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Thiruvalla

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Template:Infobox Indian urban area തിരുവല്ല as it is spelled in malayalam or Thiruvalla ( previously spelled Tiruvalla) in English, is a city and a Taluk located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in India. The city, now known as Metro Thiruvalla, is famous for its various religious festivals, educational institutions, 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

As of 2001 India census,Template:GR Thiruvalla had a population of 56,828. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Thiruvalla has an average literacy rate of 88%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 88%, and female literacy is 88%. In Thiruvalla, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.


The city spans a geographic area of 27.94 km² with a population of 56,828 (2001 Census). 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 Vallapuzha. The mouth is 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 chief 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 of 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 was the 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 called as "Kaavil" by their relatives and they use to call their relatives' houses in the now Pushpagiri-Tholassery area as "Malayil". It is actually situated in the street starting from Kavumbhagom jn. in [Muthoor] road. It was also the settlement area of early Christians of Thiruvalla. This was the heartplace of Tiruvalla up to 19th Century. (the part east to M.C road was forest area). We can find even dens in the now K.S.R.T.C garage area.

Thiruvalla was never under direct rule and before India's independence from the British rule in 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 very famous pilgrim centre of Sabarimala is about 100 km. Parumala Church, the one of the greatest Christian pilgrimage centres in India is only 10 km from Thiruvalla. The spiritual conventions at Maramon and Cherukolpuzha are at a distance of 17 to 20 km. from Thiruvalla.

Facts

Thiruvalla is also the city/town with the largest 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. Add to them, a number of private finance companies too have set up base.

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 graduates in 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.

And of late, 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.

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 in 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 and the Evangelical Church have their headquarters in and around Thiruvalla. The headquarters of the Orthodox Church Niranam Diocese and Thiruvalla Diocese of Syro-Malankara rite of the Catholic Church is also in Thiruvalla. The famous Niranam, Paliakkara 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

PIN Codes

  1. Thiruvalla 689101
  2. Kavumbhagom 689102
  3. Kuttapuzha 689111
  4. Valanjavattom 689104
  5. Manjadi 689105
  6. Kutoor 689106
  7. Muthoor 689107
  8. Karackal , Peringara 689108
  9. Thiruvanvandoor, Podiyadi 689110
  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. vazhamangalam 689571
  20. Kaviyoor 689580
  21. Thottambagom 689541
  22. Nedumpuram 689578
  23. Anjilithanam 689582
  24. Mundiappally 689593
  25. Mepral 689591

Institutions of Higher Learning in Tiruvalla City

  1. Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences.
  2. Mar Thoma Academy,Near T.M.M.Hospital
  3. Marthoma College, Kuttapuzha.
  4. MACFAST, Tholasserry
  5. MGM Higher Secondary School(Estd:1902), Market Jn.
  6. St. Mary's Residential Central School, Paliakkara.
  7. Syrian Jacobite Public School, Varikkad.
  8. [Marthoma Residential School, Kuttapuzha].
  9. DB Higher Secondary School, Kavumbhagom.
  10. Balika Madom Girls Higher Secondary School Tirumoolapuram.
  11. SCS Higher Secondary School, Tiruvalla
  12. NSS High SchoolMuthoor Jn Tiruvalla
  13. Seventh Day Adventist Public School, Kuttapuzha.
  14. CMS High School, Tiruvalla.
  15. SNVS High School, Tirumoolapuram.
  16. BCRS Kuttapuzha.
  17. Christ Central School, Muthhor Jn.
  18. Gospel for Asia Biblical Seminary

Attractions at Tiruvalla

  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. Thekekudi Cave Temple, Kaviyoor
  3. Niranam church: Founded by St. Thomas in A.D 54.
  4. Parumala Church
  5. Paliakkara Church: Famous for its murals. First church of Tiruvalla. Lot of tourists and pilgrims visit here.
  6. Club 7 Three Star (***) Hotel & The Largest Shopping Mall in Kerala - A Sky Group Venture
  7. Joy Alukkas (Shopping mall)
  8. Deepa Tower (Shopping Mall)
  9. Kadapra Mannar St Thomas Orthodox Church

Movie Theatres in Tiruvalla City

  1. Chilanka A/C DTS Theatre
  2. Triveni DTS Theatre
  3. Deepa A/C DTS Theatre

Hotels in Thiruvalla City

  1. Hotel Elite Continental
  2. Hotel Elite (Small), City Tower Tiruvalla
  3. Hotel Bessotta International - Hotel
  4. Club 7 - Three Star (***) Hotel
  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
  12. Hotel Palms
  13. Hotel B'Cafe BCRS, Tiruvalla
  14. Frozon Valley
  15. Melting Corner

Famous Sons and Daughters

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