Shoranur

Shoranur
—  Town  —
Shoranur
Coordinates: 10.77°N 76.28°E / 10.77; 76.28
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Palakkad
Government
• chairman	M. R. Murali
Area
• Total	32.28 km2 (12.46 sq mi)
Elevation	49 m (161 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	42,022
• Density	1,302/km2 (3,370/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	679121
Telephone code	0466
Sex ratio	1000:1096 ♂/♀
Website	www.shornurmunicipality.in

Shoranur (Malayalam: ഷൊര്‍ണൂര്‍) is a small town and a municipality in Palakkad district, in the Indian state of Kerala, located on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River. It covers 32.28 km². It is a major transport hub, hosting the largest railway station in the state. Kerala Kalamandalam, the premier centre for classical arts such as Kathakali and Koodiyattam, is located at Cheruthuruthi, across the river.

Etymology

'Shornur' is believed to have originated from Cheruvannur, as attested in Revenue and Railway records.

Geography

Shoranur is located at 10.77°N 76.28°E / 10.77; 76.28. It has an average elevation of 49 metres (160 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Shoranur had a population of 42,022. Males constitute 48% of the population. The average literacy rate was 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy was 85%, and female, 82%. 10% of the population is under the age of 6. The population is predominantly Hindu with sizable Muslim and Christian minorities.

History

Shoranur was a part of Kavalappara Desam which was a petty feudatory under the Raja of Valluvanad (Valluvakonathari). It extended from Bharatapuzha to Mundakkottukurussi. The feudal lord was Moopil Nair. The area passed on to the hands of Samoothiri of Kozhikode with the fall of Valluvanad. Moopil Nair, who became the vassal of Samoothiri, wielded some of his powers till the advent of British dominion. The palace of Moopil Nair can be seen near the Eruppe Siva temple on Shoranur-Kavalappara road.

With the British conquest of Malabar, Shoranur became a part of Madras Presidency. Under British rule Shoranur came into prominence, at the border of the British empire and the erstwhile states of Kochi and Travancore. With the advent of railways it became one of Kerala's most important towns.

Metal industries developed during the early 1930s ushered in a golden age for the town.

Post-Independence with the formation of the state of Kerala, the town became a part of Palakkad district.

Starting from the early 1980s the town slowly started to decline, first with the construction of a link line 1 km from the railway station and then driven by labour issues in the industrial sector, sending the local economy into stagnation.

Industries

Shornur is a part of the Palakkad industrial belt, containing one of the district's three industrial estates. The primary products are agricultural tools consisting of axes, shovels, sickles, spades, etc. The products are widely sold domestically and exported.

History

C. K. Menon, who trained in metallurgy in Sheffield (U.K.) was the pioneer in this field. In 1929 he set up Shornur's first industrial unit. His success was followed by others setting up similar industries. The railway ushered in a wider market and easy availability of raw materials.

Industries flourished during the Second World War and after independence. This continued till the late seventies and early eighties but the 1980s Persian Gulf boom created a labour shortage which pushed the industries into severe losses. The early 21st century ushered in hope as the labour situation improved.

Transport

Shornur Junction is the largest Railway Junction in Kerala with seven platforms and 4 railway lines (to Palakkad, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Nilambur). Most of the main line trains operating in Kerala pass through the town. The station serves as a major transit point for the passengers from the Malabar region.

Triangular station

People of Shornur have been demanding for a triangular railway station as many of the long distance trains skip Shornur via the link route, 1 km from the station. When the triangular station is built it will be the second largest railway station in South India.^{[citation needed]}

Shornur has two municipal bus stands - one at Shornur and other at Kulappully. There are regular private bus services from these bus stands to Thrissur, Palakkad, Ottapalam, Guruvayur, Pattambi, Cherpulachery and Chelakkara.Kulappulli is the starting point of the Kulapully-Palakkad highway which was constructed under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP). Long distance bus transport is provided by KSRTC. Mayilvahanam group, which is the largest bus operator in the region is based here.

The nearest airport is at Calicut (73 km).

Politics

Shornur became a municipality in 1978 and is divided into 27 electoral wards. It is a part of Shornur Legislative Assembly Constituency and Palakkad Parliamentary Constituency.

Major industrial units

• South India Metal Company
• the metal industries
• Sree Narayana Metal Industries

Other enterprises

• Government press
• Preesa Foods & Spices (i) Pvt Ltd
• Mayilvahanam Group
• Sankar foundries
• Nila group
• Kelco Group, Vallapuzha,
• Lilacc'z Design India Pvt Ltd
• Infinisgroup, Shoranur
• Concepts Unlimited
• Karippal Motors
• RK Constructions

Educational institutions

• Al Ameen Engineering College
• Ariyanchira UP School
• B.E.M.L.P School (CSI School)
• St.Theresa's Convent School
• M.P.M.M.S.N Trust college
• S.N Trust Central School
• S.N Trust H S S
• Technical High School
• Maharishi Vidya Mandir
• Carmel School
• Vishnu Ayurveda College
• chalavara higher secondary school
• K.V.R High School
• Govt. High School Ganeshgiri
• jyoti engineering college
• ICCONS Kavalapara
• IPT & GPT College Red gate
• Lilacc'z Institute of Design
• NI English School

Other amenities

• The Shornur fire station is located at Kulappulli.
• P K Das institute of medical sciences located 5 km from Shornur at Vaniamkulam on the Kulappulli-Palakkad highway.
• Dr j family dental clinic.

Tourist attractions

• Indian Institute of Panchakarma, Shornur
• Kerala Kalamandalam 2 km en route to Thrissur
• Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam
• Kayiliyad Pooram

See also

• Shornur Junction
• Valluvanad
• Palakkad district
• Kulappulli