Chalissery

Chalissery Chalissery
Village

Chalissery is an Indian village (in the state of Kerala) and is situated in a hilly region at the border of Thrissur, Malappuram and Palakkad districts. Chalissery is located 10 km (6 mi) from Kunnamkulam and is bordered by the villages of Kadavallur (in the Thrissur District) and Alumkode (in the Malappuram District). Local attractions include a Shiva Temple and the ruins of a mud fort located near Thrithala. Chalissery is known for the religious harmony that exists amongst its people.

Economy

The village served as a famous trading center and flourished with the nearby markets at Angadi and Pazhanji. However the market lost business when major traders shifted to the Coimbatore-Guruvayoor Highway development. The adjoining trade centers of Koottanad and Perumpilavu have become major markets causing a decline in the Chalissery economy.

Agriculture

Areca nut and coconut plantations are the major cultivations. Other crops include rice, Betel nuts and plantain.

Political

The village is governed under the state Kerala Legislative Assembly.

Climate

Chalissery has similar climatic conditions prevalent elsewhere in the state, namely a dry season from December to February and a hot season from March to May; with South-West Monsoons from June to September, and North-East Monsoons from October to November. The South-West Monsoon is usually heavy and is responsible for nearly 75% of the annual rainfall. The dry season is generally hot and humid, with temperatures varying between 22°C and 35°C. The average annual rainfall is 2,800 mm.

Transportation

Chalissery is located between two main highways. The National Highway (NH17) passes through Kallampuram (to the east of Chalissery), while State Highway (SH 39) intersects Main Road which connects Guruvayoor to Palakkad.

Calicut airport and Cochin International Airport are each about a two-hour drive from Chalissery. Coimbatore airport in Tamil Nadu state is about 150 km away. The nearest railway station is Pattambi (about 13 km away), while Guruvayoor railway station is 20 km distant. All major long-route buses stop at Main Road Junction with the SH39. Smaller buses are used at regular intervals to the internal locations as the roads are narrow.

Facilities

The Chalissery post office (Pin 679536), Primary Health Center, civil station, veterinary hospital and auditorium are all located about 1.5 km (1 mi) from Main Road. Near the Angadi (market) is one of the oldest police stations in Kerala, which recently had new buildings developed for the station, inspector and staff quarters. Chalissery had only one movie theatre (DEVI), however it was struck by lightning a few years ago and never re-built. Nearby theatres are at Perumbilavu and Kootnaadu. Prominent banks are the State Bank of Travancore (with ATM), Catholic Syrian Bank and the Chalissery Co-operative Society Bank.

Education

The Chalissery High School commenced in 1957, has been on a path of revival for the past ten years including the elimination of campus politics and elections. In the past few years the SSLC pass percentage of the school have been one of the highest. Recently the school has obtained a modern playground and auditorium.

Nearby schools include the government primary school, and the Syrian Christian Upper primary school. The Royal Dental College is situated at Iron Hills (Irumbinkunnu).

Religion

Mulayam Parambu Bhagavati Temple is a famous temple and is situated adjacent to the Main Road. Numerous marriages are conducted at the temple and the Pooram festival is held in February with caparisoned tuskers numbering 50 or more. The temple grounds also serve as the drivers' learning facility.

Nearby churches include:

• St Augnes church (Pazhaya pally) of Malabar independent Syrian church which celebrates its church festival (Perunal) on 5-6 November every year. The festival is accompanied with coloured lights, bands, and chenda melamand caparisoned elephants.This is the odest syrian church in this village also the second in the entire British Malabar.
• The St Peters and St Pauls Jacobite church is located in the western corner of the Angadi. The church celebrates its perunnal on 23-24 November each year. It also celebrates St Mary's Birthday (1-8 September) including a procession which rounds the angadi.
• A Mar Thoma Church which is situated near the school. Constructed around the start of the twentieth century.
• A CSI church is also present and was recently renovated.

Chalissery is known for its communal harmony with Hindus, Muslims and Christians coexisting and happily celebrating the Poorams and Perunals during the year

Sport

The Ambalaparambu (Temple Ground) hosts sevens football matches. There was lot of sports big clubs, Gcc,Marvel,and lot of small clubs. Team boys, one of a kind youth club in Chalissery angadi (ammakave moola). there was lot of energetic players.they celebrate and nourish all the activities an the area. Team Boys members wherever they are come together and celebrate Christmas with joyful processions accompanied by Santa Claus,Band set,decorated elephants.

Charitable activities

Since June 2008, Chalissery has had its own Ambulance (available for a minimum charge) which is located near the Main Road and which is managed by a Committee.

The inauguration of the first permanent pain and palliative care unit in Chalisser occurred on 25 July 2009. The land (near the Estate area in Perumanoor) for the unit was donated by Mr. and Mrs. V V Balakrishnan.

Connection to films

Chalissery has been the location for the filming of many Malayalam movies, including:

• Akkare. The Police Station shown where Bharath Gopi spends the night is the Chalissery police station.
• Garshom. Sreeraman's house is Prayaga (next to Chalissery Police Station).
• Carnival. Shot entirely at Chalissery Mulayam Parambu Bhagavati Temple Grounds.
• Bhoothakkannadi. Shot in and around Perumanoor.
• Maghreb. The arrest of Murali was along the road from Chalissery High School towards the police station.
• Ponthan Mada. The historical Market was created near Chalissery Estate area.
• Kaazhcha. There is a reference to people from Chalissery who come to claim the abandoned Gujrathi boy Yash.