Tiruvalla
| Tiruvalla Thiruvalla | |
|---|---|
| town | |
 | |
  Tiruvalla | |
| Coordinates: 9°23′06″N 76°34′30″E / 9.385°N 76.575°ECoordinates: 9°23′06″N 76°34′30″E / 9.385°N 76.575°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Pathanamthitta |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 234,503 |
| Languages | |
| • Official |
Malayalam, English Literacy = 98.5% |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 689101 |
| Telephone code | 91-469 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-27 |
| Website | www.thiruvalla.com |
Tiruvalla (alternately spelled Thiruvalla; Malayalam: തിരുവല്ല) is a town and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2. It is the biggest commercial center in the district of Pathanamthitta. The town has a tropical climate with a temperatures ranging from highs of 34.4 °C in the summer to a low of 18.5 °C in the winter, with a healthy rainfall of 3040 mm. Tiruvalla became a municipality in 1919.
Demographics
The city spans a geographic area of 27.94 km² with a population of 56,828 as of 2001.[1] Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. In Tiruvalla, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Tiruvalla has a large Non-Resident Indian Community.
Location
Tiruvalla is on the western border of Pathanamthitta district. The municipal town limits are Thirumoolapuram, Kattod, Kaviyoor, Kuttapuzha and Manipuzha. Formerly, some areas of present Changanacherry were parts of Tiruvalla taluk. Now the boundaries of the taluk are Varattar Bridge in the south, Lappalam in the north, Pullad in the east and Neerattupuram in the west, situated in Alappuzha district. Pullad is the last point of Tiruvalla town in the east, and it is in the Koipuram panchayath. Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi are the nearest major cities.
Tiruvalla is located at the meeting point of M C Road (Main Central Road/SH-01) and T. K. Road (Tiruvalla-Pathanamthitta-Kumbazha Road/SH-07/State Highway 7 (Kerala)); it links the eastern parts of the district with the western rice bowl of 'Kuttanad'. The Tiruvalla-Kayamkulam road is the most used link between the National Highway and the M C Road. Tiruvalla also connects to NH-47 through the Thakazhi-Ambalappuzha Link.
Transport
Road
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has a depot at Tiruvalla (station code: TVLA) which is one among the 29 major depots in the state. KSRTC operates long distance and interstate bus services from the Tiruvalla depot. KSRTC operates daily Interstate Airbus service to Bangalore from Tiruvalla. KSRTC is currently constructing a Bus Terminal and multi-functional shopping complex in Tiruvalla as part of its modernisation. Private buses are operated from a Municipal Private Bus stand to various places of the Pathanamthitta district.
Rail
Tiruvalla railway station (station code: TRVL) is the sole railway station in Pathanamthitta district. The station is in the "Class A" category under the Trivandrum railway division. Chengannur Railway Station and Kottayam Railway Station at a distance of 9km and 25km respectively could also be used since almost all the trains have a stop at these stations.
Airport
The nearest airports are Trivandrum International airport and Cochin International Airport (CIAL). The newly proposed Aranmula airport would only be about 18 kilometres away. The national airline Air India has a reservation office in Tiruvalla.
History
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that the area had been inhabited since 500 BCE, although an organized settlement was only founded around 800 CE. It is one of the 64 ancient brahmana graamams (ബ്രാഹ്മണഗ്രാമം). The present day areas of Niranam, and Kadapra on the western part of Tiruvalla were submerged under the sea before then.
Sree is the wife of lord Vishnu. "Sree Vallabhan" means Husband of Lakshmi Devi. Sree Vallabhan is the presiding deity of the Tiruvalla Temple. Hence Thiruvallabha Puram (Land of Vallabhan) became Tiruvalla.[citation needed] Also, it is interesting to note that the name Tiruvalla comes from the word "Thiru Valla Vaay", named after the river Manimala which was known as Valla puzha, suggesting that Tiruvalla was the mouth of river Manimala and hence was known as Valla vai(vai in old Malayalam means mouth of river).[citation needed] Because of this, the Sri Vallabha temple was called "Thiru Vallavayappan", which later reformed as "Sri Vallabhan" Thiru Vallabha temple, considering that the deity is the god Vishnu. This temple is one among the one hundred and eight vaishnava thirupathis in India.
On the western part of Tiruvalla, the rivers Pampa, Manimala and Achen Kovil join for a panoramic view. As in many other places in India, the culture and heritage of Tiruvalla are tied to its temples. Historical evidence such as copper plates and proclamations point to Tiruvalla as a flourishing and major center of spiritual and educational prominence in 1100 CE. The Sree Vallaba Temple governed a Vedic School with one thousand students and one hundred teachers. The temple also maintained a hospital in the service for the public at large. Women were only allowed to enter the template once a year until the late 1960s.
The rulers of Tiruvalla belonged to the Thekkumkoor Dynasty, which had one of its headquarters at Idathil near Kaavil Temple. Idathil was the family name of Thekkumkoor kings. Today's Paliakara Palace is a branch of Lakshmipuram Palace of Changanacherry, which is a branch of Alikottu Kovilakam of Pazhancherry in Malabar. Similarly, Nedumpuram Palace is a branch of Mavelikkara Palace is an heir to the Kolathiri tradition of Udayamangalam. The Thekkumkoor kings lost their control in the course of time and Vilakkili (വിലക്കിലി) Nampoothiris were rulers in 1752-53 when Anizham Thirunaal Marthanda Varma, the king of Travancore, seized it in a bloody battle in which the ruler was killed, though some dispute it, saying the surrender was peaceful as the Namboothiris were not naive to challenge the mighty army of Ramayyan, the shrewd and sadistic Dalava (ദളവ)- head of administration and advisor - of Travancore.[2] Ruins of Vilakkili illam can be seen on the side of Kavmbhagom-Muthoor road.
The Kaavil market (കാവിൽ കമ്പോളം), which is no longer in existence, was once one of the most famous markets of Kerala, where there were even foreign trade links. Even now, the houses in this street are known as "Kaavil" among residents, and the houses in the area which is now Pushpagiri-Tholassery are known as "Malayil" because they are in an elevated area compared to Kaavil. The Kaavil market was actually situated in the street starting from Erankavu Temple to the Kaavil temple in the present Kavumbhagom. It was also the first settlement area of the early Christians in Tiruvalla. Tthe renowned Poem "Unnuneeli Sandesham" discusses this then famous street and its people. This was the heartland of Tiruvalla up to the 19th century. (East to MC road was forest area. Dens were found in the KSRTC garage area, which are now buried.) The first school in Tiruvalla started sometime in mid 19th century in Kaavil market, along the road to Pallippalam. Still, all major religious processions are required to pass through this way, even though new roads have been constructed in parallel.
Tiruvalla Christians were part of the autonomous Indian Syrian Church, which was not affected by the schism which occurred in the 17th century due to the intervention of Portuguese colonists (Introduction of Catholicism in India). By 19th century, inspired by the work of the British missionaries, a reformation movement happened which eventually resulted in a schism, leading to the formation of Marthoma Church.
Tiruvalla was never under direct British rule, and before India's independence from Britain, it was governed by the Travancore dynasty. The Tiruvalla municipality started functioning in 1919, with Shri M.K. Kesavan Nair as the first Chairman of the Municipal Council. The constitution was officially approved on 8 October 1920. The municipal office has established several public health facilities, libraries and sports facilities.
Nowadays, almost every leading bank in India, including the high-profile private ones, has a branch here.
Politics
The current Chairperson of the Municipality is Delsy Sam from Kulakkadu.
Tiruvalla's assembly constituency is the part of the newly formed Pathanamthitta (Lok Sabha constituency).[3] Current MLA is Adv.Mathew T Thomas. Current MP Pathanamthitta (Lok Sabha constituency) is Anto Antony
Religion
The Mar Thoma Church and the St. Thomas Evangelical Church, and the Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC), have their headquarters in and around Tiruvalla. The headquarters of the Orthodox Church Niranam Diocese and Syro Malankara Catholic Tiruvalla Archdiocese are also in Tiruvalla. The famous Niranam, Paliakkara, Kallooppara and Parumala churches are important tourist destinations.
The city's Sree Vallabha temple is one of the famous Vishnu Mahakshetras of India.
The famed pilgrim center of Sabarimala is only about 100 km from Tiruvalla and Parumala Church, one of the famous Christian pilgrimage centers is about 10 km from the town. The spiritual conventions at Maramon, Kalloopara, Kumbanad and Ayroor-Cherukolpuzha are all located east of Tiruvalla.
Media
Tiruvalla is headquarters for two malayalam satellite channels which caters to Chrisitian Devotional content.
- Power Vision
- Athmeeya Yathra
Radio Macfast 90.4 is an FM Station managed by the Mar Athanasios College for Advanced Studies, in Tiruvalla. This FM station is the first on-campus community radio in Kerala.
Also Tiruvalla has one of the first high definition sound recording studios Department of Sacred Music and Communications to its credit which caters primarily to the religious community Internationally. Secular recordings also take place here.
Topography
The topography of Tiruvalla comprises plains, paddy fields, and small ranges. The major crops grown are rice, tapioca, coconuts, rubber, plantains, sugarcane and a variety of vegetables.
Major educational institutions in and around Tiruvalla
- Marthoma College, Kuttapuzha
- Mar Athanasios College for Advanced Studies (MACFAST), Tiruvalla
- Pushpagiri Medical College
- MGM Higher Secondary School (established in 1902), Market Jn
- Titus-2 Teachers Training College, SCS Campus
- Believers Church Residential School, Kuttapuzha
- St.Mary's College for Women
- Mar Thoma Academy, Near TMM Hospital
- Syrian Christian Seminary (SCS) Higher Secondary School
- DB Higher Secondary School, Kavumbhagom
- St Mary's Residential Central School, Paliakkara
- Balikamadom Girls Higher Secondary School, Tirumoolapuram
- Syrian Jacobite Public School
- Marthoma Residential School, Kuttapuzha
- Seventh Day Adventist Hr Secondary School, Kuttapuzha
- St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Thirumoolapuram
- Prince Marthanda Varma Higher Secondary School, Peringara
- Government Girls High School
- College of Engineering, Kalloopara (Managed By IHRD)
- Pamba DB College, Parumala
- NSS High School, Muthoor Jn
- Nicholson Syrian Girls Higher Secondary School, Meenthalakara
- CMS High School
- SNVS High School, Tirumoolapuram
- Christ Central School, Muthoor Jn
- Balabhavan LP School, Manipuzha
- Sree Sankara Vidyapeedom, Peringol
- Government LP School, Kavumbhagom
- College of Optometry, Eye Microsurgery and Laser Center
- Amrita Vidalayam, Thukalassery
- Salvation Army School
- Parumala mar Gregorious College Valanjavalth
- K.S.G.H.S.S Kadapra
- SSKG & UP School, Meenthalakara
- AMM Bible College, Meenthalakara
Major Hospitals in and around Tiruvalla
- (upcoming) Believers Church Healthcare Multi Speciality Hospital
- Pushpagiri Medical College
- Thiruvalla Medical Mission Hospital
- Government Taluk Hospital
- Vasan Eye Care Super Speciality Eye Hospital
- GK Hospital
- Aswathibhavan Chikitsa Nilayam
- Sudarshanam Netra Chikitsalayam, Meenthalakara
- Mulamoottil Eye Hospital
- Mary Queens Allergy Speciality Hospital
Famous Personalities from the Taluk
- H H Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, former Catholicos of India and All the East
- Kandathil Varghese Mappillai, founder of "Malayala Manorama"
- Kandathil K M Mammen Mappilai, nephew of K V Mappillai
- Raghavan Nambiar, Villuvarvattathu, veteran poet who suggested the name "Malayala Manorama" for the famous daily
- Fr Iype Thoma Kovoor-Pioneer of Marthoma Church in Tiruvalla
- E M Kovoor, Jurist, famous writer and novelist
- Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri, veteran poet
- P. Unnikrishnan Nair, Niranasseril, historian
- Kaviyoor Shivarama Iyer, Sanskrit scholar, writer
- Kochu Kunju Vaidian, MLC, Sri Moolam Praja Sabha, ex-counsellor of Tiruvalla Municipality, founder of the SNV Sanskrit School
- C.P. Mathen (1890–1960), pioneering banker and founder of the Quilon Bank, Member of Parliament from Mavelikkara Constituency to the first Lok Sabha (1952), Indian Ambassador to the Sudan (1957)
- P C Thomas, MLA 1980-82 JNP & 1982-87 IND
- E John Jacob, MLA 1965-1979, Kerala Congress, Former Agriculture Minister of Kerala
- G Padmanabhan Thampi, MLA 1957-1960, Communist Party of India
- P Chacko, MLA 1947 (Kallooppara Constituency) 1954 and 1960–1965, (Tiruvalla Constituency) Indian National Congress, Member Member Moral Rearmament (MRA) led by Rajmohan Gandhi and member AICC, Orator, a passionate teacher High School Headmaster, dedicated his life for the upliftment of the downtrodden, a social reformer
- V.P.P. Nampoothiri, former MLC, founder of Nampoothiris college.
- Adv Mammen Mathai Former MLA
- Mathew T. Thomas, MLA 2006–present & 1987-1991, Janata Dal, Former Transport Minister of Kerala (2006–2009)
- Alexander Karackal, Former Pro Vice Chancellor of Kannur University and former Sabha Secretary of The Indian Orthodox Church
- Olympian Pappan (Thiruvalla Pappan), a famous football player who represented the Indian team in London (1948).[4]
- Kunnumpurathu Kurien Thomas, Limca Record Holder in Mathematical Mental Calculation
- John Sankaramangalam, Former Director, Film & Television Institute of India, Pune
- C. K. Ra, famous artist
- Abu Abraham, famous cartoonist
- Kakkanadan, novelist and writer
- Abraham Kovoor, famous hypnotherapist and rationalist
- M. G. Soman, movie actor
- Nadiya Moythu, movie actress
- Meera Jasmine(Jasmine Mary Joseph), movie actress
- Nayantara(Diana Mariam Kurien, Kodiyattu), movie actress
- Kaveri, movie actress
- Kaviyoor Ponnamma, movie actress
- Aswathi Kurup (Paarvathi) (actor Jayaram's wife) Madathil, Kaviyoor, movie actress
- Chippy, movie actress
- Shobhana, National Award Winner (Manichithrathazhu), Narayana Mangalam, Madathil, Kaviyoor
- Shalini, movie actress
- Shamili, movie actress
- K. G. George, movie director
- Blessy (Blessy Iype Thomas), movie director
- John Abraham, movie director
- Babu Thiruvalla, movie director and producer
- Thomas Thiruvalla, movie producer
- Ajith Abraham George Sankaramangalam, senior sound recordist (Vismaya Max, Media Artists, Department of Sacred Music and Communications)
Major shopping centres in Tiruvalla
- Club 7 Shopping Mall
- Jolly Silks/Joy Alukkas
- Josco Jewellers
- Malabar Gold
- Kalyan silks/Kalyan Jewellers
- Mahalekshmi Silks
- Rajan Jewellers/Vijayalakshmi Silks
- Deepa Towers
- Elite plaza
- Sky Jewellery
- Karikkineth silks
- Chalakuzhy Bazaar
- KSRTC Shopping Mall (coming soon)
- Bhima Jewellers (coming soon)
- Pulimoottil Silks (coming soon)
Attractions at Tiruvalla
- Shri Vallabha Maha Kshetram (alternatively called the Tiruvalla Temple), one of the 108 divine Vishnu deshas in India. The Flagpost of the Thiru Vallabha Temple was carved out from a single rock with a Garudan at the top, created by the legendary "Perumthachan". The one and only one temple at which "KATHAKALI" is played everyday.
- The St George Simhasana church belongs to the Syrian-Orthodox Church under the Holy See of Antioch and all the East.
- Dharma Shasta Temple Meenthalakkara
- Niranam church: Est:A.D 54 by St. Thomas. Has a museum.
- Parumala Church: Burial place of St.Gregorios, the first proclaimed Saint from India.
- Paliakkara Church: First church of Tiruvalla. It attracts many tourists because of the marvellous murals on the eastern wall of its altar. Also thousands, regardless of religion, come and pray for the intercession of St. George here.
- Paliakkara Palace
- Chakkulathu kavu Bhagavathi Temple
- Kaviyoor Hanuman Temple
- Kaviyoor Thrikkalkudi (തൃക്കല്ക്കുടി )Cave Temple. The Cave Temple is one of the rare cave temples of Kerala. It is assumed that this temple is constructed in the Pallava architectural style and was built in the 8th century.
- Club 7: (Shopping Mall in Kerala with a Three Star Hotel - A Sky Group Venture)
- Metal Casting Centres, Mannar
- St. Johns Cathdral Church, Tiruvalla
- CSI St.Thomas Church Tholassery
- St,Mary's Orthodox Church Venpala
- "Kadalimagalam Padayani", one of the great folk-performing-art centers, with all traditional forms of art conducted in the Kadalimangalam Devi Temple during March and April every year. The ten-day-long festival is conducted by the people of two local karas, namely Eruvellipara and Venupala. The rare and great Padayani Koolam, namely 'KALAYAKSHI', is performed here. It is the right of two families, namely Mukkanjirathu and Pullenplavil of the two karas, to perform this 'KALAYAKSHI KOOLAM'.
- St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Kallooppara, situated on the banks of the river Manimala, is one of the oldest and renowned churches of Malankara Sabha. The church has a legacy of around seven centuries, keeping its tradition and culture intact without compromising on its religious values.
Subdivisions of Tiruvalla Taluk
- Amallor
- Meenthalakkara
- Kuttappuzha
- Eraviperoor
- Kaviyoor
- Koipuram
- Othera
- Thiruvalla
- Thottapuzhasserry
- Kadapra
- kumbanad
- Kuttoor
- Nedumpuram
- Niranam
- Peringara
- Pullad
- Kavumbhagom
- Thiruvanvandoor
- Mallappally
- Kizhakkummuri
- Mathilbhagom
- Kattookara
- Thollassery
- Thirumoolapuram
- Vallamkulam
- Thiruvamanapuram
- Thuruthiyilbhagom
PIN Codes
- Thiruvalla 689101
- Anjilithanam 689582
- Kavumbhagom 689102
- Kuttapuzha {Kizhekkenmuthoor} 689103
- Manjadi Junction (Meenthalakara)689105
- Muthoor 689107
- R.S.P.O. {Kuttapuzha} 689111
- Pullad 689548
- Kumbanad 689547
- Thadiyoor 689545
- Valanjavattom 689104
- Karackal, Peringara 689108
- Podiyadi 689110
- Thirumoolapuram 689115
- Chathankari 689112
- Kutoor 689106
- Alanthuruthy, Azhyadathuchira 689113
- Venpala 689114- Kuttor panchyath
- Azyidathuchira 689113
- Vallamkulam(nannoor) 689541
- Eraviperoor 689542
- Othera 689546
- Nedumpuram 689578
- Kaviyoor 689580
- Mepral 689591
- Mundiappally 689593
- M.North 689543
References
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ↑ Shree Vallabha Mahakshethra Charitham, P. Unnikrishnan Nair
- ↑ "ORDER NO. 9 - TABLE A & B – ASSEMBLY AND PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES AND THEIR EXTENT" (PDF). Kerala. DELIMITATION COMMISSION OF INDIA. Retrieved 2005-05-31.
- ↑ "This Tiruvalla Defender Stood Like a Wall in London Olympics". The New Indian Express. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thiruvalla. |
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Edathua | Changanassery | Mallapally | |
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Pullad | ||
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| Mavelikkara | Chengannur | Kozhencherry |
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