Kanjirappally
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Kanjirappally is a taluka and town in Kottayam district, in the state of Kerala, India. Rubber (Latex) plantations are a major source of income for the local population. The place has a large population of Catholic Christians of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
The Christian colonisation of Kanjirapally had a profound impact on the history of commerce and agriculture in these parts. The Christian claims their roots from early settlements at Nilakkal or Chayal on the banks of river Pamba. There is a also a strong belief that the flourishing Christian community there was founded by Apostle Thomas himself. The place was in the forest recesses far away from seats of power. Nilakkal became an important depot for spices like pepper, cardamom etc. and the Christians were engaged in this lucrative trade as procures and sorters. A Catholic diocese makes this an important Christian religious centre. The old church of the Christians in Kanjirapally, namely, "Pazhayapally" (meaning Old Church) in the name of St. Mary, was built in 1449, fifty years before Vasco de Gama set foot in India !
Kanjirappally has a good sizable Muslim population as well. The majority of Muslims majority are migrated from Tamil Nadu, especially through the eastern High Ranges to towns closer to high ranges. While in the northern districts — especially from Ernakulam towards north — the Moslem population are natives converted to Islam, also called Mappilas. A number of mosques can be found in Kanjirappally, of which Nainar Masjid or Valiya Pally is the biggest.
There are also a large number of Tamil Vellalars here. A beautiful temple, Ganapathiyaar Kovil, built with granite stands as a testimony to the early Tamil influence in religion and culture. There are also indications that Tamil rulers of Kanjirappally levied tax on live stock or Pothimadu to supplement income to another temple Bhagavathi Shri Madura Meenakshi.[citation needed] Hindus were prominent in ancient times.
The town is well-known for its rich Catholic culture. Most of the areas are hilly. Rubber estates are prevalent in most parts.
[edit] Education
ST . DOMINIC'S COLLEGE
St. Dominic's College was started in 1965 under the management of St. Dominic's Forane Church, Kanjirapally. Kuriakose Anekatt was the first principal. St. Dominic's College was the first institution which made higher education possible in Kanjirapally. Thanks to this famous institution, the level of education among the students of this region has risen considerably. The college is situated in Parathode Panchayathu. The Madona Institute of Electronics is another technical institution started by St. Dominic's Church in 1977. It was handed over to the Vincentian Congregation free of cost in 1983. The other colleges of repute are the Amal Jyothi College of Engg., Koovapally, located 8 km from Kanjirapally & the St.Antony's College, located in the heart of the town
AKJM School Kanjirappally
AKJM English Medium High School was started by the Jesuits on 7 August 1961. The name of the school enshrines the memory of the late illustrious archbishop Mar Mathew Kavukatt. The school is based on the Jesuit system of education with its five centuries of educational tradition, development and practice. The essential aspects of Jesuit education quoted below are based on the characteristics of Jesuit Education, the document by the international commission on the Apostolate of Jesuit Educaion (ICAGE) and presented by Very Rev. Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach S.J, the superior General of the Society of Jesus, on 8 December, 1986.
Some of the other reputed schools in Kanjirapally
- St. Antony's public school, Anakkal
- St. Dominic's School, Kanjirapally
- St. Mary's School, Kanjirapally
- St. Joseph's school, Kunnumbhagam
- Mumtaz Memorial MYCA School, Kanjirappally
- Alfeen Public School, Podimattom
