Erattupetta
 |
Erattupetta
ERA2PETTA | |
|---|---|
 Town's Junction | |
  Erattupetta Location in Kerala, India | |
| Coordinates: 9°42′N 76°47′E / 9.7°N 76.78°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Kottayam |
| Government | |
| • Type | City |
| • Municipal Chairperson | Suhara Abdul Khader (Muslim League) |
| • Municipal Vice Chairperson | Muhammad Ilyas (INC) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.24 km2 (5.50 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 24 m (79 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 29,675 |
| • Density | 2,100/km2 (5,400/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | Erattupetta - 686121 Erattupetta 2 - 686122 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-35 |
| Literacy | 90% |
| Website | https://erattupettamunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in/en/ |
Erattupetta is a Municipal Town located in Kottayam district of the state of Kerala, India. It is located 38 km east of Kottayam, the district capital. Erattupetta Grama Panchayath was founded in 1972 and upgraded to municipality in 2015
The "Eraaru" part in all the variation of the names arose from the geographical location, where the two rivers (aru) merge as single one and “Petta” means Town. Erattupetta is situated in the foothills of High Ranges. Hence the Place is also Known as 'The Gate Way of Highrange/Malanadu'.
Earlier, the town was known as "Eerappili" & "Erapuzha". Erattupetta is a secular place with good religious harmony. Many Mosques, Temples and Churches are situated here. The famous pilgrim centers like St.George Forane Church and Valyachan Hills are near the suburbs of Erattupetta
Etymology
The "Eraaru" part in all the variation of the names arose from the geographical location, where the two rivers (aru) merge as a single one. Erattupetta is situated in the foothills of High Ranges. The word "Petta" has Tamil/Telugu origin meaning town. Earlier it was known as 'Erapoli' or 'Erapuzha'. It was the commercial capital of the Poonjar principality until 1949. Erattupetta lies in an ancient trade route originating from Athirampuzha to Tamil Nadu.[citation needed] St. Thomas Travelled from Tamil Nadu to Erattupetta through this trade route.
Economy
In the past, hill produce from the Cardamom hills were brought down by the Muthuvans for trade. Erattupetta is a famous trading center for spices, rubber, arecanut and other agricultural products. Wagamon, a Hill Station, lies some 22 km east of Erattupetta . Erattupetta has a good number of expatriate population living in Gulf countries, especially in United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census, Erattupetta had a population of 29,675. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Erattupetta has an average literacy rate of 90%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 76%. In Erattupetta, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Educational institutions
Government Muslim LP School,Nadackal ,Erattupetta
MMMUM UP School,Nadackal ,Erattupetta
Thanmiya Islamic School,Nadackal ,Erattupetta
St.Mary’s LP School, Aruvithura,Erattupetta
Al-Fitra Islamic School ,Erattupetta
Guidance Public School ,Poonjar,Erattupetta
Al-manar Senior Secondary School,Vattakkayam,Erattupetta
Government Higher Secondary School,Thekkekkara,Erattupetta
St.George Higher Secondary School, Aruvithura,Erattupetta
Muslim Girls Higher Secondary School,Nadackal ,Erattupetta
University College of Teacher Education,Thekkekkara,Erattupetta
ST.Georges College, Aruvithura,Erattupetta
Georgian College, Aruvithura,Erattupetta
St.Alphonsa Public School & Junior College, Aruvithura,Erattupetta
Temples
Angalamman Temple
Angalamman Koil is located in the heart of the town of Erattupetta. The people of Erattupettha are worshiped with great devotion and honor, and the guardian goddess of suffering and suffering.
Nadackal Bhagavathi Temple
Nadackal Sree Bhagwathi Temple has the deity of Bhadrakali. The idol is a Kannady Bimbam.
Nadackal Kavu
Churches
St. George Forane Church, popularly known as Aruvithura palli, is a syro-malabar Catholic Church in Erattupetta munsippalitty. This Church is believed to be the oldest Church in eastern Kerala, and is considered to be the mother church of the ancient Syrian Christian community of both the Meenachil and the Kanjirapally Taluks. The church is believed to be founded in A.D 52 by Saint Thomas and later it was named martha mariyam church. It is commonly believed that in the 13th century, a group of Christians, who had to flee from Nilackal to save themselves from the hands of enemies, brought the statue of St. George from Nilackal and placed it in Aruvithura Church for veneration. From that time onwards, Aruvithura Church came to be known on behalf of St George. There is also a popular belief that the St. George's Church was established by Saint Thomas the apostle himself. The annual festival of St George church is celebrated during April 15 – May 1 every year.
st george Church is one of the two oldest churches in Pala Diocese. Traditionally it is believed that the Catholic Church at Erattupetta was established in AD 151. It is assumed that a group of Christians who were baptised by St. Thomas lived here. All the major churches in Pala Diocese have their cultural and spiritual inheritance from st george Church. Pala, Bharananganam, Plassanal, Poonjar, Thidanad , Kanjirapally etc came under st george forane Aruvithura Church.
Going through history it is clear that the oldest churches were in the name of Martha Mariam. st george Church also was in the name of Martha Mariam until the 13th century. The statue of St Mary placed at the centre of the main altar is a clear proof of this fact. During the 13th century, a group of Christians , who had to elope from Nilackal to save themselves from the hands of enemies, brought the statue of St George from Nilackal and placed it in st george Church for veneration. From that time onwards st george Church came to be known on behalf of St George.
The present church is the fourth church built in this location. Details about the first church is unavailable. The second church was built in the form of a temple. The third church was built in Portuguese model. The altar of the third Church is still preserved in the present church. The present church was built in 1951. It is 170 feet long and 50 feet broad. An aerial view of the church has the shape a Cross. The " Manimalika' in front of the church is 120 feet high. the statue of Christ at the top of the Church is 15 Feet high.
Mosques
Ninar Palli Juma Masjid
Muhyidheen Juma Masjid
Puthenpalli Juma Masjid - are the Important Masjid Situated. 60+ Mosques are situated in Erattupetta
Geography
Erattupetta can be accessed easily from north Kerala via Angamaly-Muvattupuzha-Thodupuzha-Muttom route. It is well connected to Tamil Nadu via Kottayam-Kumali (K K) Road to Madurai through the nearest town Mundakkayam via Parathanam which is 27 Kilometres from Erattupetta.
It has an average elevation of 36 metres (118 feet).
Access
- Thiruvananthapuram - Kilimanoor - Kottarakkara - Pathanamthitta - Ranni - Erumeli - Kanjirappally - Erattupetta164 km
- Kottayam - Ettumanoor - Pala - Erattupetta - Erattupetta 39 km
- Kochi/Cochin - Thrippunithura - Piravom - Elanji - Uzhavoor - Pala - Erattupetta 78 km
- Thrissur/Trichur-Chalakudy - Angamaly - Perumbavoor - Muvattupuzha - Thodupuzha - Erattupetta 130 km
- Kozhikode - Kuttippuram - Thrissur - Muvattupuzha - Thodupuzha - Erattupetta 255 km
- Cochin International Airpot - Kalady - Perumbavoor - Muvattupuzha - Thodupuzha - Erattupetta 84 km
- Mundakkayam- Parathanam - Poonjar - Panachikappara - Erattupetta 27 km
Politics
Erattupetta is a municipality. The current municipal chairperson is Smt. Suhara Abdul Khader.
Erattupetta comes under the Pathanamthitta loksabha constituency and the Poonjar assembly constituency. Erattupetta is represented in the Loksabha by Sri Anto Antony and in the state assembly by Sri P.C. George.
References
https://keralatourism.org https://erattupettamunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in/en/ http://lsgkerala.in/erattupettapanchayat/