| Karthikappally | |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| District(s) | Alappuzha |
| Nearest city | Alapuzha |
| Population • Density |
19,064 (2001[update]) • 1 /km2 (3 /sq mi) |
| Literacy | 83%% |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area | 20,287 square kilometres (7,833 sq mi) |
| Climate Temperature |
Tropical monsoon (Köppen) • 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Website | www.karthikappally.blogspot.com |
Karthikappally (Malayalam: കാര്ത്തികപ്പള്ളി) is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.[1]
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Karthikappally was once a Buddhist center. About in the year 904-933 the Great ruler of Travancore, King Marthanda Varma, added Karthikappally to Travancore. In 1742 and 1753 the nearby places namely, Kayamkulam and Ambalapuzha was added to the Karthikappally Natturajyam, making it a prominent region since then. The area between the now existing Purakkad and Kayamkulam was the once Karthikappally.[2]
What made Karthikappally the most unique and important was the proximity of an inland waterway or a Thodu which enabled free flow of traffic and evolved Karthikappally into a Trading center. The market was huge and crowded, still remains of the old market stays.
Many years after its glorious past, the Karthikappally Panchayat was formed. Shri. K Damodaran was its first man in place. In 1912, the Govt. School in Mahadevikadu was constructed followed by The Govt. L P School in memory of Divan Krishnan Nair. Many great Leaders had their footprints on the sands of time of Karthikappally.
This included the only Minister from Karthikappally and MLA Shri.A Achutan, Achutan Vakeel, A V Anandarajan, Kanikara Madhava Kurup, Krishnankutty Sir, Putathu Narayan were all the lost heroes who fought for the Country.
Many Iconic landmarks were constructed in Karthikappally, which stands as testimonials to the great heritage of this place. Pithampil sree dharma sastha Temple, Pithampil Kottaram, The St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral or the Kottakakatthu Suriyani Palli,St Mary's Malankara Catholic Church, Karumbali Koikkal Kottaram, Karthikappally Kottaram, Valikulangara Devi Kshetram , Kottaram Mudiyil Shri KrishnaSwami Kshetram, VathaloorKolical Kshetram , The Haripad Shri. Subrahmaniya Kshetram or temple and the centuries old mosques in Karthikappally are also famous. The Ananthapuram Kottaram is also famous in many ways adding to the proud history of this place. the world famous Mannarshala Nagaraja temple also yet another mark of history.
1.Arattupuzha 2.Cheppad 3.Cheruthana 4.Chingoli 5.Haripad 6.Kandallor 7.Karthikappally 8.Karuvatta 9.Kayamkulam 10.Keerikkad 11.Krishnapuram 12.Kumarapuram 13.Muthukulam 14.Pallippad 15.Pathiyoor 16.Puthuppally 17.Thrikkunnapuzha 18.Veeyapuram
Cheppad
Situated about 44 km north of Kollam on Kollam-Alappuzha [[National Highway 47, Cheppad is notable for an Orthodox Syrian Christian Church dedicated to St. George built in 1300 AD. The main portico and subsidiary porches are built after the traditional pattern of the porches of Hindu temple. The wood carvings in the porches and the mural paintings which depicts the great scenes of epic of Jesus Christ are unique and rare specimens. As a sacred resting place of the mortal remains of his Grace Mar Dionysius IV ( Popularly known as the Cheppad Metropolitan ans one of the greatest figures in the history of Orthodox Syrian Church) , the Cheppad church is a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox Syrian Christians. In 1956 , His Imperial Majesty Hailie Salassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia visited the church.
The wooden sculptures in the gopuram of Vettikkulangara Bhagavathy temple are famous. Harippad
Harippad is the headquarters of Karthikappally taluk, situated on National Highway 47 between Kollam and Alappuzha. It is famous for the Subrahmanya Temple built in the ancient Kerala style of architecture. It is believed that when the new temple dedicated to Sastha was nearing completion, one of the trustees had a dream and accordingly the idol of Subrahmanya was brought from a particular spot in the Pathiramanal island and consecrated here. In commemoration of this event an important boat regatta at Payippad (Payippad Jalolsavam) is held in every Chingom (August–September).
Haripad is also famous for the origin of well known Sandeshakavya "Mayoora Sandesham' written by Kerala Varma Valiyakoyi Thampuran, while he was residing there.
Kayamkulam
It is an important municipality with an area of 21.79 km2.
Population - 67151. It was treated as a town in 1901 and got the status of Municipality from 1921 onwards. Situated by the side of Kayamkulam lake, midway between Kollam and Alappuzha, Kayamkulam was the capital of the kingdom of Kayamkulam Rajas till the annexation ogfthe kingdom to Travancore by Marthandavarma Maharaja in 1746 AD. This town was often called 'Padanilam' as several battles were fought in this place. Kayamkulam was prominent in the early and medieval time due to its opening to the lagoon through the Kayamkulam 'pozhi'. The town is connected with road, rail ad waterways and is an important commercial centre of inland trade. Kayamkulam-Alappuzha railway line was commissioned in 1992 and has now become a Railway Station. NTPC has set up a huge thermal power plant here. Krishnapuram, about a kilometer south of Kayamkulam was formerly a military center of Kayamkulam Rajas. An old palace built by Ramayyan Dalava at Krishnapuram which contains famous mural paintings on Gajendramoksha assigned to 18th century, are now under the control of state Archaeological Department. the coconut research center centrally sponsored by ICAR is also located at Krishnapuram.
Mannarasala
Mannarasala, situated very near to Harippad is a famous pilgrim centre. The temple dedicated to Nagaraja containing 30,000 images of serpent-gods is the largest of its kind in Kerala. The story of its origin is that a member of the local illam(Brahmin's house) married a girl of Vettukotte illam where serpents were in veneration. The poor parents of the girl could not give anything as dowry. They gave her an idol of a serpent and asked her to take care of it and worship regularly. In due course the girl became pregnant and delivered a child and a snake. The snake child was located in an underground cellar and brought up. It is said that the illam prospered from that day. In due course of time the snake gave rise to numerous progeny and they were removed to a spot in the southern portion of the house where a grove was since grown. The offerings of Noorum Palum (rice flour and milk) ad performing poojas are done by the eldest female member of the illam who is expected to lead a life of abstinence, when she becomes the eldest female of the family. Though the grove is full of snakes, no snake-bite has been reported from this place.[3]
Pandy
Pandy is a beautiful island in karthikapally taluk.
As of 2001[update] India census, Karthikappally had a population of 19064 with 9107 males and 9957 females.[1]
Karthikappally has its fair share of privately owned and state owned educational institutions. Institutions of education are affiliated to either the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), or the Kerala State Education Board.
Most private schools use English language as the medium of instruction whereas government run schools offer both English and Malayalam as a medium of instruction.