Kumbanad is a place in koipuram panchyath Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state, in India. It is a part of ThiruvallaTaluk.[1] It is situated on the Sabarimala pilgrimage route on the Thiruvalla - Kumbazha road (TK road / Sh-07).[2] Kumbanad is one of the wealthiest settlement in India.[3] It has also the highest number of Christian houses of worship in India, estimated to be around fifty, for the area of its size.[4][5]
Etymology
Kumbanad is derived from two words in malayalamKumbhi and Nadu, which together means the 'Land of elephants'. It is believed that many wild animals and elephants roamed about this place a hundred years back.[6][7]
History
It is believed that several centuries before, Kumbanad was a prosperous village occupied by upper caste Hindus. The many fresh water tanks found in and around Kumbanad are attributed to that period. The community perished possibly by invading tribesmen and the land turned into a forest inhabited by wild animals and elephants.
Economy
Remittance from NRIs is the primary source of income. The high amount of remittance makes Kumbanad one of the wealthiest region in the country. High number of ATMs and high bank density are also attributed to the large bank deposits. As of 2009, the deposits in banks for Kumband and around are estimated to be 5,400 Crore.[3]
There are other small business and services that depend on the foreign remittance. Since most of the emigrants are young and middle aged, most of the settled population are old-aged. There are services and health care units that cater to their needs.[4][5]
Interesting facts
Kumbanad's Central Junction (main kavala) serves as the meeting place. It is the very heart of this small town. Most of the shops and a mini Civil Station are all located near to the Central Jn. The main auto-rickshaw stand, taxi bay and kavala bus stop are located near the Central Jn. During after hours, a number of "Thattu Kadas"(Street Food Merchants) pop-up at the padinjare(West) junction, also known to locals as 'Star bakery junction'. The small fish market is located in Padinjare junction. Local private buses stop at the padinjare junction also.
Kumbanad kavala
Kumbanad has a high density of banks. This is due to a high influx of money from non-resident Indians (NRIs).
Almost every house in Kumbanad has a family member either in the Middle East, Far East (Malaysia, Singapore etc.), Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Australia or United States of America.
Fellowship Mission Hospital is the major hospital in Kumbanad. The other hospitals in the area are in Kozhencherry, Chengannur, Malakara and Thiruvalla.
Dharmagiri mandiram, an old age home is located 1 km away from the main kavala.
Noel Memorial High School and the Brethren English Medium High School are the main schools in Kumbanad.
The Hebronpuram Convention (IPC Convention) is held here annually in the month of January.
The largest Kerala brethren (Plymouth Brethren) Conference is held here in the last week of December every year. Kumbanadu Mar Thoma Valiapally is the oldest church in the town. The historic 110 years old Koorthamala Orthodox church is only 2 km away from kumbanad town. This is one among 5 churches left in kerala which shares church for both Orthodox and Marthoma.
Neighboring places include Arattupuzha, Muttumon, Mallappally, Podipara, Puramattom, Koipuram, Eraviperoor, and Pullad.
Kumbanad is part of the Aranmula legislative assembly segment and Pathanamthitta (Lok Sabha constituency).
The newly proposed Pathanamthitta Assembly segment will include Kumbanad.
The planned Aranmula airport, when completed, will be within 6 km of Kumbanad.
Kumbanad has a tropical climate. The region receives most of the rain from the South-West monsoon from June to August and the North-East monsoon during October and November. Although the summer is from March to May, it receives locally developed thundershowers in April and May.
Demographics
Kumbanad is the pentecost centre of Kerala. The world famous Hebronpuram convention is held here, in January, every year. Most of the population of Kumbanad are Christians. Amongst the Christian populace, the majority are either Marthoma, CSI, Evangelical, Indian Brethren, Jacobites or Pentecost. There are also Catholic and Syrian Orthodox communities in Kumbanad. The other denominations in Kumbanad are Hindus.
5,400 Crore.[3]
