Vettikkavala

Vettikkavala
village
Vettikkavala Location in Kerala, India Vettikkavala Vettikkavala (India)
Coordinates: 8°59′0″N 76°49′0″E
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Kollam
Area
• Total	18.71 km2 (7.22 sq mi)
Elevation	72 m (236 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	20,118
• Density	1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registration	KL-24

Vettikkavala is a village in Kollam district in the state of Kerala, India. It is famous for the famous Shiva-Vishnu temple situated there with a special deity called Vathukkal Njaali Kunju for whom there's an annual offering of Pongala. The village is famous for temple arts (kshethra kala) and a palace constructed by Sree Moolam Thirunal.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Vettikkavala had a population of 20118 of which 9394 are males while 10724 are females as per Population Census 2011. Majority of the population are Hindus, followed by Christians. Schedule Caste (SC) constitutes 17.02% of the total population while Schedule Tribe (ST) were 0.12% of total population in Vettikkavala village.

Sex ratio in Vettikkavala is 1141 as per Census 2011.

Administration and Politics

Vettikkavala is a Gram panchayat as well as a Block panchayat in Kottarakara Taluk of Kollam district in Kerala. The type of administration is three tier Local Self Government that is envisaged in the Panchayati Raj System. The Kollam district is divided into 11 Blocks, 69 Panchayats, 1 Corporation and 4 Municipalities. Vettikkavala is one among the 11 Block Panchayats. It has an executive head who is a Block development officer and an elected Panchayat samiti (block). There are six Grama panchayaths that are included in the block namely Vettikkavala, Melila, Mylam, Kulakkada, Pavithreswaram and Ummannur. Vettikkavala Grama Panchayat includes 21 wards.

Vettikkavala is part of Mavelikara (Lok Sabha constituency) and in state legislature it forms part of Pathanapuram legislative seat. The Panchayat's major political players are Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party.

Attractions and Important Places

Vettikavala Shree Mahadevar temple

Vettikavala Shree Mahadevar temple is one of the most famous and biggest Shiva-Vishnu temple in Kerala. There were early forms of idol worship beneath a Vetti tree (name Vettikkavala would have likely emanated from this legend) in the village, which was roughly situated near present day government school. Based on available records a temple was constructed associated with it by queen of Elayadath Swaroopam around 17th or 18th century. The Elayadath Swaroopam centered at Kottarakkara was brought under Travancore in 1742 by troops of Marthanda Varma as a result of Travancore–Dutch War. The temple continued in a dilaptated situation for many years after the annexation. However in 1900 (Malayalam era 1176) under the insistence of palace manager Sankaran Thampi the king of Travancore, Moolam Thirunal renovated the temple into current structure.

The temple came under Travancore Devaswom Board as a major temple. In the year 1996 another set of maintenance was undertook around the temple as a result of which a portion of kulikkadavu around temple pond got completely damaged.

In the southern side of temple there is a palace constructed by Travancore kings during reign of Moolam Thirunal. This palace was meant for kings and royal family members to stay during their visits to the temple.

Other Religious Places

• Ancient Sadananda Asramam, Sadanandapuram
• Kannamcode Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple
• Edamana Madom Sree Bhagavathy Trust Raktheswary Kudumba Paradevatha Temple
• Koikkal Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
• Villur Vaikuntanatha Temple.
• Chirattakonam Church.

Tourist Attraction

• Kallada Irrigation Project is a main attraction situated in Thalachira near Thengumcodu.
• KTDC Motel Aaraam, Sadanandapuram.
• Pinnacle View Point, Thalachira.
• Kazhuvudayan kunnu, Pachoor.

Educational Institution

Vettikavala Government Model High School is a highly achieved and academically, a very scholastic school. It is a high tech higher secondary school. And another higher secondary school is in sadanandapuram also highly achieved in academically. High schools are situvated in Thalachira, chakkuvarakkal, kottavattom are in good level. Some lp,up,welfare schools also run under govt.Sector and some aided schools are also run under private sector. A polytechnic college is in thalachira also.

• Govt Model Higher Secondary School Vettikavala
• Govt High School Thalachira
• Govt Higher Secondary School Sadanandapuram
• Govt high school chakkuvarackal
• High School Kottavattom
• Travancore Devaswom Board School Vettikavala
• Mar baselious ocean star public school Chirattakkonam
• SDA school Karickom
• Karickom international public school
• Aala achan memorial english medium school Thalachira
• Younus polytechnic college Thalachira

Transportation

Road

Transportation is mainly dependent on state run KSRTC buses.

It is well connected to Kottarakkara, Kokkadu, Thalachira, Chakkuvarakkal and Punalur through frequent bus services. Two daily KSRTC Fast Passenger bus services ensure connectivity to neighboring districts of Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram.

Kollam - Tirumagalam NH 744 passes through Chengamanad which is situated 2 km away.

Pathanapuram - Valakom (Mc road) Sabarimala Bypass pass through Vettikavala.

Kadakkal-Chengamanad road is another important road passing through Vettikavala which connects Vettikavala with Anchal.

Rail

Kottarakara and Avaneeswaram railway stations located in the Kollam-Sengottai railway line are nearest stations both are situated 8 km away from Vettikavala. However Vetiikavala is better connected with Kottarakkara railway station through public transportation.

Air

The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport (68 km)

See also

• Kollam