Kottayam

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Kottayam
Kottayam
city
Population
 (2001)
 • Total60,725
Websitekottayam.nic.in
This article is about the town of Kottayam, See Kottayam district also.

Kottayam (in Malayalam:കോട്ടയം) is a city and a municipality in the Indian state of Kerala. The city located in the central Kerala is also the administrative capital of Kottayam district. It has an estimated population of 60,725 as per the 2001 census.

Kottayam is known as an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. The town is also home to the major print media houses of Kerala like the Malayala Manorama group and Deepika. Also a pioneering centre of Modern Education in Kerala, in 1989, it achieved the distinction of being the first town in India to achieve 100 percent literacy.

History

Thazhathangady Juma Masjid by the Meenachil river is one of the oldest mosques of India and famous for its wooden carvings and architecture

It is believed that the name KOTTAYAM originated from the Malayalam words 'Kotta' meaning fort and 'akam' meaning 'inside', giving the word meaning 'interior of the fort'.

Kottayam was ruled by the Rajas of the independent little kingdom of Thekkumkur who ruled from Thazhathangadi, a place in the present day Kottayam, till mid-18th century. At that time, Marthanda Varma, the king of Travancore annexed Thekkumkur and surrounding areas of Kottayam to the Kingdom of Travancore. During the British rule of India, Kottayam continued to be ruled under the Princely State of Travancore. In 1947, when India became independent, Kottayam became a part of the state of Travancore-Cochin, formed from the former Princely states of Travancore and Cochin Later it became a part of Kerala when the state was formed in 1957. Kottayam became the headquarters of the district bearing the same name.

The citizens of Kottayam played an important in the early social struggles in Kerala. In year 1891 a protest movement, known as the 'Malayali Memorial agitation', took place seeking a better representation of Travancoreans, compared to outsiders, in the Travancore civil service. It is believed to have started in Kottayam. This movement had a big influence in beginning the modern political movements of Kerala [citation needed]. During the 'Nivarthana struggle' which took place in the 1930s in Kerala seeking the representation of Hindus of the lower castes, Christians and Muslims in the Travancore Legislature, Kottayam played a major role. The famous Vaikom Satyagraha of 1924 by Mahatma Gandhi, against untouchability occurred in Vaikom near Kottayam. It was the first systematically organized agitation in Kerala against orthodoxy to secure the rights of the depressed classes.

Geography and Climate

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) photographed in Vembanad Lake, Kottayam

Kottayam town is located in the central Kerala at a location of 9°35′N 76°31′E / 9.58°N 76.52°E / 9.58; 76.52.[1] It has an average elevation of 3 metres (9  feet) from the sea level.

Kottayam town is situated in the basin of Meenachil river which is formed from several streams in the Western Ghats in Idukki district .It flows through the Kottayam district and joins the Vembanad lake. As per division of places in Kerala as Highlands, Midlands and Lowlands based on altitude, Kottayam is considered to be part of the Midlands. The general soil type is alluvial soil. The vegetation is mainly tropical evergreen and moist deciduous type.

Kottayam's proximity to the equator results in little seasonal temperature variation, with moderate to high levels of humidity. Annual temperatures range between 20 to 35 °C (68–95 °F) From June through September, the south-west monsoon brings in heavy rains as Kottayam lies on the windward side of the Western Ghats. From October to December, Kottayam receives light rain from the northwest monsoon, as it lies on the leeward side. Average annual rainfall is 315cms.

Transport

Public transport in the city is largely dependent on buses, run by both private operators and Kerala State Road Transport Corporation(KSRTC).Bus services are very economical. Besides local bus service for travelling within the town, Kottayam is well-connected to the rest of the Kerala through inter-state bus services run by KSRTC. Hired forms of transport include the metered taxis and auto-rickshaws. Two-wheelers form the majority of the private-owned vehicles.

The inter-city rail transport system in the city is administered by the Southern Railway division of the Indian Railways. Trains between Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram pass through Kottayam, with almost all major trains having a stop. There are trains passing through Kottayam, from and to most major cities in the country like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. The nearest airport is at Kochi, 76 km away from the city. The other major nearby airport is at Thiruvanthapuram, approximately 150 kilometers away.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[2] Kottayam Urban Agglomeration had a population of 1,72,878<re>www.censusindia.gov.in/towns/ker_towns.pdf</ref>, while Kottayam district had a population of 19,52,901. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. It is one of the very few places which witnessed a negative population growth from 1991 to 2001.[citation needed]

Economy

Kottayam is a major trading center of natural rubber in India. Rubber trees are extensively cultivated in central Kerala, especially in vast areas of Kottayam District, in plantations, both large and small. The Rubber Board, a body set up by the Government of India for the development of rubber industry is also located at Kottayam. A number of small and medium sized enterprises in and around the town are engaged in the processing of rubber (latex) and manufacturing of rubber products. Besides rubber, Kottayam is a trading place of other commercial crops like spaces cultivated widely in the surrounding areas. Plantation Corporation of Kerala also has its headquarters in Kottayam.

Kottayam is also known as a business centre. The stretch of Kottayam-Kumily Road (KK road) that passes through the town is a major shopping centre. Baker Junction and Kanjikuzhy are also considered as the commercial and residential hubs of the town.

Tourism has a major contribution to the economy of the place, as many tourism related businesses thrive in the town. Kumarakom, one of the most famous tourist destinations in Kerala, is only 14 km from the town.

Culture

Kottayam has its place of honour in the cultural map of Kerala. The culture of Kottayam is influenced mainly by the large presence of the Syrian Christian community. The Syrian Christians of Kottayam are popularly known as Achayans. The cuisine of Kottayam is Keralite Cuisine, characterised by the use of parboiled rice as the staple food and the presence of coconut and spices in abundance.

Margamkali and Arjuna Nritham are popular dance forms. Margamkali, which consists of group dance and martial arts like Parichamuttukali popular among the Syrian Christian community. It is performed by men and women seperately. In the past, it was performed during Syrian Christian weddings. Arjuna Nritham also known as Mayilpeeli Thookkam performed by men was also popular. Besides these, popular South India dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattom and Kuchipudi and the classical Carnatic Music are also learned by a large number of young people, mainly as a hobby and extracurricular activity.

Cricket, Basketball and football are among the most popular sports in Kottayam. Kottayam is also famous for atheletics, as the place has produced several athletes who represented India.The main stadium of Kottayam is the Nehru stadium at the entrance of the town. And many tournaments happen in the town in the course of the year. A number of popular Basketball tournaments including Marian Trophy, Girideepam trophy,Lourdes trophy and Virginia Memorial tournament are conducted every year.

A Municipal park is located in Sastri road.There are several movie halls which screens Malayalam, English, Tamil and Hindi movies. There are also restaurants that cater to Kerala, Tamil and North Cuisines.

Media

Kottayam is considered as the nerve center of Malayalam literature and publishing media. Unnuneeli Sandesam, a beautiful and famous poetry work, is supposed to have been written by one of the Vadakkumkur Rajas. In 1821, Benjamin Baily, a British missionary, established C.M.S. Press, the first printing press in Kerala, in Kottayam. The town has been in the forefront of Newspaper and Book publishing in the state ever since.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Malayalam literature was enriched by the works of Christian Missionaries. Varthamana Pusthakam (1778) written by Parammekkal Thoma Kathanar, on a travel to Rome, is the first travelogue in Malayalam. The first Malayalam English Dictionary and Malayalam Dictionary were published from Kottayam in the year 1846 and 1865 respectively. The first autobiography in Malayalam by Vaikom Pachu Moothathu was published from Kottayam in 1870. The first Malayalam Bible was also published from Kottayam.

Jnananikshepam was the first newspaper published by the natives of Kerala, and it was brought out from CMS press at Kottayam in 1848.[3] Nasrani Deepika was started in 1887 by the Carmelities of Mary Immaculate(CMI) missionaries at Mannanam near Kottayam. The newspaper still continues to be published under the name Deepika and is a leading Malayalam daily. Malayala Manorama, India's largest circulating regional daily, was founded here by K.C Mammen Mapila in 1890.The part played by newspapers published from Kottayam, like Malayala Manorama,Deepika and Bhashaposhini, a literary magazine from Malayala Manorama Group in the cultural and literary development of Kerala is immense.

Today, five major Malayalam newspapers - Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhoomi,Deepika, Madhyamam and Mangalam- and around thirty periodicals are published from Kottayam. Kottayam is also home to several book publishers in Malayalam such as D. C. Books, Labour India Publications and Current Books. Almost 70 percent of books published in Kerala are from Kottayam. [4] In 1945, a group of writers set up Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangam , which stands for 'Literary Workers' Co-operative Society' in Malayalam.It was the first co-operative enterprise of writers, Novelists and Poets.

Education

The Old Seminary of the Malankara Orthodox Church was the first institution to start English education in Southern India. C.M.S High School, (now Church Missionary Society College High School), was founded by the British missionary, Benjamin Bailey of the Church Mission Society of London. C.M.S College, the first college in Kerala was started in Kottayam in 1817 by the Church Missionary Society. The Baker Memorial Girls High School in Kottayam,founded by Amalia Dorothea Baker in 1820, is one of the oldest girls' schools in India.

The leading institution of higher education in Kottayam is the Mahatma Gandhi University, one of the six universities in Kerala. Medical College, Kottayam also includes a Dental College and a Nursing College. There are also a number of Arts & Science Colleges, including famous C.M.S. College, the first institution of higher education in the State & nation, where the former president of India had studied, Baselius college Kottayam, BCM College, couple of engineering and polytechnic colleges, and several nursing schools, located in and around the town.

There are many famous schools in and around the town, the oldest and most distinguished being Baker Memorial Girls High School, located on top of Baker Hill and in the centre of Kottayam town, the CMS College High School, MD Seminary High School and the MT seminary High School, which have produced many very good doctors, engineers, teachers, scientists, lawyers and managers, working all over the world. Newer schools like Mount Carmel School, Pallikoodam High School (formerly Corpus Christi), Girideepam School, Marian School, Don Bosco,kristu jyoti etc. are also doing well.

Kottayam was known as an educational hub in the state, and still has niche for itself in the field of education. In 1989, Kottayam became the first fully literate Municipal town in India.

Media

Major Malayalam newspapers published in Kottayam include Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi, Deshabhimani, Deepika, Kerala Kaumudi etc.Some evening papers are also published from the town. Malayala Manorama currently one of the most popular regional language newspaper, in India, started its publishing from Kottayam. Cable television is very popular. Telephony services are provided by various players like Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, and state owned BSNL.

Third Sector

In the district, there are number of third sector organizations, dealing with rural development, social service delivery, poverty reduction, empowerment of women and marginalized sections, restoration of eco-system, training and research. Centre for rural management (CRM), is one of the leading autonomous research organizations under third sector, located at Kottayam

Temples, Churches, Mosques

Reflecting the religious make up of the population, Hindu temples and Christian churches dot the townscape. Notable among them are Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple and two churches known as Cheriya Palli and Valiya Palli and Thazhathangadi Muslim Palli(Juma Masjid).

Thazhathangady Juma Masjid situated in the banks of river Meenachil is one of the oldest Mosques in India and is more than 1000 years old. It is very famous for its architectural beauty, and the richness in wood carvings. This mosque was constructed by the followers of the Islamic prophet Muhammad during one of their first voyages to Kerala. The interior of the mosque is built using wood with marvelous craftings. The mosque is situated just 2&nbps;km from Kottayam town and is on the route to Kumarakom.

Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple, at the heart of the town, is a Shiva temple built in the Kerala style of temple architecture, and with interior murals depicting themes from the Hindu epics. It was built at the beginning of 16th century by the then Raja of Thekkumkur. The annual temple festival that culminates in a ceremony called the Aaraattu, attracts large number of devotees. Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple, Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple, vaikom Mahadeva Temple and Thiruvayamkudy Mahadeva Temple are the other famous Shiva temples in this district.

Malankara Orthodox St. Mary's Church, also known as Cheriapally (Little Church); originally built in 1579

Kottayam is a major center of Syrian Christians of Kerala. St. Mary's Church, the Valia Palli (the Big Church), built in 1550 by Knanaya Syrian Jacobite Christians who immigrated from West Asia is considered as the first Christian church in Kottayam town. This building is noted for its Persian inscriptions and a Persian stone cross. Another St. Mary's Church known as Cheria Palli (the Little Church), belonging to the Malankara Orthodox Church was built in 1579 by the Raja of Thekkumkur for his Christian subjects. Similarly St Mary's Church of Kudamalloor built by Raja of Chempakassery. These churches features temple architectural influences. The interior murals, painted using vegetable dyes, depict Biblical themes. The St. Mary's Church at Manarcaud, owned by the Jacobite Syrian Church, situated at around 8 km from the town is a major pilgrim centre.

The Syro-Malabar rite of the Roman Catholic church has an Archeparchy based in Kottayam.[5][6]. Some of the important Catholic churches in Kottayam include Lourdes Forane church, Good Shepherd church, Vimalagiri cathedral, Christhuraja cathedral etc. Another famous Catholic church St: Mary's Church at Athirampuzha is around 10 km from the town. St. Mary's Church, Kuravilangad, is another famous church which is said to be constructed in 355 AD.

Pope John Paul II had come to Kottayam, during his visit in India during 1986. He announced the beatification, of Fr.Kuriakose of Chavara and Sister.Alphonsa. Sister Alphonsa who hails from the district is planned to be elevated to sainthood, in a funcation at Vatican in the latter part of 2008.

Hospitals, Health care

  • Caritas Hospital
  • Matha Hospital, Thellakom
  • SH Medical Center, Nagampadom, Kottayam
  • District Hospital, KK Road, Kottayam
  • Little Lourdes Mission hospital, Kidangoor
  • Indo - American Hospital
  • Bharath Hospital
  • Mandiram Hospital Manganam
  • Karipal Hospital at Kalathilpady
  • Sukhodaya Ayurveda Hospital,Kanjikuzhy
  • Apart from above, Kottayam has a Government medical college, Dental college at Gandhinagar which is quite near to the town.

References

  1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kottayam
  2. ^ Template:GR
  3. ^ http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/d_ktmcontent.htm
  4. ^ http://www.ktm.kerala.gov.in/artandculture.htm
  5. ^ Archeparchy of Kottayam (Syro-Malabarese) from catholic-hierarchy.org
  6. ^ Vicariate Apostolic of Kottayam - Catholic Encyclopedia article

Karippal hospital

External links

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