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Mavelikkara

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Mavelikkara
Mavelikara
Town
Map
Population
 (2001)
 • Total
28,440
Websitealappuzha.nic.in/mavelikara_taluk.html

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.

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

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

File: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 School-Bharanikkavu, 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.
  • 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.
  • 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]
  • Pentecostal Church of God in India Chettikulangara (Shalom Prayer Home) at Erezha South, which was initially started as a prayer cell at Thanuvelil Kripa Bhavanam in 2004, is now established under Church of God in India,
  • Assemblies of God Bethal Hall established in 1924 ,known as First 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.

See also

School Govt. LP School.Kandiyoor, Mavelikara Govt. UP School (Uluvathu School), Panachamoodu St. Johns Higher Secondary School, Pathichira, Mattom St. Johns ITI, Pathichira, Mattom St. Johns English Medium School,Pathichira, Mattom, Vidyadhiraja

Major towns near Mavelikara

References

  1. ^ Template:GR
  2. ^ "Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies" (PDF). Kerala. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  3. ^ "Monuments-peeping into the past" Information & Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala
  4. ^ footnotes of "Jornada of Dom Alexis de Menezes: A Portuguese account of the Sixteenth century Malabar" edited by Dr. Pius Malekandathil.
  5. ^ [1]
  6. ^ Souvenir published during 100 year celebrations of the congregation.
  7. ^ John, Eipe, "Rev. Joseph Peet Vyaktiyum Darshanavum (Rev. Joseph Peet - Man and Vision)", Triteeya Suvarana Jubilee Smaranika (150th Jubilee Souvenir), CSI Christ Church Mavelikara, 1996 pp 37-41.
  8. ^ http://csichoirmvk.com
  9. ^ Mavelkara Diocese
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