Mallapally

Mallappally മല്ലപ്പള്ളി Mallappally
Town
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Pathanamthitta
Named for	Land of Volley ball, land of BA people
Government
• Type	Taluk
• Body	local self government
Area
• Total	167.9 km2 (64.8 sq mi)
• Rank	smallest taluk of India
Elevation	3 m (10 ft)
Population  (2011 census)
• Total	143,677
• Rank	Least populated taluk of India
• Density	860/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Telephone code	0469
Vehicle registration	KL-28, KL-3
Nearest city	Tiruvalla
Literacy	100%
Lok Sabha constituency	Pathanamthitta
Website	mallapally.org

Mallappally (Mala + pally means hill shrine)is a taluk in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state, India. Its one of the five taluks which makes the district of Pathanamthitta, where lowest population growth is recorded for the last two decades in India. Earlier period Mallapally is called as the place of ″BA people″ due to English education started by Anglican missionaries in the 19th century. It is a part of the NRI haven of central Travancore, and one among the 100% literate places in India since last 50 years.

Geography

Most of the area is Hilly. climate is midland climate. The river Manimala flows through the heart of the town and divides the town as Mallappally west and mallappally east. Mallappally shares the boarder of Kottayam district at Nedungadappally by Kochuparamb Thodu (stream). Mallappally bridge is the entrance to town from Pathanamthitta Kozhencherry Ranni side. Two hundred years back, most of the places were hilly forests except the river bed. During the period of Travancore kings, big trees from dense forests were cut down and shipped to Bombay and foreign countries to build multi-storied townships crop during colonial period. Afterwards, people began to occupy, cultivate and make roads in hilly places, caused large scale soil erosion which filled the river with white sand, and endangered different species of river fish.

List of Villages in Mallappally taluk

1. Anicadu

2. Ezhumattoor

3. Kalloopara

4. Kottangal

5. Kunnamthanam

6. Mallappally

7. Perumpetty

8. Puramattom

9. Thelliyoor

Landmarks

The Thirumalida Mahadeva temple and Centuries old Suriyani Church is still seen at eastern bank of the river. Thirumalida temple which is famous for its unique West facing the river appearance can only seen here after KASHI (Varanasi). Due to the same, thousands of people visiting the shrine to offer karkkidaka VAVUBALI during the month of Karkidakam (July–August). It is the only temple after Aluwa which celebrate SHIVARATHRI on a riverbed. Anglican missionaries entered the scene some 200 years back and established an Anglican church and school adjacent to old Suriyani church. A section of old Christians joined them. Later during the reformation movement started by Palakunnathu Abraham Malpan, a large section of Syrian Christians joined him. Roman Catholicism reached here only after CE 1930 due to the interior location of Mallapally. Its major community, the Syrian Christians are divided into various denominations which constitutes 70% of its total population. The Rev. George Mathen Mission Hospital, named after the well-known Malayalam writer and priest, serves as a medical center for the area with no other medical institutions within 16 km of its periphery. 1600 year old Kalloppara church is the oldest Christian shrines in the taluk, 2nd only to Niranam Church established by Apostle St. Thomas. Kallooppara Bhagavathy temple situated closed to the church, proclaims the centuries old religious harmony prevailing in the area. Most of the temples in Mallapally Taluk are dedicated to Lord Shiva. A widely famous Hanuman temple is at Kaviyoor. Other landmarks are the public bus stand and public stadium, both are on the west bank of the river.

Transportation

Mallappally lies in the SH 9 which connects the district capitals of Pathanamthitta and Kottayam. Both KSRTC and Private buses are available in plenty to link between Kozhencherry and Kottayam. Mallappally has a KSRTC depot which is the main transportation facility in SH 9. Thiruvalla – Mallappally road meets SH 9 at central junction of the town. Both KSRTC and Private buses are available in plenty to link between Thiruvalla and Mallappally. Mallappally is also connected to Ranni, Erumeli and Sabarimala. The fourth narrow road goes down to Anikkadu, a small farming village, a couple of kilometres away from town.The nearest railway station is Thiruvalla which is 12 km away, Changanacherry is 15 km away, Chengannur is 20 km and Kottayam is 29 km away. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport (99 km). Upcoming Aranmula International Airport is just 16 km away. In the early period, people travelled and transported their goods through river, and people could reach different parts of Alappuzha district and up to Ernakulam by nearby Changanacherry jetty.

History and Culture

Early period rivers are used as the natural highways for travelling and transportation. People reside on the banks of 'Vallayar' (now river Manimala). Mallappally was not spared from the extensive Buddhist missionary work of Mauryan kings throughout Asia. Like other places in India, Buddhism prevailed in Mallapally before the conversion of Cheran kings to Vedic Aryanism during 9th century. Suffix of its name 'pally' is a Buddhist word of Pali origin. Buddhist Mala pally (hill shrine) was situated on the eastern market hill or the western high school hill is not known now. Another two places got north Indian suffix from Buddhist monks are Vaipur and Keezhvaipur. Early period river faces are known as 'Vai' means mouth. (Tiruvalla known as 'Vallavai' and ancient port Periyar face was known as 'Muchiri vai'). Vaipur was an early trading centre dealing in high range products and Keezhvaipur was a lower river face of the same Vallayar. Mallapally was a part of Thekkumkoor kingdom before Marthada Varma annexed it for unified Tiruvithamkoor kingdom. Most of the temples were built during the royal patronage of Hinduism at the behest of Brahmins who controlled the kings as Vedic priests during 2nd millennium.

Every year during the summer months when the river water recedes many sandy bed are formed in the middle of the river, large enough to hold conventions and festivals. The well known Mallappally Convention and the Shivarathri festival take place on two such large sandy patches near to the landmark Manimala bridge across the river. The landscape of Mallappally is dotted with several old and famous churches and temples.

Mallappally has been the center of volleyball since the 40s and 50s and Olympian Mallapally Varkey is one of its champion. Mallapally is famous for its religious harmony. The river Manimala flows through the heart of Mallapally and the town is situated on the bank of this beautiful river, close to a triple arcaded bridge connecting the town with eastern high lands.

The first convert from Pulaya (early inhabitants) community to Christianity in central Travancore was a man named Habel, who was born on 5 May 1816, in Kaipatta Village, Mallapally. His Dravidian name was Daivathan [Man of God]. His wife was named Poovom. They had a son Uthayan [Rising Sun]and a daughter Chothi [Jyothi – Flame]; all were baptised on the same day, 6 September 1854. Following his Baptism, Habel studied theology from Europeans and travelled far and wide establishing congregations and churches. He spread the Gospel of Christ to thousands of people who were baptised and joined the Church. Habel died at the age of 84 on 18 August 1899. CMS Bishop Edward Noel Hodges attended his funeral.

anikkattilammakshethram

During the 50s Mallappally town was not as well developed as we see today. Two Cross towers, one with oriental architecture belongs to the Malankara Orthodox Sabha and the other with statue of Jesus with stretched hands belongs to the Malankara Reethu Sabha. Mallappally is the birthplace of a large number of Kerala Bishops of many Christian denominations. Some of these are, Saint Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius, ArchBishop Valakkuzhy Joseph Mar Severios, Bishop Modayil MC Mani, Evangeilikal Bishop Panamootil PS Varghese, and Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos.

Economy

Mallappally have an agricultural economy basically but also is a home of large number of NRI's residing in UAE Saudi USA and England. Mallappally residents association is very common in these foreign nations. Therefore almost all leading banks have their branch and ATM in town. The town is becoming urbanised very fast in past few years due to these reasons.

Banks in town are

1. State Bank of Travancore (along with 2 ATM) (Bus stand Road)

2. State Bank of India (with ATM) (Tiruvalla Road near Maveli Supermarket)

3. Union Bank of India (with ATM) (Kottayam Road near Petrol bunk)

4. South Indian Bank (with ATM) (One way at central JN )

5. Federal Bank (with ATM) ( Near entrance to Revenue tower)

6. Canara Bank (with ATM) (Kottayam Road)

7. Catholic Syrian Bank(with ATM) (Tiruvalla Road)

8. Corporation Bank (Tiruvalla Road)

9. Mallappally Co-operative Bank (Kottayam Road)

10.Tiruvalla East Co.operative Bank (Kottayam Road)

11.Pathanamthitta District Co.operative Bank (Kottayam Road)

12. Axis Bank ATM (Kottayam Road)

Trade

Mallappally is the biggest trade center in Kottayam - Kozhencherry state highway. Mallappally is known for the biggest market in the Central Travencore for plantain cultivars. The town is the main trade center for the entire taluk and some panchayats in Tiruvalla, Changanacherry, Chengannur and Ranni taluks. The market days are Tuesday and Friday. These days the town experience heavy traffic and trade.

Politics

Mallappally was a part of Kalloppara Assembly constituency and Mallappally was the main town of that constituency. During the last re-organization, it lost the constituency along with some other constituencies in central Travancore due to stagnant population growth in contrast to ever increasing population of some northern districts, which changed power equations of Kerala. Now it is a part of Thiruvalla Assembly Constituency and Pathanamthitta Loksabha Constituency. Adv. Mathew T Thomas (LDF) is the current MLA. In Lok sabha, Mallappally is represented by the sitting MP from Pathanamthitta, Mr. Anto Antony (Indian National Congress). The vice-chairman of upper house of Indian Parliament-Rajya sabha, is from Keezhvaipur, Prof. Prof. P J Kurien (Indian National Congress).

Education

Mallappally taluk is the most literate taluk of India. From the long past the education had been given great importance by the people of Mallappally.

Schools in town are:

1. C.M.S Higher Secondary School, Mallappally

2. Technical Higher Secondary School, Mallappally [IHRD].

3. Mar Dionysius Higher Secondary School and Junior College, Rishy Valley, Mallappally.

4. Nirmal Jyoti High School, Mallappally.

5. St. Theresa's Higher Secondary School, Chengaroor Mallappally.

6. St Philomina's High School, Nedungadapally, Mallappally.

7. Sophia International Academy, Pathikkadu, Mallappally.

8. St. Mary's High School, Anikkad.

9. I K M, Mallappally.

Colleges in town are:

1. BAM college Thuruthikkad, Mallappally.

2. Govt. Engineering college, Kallooppara, Mallappally.

3. Govt.Technical College, Mallappally.

4. Govt. Polytechnic, Vennikulam, Mallappally.

5. B.ed Training college, Chengaroor, Mallappally.

Hospitals

The Mallappally taluk hospital is the major hospital in town. Patients from other district also use the hospital.

Main hospitals are

1.Government Taluk Head Quarters Hospital, Mallappally on the Mallappally – Karukachal road

2. The Rev. George Mathen Mission Hospital, on the Mallappally – Kozhencherry road

3. Erattu Hospital Mallappally

Religion

Mallappally is famous for integrity and communal harmony. The Maha Shivarathri is celebrated on the same riverbed where the Union Christian Convention and Charismatic Convention are being conducted. As a main station on the Sabarimala rout, many pilgrim groups considers Mallappally as their halting place. Thirumalida temple is considered as ideal halting place due to the geography of the place.The prehistoric Ambalappuzha Petta group regularly stays at Thirumalida Temple for a night and proceeds to Sabarimala. Pilgrim groups from several churches of the eastern parts of Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts to Parumala Cathedral and Kallooppara Church takes Mallappally – Thiruvalla rout.

The important worship centres in and near Mallappally are the following.

1. Thirumalida Mahadeva Temple, Mallappaly ; 1 km.from Town

2. St. Peter's and St. Paul's Orthodox Church Pathikkadu ; 1 km from Town

3. St. George Orthodox Church,Chengaroor (Chengaroor pally); 5 km from Town.

4. Sree Krishna Temple Pariyaram; 3 km from Town

5. St.Francis Xavier Malankara Catholic church Mallappally ; 1 km from Town

5. St. Marys Orthodox Church Kalloppara (Kallopparra Pally); 7 km from Town

6. Kalloopara Bhagawati Temple ; 8 km from town

7. The Pentecostal Mission Church, Mallappally

8. Kavalayil Bhagavathi Temple Murani; 3 km from Town

9.Anikkattilammakshethram Anikkad; 4 km from Town

10.ST ANDREWS MARTHOMA CHURCH PARIYARAM MALLAPPALLY(2KM from town)