Thrippunithura

Thrippunithura Thrippunithura തൃപ്പൂണിത്തുറ
city
Population  (2001)
• Total	59,881

Thrippunithura or Tripunithura (Malayalam: തൃപ്പൂണിത്തുറ) is a suburb of Cochin city and a municipality in Ernakulam District in the Indian State of Kerala. It was the capital of erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin. The descendants of the Cochin royal family still live here. The Hill Palace situated near Thripunithura was the palace of Maharaja of Cochin ,the ruler of Kingdom of Cochin.

Etymology

There are many stories that describe the origin of the word Thripunithura. Some latter day Sanskrit enthusiasts ascribe the origin of the name to "Poorna Veda Puri" - the town of Vedas in its entirety. Another possible origin to name comes from the meaning "the land on the shores of Poorna river".

Other stories play on the pun of "Pooni" or "Pooneeram" which means quiver. One of them relates that Arjuna - one of Pandavas - who once visited Lord Vishnu was given an idol and Arjuna carried it in his "pooni" (quiver). While searching for a place to install it, he met Lord Ganapati and sought help. Ganapati found this place and the idol was installed. Another story of the same variety is as follows. At the end of Dwaparayuga, the period of Lord Krishna, the Lord himself presented an idol to Arjuna, one of the Pandavas, and asked him to install it in a proper place. He kept the idol in a bag used to keep arrows, which was called Pooneeram in local language. When he reached the place, he shouted Pooneeram Thura means 'open the bag' in local language. Thus the name Poonithura has come, according to this story.

But all these stories do not take into account the actual meaning of "thura". "Thura" means port where the backwaters open to the sea. This is the portion of the land and water body which is suitable for the launching and parking of boats. The word: "Thuramukham" which means the face of such opening to the sea is used in Malayalam to denote 'port' or 'harbour'. The original Tamil or Dravidian word is "Thurai". Poonithura is just another port or "thura" in the west coast like Poonthura, Vettuthura, Perumathura, etc. The significance of the word 'Pooni' is yet to be established. The waterbodies in the area point to the presence of a thura in the location, before Kochi Azhi was created by a devastating flood.

When the Kings of erstwhile cochin Dynasty made this place their capital, The area where the palaces and the fort are constructed came to known as Thiru Poonithura as the word "Thiru" shows respect. In due course it became Tripunithura.

Townscape

• Fort (Kottakagam)
• North Fort Gate (Vadakkekotavathil)
• East Fort Gate (Kizhakkekottavathil)
• Thamaramkulangara
• Nadama Thekkumbhagom
• Chakkamkulangara
• Kannamkulangara
• Statue circle and main market
• Eroor
• Palliparambu Kavu
• SN Junction
• Maradu
• Thiruvankulam
• Hill Palace

Culture and Contemporary Life

The 'Raja nagari' or the royal city is one of the most prominent centers of traditional kerala cultural heritage. The erstwhile rulers of Kingdom of Cochin were great patrons of art. This made fine arts and architecture flourish under them in many ways. The town is also a prominent centre of learning for classical arts like Carnatic music, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam besides percussion instruments like mridangam, chenda and maddalam. Much of this is facilitated by the RLV College of Music and Institute of Fine Arts was established here in 1956.. Another center of learning is Kalmandalam. Tripunithura also has many dedicated centers for stage performances and promotion of art.

The culture and surprisingly many aspects of the life of a typical person here is intrinsically bound to temples and surroundings. In the current 'modern' age fine arts and art forms are still promoted and sustained by temples in and around Tripunithura.

Tripunithura is the place where the legendary artiste couple of Kathakali maestro Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair and Mohiniyattam doyenne Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma lived for long. KJ Yesudas is another famous artist who learned and grew intripunithura.

Tripunithura is also a prominent center of Ayurveda. One of the three Ayurveda colleges in Kerala is located in the town.It also has attached hospital to it. One of the famous celebration "Atha Chamayam" takes place in this town during Onam festival.

Places of Worship

Sree Poornathrayesa Temple

Main article: Sree Poornathrayesa temple

Caparisoned elephants during Sree Poornathrayesa temple

Thripunithura is also known as the Land of temples. The famous Sree Poornathrayesa temple is one of them.Sree Poornathrayeesa, the deity of Poornathrayeesa temple, is in the form of "Santhana Gopala Moorthy" as told in the Bhagavatha. It is believed those worship him truly, will be blessed with children.It is also believed that the temple Thantri's family, (belonging to puliyannoor mana) is the next generations of the Brahmana of the Santhana Gopalam story.

Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharma Sastha temple

Main article: Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharma Sastha temple

Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharma Sastha temple is among the most prominent temples in Tripunithura. The deity is Lord Ayyapa in the form of Dharmasastha. According to anecdotes Lord Dharma Sastha of Chamravattom (in Malappuram District) followed one of his Priests from Morakkala Mana who had shifted to Tripunithura. Lord Sastha assumed the form of a lizard and came with the priest comfortably by sitting on his traditional umbrella made up of palm leaves.Though the temple is owned by Uranma Devaswom Board, almost all the affairs are managed by THAMARAMKULANGARA AYYAPPA SEVA SAMITHY (TASS), a voluntary organization led by local people. The main festival of the temple is 5 day 'Makaravilaku' festival culminating on Makar Sankranthi in Zodiac calendar(Falls around Jan 15th).

Ameda Temple

Ameda Temple which is situated in Puthiyakavu is one of the few Nagaraja temples in Kerala. It is situated in Puthiyakavu. The deity here is Nagaraja and also many other gods like Nagayakshi, Shiva and Vigneshwara. The temple has Vembanad Lake near it.

Muthukulangara Santhana Gopala Sree Krishna Swami Temple

The main deity in Muthukulangara Temple is Maha Vishnu in the form of Santhana Gopala. It is situated in Eroor. There is a legend behind the temple which makes it more special to married women who want nice babies.. It is said that wife of a Brahmin at Puliyannur Illam in Thripunithura, was not lucky enough to have a live baby. Whenever she delivered, the child will die. The Brahmin prayed to Arjuna the great warrior of 'pancha-pandavas' to save his 10th child. Arjuna promised him to save the child. Even in the presence of Arjuna, the child vanished after the birth. Arjuna tried to trace the way child vanished and they both, the brahmin and Arjunan went to Vaikundam the place of Maha Vishnu. There they saw Bhagawan and Lakshmidevi was surrounded by the ten babies of the Brahmin. Vishnu handed over an two idols and the babies to Arjuna. The place where they get down is known as Muthukulangara and arjuna placed one idol at the point they landed and later that were realised as Muthukulengara Santhanagopla Khsetram. This is one of the famous temple with daily " Thanthri Pooja".

Other Main Temples include

• Kannankulangara Temple
• Kodankulangara Temple
• Chakkamkulangara Temple
• Ayani Temple
• Airettil Temple
• Pavamkulangara Temple
• Tharmekkavu Temple
• Thevarakkavu Temple
• Sharil Temple
• Pottayil Temple
• Adampillykavu Temple
• Palliparambukavu Temple
• Marankulangara Sree Krishna Temple
• Puthiyakavu Bhagawati Temple
• Nadakkavu Temple
• Muthukulangara Temple

Tripunithura also has many churches including St. Mary's Forane Church and many other churches. Tripunithura is also divine with mosques including one in Pettah.

Sports

Thrippunithura Cricket Club

• 
  Thripunithura Cricket Club Name Board
• 
  Club House
• 
  Palace Oval Cricket Ground maintained by the Cricket Club
• 
  Cricket nets at Club Ground
• 
  Club Ground Pavillion
• 
  Scoreboard at Ground

Restaurants and hotels

There are a few choices in the market area, but in general Tripunithura does not have too wide a selection of restaurants and hotels. The Bharath Cafe near the Sree Poornathrayesa temple offers excellent vegetarian choices, and is popular for its sweets. Expect basic service at all places. The Statue Junction of the town is filled with lots of refreshment centres including Restaurants and Juice bars. The main lodgings available are in Vadakkekota - Prasanth Hotel and also many others. Abhishekam Convention Hall is one of the meeting halls available in Tripunithura.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Tripunithura had a population of 59,881. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Thrippunithura has an average literacy rate of 87%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 88%, and female literacy is 86%. In Tripunithura, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education

Tripunithura also has a lot of Educational institutions which also makes it a place for outsiders to come and study. Primary, High and Higher Secondary education is available in many schools. Government schools function in Tripunithura including One Girls High School and a Boys High School and also Palace School. Many other schools like Convent School and Venkiteshwara School also provide education to children. Other than this many CBSE schools like Choice School,Chinmaya Vidyalaya,Bhavans Vidya Mandir and Nair Society Service Higher Secondary School also function in various parts of the town to provide the necessary basics and also higher education for children. The landmark of the town is the RLV Music College which to provide proteges with the necessary information in music and has also produced many great singers. Other institutions include Sanskrit College, NSS College for Women.

Geography

Thrippunithura is surrounded by Stretches of Vembanad Lake and Canals which Sustains inland navigation.The Town is situated almost sealevel.8 meters above Mean Sea Level.The Town is continued to the East Till Thiruvankulam.

Neighbouring cities & towns

Transport

Tripunithura has a main bus-stand in its main centre with buses going from and coming into from different locations. Furthermore, it has bus-stops in almost every part of the town which makes travel by bus easier. Railway transport is also available.NH 49 passes through Karingachira.Ernakulam-Ettumanoor State Highway also Passes through Thrippunithura.

Royal Heritage

Main article: Cochin Royal Family

See also: Kingdom of Cochin

• 
  Raj Bhavan Palace, Thripunithura
• 
  Edoop Palace (North), Thripunithura.
• 
  The Royal Theatre or Kalikkotta Palace
• 
  Thattu Malikka or Royal Balcony for Royal Family to view Sree Poornathrayesa temple festivals
• 
  The entrance to Amma Thampuran Kovilakam (Palace No 31M), the ancestral home of Cochin Royal Family, near Sree Poornathrayesa temple

Misc Pictures

• 
  Iron Bridge at Thripunithura
• 
  Clock Tower in front of Sree Poornathrayisa Temple
• 
  RLV College of Fine Arts
• 
  Statue of Maharaja Rama Varma (Chowarayil Theepetta Maharaja) at Statue Junction, Thripunithura
• 
  Thripunithura Junction

External links

• Tripunithura.net (The palace city of Kerala)
• Cochin Royal Family Historical Society website
• Cochin Royal Family website
• Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharmasastha Temple
• Thiruvankulam.net (All about Thiruvankulam)
• KochiCity.net (All about Kochi City)