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Thodupuzha

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Thodupuzha
Thodupuzha
city
Population
 (2001)
 • Total46,226

Thodupuzha (Malayalam: തൊടുപുഴ) is a town and a municipality in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is 62 km from Ernakulam.Geographical Classification of Thodupuzha Region is Midland or Idanad.

Thodupuzha is also the name of the river that flows through the town. It is the largest town in the district and is the commercial centre. The town is being modernised with the help of a programme sponsored by the World Bank which is financing the programme through the Government of Kerala. It was once part of the territory of the Travancore dynasty. It lies in central Kerala, southeast of Muvattupuzha. The Thodupuzha municipality area is characterised by hilly terrain with a lot of green vegetation.

The Main Eastern Highway (Muvattupuzha - Pathanamthitta - Punalur Road / SH - 08) passes through Thodupuzha and connects it to two of its neighboring towns, Muvattupuzha and Pala.

Syrian Christians, Hindus and Muslims co-exist in harmony adding to the diversity in faith and religion. The place has a large population of Syrian Catholic Achayans. The Muslim minority are mostly rawthers who were the warriors of Madurai Raja and migrated from Madurai and Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. As well as that, there are some converts from lower castes to Islam but these are only a few.

P. J. Joseph got elected from the Thodupuzha assembly constituency for the seventh time. He is the Working Chairman of the Kerala Congress (M) party.

The popular film actress Asin's family is originally from Thodupuzha. Her dad belongs to the Thottumkal family of Karimkunnam, a suburb of Thodupuzha.[1]

Name

The name 'Thodupuzha' might have come from two words, 'thodu' (which means a small stream) and 'puzha' (which means a river). It is believed that the stream developed into a river, and the town on the banks of the river came to be known as Thodupuzha. There is another version which defines the word ‘thodu’ as ‘touch’ and ‘puzha’ as ‘river’. Thus the town touching the river became Thodupuzha.

History

Thodupuzha is an ancient town with a history dating back to many centuries. The Buddhist and Jain religions which made their first inroads into Kerala in 300 BC have left their impact at Thodupuzha. and neighbouring areas. The Buddhist religious relics found at Karicodu near Thodupuzha is ample proof of this surmise. In AD 100, Kerala was divided for administrative reasons into several provinces such as Venadu, Otanadu, Navishainadu, Munjunadu, Vempolinadu, and Keezhmalainadu. Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha were in Keezhmalainadu which had its headquarters at Karicodu. Keezhmalainadu was in existence till AD 1600. In that year it lost a battle with Vadakkumkoor and became a part of it. The Kings of Vadakkumkoor used to live at Karicodu for several years. At the time of King Marthanda Varma, Vadakkumkoor became part of the state of Travancore. The relics of the fort is still there at Karicodu. The Annamalai Temple, which carries the traits of Tamil Architecture is at Karicodu. At this temple one can see many statues and lamps made out of stone and metal believed to have been made in the 14th century. The church at Muthalakodam, a place situated 2 kilometres from Thodupuzha, is believed to have been constructed before 13th century. The Ninnar Mosque near Karicodu is said to have been constructed by the Vadakumkoor Raja for his Muslim soldiers.

At the formation of Kerala state in 1956, Thodupuzha was part of the Ernakulam district. In the year 1972, Idukki district was formed by joining Thodupuzha taluk along with Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peermade taluks, which were part of the erstwhile Kottayam district.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census[2], the total population of 46,226. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Thodupuzha has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 81%. In Thodupuzha, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Thodupuzha has a large population of people of the " Vellala Pillai" clan who migrated here from "Tenkasi" in Tamil Nadu. They spread later on to different parts of Kerala and their main deity, the symbol from Tenkasi is situated near Erattupetta and all Vellala Pillai people meet there once a year to mark the plight of them from Tenkasi.

Majority of Muslims in Highranges and Thodupuzha are Hanafis who are Tamil Muslims Who Settled in Eastern parts of Travancore Region of Kerala.Erattupetta, Pathanamthitta, Kanjirappally are one of the major centres of Hanafi Muslims.

Transport

Neighbouring cities & towns

Thodupuzha has an excellent network of roads which connects it to the nearby towns and cities. The Main Eastern Highway (Muvattupuzha - Punalur / SH-08 / 154 km) passes through Thodupuzha and connects it to two of its neighboring towns, Muvattupuzha and Pala. Thodupuzha-Puliyanmala road (SH-33) connects Thodupuzha to Idukki District centre at Painavu as well as tourist destinations like Idukki Dam and Thekkadi. Alappuzha-Madurai road (SH-40) also passes through Thodupuzha town. SH-43 which connects Muvattupuzha with Theni passes through some parts of the Thodupuzha Taluk but doesn’t pass through Thodupuzha town. Thodupuzha has the best quality roads than any other places in kerala.

The nearest Railway Stations are Aluva which is 56 kilometres from Thodupuzha. Kottayam Railway station is at 55 kilometres from Thodupuzha and Ernakulam Junction Railway Station is at 60 kilometres. The suggested Sabari Rail route to Sabarimala passes through Thodupuzha. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport at a distance of 54 kilometres from Thodupuzha. New 4 Lane Highway Proposed from Muvattupuzha to Kakkanad if materializes will connect Thodupuzha to Kochi in Less than 45 minutes to reach reducing the distance to 50 kilometres.[3]

Example alt text
The private bus stand at Thodupuzha

Economy and Infrastructure

Thodupuzha's economy is driven by agriculture, business and small industries. Farmers in Thodupuzha raise a number of crops, mostly rubber. Other crops such as pineapple, coconut, rice, pepper, coco, tapioca, banana, ginger, turmeric etc. are also being cultivated in plenty. In recent years Thodupuzha has showed more interest in promoting tourism. The planned developments in Thodupuzha after the changeover from Taluk to Municipality status has changed the face of Thodupuzha a lot in the last decade. The new private bus stand, Temple Bypass road, Kanjiramattom Bypass road, Mini Civil Station, New Bridge, Municipal Park, Shopping complex at bus stand, New Townhall complex etc. are noted landmarks to change the look of Thodupuzha to a planned city. The famous footwear brand Lunar’s has its base at Thodupuzha.

Politics

Thodupuzha was administered by a village panchayat and village union for several years, But on 1 September 1978, Thodupuzha was upgraded into a municipality and the Thodupuzha Municipality came into being. The Thodupuzha Municipality was formed by joining together the Thodupuzha Panchayat and the neighbouring Panchayats of Kumaramangalam, Karicodu and Manacaud. The municipality was administered by a special officer for 10 long years. In 1988, elections were held and the first popularly elected municipal council came into existence with Advocate N. Chandran as the Chairman . Today the Municipality has 28 wards. There is a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, and various Standing Committees to carry out the civic administration. Jessy Antony of Kerala Congress (M) is the present Municipal Chairperson.

Thodupuzha is an assembly constituency and Shri. P J Joseph is the present MLA of Thodupuzha.

Thodupuzha assembly constituency is part of Idukki (Lok Sabha constituency)&Shri P T Thomas is the present MP.[4]

Tourism

Thodupuzha is blessed with natural scenic beauty. Although Thodupuzha itself is not a major tourist destination, it is the gateway to top tourist destinations like Munnar, Thekkadi, Idukki Dam, Peermade etc. Thommankuthu which is 20 kilometres east of Thodupuzha is famous for its numerous waterfalls. The place is ideal for nature lovers. To enjoy the panoramic beauty the best way is to undertake a trek that takes one to the top of the mountain, a nearly 12-kilometre trek. Malankara Dam is a beautiful reservoir across the Thodupuzha river at 6 kilometres from Thodupuzha town. Elaveezhapoonchira is another trekking destination which offers a serene grassland at the top of a hill. Other major tourist spots include Nadu Kani Pavilion, Thumbichi Mount, Moolamattom power house, Uravappara, Kolani Kavu, Paramada echo point, Elappilly waterfalls etc. Thattakuzha is also a nice place in thodupuzha.

The natural scenic beauty of Thodupuzha has attracted many Malayalam movie makers. Of late Thodupuzha has become a hot spot for Malayalam movies. Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum, Kunjikoonan, Rasathanthram, Palunku, Veruthe Oru Bharya, Swantham Lekhakan, Kadha Parayumbol, Samastha Keralam PO, Pappy Appacha, Elsamma Enna Aankutty, Oridathoru Postman etc. are some of the movies shot at and around Thodupuzha.

Thodupuzha has a number of value for money hotels serving a variety of dishes as well as providing boarding and lodging facilities. Major hotels at Thodupuzha are, Hotel Edassery Towers, Riverbanks, Hotel Gemini Gardens, Maurya Monarch, Sicilia Hotels, Tee Cee tourist home, Aishwary Residency,Hotel Sofia and Hotel Woodlands.

Education

The first centre of higher learning which started functioning in Thodupuzha Taluk was Newman College. It was established in 1964 by the Syrian Catholic Diocese of Kothamangalam, and named after Cardinal Newman. The second college of Thodupuzha was established in 1982: St.Joseph's College at Arakkulam. Besides these, a number of parallel colleges are also active in the field of higher education in Thodupuzha.

The University College of Engineering, Thodupuzha managed and run by the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, is the first of its kind in the state of Kerala. The college started functioning in 1996. The college campus is located in a picturesque place spread over 25 acres (100,000 m2) of land at Muttom, 7 km from Thodupuzha, by the side of State Highway No 33. Within a short span of time, the institute has offered high quality technical education, producing engineers with a knowledge and skill fulfilling the needs of industry and Research & Development organizations. Other colleges in Thodupuzha include Santhigiri College at Vazhithala, Al-Azhar College of Arts and Science, Al-Azhar Dental College, Al-Azhar Engineering College and Al-Azhar Training college at Thodupuzha East, Perumpillichira College of Applied Science at Olamattom, and St. Thomas College of Teacher Education.

Janaranjini Vayanasala, Kolani, Thodupuzha, is one of the biggest libraries in Kerala and has around 30000 books including novels, children's books, stories, poems, Vedas, Upanishads etc. It is accommodated in its own two-storied building with separate TV room, reading room, book room, computer centre with high speed internet facility, and mini conference room.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/09/stories/2009030959600300.htm
  2. ^ Template:GR
  3. ^ http://www.metrovaartha.com/2009/09/05092203/four-line-road.html
  4. ^ "Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies" (PDF). Kerala. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-10-20.

External links

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