Thiruvalla

Thiruvalla Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
city
Population  (2001)
• Total	56,828

Thiruvalla ( previously spelled Tiruvalla) or തിരുവല്ല as it is spelled in malayalam, is a city and a Taluk located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South-West India. The city, now known as Metro Thiruvalla, is famous for its various educational institutions, hospitality, tolerance, coherence, religious festivals, banks etc. It is also the location of Nedumpuram Palace and Paliakkara Palace. Thiruvalla today has the largest NRI bank deposit in all of India.

Demographics

The city spans a geographic area of 27.94 km² with a population of 56,828 as of 2001 India census,Template:GR. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Thiruvalla has an average literacy rate of 90%, higher than the national average of 59.5% male literacy is 90%, and female literacy is 98.7%. In Thiruvalla, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The nearest port is in Alleppey, nearest airport is in Cochin and the nearest train station is in Thiruvalla. The city has a tropical climate with a temperatures ranging from highs of 34.4C in the summer to a low of 18.5C in the winter with a healthy rainfall of 304 cm.

View over Tiruvalla: Center

History

There are plenty of evidences that suggests that the area had been inhabited since 500 BCE although the city was founded sometime around 800 CE. The present day areas of Niranam and Kadapra on the western part of Thiruvalla were submerged under the sea before then. It is interesting to note that the name Thiruvalla comes from the old name Valla vai. This name had some relation with the river Manimala which was known as Valla puzha, suggesting that Thiruvalla was the mouth of river Manimala and hence was known as Valla vai.

Another version says that it is a colloquial form of Shiruvallabhapuram which is the Malayalam version of the earlier coinage Srivallabhapuram, named after the deity of the central temple complex, Sri Vallabhan. On the western part of Thiruvalla, the rivers Pampa, Manimala and Achen Kovil join for a panoramic view.

As in many other places in India, the culture and heritage of Thiruvalla are tied to its temples. Historical evidence such as copper plates and proclamations point to Thiruvalla as a flourishing and major center of spiritual and educational prominence in 1100 CE. The Sree Vallaba Temple governed a Vedic School with one thousand students and one hundred teachers. The temple also maintained a hospital in the service for the public at large.

The rulers of Thiruvalla belonged to the Thekkumkoor Dynasty, which had one of its headquarters at Edathil near Kavil Temple. Today's Paliakara Palace is a branch of Lakshmipuram Palace of Changanacherry, which is a branch of Alikottu Kovilakam of Pazhancherry in Malabar. Similarly, Nedumpuram Palace is a branch of Mavelikkara Palace is an heir to the Kolathiri tradition of Udayamangalam.

The Kaavil market (which is no longer in existence) was once one of the most famous markets of Kerala where there were even foreign trade links. Even now the houses in this street are known as "Kaavil" and their family houses in the now Pushpagiri-Tholassery area as "Malayil". It is actually situated in the street starting from Kavumbhagom. It was also the settlement area of early Christians of Thiruvalla. This was the heartplace of Thiruvalla up to the 19th Century (East to M C road was forest area). Even now dens can be found in the KSRTC garage area.

Thiruvalla was never under direct British rule and before India's independence from Britin on August 15, 1947, it was governed by the Travancore dynasty. The Thiruvalla municipality started functioning in 1919, with Shri M K Kesavan Nair as the first Chairman of the Municipal council. The constitution was officially approved on October 8, 1920. The municipal office has established several public health facilities, libraries and sports facilities.

The famed pilgrim centre of Sabarimala is about 100 km from Thiruvalla. Parumala Church, one of the greatest Christian pilgrimage centres in India, is only 10 km from Thiruvalla. The spiritual conventions at Maramon, Kumbanadu and Cherukolpuzha are all less than 20 km away.

Facts

Thiruvalla is also the city/town with the largest NRI bank deposit in the country. Thanks to the vibrant NRI community and intensive cash crop plantations. Almost every leading bank in the country, including the high-profile private ones, has a branch here. Add to them, a number of private finance companies too have set up there bases in Thiruvalla.

Thiruvalla has become a hot travel spot. Almost every long distance bus operators have daily services to Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and elsewhere from this city. All types of buses Volvo, A/C airbus, Sleeper coaches are available.

Hospitals, both big and small, are found here. Almost every household boasts cell phones and telephones with ISD facility. At least one member in every family is certain to be employed outside India.

Thiruvalla always enjoyed a high literacy rate of above 90%. Thiruvalla Taluk was considered as having the maximum number of university graduates in all over India. High importance is placed on quality education. This was also helped by the advent of Christian missionaries and the many schools started by them around the area, active promotion of education by the Royal Family of Travancore, and the communist government of 1969.

The Christian Influence

In 52 A D Saint Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, came to Musiris (Kodungallore) and later to Nelkinda (Niranam) through Purakkadu, ancient ports of Kerala, in South West India to preach the gospel. As a result, Christian communities were formed in seven towns of Kerala. The famous Niranam church which is only 5 km from Thiruvalla was founded at this time. Therefore the Christian communities of Kerala are sons of the soil and have 2000 years of rich hereditary in faith, tradition and social development.

Thiruvalla Christians were part of the autonomous Indian Orthodox Church, until the 17th century when due to the intervention of the Portuguese missionaries a schism occurred leading to the introduction of Catholicism in India. The Mar Thoma Church, The Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC) and the Evangelical Church have their headquarters in and around Thiruvalla. The headquarters of the Orthodox Church Niranam Diocese is also in Thiruvalla. The famous Niranam, Paliakkara Church and Parumala churches are destinations of tourists, historians and moreover faithfuls from all over.

Topography

The topography of Thiruvalla comprises plains, paddy fields, and small ranges. The major crops grown are rice, tapioca, coconuts, rubber, plantains, sugarcane and a variety of vegetables.

Sub-Divisions

1. Kuttappuzha
2. Eraviperoor
3. Kaviyoor
4. Koipuram
5. Thiruvalla
6. Thottapuzhasserry
7. Kadapra
8. Kuttoor
9. Nedumpuram
10. Niranam
11. Peringara
12. Kavumbhagam
13. Thiruvanvandoor
14. Mallappally
15. Mathilbhagom

PIN Codes

1. Thiruvalla 689101
2. Kavumbhagom 689102
3. Valanjavattom 689104
4. Manjadi 689105
5. Kutoor 689106
6. Muthoor 689107
7. Karackal, Peringara 689108
8. Thiruvanvandoor, Podiyadi 689110
9. Kuttapuzha 689111
10. Chathankari 689112
11. Alanthuruthy, Azhyadathuchira 689113
12. Vempala 689114
13. Thirumoolapuram 689115
14. Chenganoor 689121
15. Angadical 689122
16. Edanad 689123
17. Kallisseri 689124
18. Ala 689126
19. Thottambagom 689541
20. Eraviperoor 689542
21. Kurianoor 689550
22. Vazhamangalam 689571
23. Nedumpuram 689578
24. Kaviyoor 689580
25. Anjilithanam 689582
26. Mepral 689591
27. Mundiappally 689593

Educational Institutions in and around Thiruvalla

1. Pushpagiri
   1. Medical College Hospital
   2. College of Medicine
   3. College of Dental Sciences
   4. College of Pharmacy
   5. College of Nursing
   6. School of Nursing
   7. School of Multi-purpose Health Workers
   8. School of Medical Lab Technology
   9. CGFNS & IELTS Coaching Centre
2. Marthoma College, Kuttapuzha
3. DB College, Pumba Parumala
4. St Aloysius College, Edathua
5. Mar Thoma Academy, Near TMM Hospital
6. MACFAST, Tholasserry
7. MGM Higher Secondary School (Estd:1902), Market Jn
8. SCS Higher Secondary School, Thiruvalla
9. St Mary's Residential Central School, Paliakkara
10. Syrian Jacobite Public School, Varikkad
11. Marthoma Residential School, Kuttapuzha
12. DB Higher Secondary School, Kavumbhagom.
13. Balika Madom Girls Higher Secondary School, Tirumoolapuram
14. NSS High School, Muthoor Jn
15. Seventh Day Adventist Public School, Kuttapuzha
16. CMS High School, Thiruvalla
17. SNVS High School, Tirumoolapuram
18. Government Girls High School, Thiruvalla
19. BCRS, Kuttapuzha
20. Christ Central School, Muthhor Jn
21. Gospel for Asia Biblical Seminary

Attractions at Thiruvalla

1. Sri Vallabha Temble: The Flagpost of the Sree Vallabha Temple carved out from a single rock with a Garudan at the top, created by the legendary "Perumthachan".
2. Nearest city to the Chakkulathu kavu Bhagavathi Temple.
3. Thekekudi Cave Temple, Kaviyoor
4. Kadapra Mannar St Thomas Orthodox Church
5. Niranam church: Founded by Apostle St Thomas around AD 54 CE.
6. Parumala Church
7. Paliakkara Church: First church of Thiruvalla.
8. Club 7: The Largest Shopping Mall in Kerala with Three Star Hotel - A Sky Group Venture
9. Deepa Tower (Shopping Mall)
10. Paliakkara Palace
11. Metal Casting Centres, Mannar
12. St John's Cathedral, mother church for the Syro-Malankara Thiruvalla Archdiocese, recently completely rebuilt in traditional Kerala style

Movie Theatres in Tiruvalla City

1. Chilanka A/C DTS
2. Deepa A/C DTS
3. Thriveni DTS

Hotels & Restaurants in Thiruvalla City

1. Hotel Elite Continental
2. Hotel Elite (Small), City Tower Tiruvalla
3. Hotel Bessotta International
4. Hotel Voyage Club 7
5. Hotel Kaledio, Club7
6. Hotel Phosphorus, Club7
7. Baskin 31 Robbins, Club7
8. Hotel Aryaas (Vegetarian)
9. Hotel Green Forest
10. Hotel Greens
11. Hotel Panjami (Red Wood)
12. Hotel Palms
13. Hotel B'Cafe BCRS, Tiruvalla
14. Frozon Valley
15. Melting Corner
16. Pampa Cafe
17. Rajan de Cafe

Famous Sons and Daughters

1. Adv Mathew Thoompumpattu Thomas, MLA 2006- present & 1987-1991, Janata Dal, Transport Minister of Kerala 2006 - present
2. Adv Elizabeth Mammen Mathai, MLA 2003-2006 Kerala Congress (M)
3. Adv Mammen Mathai, MLA 1992-2003 Kerala Congress (M)
4. P C Thomas, MLA 1980-82 JNP & 1982-87 IND
5. E John Jacob, MLA 1965-1979 Kerala Congress, Former Agriculture Minister of Kerala
6. P Chacko, MLA 1960-1965 Indian National Congress
7. G Padmanabhan Thampi, MLA 1957-1960 Communist Party of India
8. Kochu Kunju Vaidian, MLC, Sri Moolam Praja Sabha, Ex-counsellor, Thiruvalla Municipality, Founder SNV Sanskrit School
9. C T John Kuttappuzha, Famous Gandhiyan, Formar Principal, Mar Thoma Collage, Founder and Chairman, Mar Thoma Academy
10. Ammanathu Chacko Thomas, Grandfather of Thiruvalla
11. C P Mathen, First M P of Thiruvalla after Independence, later he became the Ambassador of India to France and to Sudan
12. M M Thomas, Ex Governor of Nagaland
13. H H Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, Catholicos of India and All the East
14. Fr Iype Thoma, Kovoor-Pioneer of Marthoma Church in Thiruvalla
15. Rev Dr K C John, General President, The India Pentecostal Church of God (IPC) & Chairman, PowerVision TV
16. The Most Rev Dr K P Yohannan, Bishop, Founder-President, Gospel For Asia and Gospel For Asia Biblical Seminary
17. Dr Alexander Karackal, Former Pro Vice Chancellor of Kannur University & Sabha Secretary of Indian Orthodox Church
18. C K Ra, Famous Artist
19. Abu Abraham, Famous Cartoonist
20. A T Kovoor, Famous Psychiatrist
21. E M Kovoor, Famous writer and novelist
22. Kandathil Varghese Mappillai, Founder Malayala Manorama
23. Kandathil K M Mammen Mappilai, nephew of K V Mappillai
24. Raghavan Nambiar, Villuvarvattathu, Veteran poet. He suggested the name "Malayala Manorama" for the famous daily
25. Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri, Veteran poet
26. Olympian Pappan, Represented Indian football team in Rome(1960)
27. T K Sreenivasan, Ex-President SNDP Union and popular social worker
28. Late M G Soman, Movie Actor
29. Nadiya Moythu, Movie Actress
30. Meera Jasmine, Movie Actress
31. Nayan Taara, Movie Actress
32. Kaveri, Movie Actress
33. Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Movie Actress
34. Aswathi Kurup (Paarvathi), Movie Actress
35. K G George, Film Director
36. Blessy, Film Director
37. Vince George, Famous Chef in London and close friend of genius stock investor, Nitin Deshmukh
38. Moncy Pothen, Author of Beneath the clouds and coconut leaves, English novel, from Kaviyoor, Thiruvalla.

External links

Dr.Thomas Mar Koorilos, Catholic Archbishop of Tiruvalla

• http://www.Thiruvalla.com
• http://www.Thiruvallaonline.com