>Alexinov at 07:12, 7 June 2021

2021-06-07T07:12:34Z

New page

{{more citations needed|date=May 2021}}
{{Short description|Municipal Town in Kerala, India}}{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Chengannur
| native_name =
| other_name = Chenganoor
| settlement_type = Municipal Town
| imagesize =
| image_caption = [[Chengannur Mahadeva Temple]]
| image_flag =
| flag_size =
| image_seal =
| seal_size =
| nickname = Gateway of Sabarimala
| motto =
| image_map = Chengannur Taluk.jpg
| mapsize =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Kerala#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_mapsize =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|9|19|6.54|N|76|36|50.46|E|display=inline}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Alappuzha]]
| established_title =
| established_date =
| government_type = [[Municipalities of Kerala|Municipality]]
| government_body =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 12.95
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 7
| elevation_ft =
| population_total = 23,456
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| postal_code_type = Post code
| postal_code = 689121
| area_code = 0479
| blank1_name_sec1 = Vehicle Code
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[List of RTO districts in India#KL.E2.80.94Kerala|KL-30]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.chengannurmunicipality.in/}}
| footnotes =
| timezone = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset = +5.30
| blank2_name_sec2 = Nearest city
| blank2_info_sec2 = [[Kottayam]] (36 km), [[Alappuzha]] (43 km), [[Kollam]] (58 km)
| name =
}}
[[File:Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple1.JPG|thumb|[[Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple]]]]
[[File:Gada-.JPG|thumb|Bhima's Mace (Gada), [[Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple|Thripuliyoor Mahavishnu Temple]]]]
[[File:Puliyoor gopuram.JPG|thumb|Puliyoor Gopuram, [[Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple|Thripuliyoor Mahavishnu Temple]]]]
[[File:Chengannur 1.JPG|thumb|[[Old Syrian Church, Chengannur|Old Syrian Church]]]]
'''Chengannur''' (also spelled '''Chengannoor''' or '''Chenganur''') is a [[Municipalities of Kerala|Municipality]] in the [[Alappuzha district]] of [[Kerala State]], India. It is located in the extreme eastern part of the Alappuzha district, on the banks of [[Pamba River]].<ref name="alapuzhataluk" >[http://alappuzha.gov.in/talukcensus.htm Alapuzha Taluk Census] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625050824/http://alappuzha.gov.in/talukcensus.htm |date=25 June 2011 }}, alappuzha.gov.in Census 2001.</ref>

Chengannur is {{convert|117|km|mi}} north of the state capital [[Thiruvananthapuram]] on the [[Main Central Road|MC Road]] (State Highway 1). Chengannur is connected to Kollam and Kottayam by [[National Highway 220 (India)|NH 220]]. Chengannur is noted for the [[Chengannur Mahadeva Temple]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chengannurtemple.com|title=Chengannur Mahadeva Temple|website=chengannurtemple.com}}</ref> (aka 'Dakshina Kailasam' as a major Shiva temple of South India) and its [[Old Syrian Church, Chengannur|Old Syrian Church]] of the ancient Syrian Christian community. Chengannur is also a major destination of [[Sabarimala]] pilgrims known as the Gateway of Sabarimala.

The nearby municipal towns are [[Pandalam]] to the south, [[Mavelikkara]] to the west [[Pathanamthitta]] to the east and [[Tiruvalla]] to the north. The ''taluk'' comprises villages such as [[Kurattissery]], [[Mannar, Alappuzha|Mannar]], [[Ennakkad]], [[Pandanad]], [[Thiruvanvandoor]], Chengannur, [[Mulakuzha]], [[Ala, Alappuzha|Ala]], [[Puliyoor]], [[Cheriyanad]], [[Budhanoor]] and [[Venmony]].<ref name="alapuzhataluk" /><ref name="pres">[http://alappuzha.gov.in/alp_gram_panch_presi.htm Presidents of Panchayat - Chengannur Taluk] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625050806/http://alappuzha.gov.in/alp_gram_panch_presi.htm |date=25 June 2011 }}, alapuzha.gov.in 2001</ref>

As of the 2001 Indian [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Chengannur Taluk had a population of 125,391. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. 9% of the population is under 6 years of age. People of old age comprise 34%. The literacy rate of Chengannur is 97.82% higher than state average of 94.00%. In Chengannur, Male literacy is around 98.35% while female literacy rate is 97.36%.

==History==
{{citations needed|date=May 2021}}
The name Chengannur (chen - kunnu- ur/noor) is derived from the words 'Che' (Malayalam) which means red soil 'kunnu' (Malayalam) means hill and 'ur/oor' (Malayalam) that means land. Land of red hills ... Almost all those red hills are gone now due to excessive soil mining for land filling. This red soil is different from the soil of surrounding taluk of mavelikara & Kuttanad,

In early modern period, Chengannur was a part of Kayamkulam dynasty and which later came under [[Travancore]] kings when Kayamkulam was ceded by Marthandavarma in the 18th century. In the historical period there were migrations from "Kollam" to "Chengannur" Due To Natural Disasters.

[[Black pepper|Pepper]], popularly known as "black gold", was a major export item of Chengannur. Angadical (''Angadi'' means ''market'' in [[Malayalam]]) was the main market in Chengannur. Current Chengannur market (Shasthram puram chanda)is developed by [[Velu Thampi Dalawa]]. During the 19th and 20th centuries, this market played a major role in selling and buying goods produced in eastern region of the state with the coastal part of Kerala.

[[Mahatma Gandhi]] addressed at the Mills Ground (Called 'Mills Maithan' in local dialect)(now mills maithanam is ksrtc bus stand) at Chengannur in 1925 as part of his visit to [[Travancore]] state. In 1938 as part of Indian independence movement, large gathering of people from all over [[Central Travancore]] were present at the Mills Maithan in Chengannur in response to a notification circulated by the State Congress. There was police lathi charge during the meeting and one person named 'Kutilil George' died and scores of people were injured.

Chengannur's Munsif court, which recently completed its centenary, was long the most important judicial center of the region.

Chengannur Municipality was formed in the year 1980 with Shri. P.K John Plammoottil (Retd. Deputy Superintendent of Police - DySP) as its First Municipal Chairman.

==Culture==
{{Citations needed|date=May 2021}}The cultural background of Chengannur originates from the era of Royal rule. Chengannur was a part of Vanjippuzha Principality which was under the rule of [[Travancore]].
Chengannur town is in the banks of Holy river [[Pamba River|Pamba]] which influenced the culture of this town. There are many "Chundan Vallam" (Snake boats) participating in [[Aranmula Boat Race]] hails from Chengannur and nearby areas. [[Padayani]] is a traditional temple art-form that is performed as part of the festival in Vadasserikkavu Devi Temple, located 2 km north of Chengannur town. Chengannur has produced several great artists. The most famous one is the famous [[Kathakali]] artist [[Chenganoor Raman Pillai]], popularly known as "Guru Chengannur".

Chengannur is famous for the craftsman who were brought by Kings of Travancore to build the temple in Sabarimala. Later generations of these craftsmen also famous for their skills and idols of many temples in Kerala are crafted by them. [[Mannar, Alappuzha|Mannar]] is a place in Chengannur Taluk which is famous for the Bronze industry.

Chengannur is a major 'Shaiva' pilgrim destination in India. Chengannur temple is one of the 108 temples believed to be created by Parasurama.
Chengannur Suriyani Church is another example for the architecture excellence of this town. It was built by Vanjipuzha Chief. The Church is shared by Marthoma and Orthodox believers of the locality including cemetery and all other assets. It is famous for its unique architecture. There is a 33.5 feet tall Cross made from single stone is a major attraction of its Architectural beauty."Aval Nercha"(Flattened rice offering) at this church is another significant tradition that is believed to have been initiated by a member of the church "Mrs.Akkama" nearly 400 years ago. This custom is still practiced by the local believers and organised by the members of Mukkath Kudumba Yogam on Maundy Thursday every year. 4 out of 5 major Vishu temples believed to be created by [[Pandavas]], Thrichittattu, Puliyoor, Aranmula and Thiruvanvandoor are in and around Chengannur. These temples are major Vaishnava pilgrim destinations in South India.

==Demographics==
According to the 2011 census, Chengannur has a literacy rate of 96.26% (males: 97.90%, females: 94.80%). Chengannur has a sex ratio of 1100. The total increase in the population from 2001 has been estimated as 0.61%. Its population is predominantly Hindu and Christian, with a very small number of Muslims. The most widely spoken language is Malayalam. The standard dialect of Malayalam spoken is the Central Travancore dialect. Most people are able to talk in English as well.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

==Transport==
Chengannur is well-connected by road and rail. State Highway 1 (SH1), popularly known as the [[Main Central Road|MC Road]], passes through the heart of the town and connects Chengannur to state capital, [[Thiruvananthapuram]] and [[Angamaly]] in Eranakulam District. The Chengannur - [[Kottayam]] stretch of the MC Road is also part of the NH 220 which stretches between [[Kollam]] and [[Theni]]. Another major road is [[State Highway 10 (Kerala)|State Highway 10]] which connects Chengannur to [[Mavelikkara]] and [[Kozhencherry]]. Besides these two roads, there are also many arterial roads running across the length and breadth of the town.

===Road===
[[Kerala State Road Transport Corporation]] has a depot at Chengannur (station code: CGNR); it is among the 29 major depots in the state. The KSRTC depot at Chengannur has an inter-state bus service, which is operated to [[Kanyakumari]]. KSRTC runs buses to different cities and towns inside and outside the state. Some of the Major destinations are [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Ernakulam]], [[Thrissur]], [[Kozhikode]], [[Mangalore]], Mukambika, [[Kanyakumari]], [[Coimbatore]], Palani, [[Kannur]] and [[Wayanad]]. The Municipal Private bus stand is located in front of the railway station. Private buses leave this stand heading to various places in the [[Alappuzha]], [[Kottayam]], [[Pathanamthitta]] and [[Kollam]] districts. In addition to these, private luxury buses are available to Major cities like, [[Bangalore]], [[Chennai]], [[Coimbatore]], [[Mysore]], [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]], [[Mangalore]] etc.

===Rail===
{{Main Article|Chengannur Railway Station}}
[[Chengannur Railway Station]] (station code: CNGR), is an important railway station between Kollam and Kottayam. It is a major railway station in the [[Thiruvananthapuram railway division]] of the [[Southern Railway Zone (India)]]. People from eastern part of the state are using this railway station for travelling to various parts of the country. All the trains traveling through this route stop at Chengannur station. It caters to the needs 3 districts, viz. [[Alappuzha]], [[Kollam]] and [[Pathanamthitta]]. By rail, Chengannur is well connected to major cities in India like [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Chennai]], [[Kolkata]], [[Bangalore]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Pune]], [[Agra]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Bikaner]], [[Mangalore]], [[Bhopal]], [[Guwahati]], [[Nagpur]], [[Jammu]] and other major cities of the country. Recently, the station has been declared as "The Gateway to Sabarimala". The rail line between Chengannur and [[Thiruvananthapuram]] has been doubled and electrified. Two new lines are proposed from Chengannur: one to [[Thiruvananthapuram]] via [[Adoor]] and the other to [[Sabarimala]] via [[Pathanamthitta]]. Furthermore, an MRTS is proposed to be established between [[Thiruvananthapuram]] and Chengannur. There is one more small railway station at Cheriyanadu which is 6 km from the town center.

===Air===
The nearest airport is [[Trivandrum International airport]] which is about 116 km from Chengannur. Another nearby airport is [[Cochin International Airport|Cochin International Airport (CIAL)]] which is about and 127 km from Chengannur. With these two airports, Chengannur is well connected to Major Indian cities as well as the Countries in Middle East, Far East, Europe and Americas.

==Climate==
[[K�ppen-Geiger climate classification system]] classifies its climate as [[tropical monsoon climate|tropical monsoon]] (Am).<ref name="Climate-Data.org"/>

{{Weather box
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|location=Chengannur, Kerala
|Jan record high C=
|Feb record high C=
|Mar record high C=
|Apr record high C=
|May record high C=
|Jun record high C=
|Jul record high C=
|Aug record high C=
|Sep record high C=
|Oct record high C=
|Nov record high C=
|Dec record high C=

|Jan high C=31.2
|Feb high C=31.7
|Mar high C=32.6
|Apr high C=32.7
|May high C=32.1
|Jun high C=29.9
|Jul high C=29.4
|Aug high C=29.4
|Sep high C=29.9
|Oct high C=30
|Nov high C=30
|Dec high C=30.7

|Jan mean C=26.8
|Feb mean C=27.5
|Mar mean C=28.6
|Apr mean C=29.1
|May mean C=28.7
|Jun mean C=26.9
|Jul mean C=26.5
|Aug mean C=26.5
|Sep mean C=26.9
|Oct mean C=26.9
|Nov mean C=26.7
|Dec mean C=26.7

|Jan low C=22.5
|Feb low C=23.4
|Mar low C=24.7
|Apr low C=25.5
|May low C=25.4
|Jun low C=24
|Jul low C=23.6
|Aug low C=23.7
|Sep low C=23.9
|Oct low C=23.9
|Nov low C=23.5
|Dec low C=22.7

|Jan record low C=
|Feb record low C=
|Mar record low C=
|Apr record low C=
|May record low C=
|Jun record low C=
|Jul record low C=
|Aug record low C=
|Sep record low C=
|Oct record low C=
|Nov record low C=
|Dec record low C=

|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation mm=21
|Feb precipitation mm=34
|Mar precipitation mm=59
|Apr precipitation mm=156
|May precipitation mm=308
|Jun precipitation mm=574
|Jul precipitation mm=522
|Aug precipitation mm=358
|Sep precipitation mm=278
|Oct precipitation mm=329
|Nov precipitation mm=211
|Dec precipitation mm=54

|Jan rain days=
|Feb rain days=
|Mar rain days=
|Apr rain days=
|May rain days=
|Jun rain days=
|Jul rain days=
|Aug rain days=
|Sep rain days=
|Oct rain days=
|Nov rain days=
|Dec rain days=

|Jan humidity=
|Feb humidity=
|Mar humidity=
|Apr humidity=
|May humidity=
|Jun humidity=
|Jul humidity=
|Aug humidity=
|Sep humidity=
|Oct humidity=
|Nov humidity=
|Dec humidity=
|year humidity=

|Jand sun=
|Febd sun=
|Mard sun=
|Aprd sun=
|Mayd sun=
|Jund sun=
|Juld sun=
|Augd sun=
|Sepd sun=
|Octd sun=
|Novd sun=
|Decd sun=

|source = Climate-Data.org (altitude: 13m)<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{Cite web |url=https://en.climate-data.org/location/59915/ |title=Average Temperatures, weather by month, Chengannur weather averages |publisher=Climate-Data.org |access-date=2018-08-20 }}</ref>

|source 2 =

}}

==Administration==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin: 0 1em 0 0;"
|-
!colspan="2"| Chengannur Town officials
|-
| Municipal Chairman
| Smt. Shoba Varughese<ref>"official [http://www.chengannurmunicipality.in]"</ref>
|-
| Sub Collector
|-
| [[Deputy Superintendent of Police]]
|<ref>"sp {{cite web|url=http://alappuzha.nic.in/ele2009_phone.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-04-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807061530/http://alappuzha.nic.in/ele2009_phone.htm |archive-date=2011-08-07 }}"</ref>
|-
|}

The two administrative systems prevailing in the Chengannur are [[Revenue]] and [[local self-government in India|local self-government]]. As per the revenue system, Chengannur is one of the two revenue divisions of [[Alappuzha]] district. The Chengannur revenue division comprises [[Karthikapally]], Chengannur and [[Mavelikkara]] taluks consisting of a total of 44 villages. Under the local self-government system, Chengannur is divided into 1 statutory town and development blocks consisting of 11 [[panchayats]].

==Politics==
===Lok Sabha===
Chengannur is a part of the Mavelikara constituency which after demarcation extends from [[Changanassery]] in [[Kottayam]] district to [[Kottarakkara]] in [[Kollam]] district. Kodikunnil Suresh of the INC has been representing the Mavelikkara constituency since 2009.

===State Assembly===
Chengannur's assembly constituency (Number 110) is a part of the [[Mavelikkara (Lok Sabha constituency)]]. The first speaker of the Kerala legislative assembly, Sankaranarayanan Thampi, was an MLA from Chengannur. K. K. Ramachandran Nair was the MLA from 2016 onwards. He died and was replaced in the by-elections conducted on 28 May 2018 by [[Saji Cheriyan]] of [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cpm-wins-keralas-chengannur-assembly-seat-bypoll-seen-as-referendum-on-ldf-govt-performance/articleshow/64397561.cms | title=CPM wins Kerala's Chengannur Assembly seat, bypoll seen as referendum on LDF govt performance | date=31 May 2018 | newspaper=The Times of India | access-date=6 June 2018 }}</ref>

==Economy==
There are many state Government offices, Banks and educational institutions located in Chengannur. A good number of people work in these institutions. Other major source of income is from the Non Residential Indians, which is a common economical factor in the central Travancore region, and the rest of Kerala as well. Agriculture is also there in the outskirts, but mostly confined to Rubber Plantations. There are no major industries in Chengannur, but a number of small scale industries are present. Major private employers are limited to banks, hospitals and shops.

''Chengannur Central Hatchery'' in chengannur which was started in 1961 was Asia's biggest poultry hatchery under government initiative.

In Sabarimala season, which starts from mid-November to mid-January there is a huge boost in economical activities in this town. Since Chengannur is the nearest Railway station to [[Sabarimala|Sabarimala Temple]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ayyappatemple.in/how-to-reach.html|title=How to Reach Sabarimala - Routes To Ayyappan Temple|website=www.ayyappatemple.in}}</ref> most devotees use this railway station to visit the temple. During this season a boost in restaurant, hotel and transportation business is visible.

===Notable people===
* [[M. R. Kurup]] - ISRO Scientist and Founder of the First Solid Rocket Propellant Plant in India
* [[K M Cherian|K. M. Cherian (doctor)]] - Renowned Cardiac Surgeon who performed India's first coronary artery bypass surgery
* [[Chenganoor Raman Pillai]] - [[Kathakali]] Artist
* [[Puthencavu Mathan Tharakan]] - Malayalam [[Poet]]
* [[Acharya Narendra Bhooshan]] - Indian [[Linguistics|linguist]] and Vedic Scholar
* Captain [[Thomas Philipose]] - Maha Vir Chakra Awardee
* [[Pothan Joseph]] - Renowned [[Journalist]]
* [[George Joseph (Kerala)|George Joseph]] - Indian Freedom Fighter and Editor of [[Young India]], [[The Independent|The Independent (India)]] magazines
* [[Puthenpurayil Mathew Joseph]] - Renowned Educationist and Founder Principal of Laxmibai National College of Physical Education
* [[Sony Cheruvathur]] - Former Captain of [[Kerala cricket team]]
* [[Parampath Joy Oommen]] - Former Chief Secretary of the State of Chhattisgarh and First Chairman of the Naya Raipur Development Authority which is responsible for the development of the new capital city for the State of Chhattisgarh

==Places of worship==

The population of Chengannur mainly practices [[Hinduism]] and [[Christianity]]. Muslims are also found in the M.C. Road Mulakuzha region of the town. Most of Muslims living at Kollakadavu and Mannar areas.
{{main|List of places of worship in Chengannur}}
*[[Chengannur Mahadeva Temple]]
*[[Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple|Thripuliyoor Mahavishnu Temple]]
*[[Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple]]
*[[Anandeshwaram Mahadeva Temple|Anandeswaram Sree Mahadeva Kshethram]]
*[[:ml:ചെറിയനാട് ശ്രീബാലസുബ്രഹ്മണ്യസ്വാമീക്ഷേത്രം|Cheriyanad Sree Balasubrahmanya Swami Temple]]
*
*
*[[Pazhaya Suriyani Pally|Pazhaya Suriyani Pally (Old Syrian Church)]]
*[[St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Puthencavu]]
*
*

==Educational organizations==
{{main|List of colleges and schools in Chengannur}}

==See also==
* [[Alappuzha]]
* [[Kayamkulam]]
* [[Mavelikkara]]
* [[Aranmula]]
* [[Pandalam]]
* [[Adoor]]
* [[Changanassery]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Chengannur}}



{{Kerala}}
{{Municipalities of Kerala}}
{{Alappuzha district}}
{{Central Travancore}}

[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Alappuzha district]]

Chengannur - Revision history

>Alexinov at 07:12, 7 June 2021