Edava

Edava
ഇടവ‌
Edava
village
Edava

Location in Kerala, India

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 (Malayalam: ഇടവ) 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 Historical references show that during the rule of Queen Umayamma one `Mughal Sardar' attacked Venad in the year 1680.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 Pandakasaala (warehouse) near what is now called Vettakkada, close to the Arabian Sea. But even before the setting up of this Pandakasaala, Denmark traders had constructed a trading hub over there. K P Padmanabha Menon, in his seminal work, Kerala History, has quoted English army captain Alexander Hamilton as saying that 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 is the Malayalam for warehouse.

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. Books printed at this press used to be sent to even in the present-day Pakistan.

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 believes, 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 alike within the Communist party for his impeccable credentials and unblemished political career.

Geography

Kappil Beach & Estuary
Arabian Sea view from the Redhills, Vettakada

Edava boasts of beautiful beaches and serene backwaters. The bucolic beauty of the village provides an ethereal and other-worldly experience to discerning tourists as well as people from the neighbouring villages. The much-celebrated estuary that links Edava-Nadayara lake to the Arabian sea here is another major attraction, which adds to the rustic beauty of this village. 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.

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 Paravur 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 which is having stops for almost 90% trains and it is the most important station between Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station and Kollam Junction railway station. Varkala Railway Station is just 3 km away from Edava.

The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 55 km from Edava.

Lakes

Edava-Nadayara Lake View from Varkala-Paravoor Road Bridge

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:

UN-AIDED Schools

Places of worship

Palakkav Temple Festival
Festival Season

Major mosques and temples :

Hospitals

The nearest hospital is at Varkala - Mangala Hospital, S.N. Medical Mission and Government Hospital Varkala

Prominent people