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Thiruvalla

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

Thiruvalla ( previously spelled Tiruvalla) (തിരുവല്ല 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.

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 to suggest 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 word "Thiru Valla Vazh", named after the deity Thiru Vallabhan of the Thiru Vallabha temple. This temple is one among the one hundred and eight vaishnava thirupathis in India.

This temple is the family temple of Vallabhasseril Tharavad famous kalari family of Central travancore.Link [1]. Vallabhasseril was a very powerful tharavad under Panthalam Raja, which provided him with all the necessary security forces of those times. Link[2].Once upon a time, this tharavad controlled the ‘Niranam thura’ (a small harbor at Niranam) as the main navigators with their own ‘Kalari’ and ‘Kshethram’. The famous Aryabhada Swamikal had described this family as ‘Soorya vamsajar’ of Travancore in his books.Link[3]

Another version says that the name has come 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.Link[4]

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.

One of the earliest printing press in Kerala, Bhagyodayam Press was set up in Thiruvalla back in 1937.

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

According to popular legends & christian myths, Saint Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, came to Musiris (Kodungallore)in 52 A D 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.

Thiruvalla Christians were part of the autonomous Indian Orthodox Church, until the 17th century when due to the intervention of the Portuguese Colonialists and 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 important tourist destinations.

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
  16. Kattookara
  17. thollassery
  18. thirumoolapuram

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. Belivers Church Residential School , Kuttapuzha
  20. Christ Central School, Muthhor Jn
  21. Gospel for Asia Biblical Seminary

Attractions at Thiruvalla

  1. Thiru Vallabha Temble: The Flagpost of the Thiru 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. Paliyakkara 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
  18. Indian coffee house
  19. Hotel Panchami (a km before the Railway Station)
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