Thrippunithura

Tripunithura തൃപ്പൂണിത്തുറ Tripunithura
Suburb
Hill Palace, Thripoonithara
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Ernakulam
Government
• Body	Trippunithura Municipality
Population  (2001)
• Total	59,881
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	682301
Telephone code	0484
Vehicle registration	KL 39
Website	www.thrippunithuramunicipality.in

Thrippunithura or Tripunithura is a suburb of the city of Kochi in the state of Kerala, India and a part of the Kochi metropolitan area. In local administration it is a municipality named Tripunithura Municipality. In the state administrative structure, Thrippunithura is part of the Ernakulam District in the state of Kerala.

Thrippunithura was the capital of the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin. The descendants of the Cochin royal family still live here. The Hill Palace situated near Thripunithura was the palace of Maharaja of Cochin, the ruler of Kingdom of Cochin.

Kotta Vathil

Cricket ground

Vessel at the Museum

Pond at the hill palace

Thrippunithara temple

Kalikkotta

Petta junction

Etymology

Some latter day Sanskrit enthusiasts ascribe the origin of the name to "Poorna Veda Puri" - the town of Vedas in its entirety. Another possible origin to name comes from the meaning "the land on the shores of Poorna river".

History and Culture

Main article: History and culture of Thrippunithura

History

The 'Raja nagari' or the royal city is one of the most prominent centers of traditional Kerala cultural heritage. The erstwhile rulers of Kingdom of Cochin were great patrons of art. This made fine arts and architecture flourish under them in many ways. The town is also a prominent centre of learning for classical arts like Carnatic music, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam besides percussion instruments like mridangam, chenda and maddalam. Much of this is facilitated by the RLV College of Music and Institute of Fine Arts was established here in 1956. Another center of learning is Kalmandalam. Tripunithura also has many dedicated centers for stage performances and promotion of art.

Temples

• Poornathrayesa Temple

Main article: Sree Poornathrayesa temple

• Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharma Sastha temple

Main article: Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharma Sastha temple

• Muthukulangara Temple
• Poonithura Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple

Restaurants and hotels

There are a few choices in the market area, but in general Tripunithura does not have too wide a selection of restaurants and hotels. The Bharath Cafe near the Sree Poornathrayesa temple offers excellent vegetarian choices, and is popular for its sweets. Expect basic service at all places. The Statue Junction of the town is filled with lots of refreshment centres including Restaurants and Juice bars. The main lodgings available are in Vadakkekota - Prasanth Hotel and also many others. The Abhishekam Convention Hall is one of the meeting halls available in Tripunithura.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Tripunithura had a population of 59,881. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Thrippunithura has an average literacy rate of 87%, higher than the national average of 71.5%: male literacy is 88%, and female literacy is 86%. In Tripunithura, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Local Government

Thrippunithura is administered by an elected municipal council headed by the chairman. LDF is currently ruling the municipality with Chandrika devi as its chairman.

Villages in Tripunithura municipality

• Tripunithura-Nadama
• Thekkumbhagam
• Thiruvankulam

Education

Tripunithura has a lot of Educational institutions which makes the place a good haven for education. Primary, High and Higher Secondary School Education is available in many schools. The Government schools functioning in Tripunithura include the Government Sanskrit High School, Government Girls High School, Palace Girls High School and Government Boys High School as well as private management schools like The Convent School and The Shree Venkiteshwara School.

There are also a few privately managed CBSE schools like Chinmaya Vidyalaya, The Nair Service Society (NSS) Higher Secondary School and relatively newer schools like The Choice School, Bhavans Vidya Mandir School also function in various parts of the town to provide the necessary basics and also higher education for children. The landmark of the town is the RLV Music College which provides proteges with training in Classical music and has also produced many great singers most notably K.J Yeshudas. Tripunithura also has colleges like the Sanskrit College and the NSS College for Women.

Geography

Thripunithura is surrounded by stretches of Vembanad Lake and Canals which sustain inland navigation. The Town is situated almost 8 meters above Mean Sea Level. The Town is extends up to the East Till Thiruvankulam.

Neighbouring cities & towns

Transport

Tripunithura has a main bus-stand in its main centre with buses going from and coming into from different locations. Furthermore, it has bus-stops in almost every part of the town which makes travel by bus easier. Railway transport is also available. NH 49 passes through Karingachira. Ernakulam-Ettumanoor State Highway also Passes through Thrippunithura.

Tripunithura railway station is a major railway station in Ernakulam to Kottayam route with many passenger trains and express trains have a stop over here.

Royal Heritage

Main article: Cochin Royal Family

See also: Kingdom of Cochin

• 
  Raj Bhavan Palace, Thripunithura
• 
  Edoop Palace (North), Thripunithura.
• 
  The Royal Theatre or Kalikkotta Palace
• 
  Thattu Malikka or Royal Balcony for Royal Family to view Sree Poornathrayesa temple festivals
• 
  The entrance to Amma Thampuran Kovilakam (Palace No 31M), the ancestral home of Cochin Royal Family, near Sree Poornathrayesa temple

External links

• Tripunithura.net (The palace city of Kerala)
• Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharmasastha Temple