Famous small and big towns in Kerala

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Thrikkannamangal

Thrikkannamangal is a suburb around the city of Kottarakara in the Kollam District of Kerala, India. This town is named so because it was the direction that the Kings of old, standing in their palace, would face in the morning. The city of Kottarakara is named so because it served as a place for the kings' "kottaram," or palace. It has people of many faiths and political leanings. There is a strong Hindu presence as well as a strong Christian presence. The Muslim population, though significant, is not as large the Hindu or Christian. Supporters of the Congress and Communist parties dominate politics in the area.

Catalyst for Pentecostal Movement in India

One of the unique points of modern history tied to Thrikkannamangal is that it served as the launching pad for the Pentecostal movement that has now spread throughout India. The American missionary, Robert F. Cook, was received into Kottarakara by the late Kalloor Chacko, one of the patriarchs of the Kalloor family in Kottarakara. Beginning his work in Thrikkannamangal, Cook later moved to Mulakuzha and established the headquarters of the Church of God in India there. The founders of the India Pentecostal Church as well as many other Pentecostal organizations were co-workers with Cook in the early days, before going separate ways for political or doctrinal reasons. The oldest registered Pentecostal church in India is located in Thrikkannamangal.

Thrikkannamangal has its own Kathakali Museum. Kathakali is a dance form that originated in Kerala.

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Pallickal

Pallickal is a village near the town of Kottarakara in the Indian state of Kerala. The majority of the peoples are farmers and Nairs in religion. A village with paddy cultivation, famous for its village outlook, famous Maramadi Maholsavam, Pallickal temple ulsavam, Kadakkulathu Mahadevar temple, Udayan Kavu, and the goodhearted people. The village has a primary school (NSS Karayogam primary school), Mylom Panchayathu Krishi Bhavan, a milk marketing Co-operative society and a Post Office.

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Poovattoor

Poovattoor is a part of Kulakkada Grama Panchayat.It is famous for Poovattoor Bahagavathy temple.The name is derived from Poo attoor(The place where flower fell).Legend says that the goddess of Poovattoor was the sister of goddess of Pattazhi.The younger sister wanted a new place.So the elder gave her a handful of flowers,and told her to reside where the flower is falling.Poovattoor was the place where the flower fell.Poovattoor can be divided into three sub parts.poovattoor west,poovattoor east and poovattoor.MC road is the major road going through this village.Poovattoor NSS higher secondary school is the major educational institution Mahavishnu temple of Poovattoor East and Mahadeva temple of Thachanmukku(Poovattoor west) are other major temples.It also has a number of churches. People of this place is politically very literate.Both left and right wing parties has its roots in Poovattoor.

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Chengamanad

Chengamanad is a census town in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala, India.It is situated on the banks of the river Periyar. As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Chengamanad had a population of 29,775. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Chengamanad has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 82% and female literacy of 78%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

According to legends the place derives its name from Jangama Muni who is said to have done penance in a cave in the munikkal Guhalaya. The place was initially called Jangamanad which later became chengamanad. Another account says that the name Chengamand is due to the special kind of soil called Chengal in malayalam.

The Chengamand Mahadeva temple is the centre of attraction in Chengamanad and is one of the important shiva temple in Ernakulam district. The main deity, Shiva is in the form of Kirata Murthi facing East. The shrine of Shree Parvathi and Ganapathi faces west and south respectively. The other center of attraction in Chengamand is the Munikkal temple. It is a small shrine dedicated to Load Subramanyan (son fo Shiva). The temple is situated on a large rock resembling the back of an elephant. The Roman Catholic Church in the Name of St. Antony is another attraction in the place. Holy Fest of the Church is celebrated on the last week of January.

Chengamanad is 10 km from Aluva by road on the Alwaye-Mala road. The nearest railway stations are Aluva( 10 km) and Angamaly (7 km). The nearest airport is Cochin international airport, 3 km from chengamanad.

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Thalavoor


Thalavoor is a village located in the district of Kollam in the Kerala state of India. It is 77 km to the north of the State Capital, Thiruvananthapuram, and 28 km to the east of Kollam... Thalavoor Temple (Ampalam) is located in the heart of Thalavoor, Thalavoor village is also called as "Randaalum Moodu".. Randalum Moodu got the name because of the two "Aalu trees" on both side of the streets...

In earlier times, this land was a part of Elayadathu Swarupam, a principality ruled by a branch of the Travancore Royal Family. Kottarakkara was the capital of Elayadathu Swarupam.

Up to 18th century, this land was a part of "Elayidathu Swaroopam". At that time, most of the leaders (Malayalam: Thalavanmaar) in the Elayidathu Swaroopam were from this place. They headed various departments of this royal dynasty. Hence this place came to known as "Thalavoor", meaning "Thalavanmaarude Ooru" i.e. "The Place of Leaders".

The land of thalavoor is divided into six zones.
Pandithitta (North-West Zone of Thalavoor)
Manjakkala (North-East Zone of Thalavoor)
Nadutheri (Central Zone of Thalavoor)
Njarakkadu (South-East Zone of Thalavoor)
Kura (South-West Zone of Thalavoor
Vadakodu (South-West Zone of Thalavoor)

Thalavoor, like other parts of India, is governed by different levels of government such as the three tiers of 'Panchayatraj', namely Village, Block and Jilla and, of course, the state and central governments. The revenue and land administration has the village as the basic unit


Worship Places in Thalavoor



St George Orthdox Church (Malayil Palli - Close to Ambala Nirappu)
Sri Durga Devi Kshetram,Trikkonnamarcodu
Sree Krishna Kshetram, Nadutheri
Sri Gurisimankavu Dharmashasta Kshetram, Pandithitta
Sree Krishna Swami Kshetram, Kura.
Sree Mahadevan Kshetram, Chunakkara, Millumukku, Kura
Sri Madadeva Kshetram, Saptarshimangalam, Nadutheri
Marthoma Church, Nadutheri
C.S.I. Church, Randalummoodu
Orthodox Church, Randalummoodu
St.Stephen's Orthodox Church, Pandithitta
St.George Orthodox Church,Mylom Kulamudi

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Kottarakara


Kottarakara served as a place of residence for the King. Thus, it is named 'Kottarakara', or "the land of the palace". (Kottaram means Palace and Kara means Land)The 'Elayidath Swaroopam' was the last ruling family of the area. The last queen of the dynasty voluntarily surrendered to King Marthanda Varma of Travancore in the 18th century.

Kottarakkara is a town located in the district of Kollam, formerly known as Quilon, in the Kerala state of India. It is 72 km to the north of the State Capital, Thiruvananthapuram, on the Main Central Road, a State Highway and 25 km to the east of Kollam on the National Highway.

The region is primarily agrarian. It has grown in population as well as economically. There are lots of educational institutions including the 'St. Gregorious College' and the 'IHRD Engineering College'. The place is well-connected, with a good network of roads and frequent bus services to all places. The Kollam - Chennai railway passes through Kottarakara and there is a railway station here.

Kottarakara, like other parts of India, is governed by different levels of government such as the three tiers of 'Panchayatraj', namely Village, Block and Jilla and, of course, the state and central governments. The revenue and land administration has the village as the basic unit. The Kottarakara Taluk consists of a number of villages. The Taluk is part of the Kollam Revenue Sub-Division, which is coterminous with the Kollam District.

The 'State Institute of Rural Development' is at Kottarakara. One of the three Extension Training Centres in the State is also here. Important Government institutions include the Irrigation Chief Engineer's (Kallada) office, Electricity Superintending Engineer's office, Transport Corporation's District office, Taluk Office and Taluk Hospital.

The Kottarakara Assemby seat has been held by the Kerala Congress leader 'R. Balakrishna Pillai' for decades. He holds the record for the highest margin of victory for any candidate to the Kerala Assembly. He has been responsible for most of the developmental activities here. However he lost the elections in May 2006. Other prominent political leaders from the area are 'E. Chandrasekharan Nair' and the late 'D. Damodaran Potti'.

Kottarakara is the place where the classical art form of Kathakali was conceived. It was developed by Kottarakkara Thampuran (the King of Kottarakkara) in competition with Krishnanattom which had its origin in Kozhikode.

Malayalam novelists Lalithambika Antharjanam and Kakkanadan hail from here.

The late Kottarakara Sreedharan Nair was one of India's best actors. His son 'Saikumar' and daughter 'Sobha' are Malayalam film actors. Veteran actor 'Bharat' Murali hails from Odanavattom near Kottarakara. 'Ganesh Kumar', MLA and former Minister, son of' R. Balakrishna Pillai' is also a renowned actor. 'K.P. Kottarakara' was a leading Malayalam film producer in the seventies.

Kottarakkara is a famous pilgrim centre for the Hindus as the seat of the famous Ganapati Temple. It is believed that the idol was sculptured by Perumthachan from the root of the jack tree.This temple is famous for its 'Unniappom'. There are lots of churches in the area, mostly of the 'Malankara Orthodox Church 'and the 'Marthomma Church'. Kottarakara also has a good number of Muslims with their mosque at market junction.

A number of smaller towns/villages surround the main town of Kottarakkara, such as Thrikkannamangal, Perumkulam, Pallickal, Mylom, Kulakada, Melila, Vettikavala, Poovattoor, Puthur, Oommannur, Valakom, Plappally, Panavely, Sadanandapuram, Odanavattom,Chengamanad and Thalavoor.

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Pandalam

Pandalam in Kerala is the chosen and blessed place where Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had had His human sojourn as the son of the Raja of Pandalam.

The Pandalam kingdom was established around 79 ME (903 AD) by the Pandalam royal family who are the descendents of the Pandya kings of Madurai. The Pandya royal family had to flee Madurai because of threats to their lives posed by their own ministers. A branch of the fleeing family moved westward, briefly staying at various places it acquired by purchase.

The family kept on the move for over a century, finally reaching Pandalam in 79 ME. This was chosen to be the permanent home for the royal family. The then ruler of Venad (later Travancore) helped to establish the kingdom at Pandalam. According to the Travancore State Manual, the Rajas of Pandalam " were always friendly to the Kings of Travancore.? By the time, all members of the family reached Pandalam and a full-fledged kingdom was established, it was 370 ME (1194AD).

The territories under the Pandalam administration extended to over 1,000 square miles mainly eastward and covered the mountain ranges, consisting of 18 holy hills including Sabarimala. The principality was also known as Airur Swarupam. The Raja also used a title ' Airur Sree Veerasreedhara Kovil Adhikarikal'. The royal family of Pandalam belongs to the 'bhargava gothra' while other Kshatriya families in Kerala belong to 'viswamithra gothra'. Secularism was and is one of the guiding principles of Pandalam family and there was peaceful co-existence of various religious groups. There are many examples of the Pandalam Rajas extending lavish help in constructing churches and mosques in their territory.

When Marthanda Varma, the ruler of Venad established the kingdom of Travancore in 925ME(1749AD), Pandalam was not annexed but allowed to continue independent. This can be due to two reasons:

the cordial relation that existed between the two families even from the time of inception of Pandalam kingdom
To quote from the Travancore State Manual, the co-operation of the Rajas of Pandalam "was of great advantage to Marthanda Varma for the subjection of Kayamkulam.?

After Tippu's invasion of the Malabar coast in 965ME(1789AD), Pandalam was asked to pay an amount Rs. 2,20,001 to the Travancore govt. towards the cost of the war. The amount was to be paid in installments from various sources. Once in 969ME (1794AD), the income from Sabarimala temple was hypothecated by the then ruler of Pandalam for the above purpose. In 995 M.E (1820AD), the then Ruler of Travancore suggested that the Travancore government would support every member of Pandalam royal family and the future progenies thereof in a manner befitting their status for all time to come provided the Raja of Pandalam entered into a written agreement with the Travancore government consenting to have the revenues in Pandalam collected by the officers of the Travancore government.

Upon the Raja of Pandalam accepting the above proposals, the Pandalam kingdom was merged with Travancore. Since then, a monthly pension is being paid to the Pandalam family. Administration of the temples, including Sabarimala within the Pandalam kingdom was also transferred to Travancore government and subsequently to Travancore Devaswom Board.

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Sabarimala


As advised by the Lord, the Raja of Pandalam constructed the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. It is also believed that there already existed the DharmaSastha temple at Sabarimala, one of the 64 temples established by Parasurama, and Lord Ayyappa merged into the deity there.

The King (Raja) of Pandalam renovated/ reconstructed the temple, supervising the work by staying at Perunadu. He constructed an Ayyappa temple there also for performing his daily pooja of the Lord. Deities of Malikappurathamma, Kadutha swami and Vaver swami were installed as also the 'pathinettampadi' (holy 18 steps) and 'bhasmakulam'.
The legend behind Malikappurathamma is that Leela, daughter of Galavamuni, under curse of her husband Dathan, was reborn as Mahishi, an "asura' female with a buffalo's face. Upon having killed by Lord Ayyappa, the curse was revoked and the beautiful woman rose out of the corpse. She thanked the Lord and prayed to be with Him as His wife.

However, the Lord told her that He is a 'brahmachari' and so her desire would not be fulfilled. However, He allowed her to remain in Sabarimala, a little distant from His abode, as His sister - Malikappurathamma. The Vaver temple at Erumeli, the beginning of the forest route was also constructed. Various rituals were fixed, believed to be on the advice of Agasthyamuni. Legend also says that Parasurama himself came down to install the Ayyappa deity. The 'vrutham' and other practices to be followed before and during the Sabarimala pilgrimage were also prescribed as dictated by the Lord. Arrangements for monthly poojas were made.

Once in a year, during Makaravilakku, the Raja visits Sabarimala along with the holy ornaments (Thiruvabharanam) from the Palace, which are, adorned on the Ayyappa deity and 'deeparadhana' conducted. It is at this time that the 'jyothi' appears on the eastern horizon. During Mandalam-Makaravilakku season, by custom, nobody starts on pilgrimage after the Raja of Pandalam sets out for Sannidhanam on 28th Dhanu, along with the Thiruvabharanam. In addition, pilgrims are restrained from going to Malikappuram after the 'guruthi' there on 6th Makaram.

The period of Ayyappa is considered to be somewhere between 300-400 M.E. (1125-1225 A.D). Since Pandalam was assumed by Travancore in 1820 A.D, the administration of all the temples within the kingdom, including Sabarimala was done by Travancore govt., which was subsequently handed over to the Travancore Devaswom Board after Independence. As per the Travancore State Manual " the understanding arrived at when the particular temples were founded and endowed are followed". Thus the Raja of Pandalam even now continues to function in the dual status of the father of the Lord and the founder of the temple.

The important pilgrimage season in Sabarimala is from 1st Vrischikom to 6th Makaram M.E. (mid-November to mid-January). Devotees irrespective of religion, cast, creed, nationality or social status are equals in His abode and are all addressed by His own name, namely 'Ayyappa'. In fact, the pilgrimage includes worship at Vaver temples at Erumeli and Sannidhanam, managed by Muslims. This stands as a glittering example of Hindu-Muslim unity. However, women in the age group 10-50 shall not go to Sabarimala. Other women devotees are permitted to trek the hill and are called as 'Malikappurams'.

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Alappuzha


Alappuzha is a district of the state of Kerala in India. It was formed as the district of Alleppey on August 17, 1957. The name of the district was officially changed to Alappuzha in 1990.

It has the highest population density among all districts of the state.

Alleppey, a town with picturesque canals, backwaters and lagoons, was described as the "Venice of the East" by Marco Polo.

Snake boat races are the most significant traditional event in Alleppey. These spectacular water 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.

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.

Area 1414 km? - 3.64% of area of the state
Population 2.105 million - 6.61% of the population of the state (2001)
Population density 1492/km2 (2001)
Literacy 83%-94% (2001)
Sex ratio 1050 females/1000 males
Urbanization 30.46%

The history of the district in the Paleolithic age is obscure. It is presumed that the coastal taluks of Cherthala, Ambalapuzha and Karthikapally might have been under water and these areas were formed by the accumulation of silt and sand later than the other parts of the district. Kuttanadu, one of the taluks of the present Alappuzha district was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age. The early Cheras had their home in Kuttanadu and they were called ' Kuttuvans ', named after this place. Christianity had a strong foothold in the area even from the Ist century A.D. The church located at Kokkomangalam or Kokkothamangalam in Cherthala is one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus at Maliankara in Muziris port, presently known as Cranganore of Kodungallur in 52 A.D. and preached Christianity in South India. During 9th to 12th century A.D, the district flourished in the field of religion and culture under the second Chera empire.

During the 16th century small principalities like Kayamkulam (presently Karthikappally and Mavelikkara taluks), Purakkad which was often called Ambalappuzha or Chempakasseri (present Ambalappuzha and part of Kuttanadu taluk) Karappuram comprising two principalities called Moothedath and Iledath (present Cherthala taluk) emerged into power.

In the same period, the Portuguese came into prominence in the political scene of this district and they built several churches of which churches located at Purakkad and Arthungal are wellknown.

In the 17th century the Portuguese power declined and the Dutch had a predominant position in the principalities of this district. As a result of several treaties signed between the Dutch and the kings of Purakkad, Kayamkulam and Karappuram, the Dutch built factories and warehouses in various places of the district for storing pepper, ginger,etc.

In course of time they interfered in the political and cultural affairs of the district. It was at that time Maharaja Mathandavarma, the 'Master of Modern Travencore' interfered on the political affairs of those principalities.

The annexation of the kingdoms of Kayamkulam, Ambalappuzha, Thekkumkur, Vadakkumkur and Karappuram to Travancore gave the Dutch a set back from the political scene of the district. Marthandavarma Maharaja had a remarkable role in the internal progress of the district. He gave special attention to the development of Mavelikkara as an administrative as well as a commercial centre.The Krishnapuram palace, which is now a protected monument of the State Archaeology Department was constructed during that period.
When the town was founded by Raja Kesavadasan, the Diwan of Travancore in 1762, there was just one canal through the strip of sand between the backwaters and the sea. This soon grew into a bustling waterway, with shops, factories and commercial establishments springing up on either banks of the canal. This attracted merchants from other parts of the country.

By the mid 19th century the sea receded a mile offering more land along the sandstrip. Trading vessels soon began to call on Alappuzha. In 1859 the first organised coir factory was started here and began producing matting from coir yarn on a loom developed by an English Sea Captain. Soon other British owned weaving establishments followed .Meanwhile in 1816 the Church Missionary Society set up its local Headquarters in Alappuzha and three years later the first Anglican church was built. In 1851 Jalap had the honour of housing the first post office in the erstwhile Travancore State.

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Ambalappuzha


Ambalappuzha is a town in the southern Indian state of Kerala. 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. The Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is believed to have been built in the 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 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.

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 too 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 the number 18,446,744,073,709,551,615 translating to trillions of tons of rice.

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.