Kuravilangad

Kuravilangad
town

Cross in front of the Marth Mariam Syro- Malabar Catholic Church
Kuravilangad

Location in Kerala, India

Coordinates: 9°45′0″N 76°33′0″E / 9.75000°N 76.55000°ECoordinates: 9°45′0″N 76°33′0″E / 9.75000°N 76.55000°E
Country  India
State Kerala
District Kottayam
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 686633
Telephone code 04822
Vehicle registration KL-67
Nearest city Kottayam, Muvattupuzha
Literacy 99.12%
Lok Sabha constituency Kottayam
Website www.kuravilangad.com

Kuravilangad (in Malayalam : കുറവിലങ്ങാട്) is a town located in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. The town is situated in the Meenachil Taluk, about 22 km north of Kottayam, and is the largest town in the northenpart of Kottayam district.It includes entire kuravilangad panchayath and areas like kattampack, kappumthala, vakkad, kurianad, mannakkanad, elakkad and kalathoor. Kuravilangad is known as "The Vatican of India". Kuravilangad is also known as "Kizhakkinte Lourde", "Kuravilla Naad", "Kuravilla Angadi".

The church at Kuravilangad was constructed in the third century, just one hundred years before Constantine declared Christianity as the official religion in the Roman Empire.[1]

The land is blessed by the esteemed presence of St. Mary’s Forane Church.According to tradition prevalent in Kuravilangad the church was founded in 345 A.D It is believed, Mother Mary's first appearance in the world, was in Kuravilangad. Our Lady appeared to a few children at Kuravilangad, who were tending their flock in the bushes. Our Lady asked them to build a church at the place from where a miraculous perpetual spring sprouted, a spring which exists even today. The children reported the events to the elders and a church was built there. The church is noted for its old bell, which contains inscriptions belonging to some unknown script. Another significant artifact is a model of a ship made from wood.

St. Mary's Parish at Kuravilangad tried its level best to add splendor to Moonnu Nompu (three-day lent) functions during Lent. A forty feet wooden ship, beautifully built with prow, stern, masts and rigging, having on one side an effigy of Jonah being vomited by the fish as per the orders of the Lord, and on the deck wooden mariners in western costume, has been for centuries the centre of attraction in the midday procession. Amidst the surging mass of humanity the spectacle makes one imagine that the sea is furious, the waves are beating against the sides of the ship and violent winds rip the sails out of control. The people of the Kadappoor (കടപ്പൂര്‍) locality has the privilege to carry the vessel during the procession. This privilege is start from the 400 AD. The festival is marked by inter-religious harmony and mutual cooperation, as the inhabitants of the neighboring villages participate in the festivities. Nowadays, the Ettu nompu [eight days of lent] is also observed.St.Paul's CMS Anglican Church,Vakkadu is an ancient Anglican Church in Kerala.

Kuravilangad is the local hub of education, which caters education to students from both Kottayam and Ernakulam District. Notable educational institutes include Deva Matha College ,St Marys's HS, St. Marys Girls High School The 10th President of India, Kocheril R. Narayanan matriculated from St. Mary's High School, Kuravilangad (1936–38).

Art and culture

Dr. K. R. Narayanan: The former president of Republic India. He is from Kuravilangad. He did his schooling from St. Mary's Boys High School, Kuravilangad.

Mahima Release: Mahima Release was a Malayalam Cinema production company based on Kuravilangad. Owned by PVJ Group (Palackalody Varkey Joseph Group)

Prof. Babu Namboothiri: Famous Malayalam actor Prof. Babu Namboothiri is from Kuravilangad, He was a Chemistry Professor of Devamatha College, Kuravilangad.

Prof. Dr. Chandradasan: Famous Theatre artist and director Prof. Dr. Chandradasan has roots in Kuravilangad where his childhood was filled with a kind of community life. Chandradasan won the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi award in 2004 for his contribution to theatre.

http://lokadharmi.org/director.htm

References

  1. ↑ University of Dayton

External links

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