pazhvanangadi, Poochakkal, Poonthoppu, Pulincunnu, Punnamada, Punnapra, Ramankary, Rodumukku, Thaikattussery, Thamarakulam, Thathampally, Thondankulangara, Thottappally, Thrikkunnappuzha, Thrikkunnapuzha, Vallikunnam, Vazhicheri, and Vedarapla. Ambalappuzha Ambalappuzha is a small town in Alappuzha district of Kerala state, south India. The town is famous for its Sri Krishna temple. The Ambalappuzha temple is one of the three important Sri Krishna temples in the state of Kerala. Ambalapuzha is divided into 2 panchayats: Ambalapuzha North and Ambalapuzha South. Contents * 1 Famous temple * 2 Ambanattu Panikkar Varavu * 3 Legend of the Ambalappuzha Paal Paayasam * 4 Ambalapuzha Velakali * 5 Politics

Famous temple Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple. The Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is believed to have been built in the year 790 M.E by the local ruler Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran. This temple is directly associated to the Guruvayoor Sri Krishna Temple. During the raids Tipu Sultan in 1789, the idol of Sri Krishna from the Guruvayoor Temple(guruvayoor appan) was brought to the Ambalappuzha Temple for safe keeping. The payasam served in the Ambalappuzha Temple is famous among Hindu devotees. This sweet pudding made of rice and milk has an interesting mythological legend behind it.It is very famous An idol of Sri Krishna, The Lord Parthasarathy idol was installed in the temple. The Aarattu festival commences with the flag hoisting ceremony on the Atham star in Meenam (March April). The important Aarattu festival takes place on the Thiruvonam day of the same month.The aarattu ezhunnullathu starts from Erattakulangara Mahadeva Temple(The famous temple amongst one of the siva temples, facing to west) In this temple 'Pallipana' is performed by 'Velans' (sorcerers) once in twelve years. Human sacrifice was conducted in ancient times. However, cocks have now replaced humans on the sacrificial altar. Kalakkaththu Kunchan Nambiar(17051770) also spent his youth at Ambalappuzha. Ambanattu Panikkar Varavu This is a ceremonial procession of members of the Ambanattu Panikkar family memebrs, bringing pots of honey as ritual offering to the deity at Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Ambalapuzha. Link [1]. Link [1]. The land where the temple was built belonged to a rich Ezhava landlord and kalari asaan Ambanattu Panikker. While the rajah of Ambalapuzha dynasty and Vilwamangalathu Swamiyar were going through the waterways, it so happened that they could hear a luscious sound of flute coming from a nearby huge and luxuriant peepul tree. To his astonishment Swamiyar saw Sree Krishna sitting on a branch of the peepul tree playing his flute and suddenly diappeared. Link [2] Legend of the Ambalappuzha Paal Paayasam According to the legend, Lord Krishna once appeared in the form of a sage in the court of the king who ruled the region and challenged him for a game of chess (or chaturanga). The king being a chess enthusiast himself gladly accepted the invitation. The prize had to be decided before the game and the king asked the sage to choose his prize in case he wins. The sage told the king that he had a very modest claim and being a man of few material needs, all he wished was a few grains of rice. The amount of rice itself shall be determined using the chess-board in the following manner. One grain of rice shall be placed in the first square, two grains in the second square, four in the third square, eight in the fourth square and so on. Every square will have double the number of grains of its predecessor. Upon hearing the demand, the king was unhappy since the sage requested only a few grains of rice instead of other riches from the kingdom which the king would've been happy to donate. He requested the sage to add other items to his prize but the sage declined. So the game of chess started and needless to say the king lost the game. It was time to pay the sage his agreed-upon prize. As he started adding grains of rice to the chess board, the king soon realised the true nature of the sage's demands. By the 20th square, the number had reached one-million grains of rice and by the 40th square, it became one-trillion. The royal grainery soon ran out of grains of rice. The king realised that even if he provides all the rice in his kingdom and his adjacent kingdoms, he will never be able to fulfill the promised reward. The number of grains was increasing as a geometric progression and the total amount of rice required to fill a 64-squared chess board is ((2^ (64) - 1 ), which is equal to 18446744073709551615 grains (about 18*10^18, or 18 billion billion grains). This amount of rice would weigh about 460*10^12 kg, 4.6*10^2 Pg (Peta grams), or 460 billion tonnes (1,000 grains of rice weigh about 25g). This amount of rice would also cover the surface of India two meters deep! Upon seeing the dilemma, the sage appeared to the king in his true-form, that of lord Krishna. He told the King that he doesn't have to pay the debt immediately but can pay him over time. The king shall serve paal-payasam (made of rice) in the temple freely to the pilgrims every day until the debt is paid off. Ambalapuzha Velakali Velakali.

Velakali is a group dance held in the open air as an exhibition of the martial feats in front of the raja (king) of Ambalapuzha (erstwhile Chempakassery), who wanted to see how his soldiers had performed in the wars. This show meant to be witnessed by the deity of the temple which is taken out in procession to the courtyard of the temple on a caparisoned elephant. The play consist of a procession in the beginning in which, the dancers walk in line through the village road holding the sword made of rattan in the right-hand and a shield in the left. They move elegantly keeping their pace to the rhythm followed by a hilarious group of villagers encouraging the dancers by jumping and singing and waving small colourful flags. By dusk 'Kulathil vela' or the play on the bank of the tank commences. The dancers take their position on the bank of the temple tank and with weapons in their hands start the play moving their bodies. Their movements get reflected in the water probably reminding one of the war in the sea or rivers. On the other side of the tank the caparisoned elephant with the deity takes position. The dancers do not change their position but exhibit only the swaying of their bodies to the rhythm of Velappara, the main percussion instrument. Then the dancers disperse to assemble again in the southern quadrangle of the temple to start the regular exhibition of the feats. There the deity appears on the elephant. By about 8 p.m. 'Tirumunpil vela' or the play before the divine presence of the deity, start. Now "Ambalapuzha Velakali" is performed every year inside the temple premise during the MarchApril 10 festival days(malayalam:Ulsavam) except on the first and last days. Gandharvan were placed in the family house of Valiamadom and they are worshipped here with poojas and the annually performed Kalamezhuthum Paatum. Panicker was given the tiltle Koyma (supreme authority) of the Srikrishna temple by the king. A male member of the Valiamadom family has to be present for all the important and auspicious functions held in Srikrishna temple. Politics Ambalapuzha assembly constituency is part of Alappuzha (Lok Sabha constituency). Arookutty Arookutty is a census town in Alappuzha district in the state of Kerala, India. Contents * 1 Geography * 2 Demographics * 3 Location Geography Arookutty is located at 95219N 761943E / 9.87194N 76.32861E / 9.87194; 76.32861.[1] It's Very Good Place. Beautiful Lake (Vembanattu Kayal). Boating and some atractions in Arookutty. Demographics As of 2001[update] India census,[2] Arookutty had a population of 17,387. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Arookutty has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 53% of the males and 47% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Location Nearest major railway station is Ernakulam Junction and the nearest airport is Cochin International Airport. Cherthala - Arookutty road runs parallel to National Highway 47. Nearest Railway Station Aroor Railway Station. Aroor AROOR is a census town in Alappuzha district in the state of Kerala, India. It is a Sea food related industrial area south of Kochi. Though considered a part of Kochi for all practical purposes, Aroor technically belongs to the Alappuzha district. Contents * 1 Geography * 2 Demographics * 3 History * 4 Location * 5 Places of worship * 6 Educational institutions

* 7 Prominent Hospitals * 8 Industries * 9 Politics Geography Aroor is located at 95241N 761814E / 9.87806N 76.30389E / 9.87806; 76.30389.[1] Demographics As of 2001[update] India census,[2] Aroor had a population of 35,281. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Its average literacy rate of 84% is higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 51% of the males and 49% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. History The name Aroor traces it origins to the phrase "Arayarude Oor", which means the place of fishermen. It later shortened as Arayaroor and subsequently to the present version. Aroor, which bordered the former Travancore and Cochin states has a colourful history. In the pre-independence days, the coastal tip was known for its adventurous youngsters who would try to get goods past the vigilant customs (one state to another). Much later, in independent India, Aroor is famous for having elected K.R.Gowri Amma, the indomitable lady politician of Kerala for a record 8 times, to the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Location Aroor is the northern most tip of Alappuzha district and lies on the National Highway 47 (India). It is around 17 km south of Ernakulam (Kochi), the commercial hub of Kerala. and Aroor is the Industrial Hub of Allapuzha District. Aroor is linked to the nearby land Kumbalam through bridge. The Aroor -Kumbalam Bridge is the longest bridge (at present, second longest) in Kerala state, spanning about 993 meters which links Aroor with Ernakulam district at Kumbalam through Aroor - Edapally Byepass. Byepass opened to traffic since 1997. One more route is there to reach Ernakulam ( Via Edakochi, W.island via State Highway) There is a small flagging railway station at Aroor, halt only for passenger trains. Nearest major railway station is Ernakulam Junction 15kms away. Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport 42 kms away. Boat Jetty also connects to the other parts of Ernakulam, Allapuzha and Kottayam areas. Places of worship * Sree Puthuvaranattu Temple (Palliyarakkavu Temple) * Karthyayani Devi Temple (Travancore Devasam Major Temple) * Sree Kanakakunnu Temple (Poojappura Temple) * Pavumpayil Sreekrishna Swamy Temple * Vattakeril Sree Khandakarna Temple. One of the few Khandakarna temples in kerala. famous for Tadi(Thookam) thullal. * Ammanezhathu Sree Bhavaneeswara Temple * Cherupally Devasam * Sree Subramania Swamy temple * St. Augustine's Church: A major landmark, right on the Highway. * Masjid ul Aman * Masjid ul Rahman * Mahal Muslim Jamath Educational institutions * Government High School, Aroor * Government Higher Secondary School, Chandiroor * St. Augustine's High School * Our Lady of Mercy Higher Secondary School * Holy Angels Residential School, Aroor. * Al Ameen Public School, Chandiroor * Yahia ul Islam, Chandiroor * Najmul huda Public School, Chandiroor

* Keltron Toolroom research and training centre(KELTRAC) - Offers courses like-3 year Diploma/1 Yr Industrial training in Tool and Die making, Short term courses in CNC programming, CAD and CAM.Workshop Training in given on sophisticated machines like CMM, CNC Milling and CNC Lathes. Prominent Hospitals * State Government Hospital * ESI Dispencery * Lakshmi Hospital * Mercy Hospital * Karthika Hospital * Jeevans Hospital, Chandiroor.One of the oldest hospital in the constituency.Its the only hospital to be empanelled in RASHTRIYA SWASTHYA BIMA YOJANA in this constituency.The central govt have authorized a treatment facility worth Rs.30000 and a travel allowance worth Rs.1000 through the smart card with an aim of giving free inpatient treatment to a family of five members for a period of one year * Chandiroor Mission Hospital Industries * Seafood Export A seafood export processing plant at Aroor.The coldstorage shipment containers are seen in the front of the plant. Aroor lies in the vicinity of Vembanad lake, a part of Kerala backwaters. This eco-system helps large-scale prawn and shrimp farming as an alternative in the low-lying paddy fields, which have the interlocked water system connected to the Kerala backwaters.Secondly the Cochin fishing harbour and port is just 15 km away from Aroor.The abundance of marine wealth and logistical advantages has helped the seafood export to grow especially around Aroor. There are many marine food processing units in Aroor which provide large scale employment to number of people. The raw seafood catch is also purchased by large seafood export firms from North Kerala, Kollam, South Karnataka, Orissa, Tamilnadu etc., processed and preserved in cold storages and then trans-shipped through Cochin port. * KELTRON Controls-Control & Instrumentation division of Keltron * Elite Food Products Pvt Ltd - Bread Making * Studio Complex Manorama News- Prominent Malayalam Television News Channel * Capsulation & Pharmaceuticals(P) Ltd- Soft Gelatin Capsule Manufacturers with WHO GMP certification. * Medventure a sister concern of Capsulation & Pharmaceutical (P) Ltd for manufacturing Tablets. * Aroor Residency , a 3 star hotel. Politics Aroor assembly constituency is part of Alappuzha (Lok Sabha constituency).[3] The place has the distinction of electing K.R.Gowri Amma to the Kerala Assembly, on a record 8 occasions. During the last elections, however, she lost to a younger candidate A.M Ariff of CPI(M) . It was when Gowri Amma was a minister, that A.K.Antony lead Congress men blocked the NH 47 at Chandiroor over the Velluthully kayal issue. That was the start of A.K.Antony's political career. He later went on to become the Chief Minister of Kerala. Smt. Gowri Amma was the agriculture minister in his Cabinet. A.K.Antony is now the Defense Minister of India. The panchayats that come under the Aroor Assembly constituency are Aroor, Ezhupunna, Kodamthuruth, Kuthiathode, Thuravoor, Pattanakkad, Vayalar and Kadakkarappally. At present the main candidates for aroor constituency assemby for the kerala niyamasabha election is (UDF) A.A. Shukkor former alappuzha MLA and Adv. A.M. Arifformer aroor MLA (LDF) Chengannur Chengannur , (Malayalam: ) is a municipal town in Alappuzha district of the state of Kerala in South India. Chengannur (also spelled Chenganoor, Chenganur, and Chengannoor) is located in the extreme eastern part of Alappuzha district. It is 117 kilometres (73 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on the MC Road. Chengannur is connected to Kollam and Kottayam by NH 220. Chengannur is noted for its Shiva temple Chengannur Mahadeva Kshetram and tens of others and its Old Syrian Church.

The nearest towns are Pandalam to the south, Thiruvalla to the north, Mavelikkara to the west and Aranmula and Pathanamthitta to the east. The municipality contains villages such as Neervilakom, Puthencavu, Perissery, Mundankavu, Edanadu, Mulakuzha, Kozhuvalloor, Cheriyanad, Puliyoor, Pennukkara and Poomala Chaal. Contents * 1 Demographics * 2 Politics Demographics As of the 2001 India census,[1] Chengannur had a population of 125,391. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Chengannur has an average literacy rate of 88%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 88% and female literacy of 88%. Nine percent of the population is under 6 years of age. Politics Chengannur assembly constituency is part of Mavelikkara (Lok Sabha constituency). Chengannur is also one of the State Assembly Constituency Cherthala Cherthala (Malayalam: , formerly Shertallai or Shertallay) is a town located in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. It is located 30 km south of the city of Kochi and 22 km north of Alappuzha town, on the Kochi-Alappuzha streatch of both the National Highway 47 as well as the costal Rail-route. In local administration, the Cherthala town is a municipality while in the state administrative structure Cherthala is a Taluk in the district of Alappuzha. The Corporation of Cochin has drafted a Master Plan that aims to develop Cherthala as the satellite township around the Kochi city. Contents * 1 Etymology * 2 Local Governance * 3 Demographics * 4 Cherthala Town * 5 Japan Water Supply Scheme * 6 Places of importance o 6.1 Aroor o 6.2 Arthunkal o 6.3 Thyckattusserry o 6.4 Andhakaranazhy o 6.5 Chennam Pallippuram (Pallippuram) o 6.6 S.L Puram.. Kanjikuzhi (NH 47 Alappuzha ) o 6.7 Kanichukulangara o 6.8 Kokkothamangalam o 6.9 Muhamma + 6.9.1 Pathiramanal o 6.10 Panavally o 6.11 Pattanakkad o 6.12 Poochakkal( ) o 6.13 Thannermukkom o 6.14 Thiruvizha o 6.15 Vayalar * 7 Temples * 8 Churches * 9 Colleges o 9.1 Nair Service Society College o 9.2 Sree Narayana College o 9.3 St. Michael's college

o 9.4 KVM College of Engineering & Information Technology o 9.5 SNGM Institutions - Valamangalam, Thuravoor o 9.6 St. Joseph's School of Pharmacy o 9.7 ITIs,ITCs and Nursing Colleges o 9.8 Co-operative Training Centre/College * 10 Other Educational Institutes o 10.1 MGEF (Mahathma Gandhi Education Foundation) * 11 Schools in and around Cherthala * 12 Public Utility services * 13 Government and Judiciary offices * 14 Hospitals * 15 Drama/Theater troupes in Cherthala * 16 Industries o 16.1 INFOPARK CHERTHALA * 17 Roads * 18 Inland Waterway * 19 Notable people Etymology According to the local legend, once Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, the well known Kerala Hindu Saint, while travelling through Cherthala, found an idol of the Devi with its head immersed in a muddy pond. The swami understood the divinity of the idol, took it out from the mud, cleaned it and consecrated it in a temple near the pond.Thus the place is believed to have got its name as Cher means Mud and Thala means Head in Malayalam and the deity of the temple got the name as Cherthala Karthiyayani.[1] The word put together means Head from the mud. Unlike in other Kerala temples, the idol of Cherthala Karthiyayani Devi is consecrated in the Sreekovil just below the ground level and cannot be directly viewed by the devotees. There is another story that says that the former name was Karappuram and this part of land was gifted by the erstwhile State of Cochin to the erstwhile State of Travancore for protecting it from enemies. The place got its name as Chertha (joined) Thala (abutting land). Local Governance Cherthala taluk is a part of Alapuzha Revenue District and Alapuzha Parliamentary constituency. All the villages of Cherthala Taluk come under the Cherthala and Aroor Constituencies of Kerala Legislative Assembly. There are 20 Grama Panchayats or villages under Cherthala Taluk namely Aroor, Arookutty, Perumbalam, Ezhupunna, Kodamthuruthu, Kuthiathode, Thuravoor, Pattanakad, Panavally, Thycattuserry, Pallippuram, Alappuzha, Cherthala South, Muhamma, Thanneermukkom, Kanjikuzhi, Mannancherry, Mararikulam North, Aryad, Kadakarapally and Vayalar. As per Local governance in Kerala, i.e., 3-Tier Panchayat raj, Cherthala Taluk is also divided into 3 block panchayats: Pattanakad, Thycattuserry and Kanzhikuzhy . All these block panchayats are also the part of Alapuzha Jilla /District Panchayat. Demographics As per Kerala government website, Cherthala municipality had a population of 43,326 over an area of 16.18 square kilometres. The density of population is 2678 per square kilometre. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%.[2] Cherthala has an average literacy rate of 94%, with male literacy of 98.4% and female literacy of 89.7%. Cherthala Town The War memorial dedicated to soldiers from Shertallai village who took part in World War I & II Cherthala Town Municipality has 32 wards.[3] The town is well-known after the Karthyayani Devi temple ,located in the center of the town. Two more sub-temples dedicated to Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu are also located on the northern side of the main temple. A sub-temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and another dedicated to Kshethrapalakan believed to be Devi's temple caretaker are located on the southern corner of the main temple. Thousands of devotees coming from different 'Karas' (localities) of Cherthala participate in the Padayani, vela thullal

and pooram pattu, the main rituals conducted during the temple festival. A large pond exists in front of the Taluk office that belongs to the Karthyayani Devi temple.We can see many roosters flocking around the temple premises .These roosters are the offerings of the devotees,an ancient custom followed in many devi temples of Kerala.The temple is administered by Travancore Devaswom Board. Another temple in Cherthala town is the Muttathu Thirumala Devaswam temple. Lord Narasimha presiding in the form of Saligrama and Sree Venkatachalapathy Moorthy with bhoo devi and sree devi are the deities of this temple. The temple conducts its annual festival either ahead of the Karthyayani Devi's festival or soon after that. The Pallivetta is a beautiful procession where it is believed that God is going for the divine hunting. The annual festival lasts for 8 days. The Muttom St. Mary's church is located near the market. The Muttom church is also a Marian pilgrimage center. A silver flag mast (Kodimaram) in the church courtyard depicts its unique Kerala heritage found in many Syrian Catholic churches of Kerala. The Shree Mahadeva temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is also located near the east end the Muttom Church. The Moorthickal Sri Lakshminarayan temple and Peechi Amman Kovil are also located half a kilometer west of the Cherthala town. The Vellorvattom Shree Mahadeva temple having twin sreekovils both dedicated to Lord Shiva is located one kilometer west of Cherthala town. Cherthala is a major centre of coir industry.There are big coir exporting factories located outside the town ,few of them along the NH-47. The well-known politician and the Union Defence Minister A K Antony hails from Cherthala Town. The Union Cabinet Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi, is also from Cherthala. Cherthala is well-connected by road and rail. The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport, about 50 kilometers northwest, and the nearest seaport is Cochin Harbour about 36 kilometers northwest of the town. A memorial stands in front of the Taluk office, dedicated in the memory of various soldiers from Cherthala who took part in World War I& II. The office of Tahsildar is also located in the Taluk office complex. The Taluk office has a treasury, Land & Revenue department, Election commission's office. A Mini Civil station complex located behind Taluk office has various government departments under one roof. There is also the office of Deputy Supernatant of Police (DySP) near the Taluk office. The only fire station in Cherthala taluk functions round the clock next to Civil station. A large BSNL microwave tower functions near the BSNL telephone exchange used for high-speed data transfer and telephone communication.There is a court complex that houses the Magistrate court and Munsif courts. A busy bus stand and depot run by Kerala State RTC is situated on the east side of Devi temple. The Cherthala Municipality building and a shopping complex is situated near to this bus stand. A government guesthouse (Traveler's Bungalow) functions at the north end of Court junction. A man-made water canal flows across the town. It was constructed as an Inland waterway to link Cherthala town with Alapuzha prior to development of NH-47. The busy Cherthala market has the vegetable wholesale market and the municipal fish market located near the Muttom Church. A small chapel of Mother Mary is located in the market.There are few oil mills producing the coconut oil. Manorama Junction, Market road, Nadacavu road, Court Jn, KSRTC bus stand, Pvt bus stand, Apsara junction, Xray Jn., Iron Bridge, Bhavani theatre, civil station, Taluk office, municipal shopping complex are some of the locally known places in and around Cherthala town.Cherthala town has the potential for developing as the Satellite town of ever expanding Kochi metropolitan city. Japan Water Supply Scheme It is one of the Mega Water supply project executed by Kerala Water Authority for providing uninterrupted drinking water for the people of entire Cherthala taluk. The Scheme covers Cherthala Municipal town, 7 towns and 13 villages of Cherthala taluk. A package of five water supply schemes was approved by the Overseas Economic Co-operation Fund (OECF) of Japan, for loan assistance. The funding agency is now known as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).[4] The loan agreement for the project (Agreement No. IDP 123) was executed on 23 February 1997 between the OECF and the Government of India. According to the agreement, Government of India is the borrower and the (KWA) Kerala Water Authority is the executing Agency. The project aims at augmenting and rehabilitating the water supply systems of two urban regions, namely Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, and to construct water supply for three rural regions namely, Pattuvam of Kannur district, Cherthala of Alappuzha district and Meenad of Kollam district. The project when completed will ensure drinking water supply to about 43 lakhs of people of the

benefited area spread over five districts. The water source for the Cherthala project area is Muvattupuzha River at Kulampoorkadavu near Aryankavu. Places of importance Aroor The Garuda Vahana procession taken to Vattakkeril temple ,Aroor Aroor is a busy village situated 25 km north of Cherthala town on the National Highway 47 between Cherthala and Kochi. Aroor is identified as industrial park for seafood exports. It is also one of the fish landing centres. There are few workshops specialised in automobile body building, mechanised boat building in Aroor. Aroor Industrial Estate and Chemical industrial estate is situated at the northern side of Aroor. It was inaugurated by Former Revenue Minister Smt. K R Gowri Amma. The studio complex of the Manorama News channel is also located in Aroor. Saint Augustine Church, one of the oldest Latin Catholic churches is located near the busy NH47 Bypass-Edacochin junction and Pavumabai Temple is there. The Saint Augustine Higher School situated nearby. Aroor being well connected by NH-47 and rail line to the Kochi City, is fast becoming one of the suburb destinations of Kochi city. Aroor is also represented as the Assembly constituency. and ancient Karthyayani Temple is situating in the heart of Aroor. The Vattakkeril temple for the THADI THULLAL ritual is located in Aroor.Large number of people participate in the procession of Garuda Vahanas, the main festival attraction of Vattakkeril temple. Aroor Cheruvally Temple also located near Vattakkeril has the Paradevatha Kavu and Kizekakke Kavu. Kavus are Sacred groves of India found in many Kerala Temple preserving rare ecosystems. Arthunkal Arthunkal is an important pilgrim centre of Latin Catholic Christians and is for well known St. Sebastian and the original name of the Church is St. Andrues church, popularly known as 'Arthunkal Church' situated 8 km south-west of Cherthala town facing the sea coast. Historians interpret the name Arthunkal differently. One version is that the thatched chapel built initially was at Arthikulangara and later the name was modified as Arithikulangal, Arithinkal and Arthunkal. Another version is that the "Siva" temple of the Puliyamkottu family used to conduct the 'Arattu Ulsav every year. The distance from the temple to the sea where Arattu was conducted came to be known as Arattunkal and later became Arthunkal. The temple doesn't exist anymore. Hindu pilgrims from Sabarimala used to visit Arthunkal and take bath in a tank in the Church premises to formally conclude their penance. The tank is not in existence now. Thyckattusserry Thaikattussery [ , ] had a population of 20052 with 9915 males and 10137 females. Thaikattussery is situated 35 km north of Alappuzha and 25 km south of Kochi in Pallippuram Islands. The major income source of this place is fishing. Thycattusherry is geographically surrounded by Vembanad lake and its tributaries.The major population of Thykkatussery belonging from low income group. Thyckattussery is famous for'Panchara Manal' [Silica sand], the major raw material used in glass and cement industry. Andhakaranazhy Andhakaranazhy is a coastal village located 4-km west of Pattanakkad. It's one of the popular beach locations attracting tourists and domestic visitors. The beach has an azhy, a sand sedimentation formed by the constant sea erosion.Large mechanised shutters are erected near the isthmus where the back waters merge into the Arabian sea. These shutters regulate the flow of seawater water entering into the neighbouring paddy fields of Thuravoor, Pattanakad, Ezhupunna panchayats connected to the back waters .They also prevent flooding in paddy fields during excessive rainfalls . A majestic light house stands like a signal tower guiding the seamen during night. This lighthouse is open to public during the Onam season. This place is also a popular shooting location for Malayalam film songs. One can reach Andhakaranazhy via the Kadakkarapally-Thanky-Andhakaranazhy-Pallithode beach road or divert towards west at Padmakshi-Kavilpalli junction on NH 47 near Pattanakkad. This place was one of the seriously affected areas in the tsunami disaster, which hit the Kerala Coast on December 26, 2006. Smt. K. R. Gowri Amma, the revenue minister in the Kerala State's first elected government is from this village. She was the sitting MLA from Aroor constituency for many years. The Vyathara Trimurthi temple, a very rare and old temple dedicated to tri-gods trimurthi Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma consecrated in a single sreekovil is located in Andhakaranazhy. The Kandakarana temple is also located near the Trimurthi temple.

Chennam Pallippuram (Pallippuram) Chennam Pallippuram, commonly known as Pallippuram, is a panchayath, situated in Cherthala taluk and belongs to Thycattussery block panchayath accessible by the Cherthala -Arukutty -Aroor road. The panchayath has an area of 25.53 square kilometers, 6202 households and a population of 27307 (13365 men and 13942 women) as per census of 2001. Pallipuram is also known for its huge deposits of white silica-rich sandy soil. These huge white soil dunes dotted with cashew nut trees is a typical landscape of Pallippuram,found on both sides of Cherthala -ArookuttyAroor road . This sandy soil has large demand in glass making industry. But due to its clandestine consumption many dunes have disappeared from the landscape of Pallippuram. Pallippuram sand soil is now a restricted resource controlled by the Government Geology department. Pallippuram is surrounded with Vembanad Lake on eastern and western sides and Chenganda River on its southern side. The bridge over the river connects this area to the mainland of Cherthala. The IHRD engineering college, N.S.S Arts and Science College, and few schools are located in this panchayat area. The crushing unit of Malabar Cements (owned by Government of Kerala) is located in the industrial area. The Cherthala Info Park with associated township and other infrastructure is another upcoming project under construction in Pallipuram panchayat. Thiruayranikkulam Kalathil Mahadeva temple, Kadavil Bhagavathi temple, and St. Mary's Church are also located in Pallipuram panchayat. The St. Thomas Hospital and Public Health Centre is also located in this area. Pallipuram is connected to Cherthala by road at a distance of 5 km. MLA road (parallel to Cherthala -Arukutty-Aroor road) is another major road in the locality.Cherthala Infopark is also situated in Pallipuram panchayath. S.L Puram.. Kanjikuzhi (NH 47 Alappuzha ) S.L Puram is also known as Sethulekshmipuram or Kanjikuzhi. Its situated 12 km north of Alappuzha town , 9 km South of cherthala town, about 3 km towards west is Arabian sea and 3 km towards east is Vembanadu lake . S.L Puram is one of the main junction on Alappuzha - Cherthala NH 47. The Marari beach lies 3.5 km west, Muhamma road on the east side reaching the Kumarakam- Muhamma ferry . The drama and film script writer Sree S.L Puram Sadanandan and his drama theater SooryaSoma is situated in S.L Puram. The Sree Narayana college , Govt. Plus two School,KSEB office,BSNL office, Mararikulam police station, Mararikulam South panjayath office are other institutions located in and around S.L Puram. Kanichukulangara Situated 13 km north of Alappuzha town, Kanichukulangara is for the Bhagavathy temple. It is believed that the shrine was consecrated by a Brahmin who happened to recognize Devi who had reached the shore. The souls of the Brahmin and the maiden who is said to have fallen in love with Brahmin have been consecrated in small shrines inside the temple.Later the temple was constructed by the karnavas of kaikara,manjezham and chelattu kudumbam .They provided the land and other materials for the construction and taken care of the nithya pooja and festivals. Kokkothamangalam File:Kokkamangalam Church.jpg The Kokkamangalam Church Situated on the western shore of Vembanad lake is the seat of one of the oldest churches in the world. It is said that the apostle St. Thomas, who visited Kerala in 75 AD and established 7 churches including one here, consecrated a cross there. Later the cross was found missing and it was recovered from Pallipuram and brought back to Kokkothamangalm where a church was built. The present church was built in 1900. It is a major pilgrim centre. St Antony's High School is located in Kokkothamangalam. The place is 4.5 km southeast from Cherthala town accessible via the Chertala - Tannermukkom - Muhamma road. Muhamma Muhamma is a Grama Panchayath in Cherthala Taluk. It is home to the Cheerappanchira kalari, where Ayyappan had his training in the martial arts; the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, Mrs. Susheela Gopalan (wife of A. K. Gopalan), was from this family. Muhamma was also the village where the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader P. Krishna Pillai died after sustaining a snakebite. Pathiramanal island, the most beautiful point in Vembanad Lake, is a part of Muhamma Panchyath. Pathiramanal

Pathiramanal roughly translated as the 'mysterious sand of midnight', is a small beautiful island of tourist importance. It is situated in the centre of Vembanad lake, 4 km east of Muhamma. This island is full of coconut trees and luxuriant vegetation. It is also home to a large flock of migratory birds. Pathiramanal Bio Park Muhamma panchyath has launched big project in Pathiramanal with central assistance. The estimated cost of the project is about 10 cores. Bio park, fish breeding area, Natural Historical museum, aquarium etc. are the main parts of the project. The project is submitted by the panchayath samithy headed by Sri. C.K. Bhaskaran, President, and P.P. Udayasimhan, Secretary. Panavally Panavally is a serene village in Cherthala taluk of Alappuzha district.Its situated at the northern frontier of old Travancore state, sourrounded by backwaters of Vembanad lake .The studies on the soil of the place have shown that, like many regions of Kerala, this part of the land also emerged from the sea a few centuries ago. The sand in the southern part of this village contains high concentration of pure silica. This is being used in many industries, in particular in brick (white) making. The Cherthala-Arookutty bus route goes through this village and runs parallel to the national highway NH 47. The economy in general is agriculture based, but equally supported by the seafood processing industry. Due to the proximity to the Cochin city, this village supplies workforce to the city as well. Major industries in this include Century Shipyard, Kuncharath coir mills etc. Nalpathaneeswaram Sree Mahadeva Temple, Thrichattukulam Mahadeva Temple, Edappangazhi Sree Krishna Temple, Odampally Devi Temple are the main Hindu religious centres in Panavally. Poochakkal Police Station and Thykkattussery Block Office are situated in this village. Pattanakkad Pattanakkad is a panchayath in Cherthala taluk. Andhakaranazhy located 4 km west of Poonamveli, is a beautiful tourist beach destination also known after its azhi( ).Andhakaranazhy has a lighthouse and its also a popular shooting location for south Indian films songs.The Pattanakad Block office, State Bank of India Branch,a small market,Poonamveli mosque,BSNL telephone exchange etc. are located at Poonamveli, an locality along the NH-47 near the Pattankad Block office. Pattanakkad Mahadeva temple is believed to be one of 108 Shiva temples built by Hindu Warrior saint Parasurama.[5] of Kerala , located along the NH-47 near to the Pattankad village office. Well reputed Pattanakkad Public School currently known as St. Joseph's Public School, Bishop Moore Vidya Pith and the Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary schools are located along the NH-47 near Pattankad. The Milma cattle feed plant is also located 2 km north of Poonamveli along the NH-47. Poochakkal( ) Nagari SreeDharmaSastha Kshetram Poochackal is an important small town. It is located jointly in Thycattussery and Panavally panchayaths. It is about 14 km from Cherthala and 25 km from Ernakulam. There are three schools, one VHSC, one Plus Two and one BEd centre in Poochackal. Royal and KC movies are the main cinema theatres. Nagari Sree Dharmasastha Temple, Sreekandeswaram Mahadevar Temple, Elikkattu Sreedharmasastha Temple, Thevarvattom Masjid, Manappuram St. Theresa's church are the main worship places. Poochackal market is the local market of the area. Federal Bank, State Bank of Travancore, the Alleppey Dist Co-Operative Bank, Chertala service Co-Operative Bank, Sub Treasury and the KSFE are the financial institutions of the area. Thaliyaparambu temple for 'kalam kary' is here. Poochakkal police station and Land Registration Office fulfills the needs for the entire Thycattusserry Block. Thannermukkom It is situated on the western bank of Vembanad Lake. The Thannermukkom salt-water barrier was constructed as apart of Kuttanad Development Scheme. The Thannermukkom regulator constructed across Vembanad Lake between Thannermukkom and Vechur is to prevent tidal action and intrusion of salt water. Thiruvizha Thiruvizha is situated about 5 km south-west of Cherthala and is for Shiva temple. The temple attracts large number of devotees because of the divine prasadam, which is supposed to possess medicinal and curative properties for mental illness. Vayalar Vayalar Raktha Sakshi Mandapam

Situated about 2.5 km north of Cherthala, Vayalar is a politically important place in the history of modern Kerala. The historic Punnapra-Vayalar uprising at Vayalar by the communist party against the rule of Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer,the Diwan of Travancore state, resulted in the relinquishment of the rule of Diwan. Hundreds of communists fell victim to the tragic police firing in 1946. There is martyrs' platform (Raktha Sakshi Mandapam) erected at this place. You can still find stump of the coconut tree in which a hole was created due to the police firing. Every year leading communist leaders come down here on the memorial day. This place is home to the late poet Vayalar Rama Varma and Union Minister Vayalar Ravi. It is also the birthplace of Mr. S. Raja, a industrialist in erode of Tamil Nadu Temples * Karthayayani Devi temple- Chertala town * Velorvattom Mahadevar temple - Velorvattom 1 km from Manorama Junction towards West * Puthumana Sree Krishna Swamy temple * Sree Shanmuka Swamy temple, Cherthal CMC 23 * Kuttikattu sree bhadra kali devi temple * Muttathu Thirumala Devasom Lakshmi Narasimha Temple - Chertala town * Varanaadu Bhagavathy temple-Varanaadu * Kottaram Sri Dharmasastha Temple-Near Ottapunna NH47 Bypass * Kadambanadu Sri Devi Temple, CMC-1, Cherthala * Sri Dharmasastha Temple-Near Ottapunna NH47 Bypass * Dhanvanthri temple-Maruthorvattom * Vellappally Sree Dharma Daiva Kshetram - Maruthorvattom * Kandmangalam Devi temple- Kandmangalam 4 km from Town on Cherthala-Thanky-Anthakaranazhi road * Mutharamman Kovil near Railway station * Nalpathenneeswaram Sree Mahadeva Temple-Panvally -One of the 108 Shiva temples supposed to be built by Parasurama[6] * Thrichattukulam Mahadeva Temple -Panvally * Mahadevar temple-Tiruvizha * Mahadevar temple-Mararikulam * Thycattuserry Bhagavathy temple-Thycattuserry * Sreekandeswaram Mahadevar Temple-Poochakkal * Mahadevar temple-Pattankad - 6 km North of town on NH-47-One of the 108 Shiva temples supposed to be built by Parasurama[7] * Kanichukulanghara Bhagavathy temple-Kanichukulanghara * Thuravoor Narashimha Moorthy-Sudharshana Moorthy Mahakshethram-Thuravoor - 12 km North of town on NH-47 * Thuravoor Tirumala Devasom Lakshmi Narasimha temple-Thuravoor * Nalukulanghara Bhagavathi temple -Parayakad, Thuravoor * Karthayayani Devi temple- Aroor - 20 km North of town on NH-47 * Kalavancodam saktheeswara temple, for kannadi prathista - 6 km north on Kalavancodam-saktheeswara road * Sivasubrahmanyapuram Temple, Nadubhagom, Thyckattusery * kadambanakulangra temple, Pallippuram, P.O, cherthala * Subrahmanya Temple, Puthanambalam * Kochanakulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Kayippuram, Muhamma * Nagamkulangara Temple, Vayalar * Puthiyakavu devi temple,Puthiyakavu,Vayalar * Chammanad Devi Temple, Chammanad * [Punnakkezhil Devi Temple] Thyckattusserry Churches * St. Mary's Forane Church, Muttom, Cherthala town * St. Joseph Church Madakkal - 3 km southwest from town on Cherthala-Thanky-Thumboly road

* St. George Church, Arthinkal- 8 km southwest from town on Cherthala-Thanky-Thumboly road * St. Andrews Church ( Arthinkal palli), Arthinkal- 8 km southwest from town on Cherthala-Thanky-Thumboly road * St. Mary's Forane Church, Thankey -5 km north from Town on Cherthala-Thanky-Anthakaranazhi road * St. Mary's Fornane Church, Pallippuram -8 km north from Town on Arukutty-Cherthala road * St. Augustine Church and Pontifical Seminary, Manapuram - 15 km north from Town on Arukutty-Cherthala road * St. Thomas Church, Kokkamangalam - 6 km southeast from town on Cherthala-Tannirmukkom-Muhamma road * St. Martin de Porres Church,Vadakkumuri- 2 km west from town near Kizhekkenalpathil * St. Sebastian's Church, Areepparampu-6 km southwest from town on Cherthala-Kanichukulangara road * St.Sebastian's Church,Maruthorvattom,N H 47,4 km from Cherthala * St. Joseph church,kuncharam,panavally north Cherthala Colleges Nair Service Society College The N.S.S College, Cherthala,[8] owes its origin to the hard work and patronage of the Nair Service Society, an educational agency in Kerala and to the initiative and vision of its founder the late Mannathu Padmanabhan. This institution, which acts as a nexus linking the Cherthala and Vaikom taluks and fulfils the long felt need of the area to provide higher education to aspiring students, came into being as a Junior College in 1964. It was upgraded in 1968. Its first PG course was started in 1995. The college has a very active NCC Unit, three socially committed National Service Scheme Units and a very efficient Sports and Arts wing, the students of this premier institution, situated in an economically and educationally backward area, had won laurels in the University examinations, Youth Festivals and Athletic meets. Currently it offers the following courses. Bachelor of Arts (English, Malayalam, History and Economics), Bachelor of science (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Environment & Water Management), Master of Arts(Economics), Bachelor of commerce and Master of Science in Mathematics. The college is affiliated to Kerala University.[9] Sree Narayana College The SN College[10] was inaugurated in 1964 by the late Sri. R. Sankar, the founder -Secretary of S.N. Trusts and the then Chief Minister of Kerala. What began as a Junior college grew over the years into a major institution, offering instruction in, ten degree courses and two PG courses. The college at present has on its rolls more than 2,500 students and faculty of more than 90 members. Apart from the academic activities, due emphasis is given to co-curricular activities also. There are 4 very active NSS units in the college. A Population Education Club and a Women's Cell are also functioning well in the college. The NCC wing could have its cadets participate in Republic Day Parade many times. In sports and games, the college teams could win laurels on different occasions, especially in Kabaddi and Kho-Kho. Currently it offers the following courses: Bachelor of Arts (Malayalam, Politics, Philosophy, History and Economics), Bachelor of science (Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology), Master of Arts (Economics), Bachelor of commerce and Master of Science (Botany, Zoology, Physics).The college is affiliated to Kerala University.[11] St. Michael's college St. Michael's college[12] was a long cherished dream of His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Michael Arattukulam, the first Bishop of Alleppey. From the time of its very inception in 1967, the college has made its mark in the academic field, in athletics, in National Service Scheme and in arts and cultural activities. It has a student strength of 1,700 with 62 members on the teaching staff and 47 on the non-teaching staff. The college has had a consistently bright academic record all through the years. The college has distinguished itself in sports and games, one of its former students became even the Captain of the Indian Basketball Team. The performance of the college in cultural activities has been equally impressive. Currently it offers the following courses: Bachelor of Arts (Economics), Bachelor of Science (Physics, Chemistry and Zoology), Master of Arts (Economics) and Bachelor of commerce. The college is affiliated to Kerala University.[13] KVM College of Engineering & Information Technology

KVM College of Engineering & Information Technology is a long cherished dream of K. Velayudhan Memorial Trust. KVM College of Engineering & Information Technology started in 2001-2002 academic year. It is approved by the All India Council of Technical Education AICTE and is recognized by Cochin University of Science & Technology CUSAT.[14] Currently it offers the following courses: Master of Computer Application, Msc Biotechnology and Msc Vishual Communication and MBA SNGM Institutions - Valamangalam, Thuravoor The Sree Narayana Guru Memorial Charitable and Educational (S.N.G.M.)[15] Trust runs M.Ed. College, B.Ed. College, Teacher Training Institute, Polytechnic For Catering Technology, Pharmacy College, Arts & Science College, Senior Higher Secondary School and K.R. Gouriamma Engineering College For Women.[16] The campus is situated in Valamangalam South village, 4 km east of Thuravoor - NH 47 junction. The institutions are affiliated with the Kerala University.[17] St. Joseph's School of Pharmacy Situated near Cherthala ITIs,ITCs and Nursing Colleges * St.Joseph's ITI - Kurakanchanda, Thuravoor South * S.B College of Engineering & ITC Munisif Court Junction,Cherthala * Sobha ITC, K.R.Puram.P.O, Pallippuram * KVM Nursing College - KVM Hospital Cherthala * Sacred Heart Nursing College & Hospital - Mathilakam, Cherthala * EXCEL ITC south of private bus stand near st.marys G.H.school cherthala-688524 ph.0478-3251396 Co-operative Training Centre/College This institute is under the management of State Co-operative Union Kerala. Co-operative training center and college functions here. Junior diploma in co-operation (JDC), Higher Diploma in Co-operation & Business Management (HDC&BM) are the courses conducted there. (Govt approved courses) qualifications: * for JDC - SSLC (medium: Malayalam/English) * for HDC&BM - any degree (medium: Malayalam/English) (some of the seats are reserved for SC/ST, employees of co-operative societies& Govt. Departments) The Subjects includes Co-operation, Types of Co-operative Societies and their functions, Co-operative Laws, Other Laws applicable to Co-operative societies, Co-operative Audit, Rural Development Management, Banking Accountancy Software Applications. The courses also include field studies and viva voce. Other Educational Institutes MGEF (Mahathma Gandhi Education Foundation) Mahathma Gandhi Education Foundation[18] is one of the leading Educational Institution in South India with its Head Office at Cherthala. MGEF conducts Information Technology Courses (Multimedia, Animation, Programming, .NET, CAD Engineering, Hardware Courses, Web Designing Courses etc.), Fire and Safety Courses, Fashion Technology, Modeling, Management Courses, Electronics and Electrical Engineering Courses. MGEF has franchises or study centers all over Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. MGEF has international Offices in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. MGEF provides 100% Placement assistance through its Online Placement Cell and through its International Office at Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. MGEF Head Office is at Gandhi Bhavan, North of Devi Temple, Cherthala, Kerala. Schools in and around Cherthala * Govt. Polytechnic College, Xray Jn., Cherthala Town[19] * Govt. Lower Primary School, Cherthala Town * Govt. Boys Higher secondary School, Cherthala Town * Govt. Girls Higher secondary School, Cherthala Town * Holy Family Higher secondary School, Muttom, Cherthala Town * St. Mary's Girls High School, Near Pvt. Bus Stand, Cherthala * St. Anns English Medium Higher Secondary School, Muttom, Cherthala

* Naipunya School of Management Studies, West of Manorma Junction, Cherthala * St. Joseph Public School, Pattanakad, one of the oldest ICSE schools in Kerala Public Utility services Bank Name IFSC Location The Muttom Service Co-operative Bank Ltd. NA Main Road, Cherthala, Kerala - 688524 Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd. CSBK0000084 Muttom Bazar, Cherthala Dhanalakshmi Bank Ltd DLXB0000013 North Gate of Karthiayini Temple, Cherthala Federal Bank Ltd FDRL0001095 Muttom Bazar, Cherthala Syndicate Bank Ltd West of Gandhi Bazar Shopping Complex, Cherthala Indian Bank Ltd West of Civil Station, St. Mary's School Road, Cherthala HDFC Bank Ltd HDFC0001489 BNNP Building, Muttom Bazar, Cherthala North Malabar Gramin Bank NA Nadakkavu Road, Muttom Bazar, Cherthala Punjab National Bank PUNB0389400 Amritha Complex, Opp. K.S.R.T.C. Bus Station, Cherthala South Indian Bank SIBL0000120 NSS Building, A.S. Road, Cherthala State Bank of India SBIN0005046 Gandhi Bazar hopping Complex, Private Bus Stand, Cherthala State Bank of India SBIN0011916 X-Ray, Bye Pass, Cherthala State Bank of Travancore SBTR0000081 Court Junction, Cherthala Union Bank of India UBIN0536091 Karunakara Building, A.C. Road, Cherthala Vijaya Bank VIJB0002034 Opp. K.S.R.T.C. Bus Station, Cherthala * Automated teller machine ATMs - State Bank of Travancore | Federal Bank | Axis Bank | Catholic Syrian Bank | South Indian Bank | State Bank of India | Punjab National Bank | Union Bank of India * The Kerala State Financial Enterprises Ltd[KSFE]|- Cherthala Main, Near KSRTC bus stand | Cherthala II, near Padayanippalam * Co-Operative Banks - Cherthala Urban Co-operative Bank | Muttom Co-operative Bank | Alleppy Dist. Cooperative Bank | CARD Bank ( ) * Indian Postal Service -Cherthala Town Main Post office * Fuel Stations - Hindustan Petroleum | Indian Oil Corporation | IBP (merged subsidiary of Indian Oil) | Bharat Petroleum | Reliance Petroleum * Kerala State Road Transport Corporation KSRTC - Bus Station & Depot - Halt for all KSRTC buses including Interstate Bus services |Municipal Bus Station * Cherthala Railway Station with Online Reservation counter -Halt for all trains except Rajdhani Express and Executive * BSNL Customer care center | Telephone Exchange * Fire Station | KSEB | Kerala State Health Services | Kerala University - Information Center * Passenger Boat services - Tavanakadavu-Vaikom | Manapuram - Nerekadavu | Thycattuserry-Thuravoor | Aroor keltron - Kumbalangi | Panavally- Perumbalam | Arukutty - Kumbalam,Edakochi |Muhamma-Kumarakom | * Ferry/Jangar service - Tavanakadavu-Vaikom | Manapuram - Nerekadavu | Thycattuserry-Thuravoor | Aroor keltron - Kumbalangi run by KSWTC and Authorised Pvt. contractors * Movie Theaters in Cherthala Town- KSFDC's Chithranjali Movie theater Non A/C DTS (sound system),Paradise Cine House Non A/C DTS (sound system) * Local TV channels - KMCN and C-Vision -providing local news,local content and providing other satellite channels * Halls / Auditoriums in Cherthala Town - Municipal Town Hall, S.S. Kalamandir, S.S. Kalabhavan, NSS Auditorium, Brahmana Samooham Hall, Mahadeva Mandir-Velorvattom, Ashwini Residency Conference Hall * Parcel and Courier Services - ABT Government and Judiciary offices * Office of the Cherthala Tehsildar * Election Commission of India Office | State Treasury | Land & Revenue Department | Land Registration Office * Regional Transport Office * First Class Judicial Magistrate Court | Munsif court

* Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Kerala Police * Office of the Circle Inspector of Police -Cherthala Circle. First Among the stations to start the Janamaithri Police service of Kerala Police * Civil Supplies | Sub-District Education Department | Sales Tax Circle office | Excise Circle office | Kerala Water Authority | Public Works Department * Govt. Guest House | Govt. Employment Exchange * Cherthala Municipality Office | Village Office - Cherthala Village Hospitals * Govt. Taluk Hospital, Cherthala * Agasthya Ayurvedic Medical Centre, Ezhupunna * SNMM Hospital, (aka X-Ray Hospital), Cherthala * Dharmagiri hospital, Cherthala * KVM Super-specialty Hospital with 24- Hr Accident Emergency care unit, Cherthala * Poochakkal Medical Centre (PMC), P.O. Poochakkal * Sacred Heart Hospital, Mathilakam * Lakshmi hospital, Aroor * Mercy hospital, Aroor * Karthika hospital, Aroor * Jeevans hospital with 24- Hr Accident Emergency care unit, Chandiroor * Moham Hospital, Chammanad * Nicholas hospital, Eramaloor * Santhi hospital, Kuthiathode * PHC, Aroor, * St. Sebastian's visitation hospital, Arthunkal * C.K.V HOSPITAL (ayurveda)estd.1952,Poochakkal p.o ,cherthala * D S R Memmorial Old age Home and Geriatric Care Hospital, Mayithara, Cherthala * S V Hospital Cherthala, Near Private Bus stand, Nadakavu road * Kuncharath Vaidya Sala & Panchakarma Centre,Panavally Drama/Theater troupes in Cherthala * Cherthala Jubilee Theatres -Ran by Late Rajan P.Dev * S.L. Puram Suyrasoma Theatres Industries * Coir Coir is the traditional and most popular industrial produce in Cherthala. Coir industry is run under both private and Cooperative sector. A politically well-organised coir workers and availability of raw coir fibre are the basic resources of coir industry in Cherthala. The big export housed have mechanised their plants with latest Hi-tech automated coir looms. They weave out tons of coir carpets,door mats and jute items every month both for exports. We can find exquisitely designed carpets and mats displayed in the showrooms along the NH-47. Some of the major coir manufactures in Cherthala are TMMC group -Chertala, Koncherry Coir Exporters, Maithara Coir house, Loomcraft, Charangattu Mats and Coir, Shertallai Coir Cooperative Society, MC MILLS, Kalavamkodam,[20] COMET EXPORTS, Cherthala. * Seafood Export A seafood export processing plant at Aroor.The coldstorage shipment containers are seen in the front of the plant. The coastal inland area of Cherthala is closely interlocked with the Kerala backwaters and Vembanad lake. This ecosystem is utilized for large-scale prawn and shrimp farming as an alternative in the low-lying paddy fields. Secondly the Cochin fishing harbour and port is just 15 km away from Aroor.The abundance of marine wealth and logistical advantages has helped the seafood export to grow especially around Aroor, Chandiroor, Ezhupunna, Thuravoor, Arookutty. Shrimp, Squid, Cuttle fish and other fin fishes are some of the raw marine wealth processed and

exported. There are many marine food processing units in these places which provide employment to large number of people. The raw seafood catch is also purchased by large seafood export firms from North Kerala, Kollam, South Karnataka, Orissa, Tamilnadu etc., processed and preserved in cold storages and then trans-shipped through Cochin port. * Heavy Engineering SILK (Steel Industries Limited Kerala) -Maithara and Thuravoor. Proposed Indian Railways coach factory of will be coming up at Maithara. * Brewery Mac-Downell's Breweries near Varanadu, Cherthala * Industrial Area The industrial areas at Aroor and Maithara have many small/medium scale industrial units .The Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation Limited KELTRON has a control & instrumentation division running in Aroor.[21] * IT Park An IT Info park complex and associated township is coming up near Pallipuram, 8 km North of Cherthala Town.[22] INFOPARK CHERTHALA Located in Pallipuram village, Cherthala taluk of Alappuzha District . Total area of the park is 66 acres of which 60 acres has been notified as a sector specific Special Economic Zone by the Ministry of Commerce , GoI vide notification dated 8th June 2009. Master plan has been developed by Ajit associates, Architects, Kochi. Six plots each measuring 4.5 to 5 acres for IT companies and co-developers and one plot of approx. 9 acres for commercial applications have been earmarked for long term leasing .The park will have own 110 kV substation , water treatment/ storage tanks, effluent treatment plant ,power distribution facility ,internal road system / walkways ,drainage system etc. land scaping with water bodies will also be developed . FACT SHEET: Project area: 66 Acres Location: Pallipuram, Cherthala, Alappuzha 30 kms from Vyttila, Ernakulam Type of development: SEZ Basic infrastructure (power, water & roads) will be ready by March 2010. Power 15 MVA receives at 110kv and distributes at 11 kV. Construction power readily available. Facility for Common Water Treatment Plant. Good access roads to the park. OFFERINGS: Land: 6 plots of around 5 acres Built up area: 2 lakh sft Plot for commercial complex: Around 10 acres. Infopark Cherthala is the second spoke of Infopark Kochi to be launched after Infopark Koratty. It is part of the plan by the Kerala IT Department to expand its reach in a hub and spoke model. Infopark Cherthala is approximately 40 Km from Infopark Kochi. It is planned on 66 acres, 60 acres of which have already been notified as Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The park will eventually have a total built-up area of 2.5 million sq. ft. and is expected to generate about 20,000 jobs. Roads Route display panel across NH-47 Near Aroor * NH 47 is the major road providing a four-lane motorway running across the Cherthala Taluk. NH-47 connects Cherthala to Cochin city at the North end and Alapuzha town at the south end. The Aroor-Kumbalam bridge is the longest railway bridge in South India, measuring 993 meters, and connects the Ernakulam District (at Kumbalam) with Alapuzha district (at Aroor) across the Vembanad lake. There are three bridges, two bridges carrying motor traffic on NH-47 and another carrying the single lane Alapuzha-Ernakulam Railway line. In the night, the panoramic view of South Cochin city is visible from the bridge against the foreground of backwaters. The old AroormukkomEdacochin bridge is also visible. On the sunny days, the Western ghat mountain ranges are also visible on the eastern side of the bridge. The Kollam-Kottapuram Inland waterway passes below this bridge en marked with navigation lamp buoys floating over the backwaters. A 24-hr Toll checkpost functions on both the ends of the motorway bridge. Except two-wheelers and authorised government vehicles, all other vehicles have to pay a nominal Toll charge to cross the bridge. * Cherthala -Kypuzhamuttu- Kottayam road (30 km) can be used to reach tourist destinations Kumarakom and obviously Kottayam.

* Cherthala-Arookutty-Aroor road is another major road connecting the eastern villages lying along the shores of Vembanad Lake to the north end of the taluk and finally reaching NH47 at Aroor. * Cherthala-Muhamma-Alapuzha road runs across the Tanneermukkom panchayat along the southeastern side of the taluk parallel to NH 47. One can get down at Kaipuram to reach the Pathiramanal bird sanctuary on this road. * Cherthala-Arthunkal-Tumboly beach road connects the coastal areas to Alapuzha. * Thanky-Andhakaranazhy-Pallithode-Chellanam beach road connects the taluk to the coastal area of Cochin city. Inland Waterway Cherthala lies between the Kottapuram-Kollam National Waterway 3 passing through the Vembanad lake. Prior to the coming of NH-47 the cargo and freight from Cochin market was transported in country boats through the Vembanad lake via the small lake diverting from Arukutty-Thycattuserry-Vayalar. Now these country boats are no more used for cargo transportation, instead converted into tourist floating houseboats. We can still find the canal running across the center of the town which was once busiest waterway. We can reach Vaikom by the TavankadavVaikom ferry service covering approx 3.5 km across the Vembanad lake and joining the Kottayam district at Vaikom jetty. There are small inland waterways or rivers, which flow across the villages, still navigable through county boats. They transport coir, marine products, vegetables, paddy, sand, construction materials etc. where roads are inaccessible. Majority of these inland rivers flow from Vembanad Lake on the eastern side and merge into the azhi or sea near Anthakaranazhi on the west coast, crossing the NH-47 at different places. Notable people * Mr. A. K. Antony- Thrice Chief minister of Kerala in UDF Ministry, Indian Defence Minister * Mr. Vellapally Natesan - General Secretary of SNDP Yogam * His Holiness Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru, the founder of Santhigiri Ashram * Mr. Vayalar Ravi - Former Home minister of Kerala in UDF Ministry, Union Cabinet Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs & Minister for Parliamentary Affairs * Smt. K. R. Gowri Amma - Revenue Minister in the first Kerala LDF ministry, initiated the revolutionary Land reforms in Kerala, Agriculture minister in Kerala UDF Ministry * Late Mr. Vayalar Ramavarma- Great Malayalam Poet and film lyricist * Mr. Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma - film lyricist * Late Mr. Rajan P. Dev - Malayalam Film actor and Drama/Theater personality * Late Mr. S. L. Puram Sadanandan - Malayalam Playwright and film scriptwriter * Mr. Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan - Writer & Film Critic. * Mr. Joy J. Kaimaparamban - English & Malayalam Author. * Mr. Itty Achudan - The major contributor of ethno-medical information for the compilation of Hortus Malabaricus. * Palackal Thoma Malpan - Founder of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate * Ms. Radhika (Malayalam actress) - Malayalam cine actress Chettikulangara Chettikulangara is a gram panchayat[1] situated in Mavelikkara taluk of Alappuzha district of kerala state. It is one of the beautiful villages in Alappuzha. It is an area of paddy and sesame fields, and tapioca cultivation.It has many higher secondary schools, a public health center, panchayat office. The panchayat is situated en route mavelikkaraKayamkulam road . The place is well connected to kayamkulam, mavelikkara, Haripad,and other nearby towns. It is famous for the Chettikulangara Devi Temple. The Kumbha Bharani festival is conducted during February or March in the temple. The important festivity associated with this utsavam is "Kettu-Kazhcha" which resembles the Chinese festival celebrated on the birthday of Buddha. Kuthiyottam is also another important festivity. Edathua Edathua (Malayalam: ) is a place in Kuttanad, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India. Situated 13 km from Thiruvalla Town, Edathua is famous for the St. George Catholic Church known as 'Edathua Palli' situated here. The Church celebrates its major feast during the month of May. It is an important destination for the Christian and non Christian Pilgrims. People from throughout the state as well as from the neighboring states visit

the town and the church. St. Aloysius college which is under Mahatma Gandhi University built and managed by the Church parish is located here. This town is in the beautiful Kuttanad region. It lies below the sea level. Agricultural land [rice farms] in this region are separated from big and small rivers, that run like the highways, streets and avenues of New York around the blocks of farms, by high mud levies [bunds called 'Puravaramp']. Farmers and agricultural workers built and build their habitat and houses on reclaimed land by expanding upon these levies around these paddy fields known as 'Padam'. These levies are also often planted with coconut trees which is a major commercial crop in the region. The area attracts a lot of international tourists. Houseboat trips through the backwaters and river systems of this spectacular evergreen region is available from near Edathua. Situated on the banks of a branch of the Pamba river, the massive shrine at Edathua - 23 km South-East of Alappuzha, and 14 km South West of Thiruvalla Town, built more than 200 years ago resembles the churches of medieval Europe. The very ancient Niranam Orthodox Church believed to be originally established by St Thomas himself, the disciple of Jesus Christ, in the 1st century AD, is just a few KM south east of Edathua. There are a number of ancient Hindu temples with interesting legends and history in the surrounding villages of Edathua such as Changankary, Pandankary, Mithrakkary, Kozhimukk, Anapparampal and Veeyapuram. Veeyapuram also has a Muslem mosque. The Chakkulathukavu temple which has become very famous for the ponkala celebration in recent decades is less than 5 km east of Edathua. The Mannarsala Snake Temple believed to be more than 3000 years old is just a few km south of Edathua. It is said that Edathua got its name because in ancient times it was a 'resting spot' ('edathavalam'), for the king's men and traders traveling by the river. Edathua was derived from 'edathavalam'. St.George Forane Church, Edathua The annual feast of the above mentioned massive catholic church, starts on the 27th of April with the hoisting of the flag and concludes on the 7th of May. During the feast, the statue of St. George, decked in gold regalia, is carried out and placed on the dais in the center of the basilica. St George is known as Geevarghese among Nasrani St Thomas Christians of Kereala [also known as Syrian Christians because they used a syrian dielect of Hebrew, instead of Latin used by some western Christians, in special church prayers] How St George came to be known as Geevarghese and became one of the most popular saints among the Syrian Christians of Kerala is still a topic of interest for researchers. Devotees from other States are the main contributors to this Church feast and they spread themselves in vast area around, even staying in the private properties of the local residents. In fact, the feast, known as "Edathua Perunnal" helped Edathua to develop as one of the most important commercial centers for the rice farmers and agricultural workers in Kuttanad region. During the feast most relatives and family members from outside Edathua come and visit their houses and thus it is an occasion for family get together for the people of Edathua like the Thanksgiving Day and Christmas in the US and Europe. Participating in the feast is a very important pilgrimage for the people especially those from the southern Kollum, Trivandrum side of Kerala and Kanyakumari District of Tamilnad. During the 10 day feast, many of these devotees stay and cook food in the church premises and take part in a kind of ritual bathing in the river in front of the church. The colorful illumination of the church and traditional fireworks during the feast indeed attract huge crowd of devotees and non devotees. (Late) Mr Varghese Agustine Punchaichira who was the first elected Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA] from the then Thakazhy constituency, after India's independence was from Edathua. He defeated the now famous novelist,(late)Mr. Thakazhy Shivashankarappilla in the election. Edathua is the home town of the international swimmer Mr Sebastian Xavior of Manamma family. It is also the home of H.G.Mathews Mar Theodosius,the Metropolitan of Idukki Dist.Malankara Orthodox Church. Haripad Haripad, is a town in Alappuzha District, Kerala, India, located between Alappuzha and Kollam on National Highway 47. There are eighteen Hindu temples there and more than 30 more in the surrounding countryside. The most famous temples are Subrahmanya Swami Temple and the Mannarashala Nagaraja Temple. Haripad is close to the Arabian Sea, and connects Mavelikkara and Thrikkunnappuzha. Haripad is known as the 'Town of Temples'. It is the land of "Mayura Sandesa", the land of snake boats and the land of dance and drama. In the opinion of the Dutch Governor Gollanez the sea coast between Quilon and Purakkad

which the Dutch called 'Martha" and which region was known as Karthikappally (of which Haripad was a part) consisted of two regions or nation states, Karnoppally (the present Karunagapally) and Karimpali. Karimpali was the area between Kayamkulam and Purakkad (Haripad was in it) Karimpali was also known as Vettimana. The capital of Vettimana Kaimal was Karimpalil palace (near Haripad Railway Station), the capital was late shifted to Karthikappally. In 1742 Marthanda Varma defeated Karthikappally region and added it to Travancore State. During kingship Haripad was a Town.The town hall remains as its proof. In 1921 Haripad got Municipal town status. In 1941 it became non- municipal town. In 1954 it was changed into a Panchayat. In the district of Alappuzha (earlier Quilon District) Haripad was the centre of administration of Karthikappally Taluk, this Onattukara region was the granary of the state during kingship. It was from this place that rice was supplied to the king's family. "Nelpurakkadavu," big paddy-storing collars and Danavpadi (the present Danappadi) etc are its memorials. It is said that Haripad derived its name from Aripad (as Ari means Rice and this was the place where from the major portion of the rice for the state came), some say that it got the name from "Harigeethapuram". In a literary price of Kerala Varma Valia Koithampuran there is a reference to Pahi Harigeetha Pathanapathe" (save as the master of Harigeetha ) 'Mayura Sandesa' has a reference to 'Aripadu vaanoru Kaalam' (at a time when Haripad was ruled). Swathi Thirunal addresses Subramanya as Harigeetha puthalaya dweep', all the show long history and importance of the name Haripad. To this may be added the fact that Karithikapally was called the place where Karthikayan lived.' (Karthikayan Pallikollunnidom). History says that Buddhism was strong in Kerala in the few more towns like Thrikkunnappuzha & Arattupuzha. It is observed that the additions 'puzha', 'pally,' & Kulam' to our place names is a contribution of Buddhist religion. Swami Nirmalananda(18631938), a direct monastic disciple of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna (18361886) and a codesciple of Swami Vivekananda (18631902) was invited by Harippad Vedanta Socity to Kerala for the first time in 1911. The Swami reached Harippad on 16 February 1911 and the subsequent development paved the way for the establishment of the first branch centre of the Ramakrishna Mission in Kerala. The first centre, "Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama" was consecrated by Swami Nirmalananda in 1912 at Haripad. The Swami, who was lovingly known as Tulasi Maharaj opened the doors of the Ashrama shrine and its premises to the members of the public and to all devotees irrespective of their castes or religious distinctions. This Ashrama, under the instructions of Tulasi Maharaj arranged a common feast for all (Misrabhojam) at a time when untouchibility was rampant has become a milestone in history. Swami Brahmananda (18631922), the first President of the Ramakrishna Mission was brought to Harippad by Swami Nirmalananda and stayed there for three days. Also, it was at this Ashrama in 1924 that the first Ordination of Sannyasa ceremonies according to the Ramakrishna tradition was performed by Tulasi Maharaj thus ordaining eleven Brahmacharins (Celebate Novices) to Sannyasa(monkhood). Many stalvarts in the Ramakrishna Order of Sannyasins were trained at this Ashrama. Lately, the ashrama was in a dilapidated condition. But due to the tireless efforts of Ramakrishna Nirmalananda Mandalam and its leader Swami Kaivalyananda, the ashrama was handed over to the Ramakrishna Mission again and the Mission authorities took over the reins once again. The Mission is now planning to rebuild the ashrama. It was on this very place that Kerala Varma Valiya Koithampuran wrote this love letters to his dear wife to be sent through peacocks. (Mayura Sandesa- Message sent through the peacock). Mahatma Gandhi and A R Rajaraja Varma has honoured the place with their august presence. The great poet Kumaran Ashan established relationship with the place through his death. There are many famous musicians, writers, directors and artists from Haripad. Famous malayalam film director and writer P. Padmarajan is from Haripad (Muthukulam). Other famous people from the movie industry include Sreekuramaran Thampi, K. Madhu, Ashokan, Navya Nair, Sree Latha, Meena, Mallika Sukumaran, Director Sivan (father of Santosh and Sangeeth Sivan), Sanjeev Sankar (Cameraman), Haripad Soman (actor & dubbing artist) etc. Malabar Gopalan Nair (Father of MG Radhakrishan, MG Sreekumar and Dr. Omanakutti) is also from Haripad. Haripad Ramakrishna Pillai was a famous Kathakali artist. Contents * 1 History of Haripad * 2 Temples * 3 Subrahmanya Temple

o 3.1 Mannarasala Temple o 3.2 Evoor Sreekrishnaswamy Temple * 4 Edakannampallil Sree Durga Devi Temple * 5 Chettikulangara Temple * 6 Pallipad o 6.1 Chingoli * 7 Pilapuzha,Nelpurakkadavu o 7.1 Veeyapuram o 7.2 Kumarapuram o 7.3 Karichal o 7.4 Nangiarkulangara * 8 Government * 9 Infrastructure o 9.1 T.K.Madhava Memorial College * 10 Economy * 11 Politics History of Haripad Haripad (Harigeetha Puram) is known as the Town of Temples. It is the land of Mayura Sandesa, the land of snake boats and the land of dance and drama. In the opinion of the Dutch Governor Gollanez the sea coast between Quilon and Purakkad which the Dutch called Martha and which region was known as Karthikappally (of which Haripad was a part) consisted of two regions or nation states,Karnoppally ( the present Karunagapally) and Karimpali. Karimpali was the area between Kayamkulam and Purakkad (Haripad was in it) Karimpali was also known as Vettimana. The capital of Vettimana was Karimpalil palace (near Haripad Railway Station), the capital was late shifted to Karthikappally. In 1742 Marthanda Varma defeated Karthikappally region and added it to Travancore State. During kingship Haripad was a Town.The town hall remains as its proof. In 1921 Haripad got Municipal town status. In 1941 it became non- municipal town. In 1954 it was changed into a Panchayat. In the district of Alappuzha (earlier Quilon District) Haripad was the centre of administration of Karthikappally Taluk, this Onattukara region was the granary of the state during kingship. It was from this place that rice was supplied to the kings family. Nelpurakkadavu, big paddy-storing collars and Danavpadi (the present Danappadi) etc are its memorials.Mayura sandesa It is said that Haripad derived its name from Aripad ( as Ari means Rice and this was the place where from the major portion of the rice for the state came), some say that it got the name from Harigeethapuram. In a literary price of Kerala Varma Valia Koithampuran there is a reference to Pahi Harigeetha Pathanapathe (save as the master of Harigeetha ) Mayura Sandesa has a reference to Aripadu vaanoru Kaalam (at a time when Haripad was ruled). Swathi Thirunal addresses Subramanya as Harigeetha puthalaya dweep, all the show long history and importance of the name Haripad. To this may be added the fact that Karithikapally was called the place where Karthikayan lived. (Karthikayan Pallikollunnidom). History says that Buddhism was strong in Kerala in the few more towns like Thrikkunnappuzha & Arattupuzha. It is observed that the additions puzha, pally, & Kulam to our place names is a contribution of Buddhist religion. The first Sree Rama Krishna Ashram was established in Haripad. This Ashram which arranged a common feast for all (Misrabhojam) at a time when untouchibility was rampant has become a milestone in history. Now it is in a dilapidated condition. It was on this very place that Kerala Varma Valiya Koithampuran wrote this love letters to his dear wife to be sent through peacocks. (Mayura Sandesa- Message sent through the peacock). Mahatma Gandhi and A R Rajaraja Varma has honoured the place with their august presence. The great poet Kumaran Ashan established relationship with the place through his death. Temples The name Haripad is derived from 'Harigeethapuram', which indicates a Vaishnava culture. Haripad is also known as "Kshethrangalude Nagaram, " or 'Town of Temples'. In and around Haripad there are more than 85 temples. To name most of them: * Aranazhika Sree Murugan Temple,

* Aranazhika Devi Temple, * Edakannampallil Sree Durga Devi Temple, * Erattakkulangara Devi Temple, * Evoor Sreekrishnaswamy Temple, * Haripad Sree Anjaneya Temple, * Haripad Subrahmanya Temple, * Kalayamkulangara Devi Temple, * Kanakayil Devi Temple * Kanjoor Devi Temple, * Kanyattukulangara Devi Temple, * Kavarattu Shiva Temple, * Kocharayakulangara Temple, * Kolathu Devi Temple *Keezhthrikkovil Temple * Kolothu Devi Temple, * Manakkattu Devi Temple, * Mangamkulangara Devi Temple, * Manimangalam Subrahmanya Temple, * <mundaikal devi temple, * Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple, * Moodayil Temple, * Mundolil Devi Temple, * Nagariyil Sreekrishna swamy Temple * Nangiarkulangara Sree Krishna Temple, * Paathiramkulangara Devi Temple * Padanilam Shastha Temple, * Pattaseril Devi Temple, * Payippad Shastha Temple, * Pithampil Dharma Sastha Temple, * Puthukkulangara Devi Temple, * Sree Moorthy Temple * Thaanath Kudumba Kshethram, * Thalathotta Vadakkumnatha Temple, * Thevarodath Temple, * Thiruvilanjal Devi Temple, * Thrippakkudam Mahadeva Temple, * Thrivikramapuram Krishna Temple, * Thukkayil Sree Krishna Temple, * Vakkayil Krishna Temple, * Valiyakulangara Devi Temple, * Vathukulangara Devi Temple, * Vellamkulangara Saraswati Devi Temple, * Vettolil Devi Temple, * Panachamoodu Devi Temple, Subrahmanya Temple The entrance of the Haripad Subrahmanya Swamy temple The Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple [1] at Haripad is one among the three oldest temples of Kerala. Daily a number of devotees come to this holy shrine. It is believed that the temple was established even before the advert of Kaliyuga'. It is one of the most prestigious centres of pilgrimage in South India,*citation needed+ and is an

excellent example of Southern architecture. The image of the deity with four arms is also the biggest of the kind.[citation needed] It is believed to have been originally worshipped by Parashurama.[citation needed] The temple was destroyed by fire in 1921. It was rebuilt with the anakottil (elephants head), kuttambalam, and a big tank. There are two legends connected with the origin of this temple. One is based on the story mentioned in the Skandapurana' and the other is related to the payippad Snake-boat race. Several annual festivals are celebrated in this temple the Avani Utsavam in Chingom (August- September), Markazhi Utsavam in Dhanu (November- December), Chitra Utsavam in Medom (AprilMay), Kartika in Vrischikam (November- December) and Taipuyam (January- February). Kavadiyattam dance with Kavadi is the most important offering here. Kavadi is a bow-shaped wooden structure decorated with tapestry and peacock feathers carried on the shoulders of pilgrims as an offering to God Subrahmanya. The Subrahmanya Temple in Haripad is built in the ancient Kerala style of architecture. It is believed that when the new temple was nearing completion, one of the trustees had a dream about finding the idol of Subrahmanya. Following his directions the four-armed idol was found in the river near Pathiramanal island and brought to Haripad. In commemoration of this event a snake boat regatta is held on the Payippad River every Chingom (August September) during the three-day Payippad Jalotsavam festival.[2] The Chithira festival takes place at the temple in Medom (AprilMay) and includes a procession with a golden peacock throne. Haripad Temple renovated by Ambakkattu Kottaram of Karichal. Ezhikkakathu Jn also very popular. In addition to three " kodiyetams" " thrikkarthika" in vrichikam also celebrated. In this festival all devotees surround the temple will light karthika deepam ( lighting lamp ) and giving "karppora azhi" ( fire by karpooram, a sacred chemical )by government agencies, say excise department and fire works by police authorities. The name haripad is a later addition. The original name was Aripad, which means the place of rice (ari) Mannarasala Temple The famous Nagaraja temple at "Mannarasala" is situated near Haripad. Nestled in a forest glade, like most snake temples, the Mannarasala Temple has over 30,000 images of snakes along the paths and among the trees, and is the largest such temple in Kerala. Women seeking fertility come to worship here, and upon the birth of their child, they come again to hold thanksgiving ceremonies, often bringing new snake images as offerings. Evoor Sreekrishnaswamy Temple Edakannampallil Sree Durga Devi Temple:- The famouns sreedurga devi temple located in Thamallackal near Haripad The ancient Sreekrishnaswamy temple at the place Evoor is in about 5 KM away from Haripad town . This temple had originated in the presence of Bhagavan Sri Krishna Himself. Evoor temple is one of the most important 26 Mahavishnu shrines in the world . It is linked to Khandava-dahanam (burning of Khandava forest), described in Mahabharata. The remains of burnt trees being widely found here, confirm this . Further evidence is the nearby Mannarasala and Pandavarkavu temples. The great Kanva Maharshi (one of the top 7 Rishis) , had been living at Evoor . Kannamangalam (Kanva-mangalam) is nearby. His Ashrama (hermitage) later became a temple. Evoor Krishnaswamys yearly Arattu (ceremonial bath) is held in this temples tank . MUTTOM.4 km meter from haripad mavelikara road. Edakannampallil Sree Durga Devi Temple Edakannampallil Sree Durga Devi Temple is a famous and ancient Durga Devi temple located in Thamallackal near to Haripad. This temple is located in Kumarapuram panchayath in Karthigapally thaluk. This is about 3 kms from Haripad. Chettikulangara Temple The Chettikulangara temple is about 12 km from Kavala, Haripad. The Chettikulangara temple is a famous temple in Kerala. The temple has many specialities. There are three major festivals in this temple. They are Kumbhabharani (Chettikulangara Bharani), Ethirelppu Ulsavam and Aswathy Ulsavam. The Ethirelppu Ulsavam is for 13 days. The Chettikulangara temple is the second temple next to Sabarimala in income and number of devotee visits, under Travancore Devaswom board. The rice used to prepare Aravana at Sabarimala, is supplied from Chettikulangara temple. The temple is at Mavelikkara Pallipad

Pallipad is a typical village which is situated 3.8 km from Haripad.A serene and calm village with vast stretches of fertile paddy fields crisscrossed by waterways.Achankoil river flows through Pallipad , There are 15 churches out there. Even though it is a Hindu-dominated area, there existed the presence of a strong Christian community consisting of Orthodox, Catholic and Marthomite churches. The Pentecotal mission Pallipad Church, is situated near kuruvikkad jn. TPM was founded in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1923 by a Hindu convert, Ramankutty - later known as Pastor Paul.[1][2] It now has churches (or Faith Homes) in many parts of Sri Lanka, as well as India, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean Islands and the Middle East. It has close to 9.6 million members Chingoli Chingoli is an urbanised village which lies near Haripad town. A prominent attraction here is the Vettikkulangara Devi temple, Kanjoor Devi temple and Kavilpadikkal Devi temple. The deity here is revered by the residents. Chingoli lies in close proximity to the NTPC power station Pilapuzha,Nelpurakkadavu Nearly 1 km from Haripad K.S.R.T.C Bus Stand,Here you can see the Vilakkumaram( Light Pole) of 19th century.The remainings of Nelppura(Rice Depot)were still there. The P.W.D Rest House and Office of the P.W.D Asst.Exe.Engineer(Roads) are situated here. Veeyapuram 6 km. from Haripad is Veeyapuram where the rivers Pamba and Achankovil flow together. this place is one of the beatiful place having river pamba and also a nice bridge Kumarapuram Basically located between Haripad Town and Karuvatta. Kavarattu temple, Mundolil temple, Kavaraattu temple and Pathiramkulangara temple are the major landmarks. Alight here for going to Koottamkaitha, Erickavu and other coastal areas near K.Kaitha. Connected to rest of the places with frequent Private bus and KSRTC services. 1.5 km to Manarasala temple and 1 km to Haripad Subrahmanya Temple. Ananthapuram palace is one of the historiocal place (palace) in Kumarapuram.The famous kerala kalidasa wrote mayurasandesam in this palace.This palace is more than one fifty years old and is quite near to the Ananthapuram (KKKVMHSS) high School. Erickavu is one of the developing place in Kumarapuram. At present there is one charitable trust called Guru Deva Trust, which have Financing & Leasing company, construction company, transportation company, holobricks company, etc. Presently the company is planning to foray into package drinking water company. Erickavu is a nice place for investing. This place is only 1 km from NH-47. The education level of Kumarapuram comparatively very high. There is 2 well equipped hospitals Deepa Hospital and Huda Trust Hospital. The famous film director K.Madhu is also from Kumarapuram Location : Travel a 2 km along NH 47 towards North from Haripad Town. Auto Fare: Around 30/- from Haripad Town. Bus Fare : Minimum charge. (All KSRTC going towards Alleppey and some Private Bus service) Karichal Karichal is 4 km. from Haripad. Karichal and Payippad is divided by Achankovil river. The famous Payippad Jalotsavam is conducted in Achankovil river, locally known as 'Payippaattu Aaru'. This three day water festival can be viewed from the river banks at both Karichal and Payippad. The snake boat of Karichal known as "Karichal Chundan" won many trophies at Alleppey Nehru Trophy Boat Race' and is known to all Boat Race lovers for its high ranking performance and agility. more ........www.karichalchundan.com "Karichal Kattil SreeBhadra Bhagawathi Temple" is 4 Km away from Haripad. The road diverted from Achenmukh to right side leads to the Temple. Nangiarkulangara The T.K.Madhava Memorial College is located in nearby Nangiarkulangara. It was started as a junior college in 1964 by the Sree Narayana Trusts. It had 2700 students in 2007 and offered degrees in English,Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry,Industrial Chemisrty,Bcom(Travel & Tourism), Zoology, Economics and Commerce (Business).Masters Degree In Physics

The residential quarters of the personals working in the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Kayamkulam , also lie at this place. Nangiarkulangara Sree Krishna Swami Temple is a great landmark at this place. This place can also be considered as the juncion between Haripad, Mavelikkara and Thrikkunnappuzha. AKAMKUDY Post -690513 is the nearest place from TKMM college, Nangiarkulangara.Just cross the Railway to east Portion.There is one house named Panamthittayil, Mr.Pushkaran and Mrs.Sumathykutty.There is one other home named as Earickel House,Just beside M/S.Sreekumar LPG Gas Godown and Sree Aranapuram Devi temple.Mr & Mrs.Vamadevan, Pradeep and Pramod are the members staying above said house. Government Haripad is the headquarters of Karthikappally Taluk (township).[3] Infrastructure Haripad is one of the major railway stations in the Coastal Railway Line connecting Kayankulam Junction to Ernakulam Junction via Alappuzha. Haripad Town is very old and well planned.[citation needed] The city centre includes all governmental offices of the Karthikappally Taluk. The city centre also has a very good market[citation needed], 1 cinema theatre Swathi Theatre near the Haripad KSRTC bus stand. The Swathi Theatre has been renamed as Ashirwad Theatre after it was taken over by Anthony Perumbavoor, the driver of Mohanlal. The first film released at Ashirwad was the Blessy directed road movie 'Bhramaram'., 2 secondary schools and 3 primary schools. There are 9 more schools outside the city centre. The govt ups Haripad which is known as the Malayalam Pallikkodam is situated here. The history of this school is unknown as all the records had been lost in a fire in the AEO office. There is a huge badam tree in front of the school which is a sign of the school's age.... The GBHS another great school here, with a lot of stories to tell.And other school is Govt Technical high school Haripad T.K.Madhava Memorial College TKMM College is one of the leading institutions of higher education in Alappuzha district. It is situated on a vast twenty-five acre campus, 2 kilometers to the south of Haripad bus stand, on the eastern side of National Highway 47. The management of this college is vested with Sree Narayana Trusts, Kollam, which is one of the leading educational agencies in Kerala. The Secretary of the trust is the Manager of the college. This college is affiliated with the University of Kerala. Economy The large National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) plant at Kayamkulam is situated near to Haripad. There is also a good railway station in Haripad. The temples in the area are a significant source of tourism. Politics Haripad assembly constituency is part of Alappuzha (Lok Sabha constituency). Kanjikkuzhi Kanjikkuzhi is a census town in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Demographics As of 2001[update] India census[1], Kanjikkuzhi had a population of 22,076. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kanjikkuzhi has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 88%, and female literacy is 84%. In Kanjikkuzhi, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Kayamkulam Kayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory. Kayamkulam is closely associated with the legend of Kayamkulam Kochunni. He was a famed highwayman, active in the area known as Central Thiruvithamkoor, in the early part of the 19th century. He is said to have stolen from the rich and given to the poor (like Robin Hood). Legends about his exploits are part of the local folklore. Demographics As of 2001[update] India census[1], Kayamkulam had a population of 65,299. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kayamkulam has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 79%. In Kayamkulam, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Politics Kayamkulam assembly constituency is part of Alappuzha (Lok Sabha constituency). Kokkothamangalam Kokkothamangalam is a census town in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Demographics As of 2001[update] India census[1], Kokkothamangalam had a population of 16,852. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kokkothamangalam has an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 88%, and female literacy is 82%. In Kokkothamangalam, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Certain part of this village comes under the Cherthala and the rest under Mararikulam in the Kerala Assembly consistuency partition. Komalapuram Komalapuram is a census town in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is part of Aryad panchayat. Demographics As of 2001[update] India census[1], Komalapuram had a population of 43,281. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Komalapuram has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 82%. In Komalapuram, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Komalapuram lies 4.5 km north of Alleppey town. Komalapuram is famous for the Kaithathil Temple. Other attractions of Komalapuram include the coir industries. Most of the people rely on coir-related small scale industries. Spinning mills were one of the major industries; however, these are no longer active due to trade union troubles. NH 47 and Alleppey-Vaikom State highway are the most likely routes of access to Komalapuram. Monkombu Monkombu is a village in Kerala, India, in the Alappuzha district. Monkombu was one of the chief hubs of paddy cultivation in Kerala during the early 20th century. Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, renowned agriculturalist, hails from Monkombu. Mannar Mannar (malayalam: ) is a major[citation needed] business town mid way between Mavelikara and Tiruvalla, in Alappuzha District of Kerala state, India, on State highway 6. It is also known as The Bell Metal Town.[citation needed] It is situated on the banks of the Pampa River and Manimala River. The place is well known for its flourishing Bronze industry, as well as other metals. There are hundreds of traditional 'ALA'S'[clarification needed][1] in Mannar. Also there are many small scale manufacturing establishments engaged in this business, employing traditional workers, where prospective buyers can visit, observe the making and then purchase the artefacts produced. Craftsmen [2] from this town created many well known artefacts, such as a Varpu displayed at Delhi Museum, the church lamp at Kuravilangad Church, the temple Lamp of Chettikulangara Devi Temple, the Temple Bell at Simla Temple, the Church Bell at Cathedral Church New Delhi and a replica of famous Tree of life and Knowledge. This town is second only to Market leader manufacturing city Moradabad. Religious sites in and around Mannar include Parumala church, Panayannar kavu devi temple [3], Thrikkuratti Mahadevar Temple [4], Mannar Juma Masjid, Kurattikkadu Pattambalam Devi TemplePattambalam, Oorumadom Bhadrakaali Temple, Vishavarsherikkara Subrahmanya Swami Temple, Pothuvoor Bhadrakaali Temple, Viruppil Devi Temple, 553-no SNDP Pavukkara Temple, Edayadi Bhadrkaali Temple, Chakkulathu Kavu Devi Temple [5] and Kunnathoor Devi Temple. Panayannarkavu temple is said to be thousands of year old. The ancient Panayannar Kavu devi temple, worshipping "Saptha Matha", is famous for its Sarpa kavu and Mural painting [6] drawn on Sricovil. One of this paintings became the cover page for Sri. E.M.S. Nampoothripad's biography (veteran Communist Leader and Ex-Chief Minister of Kerala). The annual Vishu Festival attracts many pilgrims. The annual festival conducted at Parumala church attracts tens of thousands of devotees. Thrikkuratti Mahadevar Temple is one of the 108 sivalays built by Lord Parasurama. It is believed that the mammoth Thrikkuratti Mahadeva temple compound wall was built by troupe of Bhootas of Lord Paramasiva in one night. The

unique festivities of Thrikkuratti temple (Sahasra kalasam, Maikatti puja and Sivarathri Nritham) attract many pilgrims. The antique wooden carving of Thrikkuratti mahadeva temple Sricovil was featured in visual media, attracting lot of art lovers including foreigners. At a special Nada (gate) on the east side of the Thrikkuratti temple compound wall, other religious members, in particular, Muslims, present offerings on a daily basis. This practice is believed to be centuries old and is considered to be a true embodiment of religious harmony. The Thrikkuratti Mahasivarathri Festival, second only to Aluva Sivarathri in terms of mass congregation, attracts thousands of devotees. The West Nada (Parvathi) will be open for ten minutes during Sivarathri Nritham on Sivarathri day only. All other days during the year it remains closed. The Srikovil of Thrikkuratti Mahavishnu temple is built on North Indian Architecture. The 'Anpoli' conducted as part of festival in various temples is a very attractive and unique one.Among the Anpoli festivals Anpoli Areeppara Mahothsavam of Kurattikkadu Pattambalam Devi Kshethramis the most famous one attracting thousands of devotees on 24th of Medam(7th of May).Here both Bhuvaneswari and Bhadra are worshipped with equal importance.The festival at Pattambalam starts on Medam 10th(April 23rd) and ends on Medam 25th(May 8th).The festival includes several rituals like AttilChattam , Changayilottam , Vithideel which aren't practised anywhere else in the world. Among these AttilChattam attracts Muslim devotees also. There is a community of Tamil Speaking people here, whose ancestors were believed to brought from Tanjavoor for the construction of Thrikkuratti Mahadevar Temple. There two Mutharamman temples worshipped mainly by this community. Major Tamil festivals like Thaipoosam, Pongal etc. are celebrated with great enthusiasm. The Aalthara Ganapathy temple at Kannamkavil Muthaaramman Temple, near Thrikkuratti temple attracts many devotees, in particular motorists. Vinayaga Chathurthy Festival is the major festival celebrated at Aalthara Ganapathy Temple. Manjal Neerattu conducted during Kumbha Bharani festival at Kannamkavil Mutharamman temple is a major attraction for many devotees. The Eramathoor Soorya temple is believed to centuries old and is known for being one of the three known temples in Kerala dedicated to deity "SUN". The Adithya Ponkala conducted at this temple attracts lots of women devotees from South Kerala. The place also has well known educational institutions like Dewaswom Board Pampa College, Sree Bhuvaneswari Higher Secondary School, Nair Samajam Higher Secondary School and Good Shepherd School. The Mannar Library at Kuttiyil Junction is a full fledged library, equipped with lot of reference books. The annual Mahathma Boat Race, conducted during Onam festival season, attracts lot of visitors and water sports lovers including foreigners. The St. Gregorious Cardiovascular Center [7] of St. Gregorious Hospital [8], Parumala, is promoted by Padmasree Dr.K.M. Cherian of Frontier lifeline and Dr. K.M. Cherian Heart Foundation, Chennai, is one of best fully equipped Super Specialty Heart Hospital in Rural India. The de-addiction centre operating at St. Gregorious hospital helps a lot of alcohol and drug addicts recover. This place is also famous for Ayurvedic treatment and Traditional herbal medicine.Centuries old traditional family herbal treatment by Kollasseril family is very effective for Jaundice and Hepatitis. Reaping the benefits of Ayurvedic Medical Research and recent development of Medical tourism, Padma ayurvedic medical centre & Punchkarma Hospital, Kuttamperoor attracts lot of patients. In order to maintain the quality of medicines used, the firm maintains its own full fledged Herbal garden and its own Medicines manufacturing facilities. This is a GMP certified company also engaged in exporting Ayurvedic medicines to many countries. Omkar Ayurvedic Medical centre is a speciality hospital for punchkarma and ayurvedic treatment. Mannar is situated 9 km from Chengannur, Thiruvalla, Haripad and Mavelikara. Mannar is connected via 4 railway stations (Chengannur, Thiruvalla, Harippad and Mavelikara) at a distance of 9 km each on four sides. There is a municipal bus station recently built near Store Junction which is the heart of Mannar. Chettikulangara Devi Temple, Mavelikkara The Chettikulangara Bhagavathi temple is about 10 km from Mannar. The Kettukazcha festival on the day of Chettikulangara Bharani, attracts lakhs of people across the globe. The goddess Chettikulangara amma is considered as the mother goddess of Onattukara.

It is believed that, Lord Parashurama had established 108 Durga temples, 108 Siva temples, numerous Sastha temples, besides 108 Kalaris (place to learn traditional martial arts in front of the deity), Sakthi Kendras etc. Besides he had established five Ambalayas. Jagadambika of Chettikulangara, the Goddess of Oodanadu, is among the five Ambalayams. Though enough historical evidences and authentic study materials are not available to support, it is believed that this temple dates back to more than1200 years. According to one version, this temple was consecrated by Padmapadacharyar (a leading disciple of Adi Shankara) on the Uthrittathi day of Makara month in A.D. 823. Mararikulam Mararikulam is a beach village in the district of Alappuzha. Mararikulam is the fertile land of communism and it has a very beautiful beach which is known by the name Marari Beach or Mararikulam beach. There are two village panchayts for this village, Mararikulam South and Mararikulam North. Mararikulam South consists of parts of Mararikulam, Perunormangalam, Kanichukulangara, Beach, Poklasheri and Chennaveli. The North Panchayat consists of parts of Mararikulam, Kattoor, Pollathai, Valavanadu, Preethikulangara, Omanapuzha, Kalavoor, Pathirapally, and Chettikadu, Location Mararikulam is connected by rail and has a railway station by the same name. It is also well connected by road. NH 47 passes through S.L.Puram, which is 5 km to the east of Mararikulam. Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport. Sri(late). S. L Puram Sadanandan, Sri(late). M.N.Kurup, former indian volleyball team captain Udayakumar are from Maraikulam. Administration Mararikulam is one of the Kerala State Assembly Constituency. Mavelikkara Mavelikara is a town in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. It is in the southern part of Alappuzha district on the banks of the Achankovil River. Mavelikara is located on the Haripad - Pandalam- Pathanamthitta Road. Mavelikkara is close to NH 47, National Highway. Mavelikara is known as the cultural capital of Onattukara. Contents * 1 Demographics * 2 Economy * 3 Politics * 4 Interesting facts * 5 Cultural Events o 5.1 Chettikulangara Kumbabharani o 5.2 Padanilam Sivarathri o 5.3 Vettiyar Pathamudayam o 5.4 Mother Teresa Trophy Boat Race * 6 Main Places * 7 Religion o 7.1 Temples o 7.2 Churches * 8 Education Demographics As of the 2001 Indian census,[1] Mavelikara had a population of 28,440. Males constitute 47% of the population and females 53%. Mavelikara has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 87% and female literacy is 85%. In Mavelikara, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Economy Some of the industries in and around Mavelikkara are: * ALIND Switchgear (near Mannar) * Travancore Oxygen (near Kunnam)

* Sangrose Laboratories (in Mavelikara) specialises in the manufacture of soft-gelatin capsules. It is also one of the only companies in the world to manufacture clofazimine. * Kerala Wood Industries is a local splints and veneers manufacturing company. It was established in 1965 under the Small-scale Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO). Politics Mavelikara assembly constituency is part of Mavelikkara (Lok Sabha constituency).[2] This Lok Sabha constituency consisted of Chengannur, Mavelikara, Kayamkulam, Pandalam, Thiruvalla, Kallupara until 2008. Since the Lok Sabha Delimitation in 2008, the assembly constituencies have comprised Changanassery, Kuttanad, Mavelikara(SC), Chengannur, Kunnathur(SC), Kottarakkara and Pathanapuram. The constituency is now reserved for a scheduled caste candidate. Kodikkunil Suresh of the INC has represented the Mavelikara Parliament constituency since 2009. C.S. Sujatha of the (CPI-M) represented the Mavelikara Parliament constituency from 2004 to 2009. M. Murali (INC) has represented the Mavelikara Assembly constituency since 2006. Interesting facts Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (March 2011) 9th century Buddha statue at Mavelikara Mavelikara was once part of the principality of Onattukara and has been a centre of religious harmony, culture and arts for several centuries. As a testament to its link to that flourishing center of Buddhist culture, Mavelikara is one of the rare places in Kerala where one can find The Statue of Buddha in Seated Position, which is dating back to the 9th Century AD.[3] Mavelikara has produced eminent individuals and the current line of the Royal Travancore Family hails from the Mavelikkara Royal Family. Raja Ravi Varma was married to Pururuttathi Nal Bhageerathi Amma Thampuran (Kochu Pangi) of the Royal House of Mavelikara from which they had two sons and two daughters. Their eldest son, Kerala Varma, born in 1876 went missing in 1912 and was never heard from again. Their second son was Rama Varma (b.1879), an artist who studied at the JJ School of Arts, Mumbai, married to Srimathi Gowri Kunjamma, sister of Dewan PGN Unnithan. Raja Ravi Varma's elder daughter, Ayilyam Nal Mahaprabha Thampuran, appears in two of his prominent paintings and was mother of Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore. He had another daughter, Thiruvadira Nal Kochukunji Thampuran, grandmother of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma Maharajah. His descendants comprise the Mavelikara Royal house while two of his granddaughters, including the said Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, were adopted to the Travancore Royal Family, the cousin family of the Mavelikara House, to which lineage the present Travancore Maharajah Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma belongs. Well known among his descendants are writer Shreekumar Varma (Prince Punardam Thirunal), artists Rukmini Varma (Princess Bharani Thirunal) and Jay Varma, classical musician Aswathi Thirunal Rama Varma and others. P. G. N. Unnithan was the last Diwan (Prime Minister) of independent Travancore (Thiruvithamkoor).Sri PGN Unnithan hailed from the Edassery Pattaveettil Family of Mavelikkara which had a history of high military service to the Travancore Royal Family. He succeeded Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer on August 20, 1947 following the latters' resignation (subsequent to the attempt on Sir CP's life at the Swathi Thirunal Music academy on July 25, 1947). He chaired the Travancore Constitutional Reforms Committee. He relinquished office on March 24, 1948 when a people's government led by Sri Pattom Thanu Pillai as Prime Minister took over. Unnithan Lane at Sasthamangalam in Thiruvananthapuram is named after him. Nooranad, a place in Mavelikkara, is known as "The bird Village of Kerala". Cultural Events Chettikulangara Kumbabharani Chettikulangara Kettukazhcha, conducted every year on the Bharani Nakshathram in the Malayalam month Kumbham, is probably the most amazing cultural spectacle in Kerala, similar to the Thrissur Pooram. The event is an offering of the people of Chettikulangara to their beloved deity known for her spontaneous blessings on true devotees as a mark of gratitude, devotion, unflinching faith and for showering prosperity and protection to their lives. 'Kettukazhcha' displays deftly sculpted and decorated forms of six temple cars known as 'Kuthiras', five

'Therus' (Chariots ) as well as icons of Bhima and Hanuman. All the temple cars, chariots and the icons are gigantic in size and many times larger than any other similar Kuthiras and Therus built during the festivities at other temples in the Central Travancore region. Padanilam Sivarathri Padanilam is a developing small town situated in the Mavelikkara Taluk of Alappuzha district.The famous Padanilam Temple is situated at Padanilam.This temple is famous for its festivals.The main festival celebrating here is the sivarathri.It is usually celebrating in the months of February or March.During the day thousands of devotees,even from other districts came to the temple to see the massive spctacular kettukazhcha.On sivarathri day morning there is a Kaavadiyaattam for Lord Murugan.Thousands took Kaavadi and come to the temple in large groups.On the evening of the day ,the most beautiful part of the celebration is held.Large kettukazhchas (Bulls ,which is the vehicle of Lord Siva )come to the temple.The happy croud dances with the rhythm of Kerala,The Sinkaarimelam. Other festivals celebrating here include the Vrischikamahotsavam in the month of vrischikam.The celebration last for 41 days,mainly the first 12 days.This temple is an Idathaavalam of Sabarimala Temple.The arrange many facilities for the devotees who are going to Sabarimala.The KSRTC arranges bus services from Padanilam to Pamba during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season. Vettiyar Pathamudayam Pathamudayam, the famous temple festival is conducted at Vettiyar Palliyarakkavu temple.The 1000 year old temple has 7 Karas (territories).This is in the month of April 23 or 24th(Kollavarsham medam 10).The highlight of the festival is Kettukazhcha. The preparation for Pathamudayam starts days before the actual day and usually that day will be the Vishu.Meanwhile the people from 7 karas of Vettiyar will arrange for the construction of Kettukazhcha to the temple. People from each area will pull the Kettukazhcha from the construction sites to the temple to preset them before the Devi and after having darshan the parties take up their respective position in the ground lying east of the temple Mother Teresa Trophy Boat Race The Mother Teresa Trophy Boat Race is one of the most important boat races on the Achankovil River. It is held during Onam every year, along the stretch between Mandapathu kadav ghat at Mavelikara and Prayikkara Bridge at Prayikkara. Many of the Snake Boats in Kerala participate in this regatta. In 2008, the Payippadan Snake Boat came in first and received the Trophy.th race held on 06th PRAYIKKARA WATER STADIUM Boatracelogo.jpg Main Places * Kottakkakam or Fort Mavelikara is located at the heart of Mavelikara. Old Palaces were situated in this region and the Government Offices were situated in this area. SreeKrishna swamy temple is in this area. * Padanilam is located in the eastern part of Mavelikkara Taluk.It is famous for the Padanilam Parabrahma Temple.This temple is famous for sivarathri festival.There is a kettukazhcha conducting during the festival.This temple is one of the idathaavalam of sabarimala temple. * Bharanikavu and Pallickal is located on the Mavelikkara -Kurathikadu-Kayamkulam road. Bharanikavu is famous for its Devi Temple and its swarna jeevitha and houses one of the four Buddha Statues, (Puthrachan), in the district. The famous churches of Kattanam add to the glory of this calm and peaceful panchayat. Government SchoolBharanikkavu, Pope Pius XI High School, CMS High School are some of the major educational institutions. The panchayat was awarded the Best Grama Panchayat Award by the President of India.Cartoonist Yesudasan was born in Bharanikavu. * Chennithala is located in the northern part of Mavelikkara. Chennithala Panchayath shares its border with the municipal boundary of Mavelikkara. Chennithala Chellappan Pillai, the famous Kathakali artist, and Ramesh Chennithala, the present President of the KPCC, were born here. * Cherukunnam - This is the place where you have one of the best CBSE schools around Mavelikkara. The schools name is, "Sree Narayana Central School". The School follows CBSE Syllabus and has Classes from L.K.G to XII. Cherukunnam is a beautiful village, 5 kilometers away from Mavelikara Town(in Mavelikara-Kattanam Bus Route).It was in 1987 that the Sree Narayana Samskarika Samithy had established this School as a modest nursery School with

a vision to spread the light of knowledge as propounded by Sree Narayana Guru. "Get Enlightened through Eeducation" is the motto of the School. Now it has more than 1200 students. * Chettikulangara is located about 5 km (3 miles) south-west of Mavelikkara. It is famous for the Chettikulangara Devi Temple. The Kumbha Bharani festival is conducted during February or March in the temple. The important festivity associated with this utsavam is "Kettu-Kazhcha" which resembles the Chinese festival celebrated on the birthday of Buddha. Kuthiyottam is also another important festivity. This is the second largest temple under Travancore Devaswom Board. Chettikulangara Amma is considered as the mother goddess of Onattukara. * Kallumala - This is a place of educational importance. An English medium school and college functions in this area. The Mavelikara Railway Station and Main Market also functions around this place. * Kandiyoor is a place of historical importance. It was there that the Travancore Raja gained the decisive victory over Kayamkulam Raja. The Mahadeva temple contains the sub-shrines considered to have been made especially sacred by the presence of all Gods of Hindu pantheon. It contains ancient inscriptions and it is noted for stone sculptures. * Thekkekkara Panchayath lies between Chettikulangara, Bharanicavu and Thazhakkara Panchayaths of Mavelikkara Taluk. Famous personalities from this place include Prof. R. Narendraprasad, Kandankara Krishnan Unnithan, Kadhikaratnam S.S.Unnithan, Varikkolil Kesavan Unnithan, Nadalayil Kunjukrishnan Unnithan, Magician Samraj and P Sankaran Unnithan. * Vallikunnam is situated at the southern part of Mavelikkara. Thoppil Bhasi was born here, the founder of the K.P.A.C.. * Varenickal : is a village situated in Thekkekara Panchayat, Mavelikara Taluk, Alappuzha district of Kerala state in South India. Nearest towns are 1.5 KM to Kurathikad on west, 7 km to Mavelikara on the northwest, 18 km to Chengannur on the north, 10 km to Kayamkulam on the south and 2 km to Chunakara on the east. Agriculture is the main occupation, though remittances from abroad form a significant source of income. Important places include Shree Parabhramodya Temple, Kunnam Kuzhi Temple, SNDP Mandir and Govt. U.P School. At Shree Parabhramodya Temple there is no building structure for the Shreekovil as the God has forbidden any construction at the site. The festival at the temple held during the "Mandala Season". * Vathikulam is located about 7 km south of Mavelikkara and is surrounded by temples. Two schools are located there, Vathikulam LP School and Alummoottil LP School. Bethel Marthomma Church and Vathikulam Martomma Church are the two churches that can be found. Temples are Vathikulam Temple, Changeth Temple and Alampeth Temple. * Vazhuvady - A beautiful village, 4 km away from Mavelikara Town. Haritha shobhayaarnna. .Manoharamaya...oru gramam..athanu..Vazhuvady. The three sides of this village is blessed with Achankovil river. The famous malankara orthodox church commonly known as Vazhuvady Pally (Mar Baselios orthodox church, Vazhudady) which have given many blessings to the people of Vazhuvady is located in the heart of the village. The church has got the Holy Relic of His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II, Third Catholicos of the East in Malankara . This small village also blessed with temples like Kirathankavu. Siva.Temple", Panayannarkau Devi Temple", and Sri Muruka Temple(Gurumandiram)". There are 2 Schools ie LPS govt school, Vishwakarma Hindu UP school in this village and there is one bridge connecting vazhuvady with thonakkadu called Pottamaelkadav Bridge which is the shortest way to Chegannoor from Mavelikara. The former Shabarimala Melshanti 'Hon. Eswaran Nampoothiri' and the Malankara Orthodox Metropolitan 'H.G Yuhannon Mar Thevodorous' are the two respected personalities from this village. * Vettiyar is located about 7 km east of Mavelikkara, on the banks of Achenkovil river. Green paddy fields stretch to acres of lands with rubber plantations, cashew trees, coconut trees, bettel leaves and many more. Vettiyar is a small village where urbanization has not yet reached and the traquility of a southern Indian village still remains. It is a peaceful and green village, where you can still listen to the Achenkovil river flowing and the singing of the birds. Pathamudayam, the famous temple festival is conducted at Palliyarakkavu temple.Tha famous church of malankara orthodox church, this church celebrate perunal sep 1 to 8 * kurathikadu Religion

Temples * The Chettikulangara Devi Temple founded in AD 823, is a famous, Bhagawathy Temple. This temple was consecrated by Padmapadacharyar (a disciple of Adi Shankara). The festival season is February and March. * Padanilam Parabrahma Temple,Nooranad. * Kandiyoor Temple is the oldest historical evidence of the rich heritage of Mavelikara. This is also known as Dakshina Kashi. The Kandiyoor Temple is one of 108 temples dedicated to Siva. Saint Mrikandu, the father and guru of Markandeya, got an idol of Kiratha Moorthy, while taking a bath in the holy river, the Ganges. He heard a divine voice (Assariri) telling him to put the idol in a holy place. Mrikandu travveled far and finally reached Kandiyoor (derived from "Kandathil Nalla Ooru" meaning "the best place ever seen"). Thus, the temple was established and renamed Kandiyoor. * Sree Krishna Swami Temple is managed and owned by the Travancore Devaswom board. The main festival is held during Meenam. The Statue of Buddha at the Buddha junction in front of the temple has been recovered from the Achankovil River. * Shree Parabhramodya Temple - Varenickal, There is no building structure for the Shreekovil as the God has forbidden any construction at the site. The festival at the temple held during the Dec-Jan Mandala season. * Shree Saraswati Temple - Thattarambalam is situated at Thattarambalam dedicated to Saraswati Devi.Recent donations have led to better developments of the temple structure.Main festival held is during the Navarathri Festival period dedicated toDurga Devi.Many people attend the festival. * Ponnaramthottam Devi temple situated near Power House and District Court * Dhanwanthari Temple, Prayikkara. * Subramanya Swamy temple , Thazhakkara * Ganapathy Temple, Aalthara, Padinjare Nada. * Mannoor Madhom Siva temple. * Mattom Narasimha Swamy Temple is situated at north of thattarambalam. This is one of the oldest temple in Mavelikara. It situated near Achankovil river. The festivel of the temple takes place during Vrichikam (Nov-Dec) * Mannalil Temple - Aranoottimangalam is situated to the south of aranoottimangalam. The festival day is Makaram 28, famously known as "Irupathettam Ucharam" * Tharamel Devi Kshethram - Aranoottimangalam which is another bhagavathi temple situated to the central part of Aranoottimangalam. This originally belonged to the Kalaykkattu Family. This temple has been handed over to the NSS Karayogam No. 66 by the Family Heads (Nalayyathu Chellappan Nair and Thattarethu Damodara Panicker). Now this temple is owned and managed by the NSS Karayogam, No. 66. The renovation work has just been completed. * Ammancheril Devi Kshethram - Aranoottimangalam Churches * St.Mary's Orthodox Cathedral is an old church with a history going back to the 10th century. Founded in AD 943, the church held many famous meetings. The meeting between Mar Thoma VI and the Antiochean bishop Shakrulla paved way for usage of West Syrian rites in Malankara.[4] It was visited by Archbishop Menezes in the 16th century and by Claudius Buchanan in the 19th century. The famous Mavelikkara Padiyola was held in this church in 1836.[5] Orthodox Christians form the major Christian community in Mavelikara. There are around 5,000 Orthodox families in and around Mavelikkara. * C.S.I. Christ Church is the oldest protestant church in Mavelikara. The first church building was dedicated on May 22, 1839 and the present building constructed in Gothic architectural style was dedicated and opened for worship in November 1845[6] and rededicated on April 3, 1850.[7] It was built by Rev. Joseph Peet, who was a Church Missionary Society (CMS) missionary. Situated in the heart of the Mavelikara town on the bank of Achenkovil river, the nineteen acre church campus currently houses the Arch Deacon Oommen Mammen Memorial Lower Primary School, the Bishop Hodges High School and Higher secondary school, the Peet Memorial Training College, A music school, an auditorium with a couple of indoor badminton courts and the Church cemetery. Christ Church is also known for its choir which is believed to be leading church services since 1886.[8] Christ Church

* C.S.I. Ascension Church Cherukunnam is 150 years old. It belongs to the Central Kerala Diocese of Church of South India. It has 88 families and about 500 members. The church is located at about 6 km away from Mavelikara along Mavelikara-Kattanam PWD Road. The contact address is CSI Ascension Church, Cherukunnam, Thekkekkara PO, Mavelikara, Pin: 690107. * Church of god in India, Chettikulangara (shalom prayer hall) is a a pentecostal church located at Erezha South region of Chettikulangara gram panchayat.established in the year 2004, under Church of God in India, Mulakkazha Head Quarters, Chengannoor, India * Marthoma Church Thazhakara is 110 years old. Peedikayil Stephanos Malpan is the first priest of the Marthoma parish in Mavelikara. In 1898, 32 families belonging to the marthoma sect, forfeited all their rights on the St.Marys Orthodox Church and started regular prayers at the temporary church. Initially, the parish included the regions of Mullikkulangra, Peringilippuram and Kallimel. Under the leadership of Polachirackal K. Jacob Kassisa (Polachirackal Kumbathittayil Achan) and with the co-operation of the parish, the Marthoma Church of Thazhakara became a reality. On December 26, 1928, Titus II Metropolitan and Abraham Suffragan Metropolitan jointly performed the Koodasha. Now the parish with its over 335 families has a nursery, parish hall, shop building, parsonage, polachirakkal colony and Jyothis school( A school for mentally challenged children ). * Mar Baselios Orthodox Church commonly known as Vazhuvady Pally (Mar Baselios orthodox church, Vazhudady) The church has the Holy Relic of His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II", third Catholicos of the East in Malankara. * Syro-Malankara Catholic Diocese of Mavelikara is the sixth diocese of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church with 94 parishes and 37,000 worshipers. The Bishop is Aboon Joshua Mor Ignathios, who is a descendant of the Polachirackal Family. His house is situated in Punnamoodu, two kilometres from the heart of Mavelikara. The throne church of this Diocese is St. Mary's Malankara Syrian Catholic Cathedral, Punnamoodu. This is a suffurgan diocese of the Major Archiepiscopal Eparchy of Trivandrum.[9] * Prayikkara Matha also known as St. Mary's Latin Catholic Church, is situated at Prayikkara. Founded on the name of the Holy Virgin Mary, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin is celebrated on 8 December every year. * Pentecostal Church of God Chettikulangara at Erezha South, is established under church of god in india, in 2004, * Assemblies of God Bethal Hall established in 1924 ,known as irst Assembly Of God Church, Mavelikara, SH 6, Mavelikkara. Transit: Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. Education * Sri Vellapally Natesan College Of Engineering, Pallickal * Sree Buddha Central School,Pattoor, Padanilam * Sree Narayana Central School, Cherukunnam, Mavelikara-7 * A.v.Sanskrit UP School,Thazhakara * M.S.S High School ,Thazhakara. * S.V.L.P School ,Thazhakara. * Vidhyadhiraja Vidya Peetom Central School, Ponnaramthottam. * Vidyadhiraja Vidyapeedom LP School Mvk.follwing BVN international * Vijnana Santhayani Sanskrit High School (VSSHS) Koypallikaranma * Thekekkara Government UP School, near the major Koypallikaranma Temple * Bishop Moore College. * Bishop Moore Vidyapith, Kallumala. * Seventh Day Adventist English Medium High School. * College of Applied Sciences(IHRD). * Raja Ravivarma Fine Arts College. * Infant Jesus ISC School. * TMVMHS, Vettiyar * St. Mary's Cathedral Public School. * Pope Pius XI Higher Secondary School, Kattanam.

* Govt. Boys' Higher Secondary School. * Govt. Girls' Higher Secondary School. * Govt. Higher Secondary School, Chettikulangara. * Bishop Hodges Higher Secondary School * TTI School * Mahatma Higher Secondary School for Boys, Chennithala. * Mahatma Higher Secondary School for Girls, Chennithala. * Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chennithala. * Cherupushpa Central School, Chunakkara * Amala LP School, Erezha. * Vathikulam L P School * Mar Ivanious School * CNPPM Vocational HS, Kattachira. * NSS High School, Kurathikad. * Govt. LP School Kurathikad. * S.N. Central School, Cherukunnam. * A.G.R.M.H.S.S Vallikunnam * Govt. UP School, Varenickal. * A.O.M.M. L.P.School. * Vikram Sarabhai I.T.E. * St.Mary's Central School, Vettiyar * Erezha U.P School, Erezha South P.O,Chettikulangara. * Govt. L. P School,Kandiyoour. * K.K.M. Govt. V.H.S.S. Elippakulam. * Govt L.P.S. Elippakulam. Muhamma Muhamma is a census town in Cherthala Taluk in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is home to the famous Cheerappanchira kalari, where Ayyappan had his training in the martial arts; the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, Mrs. Susheela Gopalan (wife of A. K. Gopalan), was from this family. Muhamma was also the village where the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader P. Krishna Pillai died after sustaining a snake-bite. Pathiramanal island ,the most beautiful point in vembanad lake is a part of Muhamma Panchyath. Contents * 1 Pathiramanal Bio Park * 2 Cultural Contributors of present day * 3 Demographics Pathiramanal Bio Park Muhamma panchyath has launched big project in Pathiramanal with central assistance.The estimated cost of the project is about 10 cores.Bio park,Fish breading area, Natural Historical musium,aquarium etc are the main parts of the project.The project is submitted by the panchayath samithy headed by Sri. C.K.Bhaskaran, President and P.P.Udayasimhan Secretary.... Cultural Contributors of present day Various Artists belonging to Drama, film, music direction and Kadhaprasangam are inhabiting here..such as Kadhikan Thrivikraman pilla, Sunilkumar Muhamma (lyricist, music director, kadhikan and college lecturer), Muhamma Raveendranath (Poet), Muhamma Ramanan (balasahithyam). Demographics As of 2001[update] India census[1], Muhamma had a population of 24,513. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Muhamma has an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 88%, and female literacy is 83%. In Muhamma, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Pulinkunnu Pulincunnu is an island village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.[1]Pulincunnu is located in the Kuttanad taluk and region of Alappuzha District. The scenic beauty of the wide river ride through the Pampa river is the reason why this route is one of the most favoured by houseboats tourism operators in Kerala. It is part of the Kerala Backwaters, a network of lakes, wetlands, and canals. The famous Rajiv Gandhi Trophy boat race is held here during the months of OctoberNovember every year. Contents * 1 Education * 2 Prominent Natives of Pulincunnoo * 3 Demographics Education Considered an educational village, Pulincunnoo has schools and colleges that are hundreds of years old. St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School is one of the important and the oldest institution in Pulincunnoo, with more than 100+ years of its presence. Cochin University College of Engineering Kuttanad under CUSAT, is a famous engineering college at this place. Notable educational institutions from the village include: Little Flower Girls High School Pulincunnoo, Amalolbava lower primary school, St. Mary's ITC,K E Carmel ICSE School etc. Students from far and wide, in and around kuttanadu became well educated in this small village premises. Prominent Natives of Pulincunnoo * Mar Aloysius Pazheparambil * I. C. Chacko, Illiparambil, Geologist and Physicist, State Geologist of Travancore State from 1906-1921 * Maliampurackal Chacko Punnoose {Navodaya Appachen} -Indian film producer, director, and entrepreneur * Kunchako Boban Maliampurackal - Famous film Actor and director * Kunchacko Maliampurackal - Udaya Studio -Indian film producer and director Demographics As of 2001[update] India census, Pulinkunnu had a population of 16795 with 8188 males and 8607 females. Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai (Malayalam: ) (17 April 1912 - 10 April 1999)[1] was a novelist and short story writer of Malayalam. He is popularly known as Thakazhi, after his place of birth. He focused on the oppressed classes as the subject of his works, which are known for their attention to historic detail. He has written several novels and over 600 short stories. His most famous works are Kayar (Coir, 1978) and Chemmeen (Prawns, 1956; film adaptation, 1965). He was awarded India's highest literary award, the Jnanpith in 1984.[2] Born in the village of Thakazhi, in Kuttanad, Alappuzha district of Kerala, he started to write stories when he was a schoolboy. His literary taste was nurtured by his high school headmaster Kainikkara Kumara Pillai (1900-1988) who exposed him to Indian literature. He met Kesari A Balakrishna Pillai (1889-1960) while pursuing his law studies in Thiruvananthapuram. He introduced Thakazhi to modern European literature and thought. His novels and short stories basically discussed various aspects of societies in Kerala in the mid-20th century. His novel Thottiyude makan (Scavenger's Son, 1947) is considered a pioneer work in Malayalam realistic novel. It is about modernity challenging the rationale of the caste system, that one's profession should depend on pedigree. His love epic Chemmeen (Prawns, 1956) which was a departure from his earlier line of realism, met with immense popularity. It told a tragic love story set in the backdrop of a fishing village in Alappuzha. The novel and its film adaptataion, also titled Chemmeen (1965) earned him national and international fame. Chemmeen was translated into 19 world languages and adapted as film in 15 countries. Chemmeen won for Thakazhi the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award in 1958. The film adaptation, directed by Ramu Kariat won the National Film Award for Best Film in 1964. Despite the populairy of Chemmeen, his novel Kayar (Coir, 1978) is quite widely considered as his masterpiece. The novel spreads to over 1000 densely printed pages and deals with hundreds of characters over four generations, bring back to life an axial period (1885-1971) during which feudalism, matriliny and bonded labor gave way to conjugal life, everyones access to a piece of land, decolonization and the industrial revolution of the 1960s.

Thakazhi has been known to often write an entire novel within one weekend. Its argued that the novel Chemmeen was written within one weekend.[citation needed] Quotes on Thakazhi Dr V Radhakrishnan: Thakazhi is normally remembered as a writer who looked analytically at the continuously changing Kerala society since the turbulent decade of 1930s. At the same time, without denying him his place as a social chronicler, one could find in him a poet who could look at the minutest aspects of human life. K. R. Narayanan: Thakazhi was a pioneer of the progressive literary movementwhich enabled Malayalam literature to break out of the `colonial mould'. Francis Olivier Zimmermann (Directeur d'tudes, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris) on Kayar: The fact that (Thakazhi,) the master narrative of this axial period (1885-1971) was told in Malayalam by a Nayar or Nair (the land-owning caste) who turned communist, and a writer who made a living as a modern lawyer (perfectly at ease with English) but who had been trained in classical Kathakali (music-dance-drama) and other genres of verbal art, is indeed part of the story. Famous Works * Thottiyude makan (Scavenger's Son, 1947) * Randidangazhi (Two Measures, 1948) * Chemmeen (Prawns, 1956; film adaptation, 1965) * Enippadikal (Footsteps, 1964) * Kayar (Coir, 1978) Vallikunnam Vallikunnam is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.[1] Vallikunnam is a gram panchayat situated in mavelikkara taluk of alappuzha district of kerala state. It is one of the beautiful villages in Alappuzha. It is the southernmost place in alappuzha bordering oachira and thazhava of kollam districts. It is an area of paddy and sesame fields, rubber and tapioca cultivation. Due to abundance of clay, this area has a lot of mud bricks factories. It has many higher secondary schools, a public health center, panchayat and village offices, temples and mosques. A.G.R.M.H.S.S Vallikunnam is one of the famous school. Padayanivettom temple is one of the landmark of this place.Durga and Bhadra are the goddesses of the temple. Another famous temple is the Vattackad Temple. The village is situated enroute mavelikkara- karunagappally road and Oachira- Thamarakkulam road. Manackad is the adminsitrative center and Choonad and Kambisseri are the main commercial centers. The major centers in vallikunnam are choonad, manackad, vattackad, kambisseri, elippakkulam etc. The place is well connected to kayamkulam, mavelikkara, karunagappally, adoor, sasthamkotta and other nearby towns. Demographics As of 2001[update] India census, Vallikunnam had a population of 29029 with 13597 males and 15432 females.[1] it is the birth place of the great Thoppil Bhasi Ernakulam district Ernakulam District (Malayalam: ) is a district of the state of Kerala in southern India. The district includes the largest metropolitan region of the state Greater Cochin. Ernakulam District is the highest revenue yielding district[1] in the state and is called and known as the commercial capital of Kerala. It is surrounded by Thrissur District to the north, Idukki District to the east, Alappuzha and Kottayam districts to the south and Arabian sea to west. Its headquarters is located at Kakkanad, a suburb of Kochi city. The language people speak in Ernakulam is Malayalam which is the mother-tongue of the State of Kerala. English is widely used in business circles. Contents * 1 Etymology * 2 History * 3 Geography * 4 Topography

* 5 Demographics * 6 Administration o 6.1 Taluks o 6.2 Municipal Corporation o 6.3 Municipalities o 6.4 Parliamentary Constituencies o 6.5 Assembly Constituencies * 7 Transport o 7.1 Rail o 7.2 Air o 7.3 Water * 8 Festivals and traditions * 9 Agriculture and industry * 10 Education * 11 Flora and fauna * 12 Fisheries and ports * 13 Notable People Etymology The word/name Ernakulam is derived from a Tamil word Erayanarkulam which means abode of Lord Shiva. History St. Francis CSI Church, in Kochi , earlier called Cochin, originally built in 1503, is the oldest European church in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent.The Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were removed to Lisbon. Cheena vala (Chinese fishing net), Kochi From ancient times Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kingdom of Cochin and left their impressions in the town. The word Ernakulam was drawn from the words Erayanar and kulam means abode of Lord Shiva temple near pond. Ernakulam District was formed on 1 April 1958, from the taluks of Aluva, Kunnathunadu, Kochi, Kanayannur, and Paravoor, which were formerly part of Thrissur District. Initially the district headquarters was at Ernakulam, which gave the district its name; the headquarters was later shifted to Kakkanad. When Idukki District was formed on 26 January 1977, Thodupuzha taluk was joined with Idukki and Muvattupuzha taluk separated with to form Kothamangalam taluk. Geography Ernakulam district covers an area of 3068 km2 located on the Western Coastal Plains of India. The district can be divided geographically into highland, midland and coastal area. The altitude of the highland is about 300 m. The Periyar River, Kerala's second longest, flows through all the taluks except Muvattupuzha. The Muvattupuzha River and a branch of Chalakkudy River also flow through the district. The average yearly rainfaill in the district is 3432mm. The district has a moderate climate, and mostly falls within the Malabar Coast moist forests ecoregion, while the highlands are part of the South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests ecoregion. Many types of sands, soil and also rocks which are geological importance is abundant here.Cohin international air port is located in northern part of the district at Nedumbasheri village in Angamaly. Air ways, water ways, railways, and road ways add the geographical comfortaness to reach this place from anywhere. Topography The district is divided into three well-defined parts lowland, midland and the highland consisting of seaboard, plains and the hills and forests respectively. 20 percent of the total area is low land region. The midland consists mainly of plain land and group of islands having natural facilities of drainage via backwaters and canals. The hilly or eastern portion is formed by a section of Western Ghats. Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalm can be called the highlands. Muvattupuzha and Periyar are the main rivers of which the latter flows through Thodupuzha,

Muvattupuzha, Aluva, Kunnathunadu and Parur taluks. During rainy season these rivers are full and heavy floods affect the low-lying areas on the banks, but in the summer season they generally go dry and narrow. The Periyar is stretched over a length of 229 km. Demographics This district is listed as the "most advanced" district in Kerala. It had a resident population of 3,105,798 as of 2001, excluding the huge commuter traffic from neighbouring districts. It is urbanised 47.55%[2]. Hindus accounts for the largest community followed by Christian and Muslims. A small population of Jains, Jews and Sikhs are also residing in Kochi[3]. Also, Ernakulam district has the highest number of Christian Population in India (More than 12 Lakhs) Administration Taluks The district has the most number of taluks in the state. District is divided by two revenue divisions namely Fort Kochi and Muvattupuzha with 7 taluks. * Aluva * Kothamangalam * Kunnathunadu * Paravoor * Kochi * kanayannur * Moovattupuzha Municipal Corporation Cochin Municipalities Ernakulam district has the most number of municipalities in the state. * Aluva * Angamaly * Eloor * Kalamassery * Kothamangalam * Maradu * North Paravoor * Perumbavoor * Thrikkakara * Thripunithura * Muvattupuzha Parliamentary Constituencies * Chalakudy Parliamentary Constituency * Ernakulam Parliamentary Constituency * Idukki Parliamentary Constituency Assembly Constituencies * Angamaly * Kalamassery * Paravur * Vypeen * Ernakulam * Kochi * Thrikkakara * Thripunithura * Aluva * Perumbavoor

* Kunnathunadu * Piravom * Moovattupuzha * Kothamangalam Transport Ernakulam district is blessed with all types of transport. It has the most number of Regional Transport Offices in the state. There are 9 Regional Transport Offices. * Ernakulam - KL 07 * Muvattupuzha - KL 17 * Thripunithura - KL 39 * Perumbavoor - KL 40 * Aluva - KL 41 * North Paravur - KL 42 * Mattanchery - KL 43 * Kothamangalam - KL 44 * Angamaly - KL 63 Also the district has got the maximum number of vehicles in the state. Ernakulam district has excellent road connectivity. The 3 major national highways passing through Ernakulam District are the Cochin-Mumbai Highway (NH 17), Salem-Kanyakumari (NH 47 part of NSEW corridor) and CochinDhanushkodi highway (NH 49). The North South Corridor highway system starting from Edapally in Cochin on NH47 and connects the cities Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Salem and finally to Chennai and rest of the country towards north and Alapuzha, Kollam, Trivandrum, Nagercoil and Kanyakumari towards south. The National Highway 17 also starting from Edapally and connects the cities Calicut, Kannur, Mangalore, Mormugao and Mumbai. The National Highway 49, also known as Madurai Highway starts from Kundannur near Cochin and passes through Munnar, Theni, Madurai and finally terminates at Dhanushkodi. The district also has the two small national highways namely NH 47A for Cochin Port connectivity (Smallest Indian National Highway) and NH 47C as part of the International Container Transshipment Terminall connectivity. The district is also well connected by state highways and other roads. Important state highway SH 1 also knows as Main Central Road(MC Road) starts from Angamaly, a suburb of Kochi city which connects to the state capital Trivandrum via Perumbavoor, Kottayam. Other Major roads * Palarivattom- Moovattupuzha - Punalur SH:- Connects Kakkanad, Pallikkara, Kizhakkambalam, Pattimattom, Vazhakulam, Thodupuzha, Pathanamthitta * North Paravur - Aluva - Munnar SH:- Connects Alengad, Perumbavur, Kothamangalam, Thattekkad * Marine Drive- Moothakunnam SH:- Connects Vallarpadam, Vypin, Njarackal, Cherai, Munambam * Thrippunithura - Koothattukulam - Sabarimalai:-Connects Mulamthuruthy, Piravom , Pala, Kumily * Vytilla-Kottayam road:- Connects via Thripoonithura, Nadakkavu, Poothotta, Vaikkom, Kumarakom * Fort Kochi - Alappuzha road Rail Ernakulam district has a total of 17 railway stations and the Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town are the major railway stations. The other stations are Aluva, Angamaly, Thripunithura, Edapally, Mulamthuruthy, Cochin Harbour Terminus, Karakutty, Chowara, Kalamassery, Nettor, Kumbalam, Mattanchery H., Chottanikkara road and Piravom road. The railroutes are via thrissur,Kottayam, Cochin H.T. and Allapuzha. Routes are also proposed via N.ParavurGuruvayur,Moovattupuzha-Theni. The Angamaly-Erumely Sabarimala route(Proposed) is also passing through the district. Air

District has got two airports, Naval airport in W.island(Old Cochin airport) and Cochin International Airport(CIAL). CIAL is the fourth largest in the country after Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai having International passengers. Currently flights are operating to Gulf region,Malayasia, Singapore,Srilanka and to major cities in India. Water District lies in the flat delta region of Periyar and Moovattupuzha river. Water transport is prominent in the district through rivers and lagoons. The major boat services are in Ernakulam area and other areas having small ferry services. The district boasts of having the major port in the westcoast of country: the Cochin port which is also the reason for the large scale developments in the district. Now a new International port is nearing completion in Vallarpadam which will boost the developments in the district further. Festivals and traditions The famous Sivarathri at the Aluva Manappuram (situated on the banks of river Periyar) in Aluva attracts people from different parts of the country. There are lots of old Siva Temples in Ernakulam. In Sanskrit "Siva" means kalyan (good wishes, doing good and taking care of all). Adi Shankaracharya was born in Kalady and considered as a major pilgrimage centre for Hindus around the world. Kallil Kshethram (Jain temple) near Perumabavoor is also very famous. The world famous Christian pilgrim center at Malayattoor is in this district. The festival here lasts for 10 days in April. St. George Church at Kadamattam is very old and was founded by Mar Abo Metropolitan in 5th Century A.D. He brought a cross from Persia, which is still preserved in the church. The festival at the church of Vallarpadam on September 24 attracts people belonging to all religions. The icon of Virgin Mary in this church is credited with many miracles. St. George Forane Church at Edappally, which was founded in 593 A.D., is considered to be the oldest church in Kerala after the 7 churches founded by St. Thomas. St. Antonys church at Kannamaly is famous for the Feast of St. Joseph on March 19 where a large number of people are fed. One of the ancient mosques in Kerala is at Kanjiramattam. Chandanakkudam Festival in Kanjiramattom Mousque is very famous. Thrippakudam Temple- Ana Kallaya Kulam -PARVATHIMANGALAM is the famous pooja in this temple. Arayankavu Thookkam- Otta Thookkam and Garudan Thookkam is very famous. Cherai Pooram is famous festival in island. Celebrating this full moon day having two purpose. Fields are ready for cropping, Start cropping with prayers and some auspicious puja. Next reason is People are ready to go in to sea. So on this day women of India generally having fasting of full day and pray for her brothers, father, husband and Nation 's victory. Agriculture and industry Agriculture constitutes the most important segment of the districts economy and it is the biggest source of employment. Of the geographical 235319 hectares, crops are grown in 210438 hectares. Coconut is the principal crop followed by rubber, paddy, and tapioca. A paddy cultivation system called pokkali is peculiar to the district. Ernakulam district is bestowed with all the geographical factors, which help the development of industry, and it is in the vanguard of all other districts in Kerala in the field of industry. The availability of all types of transport facilities viz., road, rail, canal, sea, air is a factor which is unique to this district. Ernakulam is perhaps the biggest commercial center in the state of Kerala. Its M.G. Road is the location of some of the biggest businesses in Kerala. Education Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology, one of the Engineering schools in the city. Ernakulam occupies an important place among the districts of Kerala in the field of literacy and educational standards. Ernakulam District is the first district in the whole country to have 100 percent literacy by 1990. Pothanicad, first panchayath in India that achieved 100% literacy according to state literacy programme is in this district. There are two prominent universities in this district - Sanskrit University , Kalady and Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kalamassery. Ernakulam district has the most number of educational institutions in the state. Kendriya Vidyalaya is located here. Flora and fauna The flora of this district is tropical. The heavy rainfall combined with moderate temperature and fertile soil support abundant vegetation. Many of the common plants are found in the coastal area, which forms the low land region.

Coconut is extensively cultivated here. The midland region is mainly occupied by coconut palms. Paddy, tapioca, pepper and pulses are also cultivated here. The lower slopes of the highland region are under teak, and rubber cultivation. The eastern part of the district has dense forests with its characteristic fauna. Fisheries and ports The sea along the entire coast of the district and the backwaters abound in fish of various kinds offer enormous natural facilities for both marine and inland fisheries. Kochi is an ideal place that supports fisheries in its various aspects like education, research and development. Mattancherry Palace - temple courtyard The old Dutch cemetery in Kochi Notable People The most important religious communities of the district are Hindus, Christians and Muslims. In addition to the major communities the Buddhists, the Jains, the Sikhs, and the Jews also form part of the cosmopolitan population. The ancestors of the Jews migrated from Jerusalem in 72 A.D. Now there are very few Jewish families in Cochin. The below are the prominent personalities from the district: * Adi Sankaracharya (Saint Advaita) * Swami Chinmayananda (Indian spiritual leader and geetacharya ) * Varghese Palakkappillil (Servant of God and Founder of S.D.) * Shadkala Govinda Marar (Carnatic Musician) * K J Yesudas (singer) * Roshan Karuthedam Varghese (Business Consultant) * Changampuzha (Poet) * G. Sankara Kurup (Poet) * P K Vasudevan Nair (Ex-Chief Minister) * Daniel Acharuparambil (Late Arch.Bishop of Varpolly Diosse) * Balachandran Chullikad (Poet and Actor) * Jayaram (actor) * Dileep(actor) * Lalu Alex (actor) * Sreesanth (cricketer) * K. V. Thomas (politician) * Asin Thottumkal (actress) * Jayasurya (actor) * Cochin Haneefa (actor) * Sreejesh Ravindran (Indian Hockey Player) * Sankaradi (actor) * Card.Arch Bishop Varky VithayathilErnakulam+Angamally Arch Diosse Ernakulam Ernakulam (Malayalam: , Ekula) refers to the western part of the mainland of Kochi city in Kerala, India. The name 'Ernakulam' is derived from the name of a very famous temple of Lord Shiva called the Ernakulathappan Temple. It is also said that the word Ernakulam was drawn from Malayalam words 'Ere naal Kulam', which mean 'Pond for a long time'. Ernakulam is the commercial capital of the state of Kerala.The Kerala High Court is situated in Ernakulam. Contents * 1 Geography * 2 Politics * 3 Business * 4 Entertainment * 5 Local Transport * 6 Media

o 6.1 Print o 6.2 Television o 6.3 Radio o 6.4 Telephone * 7 Landmarks in Ernakulam City Geography Ernakulam is located at 959N 7617E / 9.98N 76.28E / 9.98; 76.28.[1] It has an average elevation of 4 m (13 ft). Politics Ernakulam assembly constituency is part of Ernakulam (Lok Sabha constituency).[2] Business Ernakulam is the nerve of business in Kerala. Almost all firms in Kerala and outside Kerala have offices at Ernakulam. It is also home to the Cochin Stock Exchange:the only stock exchange in Kerala. Entertainment The Shenoys, one of the popular Cineplexs in the city. There are over twenty cinema halls that screen movies in Malayalam, Tamil, English and Hindi. A film festival, known as the Cochin International Film Festival (CIFF), was held in the city in 2004 and 2005. Local Transport Ernakulam is well served by private/government buses, autorickshaws and ferries. Ernakulam has a number of jetties where passengers can embark and disembark from ferries. Travelling via ferries is cheaper and faster than travelling by buses and/or autos. The main jetty is called the Ernakulam jetty from where one can board a ferry to Vypin, Fort Kochi and Willingdon Island. Ernakulam jetty is close to the Central bus station, Ernakulam railway stations and located close to the town's main shopping area situated on MG Road. [3] Media Print Major Malayalam newspapers published in Kochi include Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi, Janmabhoomi, Madhyamam, Deshabhimani, Deepika, Kerala Kaumudi, Thejus and Veekshanam. Popular English newspapers include The Hindu, The New Indian Express and The Pioneer. A number of evening papers are also published from the city.[4] Newspapers in other regional languages like Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu are also sold in large numbers. Being the seat of the Cochin Stock Exchange, a number of financial publications are also published in the city. These include The Economic Times, Business Line, The Business Standard and The Financial Express. Prominent magazines and religious publications like the Sathyadeepam, The Week and Vanitha are also published from the city. Television Television stations in Ernakulam include Ernakulam Cable Television, Asianet Cable Vision, SITI channel, Indiavision, Jeevan TV, Kairali TV, Manorama News, Asianet News . Satellite television services are available through Doordarshan Direct Plus, Dish TV Sun Direct and Tata Sky. The Multisystem operators in Ernakulam are Asianet, Kerala Vision, Siti Cable, DEN networks. Radio All India Radio has two FM stations in the city, operating at 102.3 MHz and 107.5 MHz. Private FM radio stations are Club FM 94.3, Radio Mango 91.9 which plays music 24 hours a day, and 93.5 S FM. Private satellite radios such as WorldSpace, are also available. Telephone Telephony services are provided by various players like Airtel, Idea cellular, Vodafone, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom and the government owned BSNL. [edit] Landmarks in Ernakulam City Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology, one of the Engineering schools in the city. * Temples

Ernakulathapan temple(Shiva), Hanuman Temple, Muruga Temple. Located near Ernakulam South Railway Station (2 KM). Valanjambalam Devi Temple (0.5 km from Ernakulam South Railway Station), Ravipuram Srikrishna Swamy Temple(1 km from Ernakulam South Railway Station) * Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) Cochin University of Science and Technology * Subhash Park, Boat Jetty Junction * Children's Park, Boat Jetty Junction * Maharajas College ground with Synthetic Athletic track * Jawahar Lal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor * Rajeev Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kadavathara * Major Roads - M. G. Road,Broadway and Marine drive walkway,Banerjee Road, Shanmugham Road, Sahodaran Ayyappan Road, Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road * Movie Theatre complex - Shenoys and Little Shenoys Movie Theatre, Kavitha, Saritha-Savitha-Sangeetha Multiplex,Padma ,Sreedhar, Kanoos,Cinemax multiplex at Oberon,O Cinemas at Gold Souk Grande * Shopping - Jayalakshmi Silks,Parthas,Kalyan Silks,Chennai Silks,Seematti Silks,Oberon Shopping Mall,Bhima Jewellers,Alappat Jewellers,Francis Alukkas,Joy Alukkas Jewellers,Josco Jewellers,Giri Pai Jewellers,Vanitha Jewellers,Bhimsen Zaveri Jewellers,Little Kingdom, GCDA Complex,Penta Menaka,Gold Souke Vytilla,Abad Nucleus Mall,Bay Pride Mall. * Restaurants and outlets - Tandoor (Woodland Junction),BTH Group of hotels, Woodlands,Woods Manor, Bimbis ,KR Bakers,Coffee Day,Aaryas,Pizza Hut,Ceylon Bakers,AmbiSwamis,Ananth Bhavan,Sree krishna Inn,Dwaraka,Domino pizza,Gokulam park, Indian coffee house(near the ernakulam jetty) * Vendurthy Bridge,Southern Naval Command , * Hotels- Taj Malabar (5 Star), Taj Residency(1-5 Star), Le-Meridien(5 Star), Dwaraka (Pure Vegetarian, near South Railway Station, 1 km) Gokulam Park, International Hotel, Woodlands, BTH Sarovaram, ABAD Plaza, Renaissance, Hotel Excellency(2 star) * Cochin Shipyard * Bolgatty Palace * Goshree Bridge * Hospitals- Co-Operative Medical College and Hospital (Kalamassery affiliated to CUSAT), Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (Edapallly),Medical Trust,Cochin Hospital,Lakshmi Hospitals,PVS Hospital,Lourdes,Lissy,Lakeshore,Medical Center, MAJ, Govt. District Hospital, PVS Hospital(Kaloor) * Colleges- Cochin University Of Science And Technology(CUSAT),Maharajas College,St.Teresas Women's College, Rajagiri,Govt. Law College,St.Alberts College,Sacred Heart College * Schools - Rajagiri Group of Schools (Kalamasserry), Bhavans Vidya Mandir (Elamakkara), Bhavans Vidya Mandir (Girinagar), Bhavans Vidya Mandir (Eroor), Chinmaya Vidyalaya (Vaduthala), Choice, TocH, Vidyodaya (Thevakkal), Kendriya Vidyalaya * Film,TV and Studio Complexes -Lal Media,Cochin KalaBhavan (Kalabhavan Road) Kalabhavan Road,Navodaya Studio complex,Asianet News,Jeevan TV,Cochin Channel,FM-96 Radio Mango * Print Media- Mathrubhumi,Malayala Manorama,Veekshanam,Deshabimani, Madhyamam, Aluva Aluva (Malayalam: , formerly Alwaye), is an industrial town in the state of Kerala, India. It is a suburban region of the city of Kochi and is identified as part of the Kochi Metropolitain area. In governance, Aluva is a Municipality in the District of Ernakulam. Aluva is noted for its Aluva Sivarathri festival at Manal Puram. Nearly a month long celebrations including carnivals take place during the Shivarathri season on the banks of Periyar River. Marthandavarma Bridge lies on NH 47 linking Aluva to Angamaly. Aluva Palace, the summer Palace of Travancore royalty is situated on the banks of River Periyar. Contents * 1 Demographics * 2 Politics * 3 Education

Demographics Aluva Shiva Temple Marthandavarma Bridge As of 2001[update] India census,[1] Aluva had a population of 98,735.[2] Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Aluva has an average literacy rate of 93%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 49% of the males and 51% of females literate. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Politics Aluva is one of the constituencies of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Alwaye assembly constituency is part of Chalakudy (Lok Sabha constituency).[3] It is a minority community constituency and only Christian or Muslim candidates are elected. It was part of Ernakulam (Lok Sabha constituency) till 2009. Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Indian Union Muslim League are the prominent political parties. Education Servant of God Varghese Palakkappillil (Payyappilly) had served as the manager of St. Mary's High School (1913 20, 192229) and founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute (S.D.) in Chunangamvely on 19 March 1927.[4]Union Christian College of Alwaye, founded in 1921 is one of the oldest and prominent institution in the field of education. SCMS Group of institutions is based in the St Xavier's college, Al-Ameen College Edathala, KMEA Engineering College, MES College Aluva etc. are some of the other premier institutions in Aluva. CUSAT , Kochi, a prominent university in the state, has its main campus at a distance of 10 km from Aluva. Angamaly Angamaly (Malayalam: , Akamli) is a suburb of Kochi situated 34 km north of the city and a municipality in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala, India. It is the entry point or the gateway to Kochi city from the Northern parts of Kerala. The town lies at the intersection of Main Central road (MC Road) and National Highway 47. MC Road, which start from Thiruvananthapuram and ends at Angamaly with NH 47[1]. It is also a Municipality and a Legislative Assembly constituency in Ernakulam district. Demographics Manjaly Thodu As of 2001[update] India census,[2] Angamaly had a population of 33,424. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Angamaly has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 50% of the males and 50% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Politics Angamali assembly constituency is part of Chalakudy (Lok Sabha constituency). Ayyampuzha Ayyampuzha is a village and panchayat in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. Ayyampuzha is located near Angamaly. Kalady plantations is a part of the panchaayat.[1] Demographics As of 2001[update] India census, Ayyampuzha had a population of 14902 with 7665 males and 7237 females. Chendamangalam Chendamangalam (or Chennamangalam) is a small town and a panchayat in Paravur Taluk, Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala, India. It is about 35 km from Ernakulam. It has three rivers, seven inlets, hillocks and large expanses of green plain. Chendamangalam is a part of Greater Cochin. The Paliam Palace, residence of the Paliath Achans, hereditary Prime Ministers to the former Maharajas of Kochi, is one of the architectural splendours of Kerala. The Palace is over 450 years old and houses a collection of historic documents and relics. The hillocks at Kottayil Kovilakom are unique as the site of a Hindu temple, a Christian church, a mosque and the remains of a Jewish synagogue, all within 1 km of each other. The synagogue was built in 1614 AD and is in a peaceful wooded area. In the courtyard behind the synagogue, it is possible to find old Jewish graves, including one of a Jewish woman, dated 1264 AD. The Jews arrived in Chendamangalam after the destruction of the second temple and the final desolation of Jerusalem in (AD 69) and founded a colony. They moved to Fort Kochi in 1341 AD after the Great flood. All the

synagogues in Kerala - Chendamangalam, Mala, and Kochi - have similar traditional architectural features: a central bimah of brass or silver metal on a concrete or stone base, an ark on the western wall, a balcony above the eastern entry to the sanctuary that is used by the reader on certain holidays. Behind the balcony is the women's gallery, with a stairway leading up to it, usually from outside the building. The synagogue has been restored and has an exhibit which is open to visitors from 9:30 to 5:00 during the week. Ask for the brochure or upload it on www.chensyn.com. Also here are remains of the Vypeenakotta Seminary built in the 16th century by the Portuguese. Adjacent to the seminary is an old Syrian Catholic Church built in 1201. It is also the site of the first printing press in India. The church was later rebuilt in Portuguese style. Contents * 1 Charitable Institutions * 2 Places of Worship * 3 People from Chendamangalam * 4 Demographics Charitable Institutions * Abhayalayam (Home for Mentally Retarded Children), Near Arankavu Temple. +91 9847423456 Places of Worship * Sree Venugopla KrishnaSwami Dewasthan Sree Venugopala Krishna Swami Dewasthan was established in 1900 AD at Chennamangalam (earlier known as Jayantha mangalam), the main deity is Venugopalakrishna Swamy. The main idol is Shila Vigrah of Venugopalakrishna Swamy. There is also an Utsav idol of the Lord and the idols of Garuda and Hanuman at His feet. The temple celebrates six day long annual festival in the month of Vaisakh. People from Chendamangalam N.O. Sebastian, near Arankavu Temple, Chendamangalam. Demographics As of 2001[update] India census,[1] Chendamangalam had a population of 28,133. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Chendamangalam has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 87% and female literacy of 85%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.