Paika
| Paika | |
|---|---|
| town | |
 | |
  Paika | |
| Coordinates: 9°39′0″N 76°43′0″E / 9.65000°N 76.71667°ECoordinates: 9°39′0″N 76°43′0″E / 9.65000°N 76.71667°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Kottayam |
| Population | |
| • Total | 8,978 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Vehicle registration | KL-34 |
| Nearest city | Kochi |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Kottayam |
Paika is a small town 8 km away from Palai on Pala-Ponkunnam road of Muvattupuzha - Punalur state highway No.8, in Kottayam district, Kerala, India. It is part of Meenachil Taluka, known as the best fertile agricultural land of Travancore. Majority of people are Syrian Malabar Nasrani Catholic Christians continuing their rich traditions from the times of St. Thomas, an apostle of [Jesus Christ]. This region is part of the midlands (adjacent to the highranges) of south-eastern kerala. Main income is from Agriculture mostly rubber plantations.
Many famous Syrian Catholic families of Kerala have origins around Meenachil that includes places like Pala, Paika, Edamattom, Bharananganam, Poovarany, Vilakkumadom, Pinnakkanadu etc.
The Syrian Catholic families,most of them here are rubber estate owners.The Sabarimala Pilgrimage route passes through Paika.
The Jubilee feast of the shrine of Our Lady(St.Mary's shrine Paika) of St. Joseph's Church conducted during the second week of December attracts thousands of believers every year to this small, panoramic hamlet. Miles of colourful decorations along the pathways and processions led by traditional orchestra during the feast provide cynosure to the eyes.Bible Tableau n Two Wheeler Fancy Dress competitions conducted in association with Jubilee Thirunaal attracts thousands of people to this small town.
The elders are of the opinion that the former name of Paika was Kottachery (kotta=basket; chery=place where people gather), and it was a thriving market in the past.The name Paika originated from "poika" meaning a small river, which runs on the side of paika.
Inner paika also has acres and acres of rubber plantations owned by private families.The main income and prosperity of paika is from the rubber plantations.
Gov.Hospital Jn is near to Paika,where the Public Community Health Centre of Paika is Situated. International Eye Hospital run by Lions Club is situated on the Paika - Bharananganam Route.