| Kizhakkekallada | |
| — village — | |
|
|
|
| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| District(s) | Kollam |
| Nearest city | Kollam |
| Parliamentary constituency | Mavelikkara |
| Assembly constituency | Kunnathur |
| Population • Density |
22,046 (2001[update]) • 1,670 /km2 (4,325 /sq mi) |
| Sex ratio | 1078 ♂/♀ |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area | 13.2 square kilometres (5.1 sq mi) |
Kizhakkekallada is a village in Kollam district in the state of Kerala, India.[1] East Kallada or popularly known as Kizhakkekallada is a village located about 20 km north-east of Kollam city. East Kallada is bounded by Kallada River in the west and north and Ashtamudi backwater in the south. It is believed that the old port 'Nelkynda' mentioned by Periplus of the Erythraean Sea is Kallada or its nearby place.[2] Periplus describes:
East Kallada is also a part of Travancore history. In 1730 Unni Keralavarma of Desinganadu invaded East Kallada, that was part of Venad at that time. Marthanda Varma immediately attacked Desinganad and added East Kallada to Venad. Thus He started the expansion of Travancore and later invaded lot of small countries from north.[4]
It is believed that centuries ago this village was a flourishing center of a Buddhist culture. The customs and architecture of old temples in this area support the fact that they could possibly have been buddhist vihars in their initial days[5]. Eduppukuthira ( Huge chariots associated with the festival of Sree durga devi temple ) itself has got strong association with buddhist customs and practices[5]. The strong presence of ezhava community in this area is a strong evidence supporting the existence of buddhism. An ancient buddha statue, which is 3 feet long and made of marble was excavated more by accident in 1978 from near the Siva temple Sinkarapalli(The "palli" suffix, which was common usage in Pali, the language of Theravada Buddhism). Later in 1984 the same statue was placed at Siva temple, Koduvila. But unfortunately it had been stolen[5].
Contents |
As of 2001[update] India census, Kizhakkekallada had a population of 22046 with 10607 males and 11439 females.[1].The density of population was 1670 persons per square kilo meter. The sex ratio (the number of females per 1000 males) was 1078 during the census year of 2001.Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%.
Chittumala Sree Durga Devi temple is the most important place of worship in this area among Hindus. The temple situated at Chittumala, a beautiful hill top is devoted to Sree Durga Devi.Chittumala Ultsavam, a festival associated with this temple is famous for its huge chariots which is carried by devotees up to the temple at the hill top. The other important temples are Sree Mahadevar Temple Koduvila, Sree Krishna temple Marthandapuram, Sree Mahavishnu temple Marthandapuram and Sree Mahavishnu temple Veranoor. The incomplete inscription in the veranoor temple in Tamil and Vatteluttu is identified and mentioned by the Archaeological Survey of India[6].
The important famous Christian church is St. Mary's Orthodox church, West Kallada (Kallada Valiya pally). Other important church is St. George Orthodox church, East Kallada.
The important schools are