Kothamangalam, Kerala
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| Kothamangalam | |
| — municipality and town — | |
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| Coordinates | 10°4′48″N 76°37′12″E / 10.08°N 76.62°ECoordinates: 10°4′48″N 76°37′12″E / 10.08°N 76.62°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| District(s) | Ernakulam |
| Member of Legislative Assembly | Chev. Dr. T. U. Kuruvilla |
| Chairperson, Kothamangalam Municipality | K P Babu |
| President, Kothamangalam Block Panchayat | K A Jacob |
| Population • Density |
37,173 (2001[update]) • 948 /km2 (2,455 /sq mi) |
| Sex ratio | 102.05 ♂/♀ |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area | 37.45 square kilometres (14.46 sq mi) |
| Website | [Kothamangalam http://www.kothamangalammunicipality.in/ [Kothamangalam]] |
Kothamangalam (Malayalam: കോതമംഗലം) is a town located in eastern part of Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala situated 45 km north east of Kochi City. It is located around 12 km north east to the town of Muvattupuzha. The town is situated in the foothills of the Western Ghats mountain ranges. It is also known as The Gateway to the High Ranges. The highway NH-49 Ernakulam - Madurai- Rameswaram passes through this town.
The town serves as the headquarters of a taluk and a municipality of the same name. Kothamangalam is known as a trading center for spices and forest products. It is also famous for its ancient Christian churches.
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[edit] History
According to the available historical evidence, Kothamangalam was a place of prominence during the rule of the First Chera Dynasty, the dynasty that ruled Kothamangalam from around 300 BC to the first millennium. Cheras were also known as Kothai. The capital of Chera Kingdom was Karur. This has led some historians like Professor Joseph Mundasseri, Kanakasabha etc. to claim that Thrikkariyoor, a village 3 km north of Kothamangalam could have been the ancient Karur, the capital of Cheras. This claim has not found wide support. Several historians[who?] believe Karur (or 'Vanchi' or 'Muziris') was near the present-day Pattanam (North Paravur).
It is evident from the Sangam literature of the period and the archeological finds from the area prove that the place had, indeed, been an important town during the rule of Chera kingdom. The description of some places mentioned in Silappatikaram fits the description of places adjoining Kothamangalam. The Siva temple at Thrikkariyoor dates back to the early centuries of first millennium. Thrikkariyoor also has one of the earliest Brahmin settlements in Kerala. Chelamalai, near Bhoothathankettu in Kothamangalam is regarded by some as the Summer Palace of Cheras. Stone ruins are found there and Nanangadis (Burial urns) have been excavated from the place.
Egyptian coins of 7th and 8th century were recovered from places near Kothamangalam in 1962. The ancient trade route to Madhurai was also through Kothamangalam. The popularity of Kothamangalam during the past is evident from the old Malayalam saying, 'Ethappaa Kothamangalam?' which means 'Where is Kothamangalam?' — used in dialogues to indicate that the person to whom this is asked is so ignorant that he does not know where Kothamangalam is.
St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ, who introduced Christianity to India, is believed to have visited Kothamangalam and converted several families to the Christian faith. St Mary's Church (popularly called 'Valiyapally') belonging to the Jacobite Syrian Church is believed to have been established during 4th century AD by a few Syrian families in the area. As per the available records the valiyapally is constructed under the leadership of Kattachirayil Kurian Koruthu with three other families: Nellimattom, Nedumchalil and Pothanikad (Unnoopattu). A division happened among the members of the church regarding the marriage of the daughter of Kattachirayil Avira Kuruvila. Eighteen members in the church opposed four families (Kattachirayil, Pothanickad, Nellimattom and Nedumchalil) and this divided group established one cross near the church. Later, these eighteen families construct a church like the parent church in the name of St. Thomas. The Marthoman CheriyaPally was built during AD 1455 by some members (initiated by a priest from Chelattu family) of St Mary's Church. This church is the resting place of Catholicos Baselios Eldho, a saint of the Jacobite church. The church is a very popular Christian pilgrimage centre in Kerala.
Later, the importance of Kothamangalam dwindled. Kothamangalam was under the rule of some Karthavu families later Travancore kings until India became independent. Then it became a part of the Travancore-Cochin state and later, Kerala when the state was formed in 1957. Kothamangalam taluk was created on January 26, 1972; it included parts of the Muvattupuzha taluk. It was composed of Kothamangalam, Keerampara, Kottapady, Pindimana, Nellikuzhi, Pothanicad, Varappetty, Kadavoor and Pallarimanagalam villages. Later Neriamangalam and Thrikkariyoor were added to the taluk in 1981 and kuttampuzha in 1997 also. Kothamangalam became a municipality in 1978. Later, Commander T.M Jacob of Kerala Congress (Jacob) and Chev. Dr. T. U. Kuruvilla of Kerala Congress (Joseph) who were the Members of Legislative Assembly representing Kothamangalam became ministers in the state government.
[edit] Geography
Kothamangalam is situated in the eastern part of the Ernakulam district.Kothamangalam is known as the Gateway of Highrange. According to the division of the geographical regions of Kerala to High-lands, Mid-lands and Low-lands, Kothamangalam is located in a Mid-land region.[1] The general topography is hilly. The Munnar hill station is located around 85 kilometres from Kothamangalam.
The river Periyar, the largest river in Kerala, flows through the taluk. The dams built across Periyar at Edamalayar, Lower Periyar (near Neriamangalam) and Bhoothathankettu for hydroelectricity generation and irrigation purposes are located in the Kothamangalam taluk. Kothamangalamar, a small river which flows through the town goes to join Kaliyar and Thodupuzhayar to form the river Muvattupuzha which is the second largest river in Ernakulam district.
The taluk is rich in flora and fauna. Tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen and Moist deciduous forests are found in the region. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary located 13 km from the Kothamangalam town is the only bird sanctuary in Kerala. Several rare birds like Ceylon Frogmouth, Bourdillon’s Long eared Indian Nightjar, Peninsular Bay owl, Crimson throated barbet, Malabar hornbill are found here. The common animals found here include leopards, sloth bear, elephant, porcupine etc.
Laterite soil is the major soil type found in the taluk. Rubber and teak are extensively cultivated in plantations. The other crops include spices like pepper, coconut palms, tapioca, paddy, plantain and pulses. Allied agricultural activities like fishing, diary and poultry are also popular.
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Kothamangalam 
[edit] Climate
The climate of the region is tropical humid, with temperatures ranging from 20°C - 32°C. The hottest months are April–May and the coldest December–January. The region receives heavy annual rainfall of around 2500 – 3600 mm. The rainfall is mainly concentrated during the months from June to October. The best time to visit Kothamangalam is between October and March. The South-west monsoon and the Northeast monsoon bring rains to the region. Neriamangalam the border of Ernakulam and one of the most place got more rain during a year located 15 km away from Kothamangalam.
[edit] Demographics
Kothamangalam has a total population of 37,173 according to the 2001 census.,[2] 18,938 males and 18,775 females. There are 8,136 households in the Kothamangalam municipality. 31,223 people are literate.
The town's population predominantly consists of Hindu, along with sizable Christians and Muslims. The language Malayalam is used widely as in the rest of Kerala.
[edit] Administration
The Kothamangalam Municipality was formed in the year 1978 and is the headquarters of the Kothamangalam Taluk. The Municipality has an area of 37.45 km² and is divided into 31 electoral wards. Elections to the local self bodies are held once every 5 years. From the elected Municipal Councilors, a Chairman and Vice-Chairman is elected. The present Chairman of the Municipality is Mr. K.P. Babu and the Vice-Chairperson is Ms. Usha Davoo.
Kothamangalam is part of the Idukki Lok Sabha constituency.[3] iI was part of Idukki constituency. Kothamangalam is also represented in the Kerala Legislative Assembly as a constituency. The Grama Panchayats in Kothamangalam Taluk are Nellikuzhi, Kottapady, Pindimana, Varapetty, Pallarimangalam, Kavalangad, Keerampara, Kuttampuzha The block panchayat is also Kothamangalam.
[edit] Education
The education history of Kothamangalam is very closely related to the history of Mar Athanasius College of Arts (MA college), Mar Athanasius College of Engineering (MACE), Mar Basil School, St. George School, Mar Athanasius English Medium School and St. Augustine Girls High School. Yeldo Mar Baselios College
Mar Athanasius College came into being in 1956 after long years of untiring efforts of His Holiness Paulose Mar Athanasius, the Malankara Metropolitan, who in 1950 brought together a group of like-minded people who worked to the common end of establishing a institution par excellence. The group was constituted of Rev. Fr. Isaac V. Maliyil as convener, Sri. P.J. Varkey as treasurer, Sri V.P. Cheriyan as secretary and Sri A.P. Varghese as joint secretary. The acquisition of 65 acres of land for the college was facilitated by the efforts of Sri. M.P. Varghese as MLA and E. John Philiphose, the revenue minister. After several meetings and consultations, the Mar Athanasius College Association was constituted in 1953. His Grace Paulose Mar Philaxinose was elected as chairman, Dr. P.T. Thomas as vice chairman, Sri. M.P. Varghese (ex. M.L.A) as secretary, Sri. P.J. Varkey as treasurer and Fr. Isaac V. Maliyil, Sri. Kottalil P. Abraham and Sri. N.M. Chacko as members of the executive committee. Prof. Varghese's vision, dedication and hard work converted Mar Athanasius College as a reputed institutions at the national and international level.
St. George Higher Secondary School and Mar Basil Higher Secondary School are very famous in sports and and games besides academic performance. Mar Athanasius College of Engineering is one of the leading engineering college in the Kerala State, established in 1961. It is the first engineering college established under Christian management in Asia.[citation needed]
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