>Mangalath at 17:41, 4 July 2021

2021-07-04T17:41:24Z

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{{Use Indian English|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2013}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Cherthala
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = ചേർത്തല
| other_name =
| nickname = കരപ്പുറം
| settlement_type = Taluk/Municipality
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Cherthala
| pushpin_map = India Kerala#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|9|41|13|N|76|20|10|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| leader_title = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]]
| leader_name = [[P. Thilothaman]]
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 16.18
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 2
| population_total = 45,827
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank = 11 (Cherthala Urban Agglomeration)
| population_density_km2 = 1612
| 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 Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 688524 (town)
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 0478
| registration_plate = [[List of RTO districts in India#KL.E2.80.94Kerala|KL]]-32 or [[List of RTO districts in India#KL.E2.80.94Kerala|KL]]-04
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = 1030 [[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = Alappuzha
| blank3_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Cherthala (State Assembly constituency)|Cherthala]]
| website =
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}

'''Cherthala''', {{IPA-ml|t͡ʃeːrt̪ːɐlɐ|IPA}}, (formerly '''Shertalai''', '''Shertallai''' or '''Shertallay''') is a Municipal town and a Taluk located in the [[Alappuzha district|district of Alappuzha]], in the state of [[Kerala]], India. Town is 31 km to Kochi and Kottayam and 22 km north of [[Alappuzha]] town, on the Kochi-Alappuzha National Highway [[National Highway 47 (India)|NH 66 (formerly 47)]], as well as the coastal rail route. The coastal town is also about 20 kilometers from the historical town of [[Vaikom]] Via Ullala -Chempakassery house and the popular tourism destination [[Kumarakom]].
[[File:ചെർത്തല ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ കോഴികളെ പാർപ്പിക്കാൻ സമർപ്പിച്ച കെട്ടിടം.jpg|thumb|Shelter for holy birds]]

In [[Municipality|local administration]], the Cherthala is a [[municipality]] while in the state administrative structure Cherthala is a [[taluk]] and its headquarters in the [[Alappuzha district|district of Alappuzha]]. The [[Corporation of Cochin]] has drafted a master plan that aims to develop Cherthala as the [[satellite town]] around Kochi.

==Etymology==
According to the local [[legend]], once [[Vilwamangalam Swamiyar]], the well known Kerala [[Hindu]] saint, while travelling through Cherthala, found an idol of the [[Devi]] with its head immersed in a muddy pond. The swami understood the divinity of the idol, took it out of the mud, cleaned it and [[consecrated]] it in a temple near the pond. Thus the place is believed to have gotten its name as ''cher'' meaning "mud" and ''thala'' meaning "head" in Malayalam. The deity of the temple has the name ''Cherthala Karthiyayani''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Namboothiri Websites Calicut |url=http://www.namboothiri.com/articles/vilwamangalam-swaamiyaar.htm |title=Vilwamangalam Swaamiyaar |publisher=Namboothiri.com |date=3 October 2003 |access-date=2013-03-04}}</ref> The word put together means "head from the mud". Unlike in other Kerala temples, the idol of ''Cherthala Karthiyayani'' Devi is consecrated in the [[Sreekovil]] just below the ground level and cannot be directly viewed by the devotees.

There is another story that says that the former name was Karappuram and that this piece of land was given by the erstwhile State of Cochin to the erstwhile state of Travancore for protecting it from enemies. The place got its name as ''chertha'' ("joined") ''thala'' ("abutting land").
[[File:Cherthala Devi temple 1.jpg|thumb|Devi temple]]

==Climate==
{{Weather box/concise_C
| location=Cherthala, Kerala
| source=Climate-Data.org<ref name="Climate-Data.org">
"CLIMATE: CHERTALA",
Climate-Data.org. Web: [http://en.climate-data.org/location/32610/].</ref>
| 31.8|32.0|32.6|32.7|29.4|28.8|28.8|29.3|29.3|29.9|30.5|31.3
| 22.4|23.4|24.8|25.5|25.1|23.8|23.2|23.5|23.6|23.7|23.7|22.7
| 25|39|56|145|351|705|621|392|297|317|199|53
}}

==Local governance==
Cherthala taluk is a part of Alappuzha Revenue District and Alappuzha [[Parliamentary]] constituency. All the villages of Cherthala Taluk come under the Cherthala and Aroor and Alappuzha (Constituencies of [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]]. The three-tier local governance structure is as follows: Cherthala Taluk area comes under Alappuzha district ''panchayat'' and the area is divided into three block ''panchayats'': Pattanakad, Thycattuserry and Kanzhikuzhy. These block panchayats are again subdivided into ''Grama panchayats''. The Grama panchayats in Pattanakkad Block Panchayath are [[Aroor]], [[Ezhupunna]], [[Kuthiathode]], [[Kodamthuruthu]], [[Thuravoor, Cherthala|Thuravoor]], [[Pattanakkad]] and [[Vayalar]]. The Thycattussery Block Panchayath have five Grama Panchayaths, viz., [[Arookutty]], [[Perumbalam]], [[Panavally]], [[Thycattusserry]] and [[Chennam Pallippuram]]. [[Kadakkarappally]], [[Cherthala South]], [[Kanjikuzhi]], [[Thanneermukkom]] and [[Mararikulam North]] are Grama panchayaths in the Kanjikuzhi block.

==Demographics==
According to 2011 census report, Cherthala Municipality had population of 45,827 of which 22,192 are males while 23,635 are females.

Population of Children with age of 0-6 is 3988 which is 8.70 % of total population of Cherthala (M). In Cherthala Municipality, Female Sex Ratio is of 1065 against state average of 1084. Moreover Child Sex Ratio in Cherthala is around 911 compared to Kerala state average of 964. Literacy rate of Cherthala city is 97.02 % higher than state average of 94.00 %. In Cherthala, Male literacy is around 98.58 % while female literacy rate is 95.59 %.<ref>Cherthala Municipality City Population Census 2011-2021 | Kerala</ref>

==Educational organizations==
{{Main article|Educational organizations in Cherthala}}
*[[College of Engineering, Cherthala|College of Engineering]], Cherthala, managed by IHRD, Government of Kerala
*[http://npti.gov.in/npti_alappuzha/home National Power Training Institute] Pallippuram, Cherthala, Alappuzha
*Govt Poly Technic College, Cherthala (formerly Technical High School/Junior Technical School,Cherthala)
*Sree Sankara English Medium CBSE School, Kuruppamkulangara, cherthala
*Sree Raghavendra English Medium School, SN Puram, Cherthala
*Govt Boys' Higher Secondary School, Cherthala
* St. Joseph Public School, Pattanakkad, Cherthala
* [[Bishop Moore Vidyapith, Cherthala]]
* Holy Family LPGS, Muttom, Cherthala.
* Higher Sec. School, VHSE & High Schools Kanichukulangara Devaswom, Kanichukulangara
* LFUPS, Cherthala
* VNSS SN Trust Central School, SN puram, Kanichukulangara NHJn, Cherthala
* St. Mary's Girls' High School, Cherthala
* Holy Family Higher Secondary School, Muttom, Cherthala
* St. Ann's Public School, Muttom, Cherthala
* Nair Service Society College, Pallippuram, Cherthala
* [[Santa Maria di Leuca|St. Mary of Leuca]] Senior Secondary School, Pallippuram
* Sree Narayana College, SN Puram, Cherthala
* St. Michael's College, Mayithara, Cherthala
* St.Francis Assisi H.S.S, Arthunkal
* KVM College of Engineering & Information Technology, Cherthala
*Naipunnya School of Management, Cherthala
* SNGM Institutions - Valamangalam, Thuravoor, Cherthala
* St.Joseph's College of Pharmacy
*GHSS Thirunalloor, Cherthala
*GUPS Nedumbrakad, Cherthala
*TDHSS Thuravoor
*DVHSS, Koottuvely, Charamangalam
*Technical Higher Sec. School, Pallippuram
*Govt LP School, Thiruvizha

==Drama and theatre troupes==
* Cherthala Jubilee Theatres - run by the late Rajan P. Dev
* S.L. Puram Suyrasoma Theatres

==Karnatic music==
Perhaps inspired by its illustrious son, Irayimman Thampi, Cherthala has a community of [[Karnatic music]] connoisseurs, especially performers, in the older generation as well in the younger generation. Well-known Karnatic singers and instrumentalists include Cherthala Gopalan Nair, Thiruvizha Jayasankar, Thiruvizha Sivanandan, Cherthala K. Narayana Iyer and Cherthala Ranganatha Sarma. Many of the senior artists also have a significant number of disciples in and around Cherthala.

==Industries==
{{Main article|Industries in Cherthala}}

==Inland waterway==
Cherthala lies between the [[Kottapuram]]-[[Kollam]] National Waterway 3 passing through the Vembanad lake. Prior to the coming of NH 66, cargo and freight from Cochin market were transported in country boats through the Vembanad lake via the small lake diverting from Arukutty-Thycattuserry-Vayalar. Now these country boats are no more used for cargo transportation, instead converted into tourist floating houseboats. One can still find the canal running across the center of the town which was once the busiest waterway. One can reach [[Vaikom]] by the Thavanakadav-Vaikom [[ferry]] service covering approx 3.5 km across the Vembanad lake and joining the [[Kottayam]] district at Vaikom jetty. There are small inland waterways or rivers, which flow across the villages, still navigable through county boats. They transport coir, marine products, vegetables, paddy, sand, construction materials, etc. where roads are inaccessible. The majority of these inland rivers flow from Vembanad Lake on the eastern side and merge into the azhi or sea near Anthakaranazhi on the west coast, crossing the NH 66 at different places.

== Landmarks ==
Cherthala Town Municipality has 35 wards.<ref>http://www.cherthalamunicipality.in Cherthala Municipality</ref> The town is well known after the [[Karthyayani Devi Temple, Cherthala|Karthyayani Devi temple]], located in the center of the town. Two more sub-temples dedicated to [[Shiva]] and [[Vishnu]] are also located on the northern side of the main temple. A sub-temple dedicated to Lord [[Ayyappa]], also known as Kaavudayan and another dedicated to Kshethrapalakan believed to be Devi's temple caretaker are located on the southern corner of the main temple. Thousands of devotees coming from different 'karas' (localities) of Cherthala participate in the [[Padayani]], vela thullal and pooram pattu, the main rituals conducted during the temple festival. A large pond exists in front of the Taluk office that belongs to the Karthyayani Devi temple. One can see many roosters flocking around the temple premises. These [[rooster]]s are the offerings of the devotees, an ancient custom followed in many devi temples of Kerala. The temple is administered by Travancore Devaswom Board.

[[File:Chertala 1960.jpg|thumb|Cherthala Back waters at 1960s]]
Another temple in Cherthala town is the Muttathu Thirumala Devaswam temple. Lord [[Narasimha]] presiding in the form of [[Saligrama]] and Sree [[Venkatachalapathy]] Moorthy with bhoo devi and sree devi are the [[deities]] of this temple. The temple conducts its annual festival either ahead of the Karthyayani Devi's festival or soon after that. The Pallivetta is a procession where it is believed that Goddess is going for the divine hunting. The annual festival lasts for eight days.

== First World War memorial==
[[File:Cherthala memorial.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The war memorial dedicated to soldiers]]

There exists a war memorial next to Taluk office dedicated to 112 men from Shertalai who participated in First World War(1914-1918).

==Notable people==
*[[Irayimman Thampi]] - Carnatic musician as well as a music composer from Kerala
* [[Vayalar Ramavarma]] - Malayalam poet and film lyricist
*Thiruvizha Jayasankar- World famous Nagaswaram Artist
* [[A. K. Antony]] - thrice Chief minister of Kerala in [[United Democratic Front (India)|UDF]] Ministry, Indian Defence Minister
* [[Vayalar Ravi]] - former Home minister of Kerala in UDF Ministry, Union Cabinet Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs
* [[S. D. Shibulal]] - Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of [[Infosys]]
*
* [[Karunakara Guru|Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru]] - founder of [[Santhigiri Ashram]]
* [[PS Karthikeyan]] - former Secretary, S.N. Trust, Former Director of [[SNDP]] Yogam, Former Member of the Legislative Assembly - Aroor, Chief Editor of Dinamani daily
* [[P. Parameswaran]] - Director, Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram
* [[Jagannatha Varma]] - Kathakali artist, actor in Malayalam film and serial
* [[Nedumangad Sivanandan|Thiruvizha Sivanandan]] - renowned Karnatic Violinist and teacher
* [[Rajeev Alunkal]] - film lyricist, poet, orator And Chairman Kumaranasan Smarakam, Govt Of Kerala
* [[Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma]] - film lyricist
* [[Rajan P. Dev]] - Malayalam film actor and drama/theater personality
* [[S. L. Puram Sadanandan]] - Malayalam playwright and film scriptwriter
* [[Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan]] - writer and film critic
* [[Joy J. Kaimaparamban]] - English and Malayalam author
*[[Jomon T. John]] - Indian cinematographer
*[[Sijoy Varghese]] - Actor, Ad Film Director
*Prasanth Parameswaran - Kerala First class cricketer, Indian Premier League Royal Challengers Bangalore Player
*
* [[Itty Achudan|Itty Achuthan]] - major contributor of ethno-medical information for the compilation of Hortus Malabaricus
* [[Palackal Thoma Malpan]] - founder of the [[Carmelites of Mary Immaculate]]
* [[Mgr. Joseph C. Panjikaran]] - founder of the Medical Sisters of St. Joseph
* [[P. J. Thomas, Polayil]] - Chief Secretary, Kerala
* [[Radhika (Malayalam actress)|Radhika]] - Malayalam cine actress
* [[C. K. Chandrappan]] - communist leader
* [[Syam Pushkaran]] - Malayalam scriptwriter

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Cherthala}}
* [http://www.cherthalamunicipality.in Cherthala Municipality]

{| style="margin:100px; 0 0 0;"
|+
|
{{Geographic Location
|title = '''Nearest towns and cities connected to Cherthala'''
|Northwest = [[Fort Kochi]]
|North = [[Ernakulam]]
|Northeast = [[Thripunithura]]
|West = [[Arthunkal]]
|Centre = Cherthala
|East = [[Vaikom]]
|Southwest = [[Alappuzha]]
|South = Alappuzha
|Southeast = [[Kottayam]]
}}
|}

{{Neighbourhoods of Kochi}}
{{Kerala}}
{{Municipalities of Kerala}}
{{Alappuzha district}}
{{Central Travancore}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Neighbourhoods in Kochi]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Alappuzha district]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in India]]

Cherthala - Revision history

>Mangalath at 17:41, 4 July 2021