Chengannur
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Chengannur
Chengannur | |
|---|---|
city | |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 25,391 |
| Website | www.chengannur.in |
Chengannur,ചെങ്ങന്നൂര് (in Malayalam), is a municipal town in Alappuzha district of the state of Kerala in South India. Chengannur (also spelled Chenganoor, Chenganur, and Chengannoor) is located in the extreme eastern part of Alappuzha district.
Location
It is 117 km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on the MC Road. It is watered by the Pamba River. It borders Pathanamthitta district. The nearest towns are Pandalam on the south, Thiruvalla on the north, Mavelikkara on the west and Pathanamthitta on the east.
Demographics
As of the 2001 India census,[1] Chengannur had a population of 25,391. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Chengannur has an average literacy rate of 88%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 88% and female literacy of 88%. 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Name
Nammalvar of the 1st millennium C.E., describes Chenkunrur or Chenganoor as a town where the smoke, emanating from the Vedic ritual yagna, fills the sky and as a place surrounded by rich lush vegetation (of bananas and coconuts). The name is derived from Chennu Ninne Uru which means "the place where they stopped". It was named after a temple of Shiva and Parvati was established here after a sage made them come and stop there.
Myth
Chengannur is famous for its Shiva temple Chengannur Mahadeva Kshetram, where thousands have darshan of aaratu festival goddess Parvathy. Here goddess Parvathy's abdomen part fell when Lord Mahavishnu used his sudharshana chakram to cut her body when Lord Shiva was dancing in anger with her body - after she fell in homa gundam of daksha yagnam. The devotees to the famous Temple in Sabarimala where Lord Ayyappa is believed to be present will do darshan in the Shiva temple in Chengannur as Shiva is supposed to be the father of Ayyappa. (Lord Ayyappa was brought up as an orphan in the Panthalam Palace.)[2]
Places of pilgrimage
- Mahadeva Temple-Chengannur
- Thrichittattu Mahavishnu Temple (established and worshipped by Yudhishtira)
- Sasthamkulangara Narasimha Murthi Temple (The only Narasimha temple in Central Travancore with beautiful ancient wooden mural sculptures adorning the Srikovil)
- Sharngakavu Devi Temple-Venmoney (Famous for the Vishu Festival)
- Gandharvamuttam Devi Temple - Mulakuzha,
- Kozhuvalloor Devi Temple (Famous for Kumbha Karthika Festival)
- Kuthiravattom Shri Dharma Sastha Temple
- Divya Jyothi Temple of Narayana Guru at Kozhuvalloor
- Parumala Church
- Puthencavu Church
- Mannar Juma Masjid, Aranmula Parthsarathi Temple
- Cheriyanadu Balasubrahmanya Temple (famous for Pallivilakku, Kaavadiyaattam & Shashtivratham)
- Elanjimel Vallikkavu Devikshethram, Puthukkulangara temple
- Othara (famous for Padayani)
- Azhakiyakavu Devi Kshethram
- Neervilakom Ayyappa Temple (famous for Pallivilakku, Kaavadiyaattam, Velakakali & Ayyappan pattu)
- Edanadu Mahadeva Kshethram
- Puthancavu Devi Kshetram
- Malakkara Vishnu Kshethram (anandashayanam)
- Kotta Mahadeva temple (owned by Travancore Devaswom Board]])
- Puliyur Krishna temple(Famous pancha pandava temple)
- Vandimala Devasthanam
- Nellikkal Devi Temple
- Edanadu Devi Temple
- Pennukkara Devi Temple
- Neduvaram kodu Mahadeva Temple
- Alakkavu Devi Temple
- Thiruvanvandoor gosala krishna temple
- Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Karakkad
- Nediyathu Devi Temple, Karakkad
- Pazhoor Devi Temple, Karakkad
- Old Syrian Church(estd 1700years ago)
- St Ignatious Orthodox Cathedral
- Bethel aramana(Malankara Orthodox Church)
Important Locations in Chengannur
Mudancavu is nearest place to Chegannur on the Bank of River Pamba.SREE VADASSERIKAVU BHADRA KALI TEMPLE IS ONE OF THE OLDEST TEMPLE WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED 1150 YEARS AGO.THRICHITTATTU MAHAVISHNU TEMPLE, KODAYATTUKARA SREEKRISHNA TEMPLE, ULIYANATTUSSERY LORD AYYAPPA TEMPLE(DRSTROYED), TWO PALLIYODAMS, VISWAKARMA HEAD OFFICE, N S S TALUK UNION, SO MANY COMPANIES ARE SITUATED IN THIS VILLAGE. OLD SYRIAN CHURCH,Firstly called as Devamatha Church one of the oldest church which was established 1700 years ago. St Ignatious Orthodox Cathedral is the Part of this church which is constructing beautiful new church.
Neervilakom is a village situated between Aranmula and Chengannur. It is 5 km away from Chengannur and 7 km away from Aranmula. Neervilakom is a part of Aranmula panchayat and Pathanamthitta district. Neervilakom is the geographical border of Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts. Neighbour villages are Malakkara, Arattupuzha, Puthancavu, Kurichumuttam and Piralaserry.
The main access to Neervilakom village is the Chengannur-Pandalam parallel road. Other accesses are the Arattupuzha-Neervilakom road, the Malakkara-Neervilakom road, the Chakkittappadi-Neervilakom road and the Aranmula-Chengannur parallel road. Limited bus service, auto rickshaws and taxis are available.
The meaning of Neervilakom is “The land, surrounded by water”. The name is derived from Neeru vilakom. On the other hand Neervilakom may also mean “neeru kurutha idam” (i.e., this land gives 100% profit in agriculture). This name is established, during Thiruvithamcore ruled under Cheravamsha.
The special attraction of Neervilakom is the more than 100,000 acres (400 km²) of paddy fields surrounding it. Ninety-five percent of the villagers are farmers. The main products are rice, coconut, rubber and vegetables.
Places of pilgrimage in Neervilakom include:
- Sree Dharmashastha Temple
- Peringattukavu Devi Temple
- Nilakkal Mahadeva Kudumba Temple
- Kuttamthu Murthi Temple
- Neervilakom Chapel of Puthecavu ST MARYS Orthodox Cathedral
- More than ten “Nagraja kavus”
Cutural organisations
- Tagore Library
- Tagore Arts & Sports Club.
Edanadu
Edanadu is a village situated on the bank of river Pampa. It is part of the Chengannur Municipality. Edanadu is an island that shares its border with the river Pampa on one side and with Varattar on all other sides. The place is located 3km away from Chengannur and 10 km away from Aranmula, the land of God Krishna. Edanadu is situated in the extreme eastern part of Alappuzha district. It is the geographical border of Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta district. It shares its border with Othara, Arattupuzha, Puthancavu, Koipram and Mangalam villages.
Mulakuzha
Mulakuzha panchayat is situated around 6 km from Chengannur on the MC Road. It is blessed with beautiful nature. It borders on Pathanamthitta district.
The famous "Century Hospital" is in this panchayat. It is the biggest corporate hospital in Central Kerala, and is owned by Central Travancore Specialists Hospital Ltd.
Other attractions include "Mulakuzha Gandharvamuttam Devi temple" which is famous for legends besides 'Juma Masjid'. St. Thomas Marthoma Church and St Mary's orthodox church are famous pilgrim centres. Temples, mosques and churches are situated nearby showing brotherhood among all communities.
Important educational institutions are MMARS, GVHSS Mulakuzha, St. Gregorios Public School, and Christian College. It borders Pathanamthitta district.
Kozhuvalloor
Kozhuvalloor is a village in Mulakkuzha panchayat. It is the site of Kozhuvallor Devi Temple and Kuthiravattom Ayyappa Temple, which are famous for their legends. Kozhuvalloor Devi Temple's "Kettukazha" during the Kumbha Kaarthika festival is very famous. The "Changappadam Chal" separates Mulakkuzha Panchayat and Venmony Panchayat on the south side. Divya Jyothi Sree Narayana Guru temple is a pilgrim centre. The famous Bible school is also in this village.
Cheriyanad
Cheriyanad (ചെറിയനാട്)is a village situated 8 k.m south-west of Chengannur. It comes under Chengannur taluk. [3]
Puliyoor
Puliyoor is 4 km away from Chengannur and comes under Chengannur taluk, famous of Puliyoor temple (famous of Kavadiyattam) one of the panchambalam temples.10 days festival. Makaram Thiruvathira aarattu. it is believed that darsan in these five ( Pancha Pandava ) temples in a day is very auspicious. and famous of Puliyoor Mahaganapathy temple and Malankara Catholic church situated in Puliyoor hill it can be see from anywhere near the town. There is also St. Mary's and St. George Orthodox Church and St. Thomas Marthoma Church. All the communities live here in perfect harmony, partaking in inter-religious functions in full spirit. The famous families here are, Charuvathekkethil Puthen Purackal(Family of Retd. teacher Mr.C.V.Thomas,late head master Mr.C.M.Varghese & Prof. C.M.John), Ambadans (now is Ampattu Puthen Veedu), Thundiyil House (Family of late KesavaKarnavar), Charavoor, Kattilparampil, Kailas (Family of late Dy:Collector Sivasankara Pillai), Painumootil, Kunnil, Neelamana to name a few. Ahead of palachuvaddu is a vast area of paddy fields spread on both sides of Chengannur-Mannar Road. Puliyoor, kavadiattam is celebrated by all with full grandeur. The holy pilgrimage to Parumala goes through Puliyoor, wherein the devotees take rest, pray, and get refreshed at the Orthodox Church (Puliyoor Palli) and move forward to the THIRUMENI's shrine.
N E S Block office is situated in Puliyoor.
Pennukkara
Pennukkara is a small village, 5 km away from Chengannur. It is under Ala village. This place is quite green.
Pandanad Muthavazhy==
Pandanad panchayath belongs to chengannur Taluk and just 3 kilometers away from the town. Muthavazhy is extreme east of pandanad, at the southern bank of holi pampa river. Muthavazhy is famous with its palliyodam and kumaramangalam shree subrahmanya swamy temple, which is very peculiar with its construction, which cannot be seen at any other temples of same era. Muthavazy palliyodam is also very ancient which can accomodate 65 to 80 people at a time.
Schools and colleges
- College of Engineering Chengannur
- Christian College, Chengannur
- Sree Narayana College Chengannur
- Sree Ayyappa College, Eramallikara
- St. Gregorios School, Chengannur
- Mathews Mar Athanasius Residential School, Chengannur
- High School Kallissery
- Metropolitan High School Puthencavu
- Ebenezer EM High School, Kallissery
- Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Chengannur
- Govt Boys School
- Govt Girls School
- St Anne's School
- Thalapanagad LP School
- St. George Public School Kozhuvalloor
- St Mary's Residential Mulakkuzha
- Devaswom Board High School, Cheriyanad
- Devaswom Board Higher Secondary School, Cheriyanad
- Srivijayeshwari High School, Cheriyanad
- St Judes UP School, Venmoney
- Govt High School, Puliyoor
- Snehagiri UP School, Puliyoor
- Govt Primary School, Thonakadu
- Mar Philexinos U P School, Puthencavu
- G M P Kindergarten School, Puthencavu
- C M S U P School, Kodukulanji
- John Memorial High School, Kodukulanji.
- Christ Church Vidyapeeth, Kodukulanji.
- Mar Pilexinos L P School, Neervilakom
- N S S High School, Edanadu
- Govt U.P.S Perissery
- GHS thiruvavandoor
- Sree ayyappa college thiruvanvandoor
- Sree Hariharasutha Vilasom (S.H.V) High School, Karakkad
- Govt. L.P School, Karakkad