Tiruvalla

Tiruvalla
തിരുവല്ല
town
Tiruvalla

Location in Kerala, India

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)[1]
 • Total 52,883
Languages
 • Official

Malayalam, English

Literacy = 98.5%
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 689101
Telephone code 91-469
Vehicle registration KL-27
Nearest city Kollam (69 km)
Nearest Airport Cochin International Airport Limited
Website www.thiruvalla.co.in

Tiruvalla (alternately spelled Thiruvalla) 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 centre 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.Tiruvalla is a municipality that has the largest no of Banks.

Demographics

The city spans a geographic area of 27.94 km² with a population of 56,828 as of 2001.[2] 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

View over Tiruvalla: Stadium and outskirts

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. Maramon 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 (Thiruvalla-Kumbazha 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 such as: Mallappally, Kozhencherry, Ranni, Perunad, Manimala, Kottayam, Kayamkulam, Haripad, Mavelikkara, Ochira, Karunagapally, Thrikkunnapuzha, AayiramThengu, Kundara, Seethathodu, Chunkappara, Mundakkayam, Changanassery, and Chengannur. Thiruvalla KSRTC is the biggest depot in the 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. Most trains stop here. The major railway stations near Tiruvalla are Chengannur railway station and Kottayam railway station.

Airport

The nearest airports are Cochin International Airport (105 km) and Trivandrum airport (126 km). The proposed rural Aranmula International Airport would be the closest airport upon completion, at 18 km away.

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. 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). 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 (Vempolinadu Edathil Karthavu)[3] was the family name of the 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.[4] 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-Thukalassery 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. The 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.

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).[5] Current MLA is Adv.Mathew T Thomas. Current MP Pathanamthitta (Lok Sabha constituency) is Anto Antony

Religion

The pilgrimage center of Sabarimala is only about 100 km from Tiruvalla and Parumala Church, a major Christian pilgrimage center, is about 10 km from the town. The spiritual conventions at Maramon, Kalloopara, Kumbanad and Ayroor-Cherukolpuzha are all located east of Tiruvalla.

The Mar Thoma Church, the Believers Church, the St. Thomas Evangelical Church, the Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC) and the Sharon Fellowship Church have their headquarters in and around Tiruvalla. The headquarters of the Niranam diocese of Jacobite church, Orthodox Church and Syro Malankara Catholic Tiruvalla Archdiocese are also in Tiruvalla. The Niranam, Paliakkara, Kallooppara, Parumala and Parra churches are also common tourist destinations.

The city's Sree Vallabha temple is one of the famous Vishnu Mahakshetras of India. There is also a Sree Chakkulathukavu Devi temple located west of Thiruvalla thaluk.

Media

Tiruvalla is headquarters for two Malayalam satellite channels which cater to Christian Devotional content, Power Vision and 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.

Tiruvalla also has one of the first high-definition sound recording studios (the Department of Sacred Music and Communications), which caters primarily to the religious community internationally, though secular recordings also take place.

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

Major hospitals in and around Tiruvalla

Famous Personalities

Major shopping centres in Tiruvalla

Attractions at Tiruvalla

  1. 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.
  2. The St George Simhasana church belongs to the Syrian-Orthodox Church under the Holy See of Antioch and all the East.
  3. Dharma Shasta Temple Meenthalakkara
  4. Niranam church: Established in 54 CE by St. Thomas. Has a museum.
  5. Parumala Church: Burial place of St.Gregorios, the first proclaimed Saint from India.
  6. Paliakkara Church: First church of Tiruvalla. It attracts many tourists because of the marvellous murals on the eastern wall of its altar, and thousands, regardless of religion, come and pray for the intercession of St. George here.
  7. Paliakkara Palace
  8. Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathi Temple
  9. Kaviyoor Hanuman Temple
  10. 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.
  11. Metal Casting Centres, Mannar
  12. Believers Church, Kuttapuzha, Tiruvalla
  13. St. Johns Cathedral Church, Tiruvalla
  14. CSI St. Thomas Church, Tholassery
  15. St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Venpala
  16. "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'.
  17. 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.
  18. Parra Church

Subdivisions of Tiruvalla Taluk

  1. Amallor
  2. Meenthalakkara
  3. Kuttappuzha
  4. Eraviperoor
  5. Kaviyoor
  6. Koipuram
  7. Othera
  8. Thiruvalla
  9. Thottapuzhasserry
  10. Kadapra
  11. Kumbanad
  12. Kuttoor
  13. Nedumpuram
  14. Niranam
  15. Peringara
  16. Pullad
  17. Kavumbhagom
  18. Thiruvanvandoor
  19. Mallappally
  20. Kizhakkummuri
  21. Mathilbhagom
  22. Kattookara
  23. Thollassery
  24. Thirumoolapuram
  25. Vallamkulam
  26. Thiruvamanapuram
  27. Thuruthiyilbhagom

PIN Codes

  1. Thiruvalla 689101
  2. Anjilithanam 689582
  3. Kavumbhagom 689102
  4. Kuttapuzha {Kizhekkenmuthoor} 689103
  5. Manjadi Junction (Meenthalakara)689105
  6. Muthoor 689107
  7. R.S.P.O. {Kuttapuzha} 689111
  8. Kuttoor 689106
  9. Thadiyoor 689545
  10. Valanjavattom 689104
  11. Karackal, Peringara 689108
  12. Podiyadi 689110
  13. Thirumoolapuram 689115
  14. Chathankari 689112
  15. Pullad 689548
  16. Kumbanad 689547
  17. Alanthuruthy, Azhyadathuchira 689113
  18. Venpala 689114 - (Kuttoor panchyath)
  19. Azyidathuchira 689113
  20. Vallamkulam(nannoor) 689541
  21. Eraviperoor 689542
  22. Othera 689546
  23. Nedumpuram 689578
  24. Kaviyoor 689580
  25. Mepral 689591
  26. Mundiappally 689581
  27. M. North 689543

References

  1. ↑ http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=676380
  2. ↑ "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.
  3. ↑ P. Shungoonny Menon, A history of Travancore (first edition: 1878, new edition: 1983), page 130 and 131, ISBN 978-81-7020-040-6
  4. ↑ Shree Vallabha Mahakshethra Charitham, P. Unnikrishnan Nair
  5. ↑ "ORDER NO. 9 - TABLE A & B – ASSEMBLY AND PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES AND THEIR EXTENT" (PDF). Kerala. DELIMITATION COMMISSION OF INDIA. Retrieved 2005-05-31.
  6. ↑ "This Tiruvalla Defender Stood Like a Wall in London Olympics". The New Indian Express. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thiruvalla.
 Edathua Changanassery Mallapally
Mannar, Pullad
   Tiruvalla  
Mavelikkara Chengannur Kozhencherry