Athirampuzha

2022-06-06T08:25:48Z

134.0.196.174:

{{No footnotes|date=February 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Athirampuzha
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type =
| image_skyline = Mahatma Gandhi University Junction Athirampuzha.JPG
| image_alt =
| image_caption = University junction, Athirampuzha
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|9.6594900|N|76.5266600|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
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| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[English language|English]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| registration_plate = KL-05
| blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Kottayam]]
| website =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Athirampuzha''' is a town in [[Kottayam district]] of [[Kerala]] state, [[South India]]. It is famous as the [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala|Mahatma Gandhi University]] is situated here. Athirampuzha is situated 10 km north of [[Kottayam]] town, 3 km from [[Ettumanoor]] and from [[Main Central Road]] S.H.1 of Kerala. St. Mary’s forane church (Syro malabar Catholic) is well known for the feast of St. Sebastian every year on Jan. 24 and 25. Along with the church, there is a school with classes up to 12th standard for girls and boys separately - St. Aloysius school for boys and St. Mary's School for girls.

==History==
It is believed that Athirampuzha was a well-established developed village and settlements were there even in 1200 AD. The famous traveler [[Marco Polo]]'s travel descriptions, "The description of the world", have some references about അതിരമ്പുഴ. While he was traveling through Kerala he reached a port town called 'athiramkari'. The description of this place closely matches to അതിരമ്പുഴ. According to Marco Polo Athiramkari was a trade center famous for [[Pottery]], Cattle's, vegetable market (ചന്ത) (still exists) and clothes. 'Chantha Kulam (ചന്തകുളം)' was the center of trade where boats could dock. It is believed that mappilas (Christians) and Hindus ([[nair]]s) were settled in Athirampuzha during that period. Athirampuzha remained as a famous port town till the mid 1900s. Later more roads were developed which reduced the importance of backwater trade routes. The old boat shed (renovated later) still exists near the Chantha kulam.
It is believed that Athirampuzha is the origin of the very old Syrian Christian family "Kallumkal" which literally means stone on stone - the family which has branches all over Kerala built the first house in stone - a departure from houses made from timber, around 1050AD.
The nearest rail head is [[Ettumanoor]] Railway Station just 1.5 km from Athirampuzha.

Luka Mathai Plathottam (1888–1968) introduced homeopathy to Athirampuzha. He published many books including [[Varthamanappusthakam]] in 1936. (This entitles as the first travelogue in any Indian language). He was the Managing Director Plathottathil PVT LTD. [[K. K. Mathew|Justice K.K. Mathew Kuttyil]], his youngest son [[K. M. Joseph|Justice K.M Joseph Kuttiyil,]] Post Master General of India and First Malayalee Postal board member C J Mathew Chackalackal, [[Deepika (newspaper)|Deepika Daily]] Chief Editor K.M. Joseph Karivelil,K.M Joseph Kalarickal formal Central Fisheries commissioner, Dr. TJ Sebastian are some of the prominent people from Athirampuzha.

==Economy==
Athirampuzha is one of the oldest trading centers in [[Travancore]]. The place is believed to have trade relations with ''Middle East'' from centuries ago.
[[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala|Mahatma Gandhi University]] is located in Athirampuzha. [[Kuriakose Elias College, Mannanam]], Amalagiri B.K. College, Ettumanoor I.T.I., SNV L.P School Mannanam, St. Aloysious School, St. Marys School, St. Ephrems Higher Secondary School Mannanam, K.E. School Mannanam, St. Gregorious U.P.School Mannarkunnu, Government L.P. School Sreekandamangalam, etc. are located in Athirampuzha Panchayat.

== Religion ==

[[Christianity]] is the predominant religion in the Athirampuzha region, followed by [[Hinduism]] and [[Islam]]. The St. Mary's Forane Church at Athirampuzha is one of the oldest in Kerala. The Venmanatoor Sri Krishna Swami Temple (തൃക്കേൽ) is situated in Athirampuzha. The famous [[Vedhagiri]] hill is a Hindu pilgrim center located in the ward 1 of Athirampuzha panchayath. It is believed that the pandavas (Mahābhārata) visited the vyasa during their exile life. Remnants of the monastery are seen on the top of a small hill called Vedhagirimala. Hindus often visit the place and pray for their forefathers at the temple (Sri Dharma Shastha Kshethram) and have a snanam{Sanskrit} (holy bath) at the pond near the temple. Charis Bhavan, a well-known MSFS charismatic retreat center also located in Athirampuzha. [[Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple|The Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple]] is situated near Athirampuzha. Also, there are multiple small [[Hindu temple]]s and [[mosque]]s in different parts of Athirampuzha.

== St. Mary's Forane Church ==
[[File:St Marys Forane Church of Athirampuzha 3.JPG|thumb|St. Mary's Forane Church of Athirampuzha, altar]]
The Forane Church of Athirampuzha, built in 1080, hosts an annual pilgrimage event related to St.Sebastian.<ref>{{cite web |title=Visit Churches of Kerala {{!}} Tour To Religious Places of Kerala {{!}} Kerala India Tour |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017111733/http://tourtoindia.com/kerala/tourist-attractions/churches-of-kerala.html |website=web.archive.org |access-date=25 March 2022 |date=17 October 2007}}</ref>

==Location==
Ettumanoor Rail way Station and Industrial Estate is really located in Athirampuzha. [[Ettumanoor]], [[Kumaranalloor]], [[Arpookara]], [[Kudamaloor]], [[Mudiyoorkara]], [[Aymanam]], [[Kumarakom]], [[Kaipuzha]], [[Neendoor]], [[Onamthuruth]], [[Kurumulloor]], [[Kanakkary]], [[Pattithanam]] are the neighbouring places of Athirampuzha. [[Medical College, Kottayam|Government Medical College, Kottayam]], [[Caritas Hospital]], Matha Hospital in Thellakom are situated very near to Athirampuzha. Athirampuzha is having many post offices like [[Amalagiri]], [[Priyadarshini Hills]], [[Sreekandamangalam]], [[Kottackupuram]] etc.

==Transportation==
Athirampuzha was once a major inland waterway terminal town. Freight boats from Alappuzha called at Athirampuzha. From Athirampuzha bullock carts transported the goods to Pala and beyond. Passenger ferry services were available from Athirampuzha to Alappuzha and Muhamma. In the 1960s after road transportation gained prominence, Ettumanoor by virtue of its location gained popularity and the slow decline of Athirampuzha started. The passenger ferry services were curtailed till Mannanam after a newly constructed bridge over the navigable canal sank. The service to Mannanam is now curtailed till Maniaparambu. Newly declared National Waterway 9 starts from Athirampuzha Market and extends till Alappuzha via Kottayam. This waterway passes through Maniaparambu; from where passenger ferry services are operated to Muhamma, Kannankara and Cheepunkal.
Major express trains like Venad Express and Parasuram Express stop at Ettumanur railway station. During the festive season, some long-distance trains have a temporary halt here.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Athirampuzha}}
* http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/kerala/kottayam.htm
* For more pictures - https://web.archive.org/web/20130317010412/http://www.windiaw.com/2013/02/athirampuzha-fast-developing-area-in.html

{{Kottayam district}}

[[Category:Villages in Kottayam district]]

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Athirampuzha