| Muvattupuzha Moovattupuzha |
|
| — town — | |
|
|
|
| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| District(s) | Ernakulam |
| Nearest city | Kochi, Kottayam |
| Municipal Chairman | Mr.U.R BABU |
| Parliamentary constituency | Idukki |
| Population • Density |
29,246 (2001[update]) • 2,151 /km2 (5,571 /sq mi) |
| Sex ratio | 1023 ♂/♀ |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
13.7 km2 (5 sq mi) • 15 metres (49 ft) |
| Climate Temperature |
Tropical monsoon (Köppen) • 32.5 °C (90.5 °F) |
|
Footnotes
|
|
| Website | www.ekm.kerala.gov.in |
Muvattupuzha (Malayalam: മുവാറ്റുപുഴ) is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a junction of three districts namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town. Muvattupuzha is situated 42 km northeast of Kochi city on NH49 (Cochin-Madurai-Rameshwaram national highway) and lies on the popular Cochin-Munnar hill station tourist route.
Contents |
Muvattupuzha was part of the Vadakkumkoor Kingdom until it was captured by the Travancore Kingdom, now merged into the state of Kerala. Old documents show that the lands of Muvattupuzha belonged to ‘Edappally Swaroopam’, but were later transferred to ‘Manas’ (Brahmin Families).[1]
According to tradition, St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ who introduced Christianity to India, visited Muvattupuzha and had several families as his devoted followers. The St. Mary's Church of Arakuzha has a recorded history of over 1000 years, making it one of the oldest churches in Kerala. It is known for its paintings and sculptures. Muvattupuzha was also known as "Arakuzha Pakuthi"(half of arakuzha).
After Indian Independence, Muvattupuzha, as a village union, came under the control of a council of three members nominated by the Government. V. P. Govindan Nair was the first president of the village union. By 1953, Muvattupuzha was declared a Panchayat. Kunnappillil Varkey Vaidyan was the first president of the elected Panchayat Committee. Muvattupuzha was raised to the status of a Municipality in the year 1958. N. Parameshwaran Nair became the first Municipal Chairman. Muvattupuzha made history as the first Municipality where the Communist Party came to power in a general election.
N. P. Varghese was the first elected M.L.A. from Muvattupuzha Assembly Constituency. Later, K. M. George, founder of Kerala Congress represented Muvattupuzha. The first M.P. of Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency) was George Thomas Kottukapally. Of all the Municipal Chairmen of the town, P. P. Esthose deserves special mention. He was simultaneously an MLA and the Municipal Chairman of Muvattupuzha. He got state-level recognition as the Chairman of Chamber of Chairmen. In its entire history, he is the only Communist member elected to the Parliament from the constituency.
The place falls under Muvattupuzha assembly constituency, which is part of Idukki (Lok Sabha constituency). It was part of Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency) until 2004.[2] The municipality is headed by the Municipal Chairman.
As of 2001[update] India census,[3] Muvattupuzha had a population of 29,230. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Muvattupuzha has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 82%. In Muvattupuzha, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The region has Syrian Christians, Hindus and Muslims. It is traditionally known for the amity among all its different sections of people.
Syrian Christian Achayans include Syrian Catholics, Orthodox and Jacobite Christians. Kavumpady Road in the heart of the town contains major Agraharam of Kerala Iyers. Konkanis are also in lesser numbers. Muslims also form a part of religions in Muvattupuzha. Kochangadi near Latha Bridge where Tamil Muslims resides together for many years . They are less in numbers and are called as Thulukkar.
The town is situated on highland regions.[4] Essentially, the regions of Thodupuzha, Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalam were called "Keezhmalanad"[5] of erstwhile Vadakkumkoor Kingdom[6] indicating these as lands with fertile soils deposited by Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha rivers over a period of time due to floodings of the banks. The town is 20m above mean sea level (MSL).
The town is named after the Muvattupuzha river (Muvattupuzha Aar) which flows through it. The name is made up of three Malayalam words: 'Moonnu', which stands for 'three', 'aaru' - small river, and 'puzha', which also means river. 'Aaru' is a word that is usually used for rivers in the southern half of Kerala, while the term 'puzha' is used in the northern parts. The three rivers in this case are the Kothamangalam river or Kothayaar, Kaliyar and Thodupuzha, which merge to form a single river. This place is called 'Thriveni Sangamam' in Malayalam which means `the point of confluence of three rivers'. Muvattupuzha River was practically free from Pollution which slowly is changings due to the growth of small towns on the river's banks as well as industrial endeavours.
Muvattupuzha river (Malayalam: മൂവാറ്റുപുഴയാര്) which starts and flows through Muvattupuzha town runs for 121 km. The major source of water is the Thodupuzha river which starts in the Idukki district and provides water throughout the year, enabled by the supply of water from Idukki arch dam. Idukki dam is the largest arch dam in India and it is used for hydro-electric power generation.[7] Muvattupuzha river is the prime victim of river pollution nowadays. Green People, people for socio-environmental works, an environmental organization is now leading a campaign to save the Muvattupuzha river.
The town consists of two regions separated by the Muvattupuzha bridge. Kacherithazham is the main centre of the town to the East of the Muvattupuzha bridge. Velloorkunnam, Vazhappilly and Kadathy are to the South West of the bridge. Kavumkara is a old market which lies to the North East of the town after the bridge on the Muvattupuzha - Kothamangalam road.
The Thodupuzha bridge is over the Thodupuzha river,Which Also Flows through the South East portions of the town before merging with Muvattupuzha river near Kacherithazham.
Kizhakkekara and Randaattinkara (Randarkara or Randar) lies on the eastern part of the town on the banks of the Muvattupuzha river. After Thodupuzha bridge comes Adooparambu, Anikkad and Avoly. This area has a large pineapple cultivation and has pineapple based agro industries. Adooparambu is also known for its timber industries. Avoly is abutting Muvattupuzha municipality.
From the olden times, south of Marady (മാറാടി) panchayat towards Kottayam, was sparsely occupied and still has rubber plantations and a hilly terrain till Koothattukulam. Aaroor (ആറൂര്)(near Meenkunnam ) was a forest until 5-6 decades ago. While every direction from Muvattupuzha is populated and almost urbanized, the southern direction towards Kottayam via M C Road is not so well developed in terms of infrastructure. At a distance approximately 8km southwards, Muvattupuzha Town is covered by a Curve like Hilly Region of 40-60 MSL in the whole Southern side which crosses Kottayam and Piravom Routes. Most of these Hills are Rubber Plantations .[8]. KSTP's Second Phase project of Straightening of Muvattupuzha-Chengannur MC Road is proposed.
The old Muvattupuzha bridge built over the Muvattupuzha river was the first concrete bridge in Asia. It was completed in 1914.[9] This serves as the connection between Nehru Park and Kacherithazham.
.
Pezhakkappilly and Vazhakulam are two satellite towns of Muvattupuzha. The nearby Panchayaths are mostly into agriculture, small scale and medium scale industries. Pineapple and Rubber plantations are the common agrarian efforts. Match box industries,Plywood Factories, saw mills, paper, plastic and wood carton making are the main industries in this area. KINFRA's Small Industries Park at Nellad is 9km from Muvattupuzha on SH41.[10]
The nearby towns are Kothamangalam, Vazhakulam, Thodupuzha, Vazhithala, Piravom, Koothattukulam, Kolenchery, Perumbavoor, Nellikuzhi and Kalloorkad.
|
Muvattupuzha has a rich cultural tradition. Shadkala Govinda Marar was born on the banks of the Muvattupuzha river. In the new era, the formation of Mela (Muvattupuzha Enlightened Lovers of Arts) - a registered fine arts society which was established in 1968 plays the lead role in the cultural life of this town.
Puzhakkarakavu temple is dedicated to the Divine Mother. It is situated at the confluence of the three rivers and is the oldest temple in the town. The town grew around it.Sangharakshita gives some details about this place in his book.
This temple of Shiva, situated at a great height, is almost as old as the one at the confluence. Sangharakshita mentions this place too in his book.
This Math is known locally for long as Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama. It is situated on a little hillock called Ashramam Kunnu and was founded in 1931 on behalf of Ramakrishna Mission by Swami Nirmalananda who was one of the Direct Disciples of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Though some renovation work was done between 2006 to 2008, this Math still exudes an old world charm. This Math has paid host to a number of noted monks of the Ramakrishna Mission starting with Swami Nirmalananda. They include Swami Niranjanananda (Junior), Swami Sailajananda (both disciples of Swami Nirmalananda)and others.Swami Chitswarupananda (1948-78) and Swami Purushottamananda (1978-1997) managed the Ashrama as instructed by Ramakrishna Mission. Here stayed and worked for about fifteen months in 1947-48, the future Sangharakshita and Buddharakshita as Angarika Dharmapriya and Angarika Satyapriya. In his books `Thousand Petalled Lotus: The Indian Journey of an English Buddhist' and `The Rainbow Road' (both having many common chapters) - Sangharakshita devotes three very informative chapters to the sights he saw and experienced here. This began as a branch of Tiruvalla centre of Ramakrishna Mission and at present is a sub-center of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math under the direct administrative control of its branch center at Kalady[12][13][14][15][16][17]
This is the most popular temple in the Town
Colleges in Muvattupuzha are affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University of Kottayam.
The Nirmala Group of Institutions which includes Nirmala College, Nirmala Pharmacy College, Nirmala Public School, Nirmala Higher Secondary School, Nirmala Junior School, Nirmala Sadan and Nirmala School of Nursing is run by the Syrian Catholic Diocese of Kothamangalam. Nirmala College founded in 1953 by Mar Augustine Kandathil is the oldest college in the town.[18][19] Apart from the Nirmala institutions the Syrian Catholic Diocese of Kothamangalam also runs Vishwajyothi College of Engineering And Technology.[20] Ilahia College of Engineering and Technology and Ilahia Arts and Science College are colleges run by Ilahia Trust. Town U.P. School is the oldest school in the town.
KL-17 is the RTO code for Muvattupuzha Taluka including Muvattupuzha town. Muvattupuzha KSRTC depot is located on MC Road south of the town. KSRTC operates few long distance services as well as mostly catering to the Ernakulam to Thodupuzha route. Private bus services run into several neighbouring towns. Rickshaws are commonly used for small distances.
There is frequent bus services to Ernakulam, Thodupuzha, Kakkanad, Koothattukulam, Piravom, Aluva, Angamaly, Kothamangalam, Perumbavoor, etc. The nearest railway station is Aluva 34 km away. The Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is only 32 km away from the town.
Muvattupuzha is surrounded by few small, populous commuter villages, connected to the town by bus. The notable ones are Paipra, Avoly, Valakom, Cheruvattor, Mannoor, Marady, etc. Vazhakulam town is one of the main interchange points for public transport.
Major Hospitals in Muvattupuzha include Muvattupuzha Medical Center MMC, Nirmala Medical Centre run by Franciscan Clarist Sisters under the Syrian Catholic Eparchy of Kothamangalam.[21][22] and Nedumchalil Trust Hospital.There is also a Govt. Hospital Which is raised to District Hospital recently.
The Referral Hospitals near to Muvattupuzha are Kolenchery MOSC Medical College 13km from the town. AIMS,Ponekkara is 40km from Muvattupuzha. Kottayam Medical College lies 51km from the town.
Ernakulam and Muvattupuzha are culturally and geographically different as Muvattupuzha Taluk is a highland area with agriculture and small scale industries as its primary economic base, while Ernakulam has coastal regions for which fishing is an important industry. Muvattupuzha was an important commercial centre and a prominent town till about 1975. Two decades back a separate Muvattupuzha district was to be carved out of the districts Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam. Demand for Muvattupuzha District still exists. but the new district formation is not yet supported from Kerala government. the assumption of assimilating Northern Travancore Region of Muvattupuzha,Kothamangalam to Kochi Urban limits may have prevented the Muvattupuzha district formation. Census of India, 2011 noted a new, separate and distinct urban agglomeration including parts of Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalam Talukas.[23] Foreign remittances also contribute a lot to Muvattupuzha's contemporary economy as many Syrian Christian Achayans from this region have emigrated all over North America, Europe and the Middle East pursuing greener pastures.
Muvattupuzha is a part of Central Kerala. It lies between Angamaly and Kottayam on the Main Central Road which runs along the length of the old Travancore, from Thiruvananthapuram to Angamaly.
The first and second longest state highways of Kerala, Main Central Road (Angamaly - Thiruvananthapuram / SH-01 / 240 km) and Main Eastern Highway (Muvattupuzha - Punalur / SH-08 / 154 km), meet here. The Kochi - Madurai NH 49 passes through.
The Muvattupuzha - Theni Highway (SH 43) starts at the Chalikkadavu Bridge and goes through Randattinkara, Kotta Road, Udumbannoor, Nedumkandam and Cumbum before ending at Theni. This is a shorter route to Madurai in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.[24]
A bypass has been planned from Kadathy to Puthuppady in NH 49 to avoid traffic from the Kochi - Madurai NH 49 highway which is also the route to Munnar, a popular hill station.
A bypass to Thodupuzha Road and MC Road is planned from Kadathi on NH49 via the proposed new bridge at Murikkallu.[25] Later the road will join MC Road towards Kottayam at Marady.
A Muvattupuzha-Kakkanad-Palarivattom four-lane highway project is at discussion levels. Proposed route is by Vazhappilly, Pattimattom, Kizhakkambalam, Infopark to Reach Vyttila Central Bus Terminal in 30 minutes over 31 km.[26][27]
Chalikkadavu bridge helps long-distance travelers from being caught in traffic, particularly during the rush hour. The bypass will go through Kizhakkekara to Marady to link the SH-8 to Thodupuzha and to the MC Road.
|
|||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||