Edava
Edava
ഇടവ Edava | |
|---|---|
village | |
 | |
| Population (2007) | |
• Total | 48,054 |
Edava (Malayalam: ഇടവ) is a coastal village in Thiruvananthapuram district in the state of Kerala, India. Edava is located near the tourist spot Varkala.
History
Edava was the frontier of the erstwhile Province of Travancore: Venad. This village is the North-West boundary of Thiruvananthapuram district adjacent to Arabian Sea and situated between two municipalities, Varkala at south and Paravur at North. The railway line between Trivandrum and Kollam passes through this village. Edava may be the only village in Kerala with two two railway stations: Edava and Kappil. There is a road (TA Majeed Road) connecting between Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.
Edava has witnessed may important historical events in Kerala. Historical references show that during the rule of Queen Umayamma one `Mughal Sardar' attacked Venad in the year 1680. His reign extended from the South of Thovala to Edava.
In the year 1726, Queen of Attingal gave permission to the British East Indian Company to build a Pandikasala (godown) near what is now called Vettakkada, close to the Arabian Sea. But even before that Denmark traders had constructed a trading centre over there. K P Padmanabha Menon in his work, Kerala History, has quoted English army captain Alexander Hamilton as saying during the first leg of 18th century: "Here on the beach side, Denmark traders have a small factory with coconut-thatched roof. It is in a dilaphidated condition. Their trading is likewise nominal."
Edava's secular credentials are impeccable and sublime, with Hindus and Muslims living shoulder to shoulder without making any ripples in the placid social waters of this pristine village. There is no wonder because the village is just a microcosm of a larger Kerala. Edavites love to wake up to devotional songs from temples and call for prayers from mosques. Edavites, cutting across religious denominations, enjoy major temple festivals in the village with all fervor and gaiety, without providing any room for nefarious elements to disturb this glorious tradition. Of particular mention is the temple festival of Palakkav Temple.
Geography
Edava is endowed with serene beaches and backwaters. There is an estuary that links Edava lake to the Arabian sea here. During the monsoon season, water gushes out of the sea and reaches the lake. It is really a feast for eyes and people from surrounding villages visit to see this magnificent visual treat. The more-than-one-km stretch of blue lagoon - with the sea and backwaters running parallel with the road running middle- is also worthy of mentioning.
Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census, Edava had a population of 26,903 with 12,292 males and 14,611 females.
While some people eke out a living through fishing, a considerable majority of Edavites continue to airdash to middle-east in search of jobs. Edava has had a tradition of its people migrating to countries like Singapore and Malasya in the 18th and 19th century and this trend still continue even today, albeit to different countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait etc.
Transportation
The Main road of Edava is TA Majeed Road, which connects Varkala to Paravoor through Edava
Edava has two Railway stations, one at Edava and the other at Kappil. The railway line which connects Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam passes through Edava.
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 55 km from Edava.
Lakes
Edava Nadayara Lake & Canal
Education
Edava has its fair share of privately owned and aided educational institutions. Institutions of education are affiliated to either, the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), or the Kerala State Education Board.
Major Schools in Edava are
- M.R.M.K.M.M.H.S.School Edava - Kerala State Education Board. 5-12 Standard ( Edava Muslim High School )
- Govt Higher Secondary School Kappil - Kerala State Education Board. 1-12 Standard
- Jawahar Public School Central Board for Secondary Education 1-12 Standard
- Little Flower EMHS Kerala State Education Board 1-12 Standard
- LVUPS Venkulam Edava 1-7
- Govt. LPS Venkulam. 1-4
- Govt.Upper Primary school , vettakada
Places of worship
Major Temples and Mosques in Edava are
- Sri Mangaleswari Temple, Venkulam, Edava
- Sri Balabhadra Vilaveedu Temple, Venkulam, Edava
- Thinavilla Bhagavathi Temple, Kattuvilla, Edava
- Cheenakkavil Bhagavathi Temple, Venkulam, Edava
- Valiaveettil Bhagavathi Temple, Kurakkanni, Edava
- Alummoottil Juma Masjid, Pallimukku, Edava
- Palakkav Bhagavathy Temple, Pressmukku Edava
- Kappil Bhagavathy Temple
- Odayam Valiya Pally, Odayam, Edava
- Station Juma Masjid, Edava
- Parayil Masjid, Edava
Hotels and Hospitals
Govt. Primary Health Center, Dr. Sharma's Ansar Clinic, Edava
The Nearest Hospital is at Varkala - Mangala Hospital, S.N. Medical Mission & Govt. Hospital Varkala
A major pastime of Edavites are Biriyani-eating. There are two places, Has Auditorium and Mass Auditorium, where free Biriyani is distributed free of cost almost every Sunday!
Places to visit
Edava's main tourist attractions are its lonely beaches.
- Kappil beach
- Vettakada beach
- Estuary at Kappil
Prominent People
- (Late) M R Mohammed Kunju( Social reformer)
- (Late) T A Majeed (PWD Minister in the EMS ministry in 1957, which was world’s first democratically elected Communist government)
- (Late) Venkulam Parameswaran (Yoga maestro)
- (Late) Parayil Shamsudheen (Ex-Member of Legislative Assembly, Varkala))
- (Late) Thakiyudeen Wahid (Director of now-defunct East West Airlines, India's first private airlines)
- Sasangan (Kerala University athletic coach)
- Edava Basheer (Playback singer)
- Thaha (Malayalam Film director)
- Saslin Salim (Journalist, Editor of Yahoo India and previously that of Sify.com)
- Ajeer Kutty (Poet and writer)
- (Late) Prof U Jamal Mohammed (Lecturer and writer)
- (Late) Edava Jamal (Poet and literary figure)
- Edava Nassar (Film make-up artist)
LAST UPDATED JUNE 6