Chempu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chempu is a village near Vaikom in Kottayam, Kerala, India. Chempu is famous for its scenic beauty which can be viewed from the Murinjapuzha bridge and the exceptional Karimeen a favourite fish of the Keralites,Its historical importance comes from the ancient St Thomas church which is an off shoot of the Piravom Valiyapally and the chempil arayan who extended timely service to the Travancore kings. Chempil angadi or market spans the space between the churches and the river and is still the venue for Daily market where vedors bring their wares in the evenings The most important festival is the Thorana or the St thomas day celegerations on the 3rd of July Chembu was one of the tolls of the travancore kingdom and every onam locals still conduct Mattakkachavadom in remembrance of the days of Barter economy
It is bounded by the shores of the Lake Vembanad, and is crossed by various distributaries of the River Muvattupuzha.The soil was considered best for coconuts and most plantations thrived before the time of thannermukkam bund which changed the salinity of the area and had adverse effect on the coconut plantations
It is inhabited by people of all communities including Arayans, Christians, Dhewars, Ezhavas, Muslims, and Nairsand Nampoothiris
People from Chempu include the warrior Chempil Arayan, the archbishop Mar Augustine Kandathil, the writer Chempil John, and the film-actor Mammootty.Planter and philanthropist Cheruoth CV Jonn (warwin School),Dr Bahuleyan (Brain and spine hospital)(,Dr.Paul c varghese,Dr Mariamma who was one of the first lady doctors from Madras Medical college
Notable families from Chempu include the Nair family Ambady, the Syrian Jacobite family Cherukothu, the Syrian Catholic family Kandathil, the Muslim family Kattampallil, the Syrian Jacobite family Kochuplamveedu, the Nair family Manambil, and the Nair family Thacheril.
