Karunagappalli

Karunagappalli Karunagappally (കരുനാഗപ്പള്ളി). visit www.karunagappally.com
town
Population  (2011)
• Total	410,514

Karunagappally (or Karunagappalli, Malayalam: കരുനാഗപ്പള്ളി Karunāgappaḷḷi) is a municipality in Kollam district, Kerala, India. Karunagappally is situated in 27 km north from Kollam.

Karunagappally municipality consist of Alappad, Ochira, Adinad, Karunagappally, Thazhava, Pavumba, Thodiyoor, Kallalibhagom, Thevalakkara, Chavara, Neendakara, Clappana, Kulasekharapuram, Thekkumbhagam, Ayanivelikulangara, Panama and Vadakumthala. The Municipality is bound on the north by Kayamkulam, east by Kunnathur taluk, south by Kollam and on the west by the Arabian Sea.

Legend

There however is another claim that 'Palli' is a term with Buddhist roots and that Karungappally was a Buddhist settlement in early times and that the name has its origin in a famous Buddhist education centre in the area. It is also argued that nearby Karthigappally and Mynagappally too were Buddhist centres of learning. Remnants suggesting a Buddhist past of the place have been found in many locations here. . Amritapuri also situated in karunagappally. For more details visit www.karunagappally.com

History

The area belonged to the ancient Ayi Kingdom and it subsequently became part of the Kayamkulam kingdom (originally called Odanad). Padanayarkulangara, which forms part of the town, was once the military station of the Kayamkulam Rajas. An idol of Buddha, recovered from a local tank here, has raised speculations that Karunagappally was once a center of Buddhist teachings. For more details visit www.karunagappally.com

Demographics

The 2001 India census puts the population of Karungappally Taluk at 610,514 of which 299494 are males and 311,020 females. As with the rest of the state the population of the Taluk is a heterogenous mix of Hindus, Muslims and Christians. The high literacy of Kerala is reflected in Karunagappally as well with 89.50% of the population classified as literate as against the national average of 60.50%. For more details visit www.karunagappally.com

Economy

Karungappally used to be an agrarian economy until the late 19th century with coconut, banana, tapioca and paddy as the main crops grown. With rapid urbanization and the consequent pressure on land the reliance on agriculture has dwindled. Several cottage and small industries have now come up in the area in brick making, engineering and electronics. Proximity to Kollam (27 km) and the excellent road and rail infrastructure have helped in this transition.

The area also receives substantial foreign remittances from the large number of people from here working in the Gulf countries. Fishing forms the major source of livelihood for the coast dwellers

Places of interest

Padanayarkulangara is an ancient temple in Karunagappally. The temple has two presiding deities, Lord Siva and Sri Krishna, which is a rarity. It is a prominent centre of worship among Hindus.

The Pandarathuruth Church is believed to have been built by the Portuguese. It is believed that a Portuguese ship on a voyage got lost in the sea and the beleaguered sailors prayed to Jesus Christ and offered to construct a church where they would make landfall. The church is popularly known as Portuguese Church locally.

The Oachira temple near Karunagappally is one of the prominent centres of worship for Hindus across the State. The annual festival of the temple is attended by tens of thousands of devotees.

Valiyakulangara near Oachira is famous for a Centuries old Devi Temple.

Transport

Main transport is provided by State owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private transport bus operators. Karunagappally Bus Station is on National Highway 47. Buses ply from Karunagappally to Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kumily, Kollam, Chavara and Sasthamkotta. Local services are also available to various places in the district. The station operates super fast, fast passenger and ordinary buses. KSRTC Bus stand is situated in the heart of the town. Road transport is also supported by private taxis and autorickshaws also called autos.

Karunagappally Railway Station, situated in Edakkulangara falls on the Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam railway line.Mumbai(lokamanyathilak)-Thiruvananthapuram-Netravathy express, Kanyakumari-Bangalore Island Express, Parasuram Express, Venad Express, Malabar Express, Amritha Express and Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam Express are the main train connections. Station Code: KPY.

Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport.

Politics

Karunagapally assembly constituency is part of Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency.

Industries

The major employers in the public sector are Indian Rare Earths Limited (IRE), Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) at Shankaramangalam, KERAFED Puthiyakavu, House Boat Manufacturing Alumkadavu & Kozhikode.The state owned Kerala Feeds Ltd.located at Kallelibhagom is also a major industry. Cashew nut industry plays a vital role. Coconut, Paddy, tapioca, Banana etc. are the other main agricultural crops. Prominent small scale and cottage industries are based on bricks, well rings making, engineering and electronics items handicrafts etc.

References

Kerala Tourism Mart

External links

• Karunagappally Municipality : Alappadu, Vallikkavu, Thekkumbhagam, Alumkadavu, Thazhava , Edappally Kottai, Cheriazheekal, Puthiyakavu, Kozhikkodu, Thurayilkunnu ....
• Karunagappally Taluk

adershdev 08:36, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

Karunagappally