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Ernakulam district

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For the town with the same name, see Ernakulam.
Ernakulam district
Ernakulam
District
Location of Ernakulam district
Population
 • Total5,105,798

Ernakulam District (Malayalam: എറണാകുളം ജില്ല) is a district of the state of Kerala in southern India. The district includes the largest metropolitan region of the state Greater Cochin. Ernakulam District is the highest revenue yielding district[1] in the state and is called and known as the commercial capital of Kerala. It is the third most populous district in Kerala,after Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram (out of 14).[2] Ernakulam district also hosts the highest number of number of international and domestic tourists in Kerala state.

It is surrounded by Thrissur District to the north, Idukki District to the east, Alappuzha and Kottayam districts to the south and Arabian sea to west. Its headquarters is located at Kakkanad, a suburb of Kochi city.

The language people speak in Ernakulam is Malayalam which is the mother-tongue of the State of Kerala. English is widely used in business circles.

Etymology

The word/name Ernakulam is derived from a Tamil word Erayanarkulam which means abode of Lord Shiva.

History

Cheena vala (Chinese fishing net), Kochi

From ancient times Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kingdom of Cochin and left their impressions in the town. The word Ernakulam was drawn from the words Erayanar and kulam means abode of Lord Shiva temple near pond.

Ernakulam District was formed on 1 April 1958, from the taluks of Aluva, Kunnathunadu, Kochi, Kanayannur, and Paravoor, which were formerly part of Thrissur District. Initially the district headquarters was at Ernakulam, which gave the district its name; the headquarters was later shifted to Kakkanad. When Idukki District was formed on 26 January 1977, Thodupuzha taluk was joined with Idukki and Muvattupuzha taluk separated with to form Kothamangalam taluk.

Geography

Ernakulam district covers an area of 3068 km2 located on the Western Coastal Plains of India. The district can be divided geographically into highland, midland and coastal area. The altitude of the highland is about 300 m. The Periyar River, Kerala's second longest, flows through all the taluks except Muvattupuzha. The Muvattupuzha River and a branch of Chalakkudy River also flow through the district. The average yearly rainfaill in the district is 3432mm. The district has a moderate climate, and mostly falls within the Malabar Coast moist forests ecoregion, while the highlands are part of the South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests ecoregion. Many types of sands, soil and also rocks which are geological importance is abundant here.Cohin international air port is located in northern part of the district at Nedumbasheri village in Angamaly. Owing to the international airport, water ways, railways, and road ways, Ernakulam is one of the most connected districts in the state.

Topography

The district is divided into three well-defined parts – lowland, midland and the highland consisting of seaboard, plains and the hills and forests respectively. 20 percent of the total area is low land region. The midland consists mainly of plain land and group of islands having natural facilities of drainage via backwaters and canals. The hilly or eastern portion is formed by a section of Western Ghats. Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalm can be called the highlands. Muvattupuzha and Periyar are the main rivers of which the latter flows through Thodupuzha, Muvattupuzha, Aluva, Kunnathunadu and Parur taluks. During rainy season these rivers are full and heavy floods affect the low-lying areas on the banks, but in the summer season they generally go dry and narrow. The Periyar is stretched over a length of 229 km.

Climate

Climate data for Kochi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 35
(95) 		37
(99) 		37
(99) 		34
(93) 		35
(95) 		33
(91) 		35
(95) 		35
(95) 		38
(100) 		35
(95) 		34
(93) 		33
(91) 		38
(100)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30
(86) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		28
(82) 		28
(82) 		28
(82) 		28
(82) 		29
(84) 		30
(86) 		30
(86) 		30
(86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23
(73) 		25
(77) 		26
(79) 		26
(79) 		26
(79) 		25
(77) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		23
(73) 		25
(77)
Record low °C (°F) 17
(63) 		18
(64) 		20
(68) 		21
(70) 		22
(72) 		21
(70) 		21
(70) 		20
(68) 		22
(72) 		20
(68) 		20
(68) 		19
(66) 		17
(63)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 21.9
(0.86) 		22.9
(0.90) 		35.3
(1.39) 		124.0
(4.88) 		395.7
(15.58) 		720.7
(28.37) 		697.2
(27.45) 		367.8
(14.48) 		289.4
(11.39) 		302.3
(11.90) 		175.1
(6.89) 		48.3
(1.90) 		3,228.3
(127.10)
Source 1: [3]
Source 2: [4]

Economy

Agriculture constitutes the most important segment of the district’s economy and it is the biggest source of employment. Of the geographical 235319 hectares, crops are grown in 0 hectares. Coconut is the principal crop followed by rubber, paddy, and tapioca. A paddy cultivation system called pokkali is peculiar to the district.

Ernakulam district is bestowed with all the geographical factors, which help the development of industry, and it is in the vanguard of all other districts in Kerala in the field of industry. The availability of all types of transport facilities viz., road, rail, canal, sea, air is a factor which is unique to this district. Ernakulam is perhaps the biggest commercial center in the state of Kerala. Its M.G. Road is the location of some of the biggest businesses in Kerala.

The sea along the entire coast of the district and the backwaters abound in fish of various kinds offer enormous natural facilities for both marine and inland fisheries. Kochi is an ideal place that supports fisheries in its various aspects like education, research and development.

Mattancherry Palace - temple courtyard
The old Dutch cemetery in Kochi

Divisions

Taluks

The district has the most number of taluks in the state. District is divided by two revenue divisions namely Fort Kochi and Muvattupuzha with 7 taluks.

Municipal Corporation

Kochi

Municipalities

Ernakulam district has the most number of municipalities in the state.

Parliamentary Constituencies

Assembly Constituencies

Transport

Ernakulam district is blessed with all types of transport. It has the most number of Regional Transport Offices in the state. There are 9 Regional Transport Offices.

  • Ernakulam - KL 07
  • Muvattupuzha - KL 17
  • Thripunithura - KL 39
  • Perumbavoor - KL 40
  • Aluva - KL 41
  • North Paravur - KL 42
  • Mattanchery - KL 43
  • Kothamangalam - KL 44
  • Angamaly - KL 63

Also the district has got the maximum number of vehicles in the state.

Ernakulam district has excellent road connectivity. The 3 major national highways passing through Ernakulam District are the Cochin-Mumbai Highway (NH 17), Salem-Kanyakumari (NH 47 part of NSEW corridor) and Cochin-Dhanushkodi highway (NH 49).

The North South Corridor highway system starting from Edapally in Cochin on NH47 and connects the cities Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Salem and finally to Chennai and rest of the country towards north and Alapuzha, Kollam, Trivandrum, Nagercoil and Kanyakumari towards south. The National Highway 17 also starting from Edapally and connects the cities Calicut, Kannur, Mangalore, Mormugao and Mumbai. The National Highway 49, also known as Madurai Highway starts from Kundannur near Cochin and passes through Kolenchery, Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam, Adimaly, Munnar, Theni, Madurai and finally terminates at Dhanushkodi. The district also has the two small national highways namely NH 47A for Cochin Port connectivity (Smallest Indian National Highway) and NH 47C as part of the International Container Transshipment Terminall connectivity.

The district is also well connected by state highways and other roads. Important state highway SH 1 also known as Main Central Road(MC Road) starts from Angamaly, a suburb of Kochi city which connects to the state capital Trivandrum via Perumbavoor, Kottayam.

Other Major roads

  • Vytilla-Kottayam road:- Connects via Thripoonithura, Nadakkavu, Poothotta, Vaikkom, Kumarakom

Rail

Ernakulam district has a total of 17 railway stations and the Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town are the major railway stations. The other stations are Aluva, Angamaly, Thripunithura, Edapally, Mulamthuruthy, Cochin Harbour Terminus, Karakutty, Chowara, Kalamassery, Nettor, Kumbalam, Mattanchery H., Chottanikkara road and Piravom road. The railroutes are via thrissur,Kottayam, Cochin H.T. and Allapuzha. Routes are also proposed via N.Paravur-Guruvayur,Moovattupuzha-Theni. The Angamaly-Erumely Sabarimala route(Proposed) is also passing through the district.

Air

District has got two airports, Naval airport in W.island(Old Cochin airport) and Cochin International Airport(CIAL). CIAL is the fourth largest in the country after Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai having International passengers. Currently flights are operating to Gulf region,Malayasia, Singapore,Srilanka and to major cities in India.

Water

District lies in the flat delta region of Periyar and Moovattupuzha river. Water transport is prominent in the district through rivers and lagoons. The major boat services are in Ernakulam area and other areas having small ferry services. The district boasts of having the major port in the westcoast of country: the Cochin port which is also the reason for the large scale developments in the district. Now a new International port is nearing completion in Vallarpadam which will boost the developments in the district further.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Ernakulam district has a population of 3,279,860,[2] roughly equal to the nation of Mauritania[5] or the US state of Iowa.[6] This gives it a ranking of 104th in India (out of a total of 640).[2] The district has a population density of 1,069 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,770/sq mi) .[2] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 5.6 %.[2] Ernakulam has a sex ratio of 1028 females for every 1000 males,[2] and a literacy rate of 95.68 %.[2]

This district is listed as the "most advanced" district in Kerala. It had a resident population of 3,105,798 as of 2001, excluding the huge commuter traffic from neighbouring districts. It is urbanised 47.55%.[7] Hindus accounts for the largest community followed by Christian and Muslims. A small population of Jains, Jews and Sikhs are also residing in Kochi.[8] Also, Ernakulam district has the highest number of Christian Population in India (More than 12 Lakhs)

The most important religious communities of the district are Hindus, Christians and Muslims. In addition to the major communities the Buddhists, the Jains, the Sikhs, and the Jews also form part of the cosmopolitan population. The ancestors of the Jews migrated from Jerusalem in 72 A.D. Now there are very few Jewish families in Cochin.

Culture

Festivals and traditions

The famous Sivarathri at the Aluva Manappuram (situated on the banks of river Periyar) in Aluva attracts people from different parts of the country. There are lots of old Siva Temples in Ernakulam. In Sanskrit "Siva" means kalyan (good wishes, doing good and taking care of all).

Adi Shankaracharya was born in Kalady and considered as a major pilgrimage centre for Hindus around the world.

Kallil Kshethram (Jain temple) near Perumabavoor is also very famous.

The world famous Christian pilgrim center at Malayattoor is in this district. The festival here lasts for 10 days in April. St. George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church at Kadamattam is very old and was founded by Mar Abo Syrian Metropolitan in 5th Century A.D. He brought a cross from Persia, which is still preserved in the church. The festival at the church of Vallarpadam on September 24 attracts people belonging to all religions. The icon of Virgin Mary in this church is credited with many miracles. St. George Forane Church at Edappally, which was founded in 593 A.D., is considered to be the oldest church in Kerala after the 7 churches founded by St. Thomas. St. Antony’s church at Kannamaly is famous for the Feast of St. Joseph on March 19 where a large number of people are fed.

One of the ancient mosques in Kerala is at Kanjiramattam. Chandanakkudam Festival in Kanjiramattom Mousque is very famous.

Thrippakudam Temple- Ana Kallaya Kulam -PARVATHIMANGALAM is the famous pooja in this temple.

Arayankavu Thookkam- Otta Thookkam and Garudan Thookkam is very famous.

Cherai Pooram is famous festival in island. Celebrating this full moon day having two purpose. Fields are ready for cropping, Start cropping with prayers and some auspicious puja. Next reason is People are ready to go in to sea. So on this day women of India generally having fasting of full day and pray for her brothers, father, husband and Nation 's victory.

Two important Pilgrim places in Ernakulam are St. Thomas Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church North Paravur and Mor Thoma Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church (Cheriapally) Kothamangalam. The relics of Gregorios Abdul Jaleel preserved at the St. Thomas church North Paravur. Thousands of pilgrims from different parts of Kerala culminating on the 27th of April for attending the Dhukrono of the Saint. Feast of Eldho Mor Baselios is celebrated in the Mor Thoma Church (Cheriapally) at Kothamangalam with spiritual grandeur every year on October 2 and 3. Thousands of pilgrims from various parts of Kerala were attending the Feast.

Places of Interest

Notable Personalities

The below are the prominent personalities from the district:

Flora and fauna

The flora of this district is tropical. The heavy rainfall combined with moderate temperature and fertile soil support abundant vegetation. Many of the common plants are found in the coastal area, which forms the low land region. Coconut is extensively cultivated here. The midland region is mainly occupied by coconut palms. Paddy, tapioca, pepper and pulses are also cultivated here. The lower slopes of the highland region are under teak, and rubber cultivation. The eastern part of the district has dense forests with its characteristic fauna.

Education

Ernakulam occupies an important place among the districts of Kerala in the field of literacy and educational standards. Ernakulam District is the first district in the whole country to have 100 percent literacy by 1990. Pothanicad, first panchayath in India that achieved 100% literacy according to state literacy programme is in this district. There are two prominent universities in this district - Sanskrit University, Kalady and Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kalamassery. Ernakulam district has the most number of educational institutions in the state. Kendriya Vidyalaya is located here.

References

  1. ^ "District-wise Income" (PDF). Govt of Kerala.2
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
  3. ^ "Kochi, India". Whetherbase. August 2011. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  4. ^ "Kochi, India". MSN India. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  5. ^ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Retrieved 2011-10-01. Mauritania 3,281,634 July 2011 est. {{cite web}}: horizontal tab character in |quote= at position 11 (help)
  6. ^ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-09-30. Iowa 3,046,355 {{cite web}}: line feed character in |quote= at position 5 (help)
  7. ^ www.censusindiamaps.net
  8. ^ Official Ernakulam District Profile

External links

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