Athirampuzha

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Athirampuzha is the name of a Panchayat and a small town in Kottayam district of Kerala state, South India. Athirampuzha is situated 10 km north of Kottayam town.

It is one of the oldest trading centers in Travancore. The place is believed to have trade relations with Middle East from centuries ago.

Mahatma Gandhi University is located in Athirampuzha. Mannanam K.E. College, Amalagiri B.K. College, Ettumanoor I.T.I., St. Aloytious School, St. Marys School, St. Ephraims School Mannanam, K.E. School Mannanam, St.Gregorious U.P.School Mannarkunnu etc. are located in Athirampuzha Panchayat.

Ettumanoor Rail way Station and Industrial Estate is really located in Athirampuzha. Ettumanoor, Kumaranalloor, Arpookara, Kudamaloor, Mudiyoorkara, Aymanam, Kumarakom, Kaipuzha, Neendoor, Onamthuruth, Kurumulloor, Kanakkary, Pattithanam are the neighbouring places of Athirampuzha. Kottayam Medical College is situated very near to Athirampuzha. Athirampuzha is having many post offices like amalagiri, Priyadarshini Hills, Sreekandamangalam, Kottackupuram etc. Justice K.K. Mathew Kuttyil, Post Master General of India and First Malayalee Postal board member C. J Mathew Chackalackal, Deepika Daily Chief Editor K.M. Joseph Karivelil were the some of the prominent peoples from Athirampuzha.

[edit] Religious place

The St. Mary's Church at Athirampuzha is one of the oldest in Kerala, was constructed around 835 AD. Though dedicated to Mother Mary, it is the feast of Saint Sebastian which attracts a large crowd. The statue of St. Sebastian installed here, is considered to be very ancient. During the days of the Portuguese, three figures were brought to Kerala. Legend says that the smallest of them was brought to Athirampuzha by local traders. This is known as Adiyelpicha Roopam (the tortured figure). The statue of St. Sebastian in Athirampuzha is unique as it is the only statue of the Saint without arrows being stuck on it. The feast in January lasts for seven days from 19th to 26th. Display of fire works in connection with the celebration is very attractive.There are lots of christian families in athirampuzha are into this famous feast. Chackalackal,Pandarakalam,Kulamkuthiyil,Kuttyil,Alenchery are some of the major families of athirampuzha who were involved in trade for over 300 years.

[edit] History

It is believed that Athirampuzha was a well-established developed village and settlements where there even at BC 1200. The famous traveler Marco Polo's travel descriptions, "The description of the world", have some references about Athirampuzha. While he was traveling through Kerala he reached a port town called 'Athiramkari'. The description of this place closely matches to Athirampuzha. According to Marco Polo Athiramkari was a trade center famous for Pottery, Cattle’s, vegetable market (still exists) and clothes. 'Chantha Kulam' was the center of trade where boats could dock. It is believed that mappilas (Christians) and Hindus (nairs) where settled in Athirampuzha during that period.

Athirampuzha remained as a famous port town till mid 1900s. Later more roads where developed which reduced the importance of backwater trade routs. The old boat shed (renovated later) still exists near the Chantha kulam.