Kunnamkulam
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Kunnamkulam
Kerala • India |
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| District(s) | Thrissur |
| Coordinates | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 57 m (187 ft) |
| Population | 51,585 (2001) |
Kunnamkulam is a city and a municipality in Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is famous for printing industry in Kerala. Kunnamkulam is 22 km from Thrissur. In Kerala Kunnamkulam is synonymous with spurious (or Duplicate in common parlance) items. However, most of these spurious items are nowadays produced elsewhere. Over the years Kunnamkulam has lost it's name for duplicate goods to some of the towns of north and south Kerala.
Kunnamkulam is the major business center, north of Trichur in Kerala. The small town in Thrissur district have a business history of more than 300 years. The Arabians, Greeks, and Persians left their footprints on this land years ago.
The ancient name of Kunnamkulam was Kunnamkulangara. In the order of Kochi Kings dated AD 1763, written that "in Kunnamkulangara previous year about 108 shops caught fire and this year again 11 shop rooms have caught fire. In order to prevent further fire mishaps all shop owners of Kunnamkulangara town are directed to replace their roof with tiles immediately."
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[edit] History
[edit] AD 1819 report of Lt. Ward
Lt. Ward was engaged in Madras Survey. After visiting Kunnamkulam for his survey work he wrote that "Kunnamkulam is a well developed Christian town with churches and situated on a hill top. Kunnamkulam is the capital of Thalappilly taluk under Kochin Rajas. There are about 400 houses and two third of them owned by Christians. The town is protected by bamboo fence with two gates on either side. It is a very clean town and found a lot of rich people there. The town is very crowded. They manufacture every thing except clothes here. Kunnamkulam is the best market place north of Kochi. The Chaliyan or Cherlayam owned by Ayinikkal Nambidi and Kakkad owned by Kakkad Karanavar lie adjacent to Kunnamkulam. Roma Syrian Christians lived near Cherlayam. Pazhanji (Piurrunney) lies north to Kunnamkulam. Pazhanji is a center of Syrian Christians. Pazhanji is well known for Betel nuts.
[edit] Invasion of Tippu Sultan - AD 1740
When Tippu Sultan invaded Guruvayur and adjacent areas looting Temples and Churches a large number of refugees came to Kunnamkulam lead by Rev. Father Pulikkottil Joseph Kathanar, Vicar of Arthatt Church. They participated in the development of Kunnamkulam town in all means.
[edit] Geography
Kunnamkulam is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 57 metres (187 feet). It is around 30 km from Trichur town and 15 km from Guruvayur. It is located on the route connecting Trichur to North Kerala. All the buses going to Guruvayur from Palakkad and Kozhikode pass through Kunamkulam. Buses take around 40 min to reach Kunnamkulam from Trichur.
[edit] Archeology
In 1948 Mr. B.K.Tapper who is an archeologist found old "Nannangadies" from a temple compound at Porkulam near Kunnamkulam. In the Nannangadies he found ruins of human bodies, decorated pearls, iron tools and earthen pots which are very similar to that found at Thakshasila which is aged more than 2400 years. There are plenty of Kudakkalls, Thoppikkal, Kallaras and Caves found in the nearby areas like Arikanniyoor, Chermanangad(Chiramanangad), Iyyal, Kattakampal and Kandanissery aged more than 2000 years.
[edit] Roman Coins of Iyyal
The archeologists unearthed a collection of old Roman coins which was buried around BC 123and AD 117. These coins are exhibited at Archeological Museum of Thrissur.
Reference: "Keralathile Sthalanama Charithram" of Sri. V.V.Valath and Makothai pattanam written by Sri. V.T. Induchudan in Mathrubhumi Annual 1970
[edit] Religious Centers
Kunnamkulam town is very religious. There are about 18 Temples, 14 Churches and 2 Mosques within a radius of 5 km from Kunnamkulam town. Majority of the population are Syrian Christians. Muslims form a small minority in town. In Kunnamkulam all sections of Christian community have their own churches.
Around 5 km away from Kunnamkulam town lies at the heart of the place Anaikkal the most famous religious Hindu temple named Cheeramkulangara Bhagavathi Temple. This temple is famous for its 'Pooram' (festival) which is organised every year during February. The festival is famous for the number of elephants which is dressed with 'nettipattam' (ornaments on the forehead) and arranged in a line for the procession. The number of elephants varies each year and at present it consists of around 80 elephants which is a beautiful sight. Many foreigners come down to see this festival which is one of the best in the Thrissur District after Trichur Pooram. All the people at Anaikkal respect and believe in the 'Devi' (Goddess) who is very powerful and grants everyone's wishes.
Also Two Juma Musjid's is situated right center of the town. About 55 Muslim families live near town. Majority of people are Hindus then comes Christians. Kunnamkulam is one of the peaceful and secular places in Kerala where there sre less social problems compared to other places.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Kunnamkulam had a population of 51,585. Males constitute 47% of the population and females 53%. Kunnamkulam has an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 83%. In Kunnamkulam, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
