Edava
| Edava ഇടവ Edava | |
|---|---|
| village | |
  Edava | |
| Coordinates: 8°46′02″N 76°41′24″E / 8.7671°N 76.6901°ECoordinates: 8°46′02″N 76°41′24″E / 8.7671°N 76.6901°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 48,054 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 695311 |
| Telephone code | 0470 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-16 |
| Nearest city | Varkala |
| Literacy | 98.97% |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Attingal |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Varkala |
Edava is a coastal village in Thiruvananthapuram district in the state of Kerala, India. Edava is located near the tourist spot Varkala.
History
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 Historical references show that during the rule of Queen Umayamma one `Mughal Sardar' attacked Venad in the year 1680.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.
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 hub 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 warehouse with coconut-thatched roof. It is in a dilapidated condition. Their trading, likewise, is nominal." This location at Vettakkada is still named Paandiyala, a worn-out usage of Paandakasaala, which means warehouse in Malayalam.
The first printing press in the erstwhile Travancore, or perhaps in Kerala, with facility to print in Arabic script, 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 is the birthplace of late T A. Majeed, who was the PWD Minister in the first Communist Ministry of 1957. Majeed is still cherished by old-timers and youngsters within the Communist party alike for his impeccable credentials and unblemished political career.
Geography
Edava boasts of beautiful beaches and serene backwaters. They provide an ethereal and other-worldly experience to discerning tourists as well as people from the neighbouring villages. There is an estuary that links Edava-Nadayara 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 this natural phenomenon. There is a 1 km stretch of blue lagoon - with the sea and backwaters running parallel with the road in the middle.
Prominent People
- Late T A Majeed (PWD Minister in the EMS ministry of 1957, the first democratically elected Communist government in the world. Publisher and Editor of Hilal magazine.)
- Late M R Mohammed Kunju Serangh ( M.R) (Social Reformer, founder of GMUPS Vettakkada and Edava Muslim High School.)
- Late Thakkiyudeen Wahid, aviation visionary and Managing Director of the now-defunct East West Airlines, India's first and largest private airline company.
- G.K. Pillai, veteran movie actor
- Late Prof U Jamal Mohammed (Prof in Geography, orator and writer)
- Late Edava Jamal (Poet)
- Edava Basheer, playback singer.
- Thwaha, Malayalam film director.
Demographics
As of 2001 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 migrate to the Middle East countries 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.
Transportation
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.
Lakes
Edava Nadayara lake and canal
Education
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:
- Government Muslim U.P School, Vettakada, Edava (1-7 Standards)
- EMHS Edava
- Government Higher Secondary School Kappil - Kerala State Education Board. 1-12 Standards
- LVUPS Venkulam Edava (1-7 standards)
- Government, LPS Venkulam. (1-4 standards)
- Edava Muslim High School
- Govt.Muslim Lower Primary School, Odayam
- MVUPS Chirayil Manthara
UN-AIDED Schools
- Little Flower - Kerala State Education Board 1-12 Standard
- Jawahar Public School CBSE
Places of worship
Major mosques and temples :
- Palakkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Pressmukku Edava
- Kappil Bhagavathy Temple
- Alummuttil Juma Masjid
Alummuttil Mosque - Station Juma Masjid,Venkulam,Edava
- Odayam Juma Masjid,Odayam
- Vettakada Thaikav Mosque
- Parayil Thaikav Mosque
- Srieight Thaikav Mosque
- Kappil Thaikav Mosque—Thaikav Mosques are only for Daily Prayers. There will be no Juma' (Friday) Special Prayers in these mosques.
- Manthara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple
- Sri Mangalyeshwari Devi Temple
Hospitals
- Government Primary Health Center,
- Ansar Clinic, Edava (Dr. Sarma)
- S.B Hospital, Venkulam, Edava (Dr. Sugathan & Dr. Kalavathi)
The nearest hospital is at Varkala - Mangala Hospital, S.N. Medical Mission and Government Hospital Varkala
Prominent people
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Edava. |
1. Late T A Majeed, PWD Minister in the EMS ministry, 1957.
2. Late Parayil Shamsudeen Ex M.L.A.
3. Late Thakiyudeen Wahid, CMD and Director of now-defunct East West Airlines,India's first and largest private airline company.
4. Late M R Mohammed Kunju (M.R), So cial Reformer, founder of GMUPS and Edava Muslim High School.
5. Late Hajee T.N.Abdul Karim
6. G.K. Pillai, movie actor
7. Late Edava Jamal, poet and literary figure
8. Edava Basheer, playback singer
9. Thaha, Malayalam film director
10. K.M.Ajirkutty, writer and poet
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