| ഇടവ Edava |
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| — village — | |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| District(s) | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Nearest city | Varkala |
| Parliamentary constituency | Attingal |
| Assembly constituency | Varkala |
| Population | 48,054 (2007[update]) |
| Literacy | 98.97% |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
Edava (Malayalam: ഇടവ ) is a coastal village in Thiruvananthapuram district in the state of Kerala, India. Edava is located near the tourist spot Varkala.
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Edava was the frontier of the erstwhile Province of Travancore: Venad. This village is on the northwest boundary of Thiruvananthapuram district adjacent to the Arabian Sea and situated between two municipalities, Varkala to the south and Paravur to the north. The railway line between Trivandrum and Kollam passes through this village. Edava may be the only village in Kerala with two railway stations: Edava and Kappil. There is a road (TA Majeed Road) connecting Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.
Edava has witnessed important historical events in Kerala. Historical references show that during the rule of Queen Umayamma one `Mughal Sardar' attacked Venad in the year 1680. His reign extended from the South of Thovala to Edava.During 18th century Tippu Sultan of Mysore came to attack Edava.They stayed in the kapil bhagavathy temple.But he and his army was attacked by the honey bees.
In the year 1726, Queen of Attingal gave permission to the British East Indian Company to build a Pandikasala (godown) near what is now called Vettakkada, close to the Arabian Sea. But even before that Denmark traders had constructed a trading centre over there. K P Padmanabha Menon in his work, Kerala History, has quoted English army captain Alexander Hamilton as saying during the first leg of 18th century: "Here on the beach side, Denmark traders have a small factory with coconut-thatched roof. It is in a dilaphidated condition. Their trading is likewise nominal."
The first printing press in the erstwhile Travancore, or perhaps in Kerala, with facility to print in Arabic, was established in Edava in 1936. It was called Coronation Memorial Press and was situated at what is now called Press Mukku. Its establishment coincided with the coronation ceremony of Travancore King.
Edava's secular credentials are impeccable and sublime, with Hindus and Muslims living shoulder to shoulder without making any ripples in the placid social waters of this pristine village. There is no wonder because the village is just a microcosm of a larger Kerala. Edavites love to wake up to devotional songs from temples and call for prayers from mosques. Edavites, cutting across religious belief, enjoy major temple festivals in the village with all fervor and gaiety, without providing any room for nefarious elements to disturb this glorious tradition. Of particular mention are the temple festivals of Palakkav Temple and Sri Mangalyeshwari Devi Temple.
Edava has beaches and backwaters. There is an estuary that links Edava lake to the Arabian sea here. During the monsoon season, water gushes out of the lake and reaches the sea, people from surrounding villages come to watch the event. There is a 1 km stretch of blue lagoon - with the sea and backwaters running parallel with the road in the middle.
As of 2001[update] India census, Edava had a population of 26,903, with 12,292 males and 14,611 females.
While some people eke out a living through fishing, a majority of Edavites travel to the Middle East in search of jobs, and a few find their livelihood in private sector. Edava has had a tradition of its people migrating to countries like Singapore and Malaysia in the 18th and 19th century and this trend still continues, albeit to the Gulf countries.
The main road of Edava is TA Majeed Road, which connects Varkala to Paravoor through Edava
Edava has two railway stations, one at Edava and the other at Kappil. Edava may be probably the only village in Kerala with two railway stations. The railway line which connects Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam passes through Edava.
The nearest main railway station is Varkala railway station.
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 55 km from Edava.
Edava Nadayara lake and canal
Edava has privately owned and aided educational institutions. Institutions of education are affiliated to either, the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), or the Kerala State Education Board.
Major schools in Edava are
Major temples and mosques are:
The nearest hospital is at Varkala - Mangala Hospital, S.N. Medical Mission and Govternmen Hospital Varkala