Changanassery

Changanassery

Changanacherry
Changanassery Changanacherry
city
Population (2001)
• Total	51,960

Changanacherry is a town and a Municipality in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India. It is located 18km from Kottayam town. This town is known for the peaceful co-existence of Hindus, Christians and Muslims.^{[citation needed]}

The basic infrastructure of the town is commendable and all major transport modes like road, rail and inland-water are well developed. The population hosts mostly an educated Indian middle-class genre with a traditional but tolerant outlook.

It is known as the Gateway to High Range (hill resorts) and Kuttanadu (backwaters). It is ideally located between Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. The nearest beach is only 20km, the backwaters 3km and the hill resort 40km.

In the past, the town was known as Anchu Vilakkinte Pattanam in local language, meaning Town of five fire lamps, which symbolises unity and points to old business time.

Changancherry was an old business place during the pre-British area. During the renovation of Travancore Changanacherry was the boundary and was called Thekkum koor.

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Chaganacherry Town

Etymology

The place named Changanacherry entered into the history books in A.D. 90. It has been believed by some people that this name is derived from a place named "Changannattusserry".

It is believed that the name Changanasserry originated from its Market roots. This was a famous trading place were traders from the Kuttanad area and high ranges converged. The measurements used for rice in old era were "Changazhi" "Nazhi" and "Uzhi". The name originated from a combination of these three measuring containers.

An interesting story mentions that during the reign of King Udaya Marthanda Varma of Travancore, steps were taken to build a Catholic church by giving out plots for sowing 'Changazhy', 'Nazhy' 'Uri', 'Payattupadu' (various malayalam terms of measuring grains). All these terms put together apparently made up the name of the place to Changanacherry. It was in 980 AD, that the famed Diwan of Travancore Veluthampy Dalava made a market place at Changanacherry, realizing the possibilities of development of this place. That market has grown to today's "Janapath". Towards the memory of the centennial celebrations of the place in 1905, the people installed the " Anchu Vilakku" (Five Lamps) seen near the Boat Jetty. The lamp signifies the 'unity in diversity' of the local ethnic and religious sects - a truly fitting tribute to the ethos of Changanacherry.

Another belief is that the name is derived from three separate words 'shang', 'natham', 'sherri'. The story goes that sometime in the past, the ruler of Changanacherry commissioned a church, a temple and a mosque to be built equidistant from his palace so that he would wake up every morning to the call of the conch shell (shang), the chiming of the church bells (natham), and the muezzin's call (sherry). The church and temple and mosque still stand and the annual chandanakodi festival bears testimony to the religious harmony that prevails in this town. Changanacherry is famous for the religious harmony.

Demographics

As of the 2001 India census^[1], Changanacherry had a population of 51,960. Males constituted 48% of the population and females 52%. Changanacherry has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 86% and female literacy of 85%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. A large percentage of population from Changanacherry resides abroad in the Gulf, European and American states.

Educational Institutions

Changanassery is famous for its many excellent schools and colleges. It is home to one of the most reputed colleges in India, Saint Berchmans College. Two other colleges, N.S.S. College and Assumption college are also well known for its academics.

Saint Berchmans High School is the oldest school and is over a hundred years old. Other major schools are Sacred Heart English Medium High School, Sacred Heart Public School, Kristu Jyoti English High School, Archbishop Kaavukattu Memorial English Medium School(AKM), Placid Vidya Vihar, Eden Public School and the Good Shepherd Public School.

Saint Berchmans College, Changanassery also known as S B College, is one of the most reputed colleges in Kerala, India. Established in 1922, the college has grown over the years into one of the leading colleges with 13 Post Graduate and 7 Research Departments. It is run by the Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery, is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam and is recognized by both All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission of India (UGC).

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has awarded Five Star status to St.Berchmans College. The NAAC committee which met on 21 May 2006 at its headquarters in Bangalore, on the basis of the peer team report reaccredited SB at the A+ level. St. Berchman's is the first college in the state to acquire this grade.

Festivals

There is a historical basis to the marvelous scene of the Christian, Hindu and Muslim places of worship standing together in Changanacherry. It is indeed a history of religious harmony. The people of Changanacherry celebrate Mandala Pooja, Kumbha Bharani, Meena Bharani, Gurudeva Chathaya Dinakhosham, (Hindus), Easter, Christmas (Christians) and Chandanakundam (Muslims) together during this time. Apart from these, the yearly feasts of saints after whom churches are named and yearly temple fests are celbrated with grand fervor all around the year. People irrespective of their religious affiliations, go from one place of worship to another during these celebrations.

December is the month of two big regional celebrations in Changanacherry. The famous Pilgrimage Church in the name of Blessed Virgin Mary, Parel celebrates the annaul feast on December 8 and it attracts a multitude of pilgrims from all religions. The feast related celebrations and religious rituals starts in the month of November itself and will prolong till the actual feast day which is marked with special Holy Mass and grand festivities.

Every year in December the procession of Chirappu, Chandanakudam starts from the Old Mosque in town and grand receptions for the same are given by Christians in front of the Cathedral Church and by Hindus in front of the Old Temple, Puzhavathu. This procession is accompanied by the grandeur of decorated elephants, Chendamelam, lighting, exclusive fire works and off-course masses of people from all the religious sects of Changanacherry. This procession is just one of those many identities of this place which all distinguishes it as an epitome of religious tolerance and unity.

Nair Service Society - NSS

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Nair Service society

The Nair Service Society or the NSS as it is popularly known in Kerala has its headquarters in Changanacherry. NSS is a social organization which has made remarkable contributions in the fields of education, medicine and agriculture. Its volunteers spanning in more than 5000 odd Karayogams spread across Kerala continue to work towards the upliftment of the downtrodden sections of society focussed on localized activities across Kerala. The Society was started by Mannathu Padmanabhan (Mannam) on 31 October 1914. Mannathu Padmanabhan revived and reshaped the old concept of village societies, the Karayogams, which practically set the tenor of family and village life. Mannam fought for social equality, the first phase of being the Vaikom Satyagraha, demanding the public roads near the temple at Vaikom be opened to low caste Hindus. He supported the admission of low caste Hindus into temples and was the chairman of the Guruvayur Satyagraha, paving the way for the temple entry proclamation. In 1950, he set up the Hindu Mandalam to draw together Hindus, rousing them to support the National Movement. He suffered imprisonment for this valourous act from the reigning British East India Company. As the first president of Travancore Devaswom Board, he revitalised many temples which had almost ceased to function. NSS, started by Mannam continues its social activities based out of it's Changanasserry headquarters.

Archdiocese of Changanassery

Archdiocese of Changanassery is the largest Catholic Diocese in India and it's recognition as the same has a history which starts from the year of 1887. The Diocese is one of the oldest in India and the Bishops house is over 100 years old. Dioceses of the province Palai, Kanjirappally and Thuckalay were formed from this Diocese as the population grew.

The Archdiocese is one of the first two Vicariates of the Syrian Catholics and the second Metropolitan Archdiocese of the Syro Malabar Church, after the establishment of the Syro Malabar hierarchy which was the prelude to the restoration of the identity of the Church in 1992 as a Sui Juris Church.

Changanassery was raised to the status of an Archdiocese on 26 July 1956 by Pope Pius XII.

The Archdiocese includes Catholic churches in districts of Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram (all in Kerala) and Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu. It covers 13 Forane churches and more than 300 other churches. It also manages a lot of Hospitals, Colleges, Schools both general and those for the physically/mentally challenged, Orphanages, De-addiction centers and Old-age homes.

Anandasramam

Anandasramam, Changanacherry. The SNDP branch No. 1A, innuagurated by Mahathma Gandhi. Sri Narayana Guru has visited Anandasramam.

Interesting Sites in the Vicinity

The town has an 18th century temple and is the host to the Deepam festival, which is celebrated every winter.

Changanacherry town includes areas such as Thuruthy,Vazhappally, Vattappally, Puzhavathu, Perunnai, Anandasramam, Fathimapuram, Parel, Chethipuzha, Kurisumoodu and Cheeranchira.

Thrikodithanam, a village located on the outskirts of Changanacherry Municipality, is famous for its Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple which was built during the reign of the second Chera Empire in Circa 800 AD.

Outskirts of Changanacherry is very beautiful. A trip by boat from Changanacherry to various Kuttanadan villages is a wonderful journey. The Boat Jetty (Boat Station) is located in the famous Changanacherry Market. The journey is very interesting since nature reigns supreme here.

Nearby Places

Nearby places are Thrikodithanam, Mathumoola, Vazhappally, Chingavanam, Kottamury, Paipadu, Nalukody, Laikadu, Thengana, Kurisummoodu, Chethipuzha, Kodinattumkunnu, Nedumkunnam, Manimala, Vazhoor, Vellavoor, Kangazha, Perumpanachy.

References

^ Template:GR

External links

[1] Template:GR

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