Aroor

Aroor
suburb
Aroor

Location in Kerala, India

Coordinates: 9°52′41″N 76°18′14″E / 9.87806°N 76.30389°E / 9.87806; 76.30389Coordinates: 9°52′41″N 76°18′14″E / 9.87806°N 76.30389°E / 9.87806; 76.30389
Country  India
State Kerala
District Alappuzha
Government
 • MLA Adv. A.M. Ariff (2006-2011, re-elected in 2011 )
Population (2011)
 • Total 39,214
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 688534
Telephone code 0478
Vehicle registration KL-32
Lok Sabha constituency Alappuzha
Vidhan Sabha constituency Aroor

Aroor is a census town in Alappuzha district and it is a suburb of Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. It is a seafood related industrial area at the south of Kochi, Kerala, India. It is considered as part of Kochi for all practical purposes but Aroor technically belongs to Alappuzha district. Aroor is a two way entrance to the Cochin city.

Location

Places around Aroor
Thoppumpady, Palluruthy Kumbalam
Kumbalangi Arookutty, Vaduthala
   Aroor  
Chandiroor, Pattanakkad, Cherthala

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,[1] Aroor had a population of 39,214. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Its average literacy rate is of 84% higher than the national average of 59.5%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

The name Aroor traces its origins to the phrase "Arayarude Oor", which means the place of fishermen. It was later shortened as Arayaroor and subsequently to the present version.

Aroor provides the former Travancore and Cochin states with a history. In the pre-independence days, the coastal tip was known for its adventurous youngsters who would try to get goods past the vigilant customs (one state to another). Much later, in independent India, Aroor was famous for having elected K.R.Gowri Amma, the indomitable lady politician of Kerala for a record of 8 times, to the Kerala Legislative Assembly position.

Location

Aroor is the northernmost tip of Alappuzha district and lies on the National Highway 47 NH 47 (India) next to Chandiroor. It is around 17 km south of Ernakulam (Kochi), the commercial hub of Kerala. Even though Aroor is a part of Alappuzha, it is often referred as the southernmost tip of the Cochin city and the industrial hub of Allapuzha District.

Aroor is linked to the nearby land Kumbalam through a bridge. The Aroor–Kumbalam Bridge is the second-longest bridge (now the bridge is doubled with four-lane traffic) in Kerala state, spanning about 993 meters, which links Aroor with Ernakulam district at Kumbalam through Aroor–Edapally Bypass. Bypass opened to traffic since 1997.

A beautiful sunrise from Aroor bridge


St. Augustines Church Aroor
Aroor-Edakochi bridge, a night view
A seafood export processing plant at Aroor. The coldstorage shipment containers are seen in the front of the plant.
A.M. Ariff

The St. Augustine's Church is a major attraction, situated on the highway in the heart of Aroor. This parish is also the part of Mundamveli Parish and separated in the early 1900s. The saint, though originally from Africa, has been given an almost Aroorian identity with countless stories of how he takes a walk around Aroor at night with his staff, visiting every neighbourhood, to keep the place safe. The current church, over 138 years old, was built on land donated by the Aelavanthara family, among the oldest and most prestigious among the Christian families in Aroor.[2]

Temple

Aroor Puthuvaranad temple is a famous temple in Aroor. The idol of Kali is similar to the Kali idol of Dakshineswaram Kolkatha. The temple belongs to the Chirammel Kambakkaran Family, the land lords in Aroor. Hundreds of acres of land were surrendered during the time of Land reforms. Aroor Karthyayani Temple is another main temple in Aroor. The name "Aroor" is derived from this temple. It is on the National HighWay. Arookutty road starts from the Aroor junction. Aroor Cheruvally Temple and the Kavu with the temple, known as PARADEVATHA KAVU AND KIZHAKKEDATHU KAVU are scenic attractions in the temple. The banyan tree at the southwestern corner of the temple, and the ganapathi idol known as the AALTHARRA GANAPATHI, are other attractions of the temple. The Ganapathi idol is similar to the idol of Pillayarpatti Ganapathi. Pillayara patti is a place near Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu. Kottilakkattu Kudumpa Paradevatha is also near the Cheruvally Temple. The long PALA MARAM of the Devasthanam is a main attraction. Aroor Vattakkeril Temple is the secular temple of Aroor. The GARUDA VAHANA EZHUNNALLETH and THADI THULLAL is the main attraction in the festival.

Places of worship

Educational institutions

TIME Kids Pre-school, Aroor

Prominent Hospitals

Banks

Industries

Aroor is near Vembanad lake, a part of Kerala backwaters. This eco-system helps large-scale prawn and shrimp farming as an alternative to the low-lying paddy fields, which have the interlocked water system connected to the Kerala backwaters. Secondly the Cochin fishing harbour and port is just 15 km away from Aroor. The abundance of marine wealth and logistical advantages have helped the seafood export to grow especially around Aroor. There are many marine food processing units in Aroor which provide employment to number of people. The raw seafood catch is also purchased by large seafood export firms from North Kerala, Kollam, South Karnataka, Orissa, Tamil Nadu etc., processed and preserved in cold storages and then trans-shipped through Cochin port.

Politics

Aroor assembly constituency is part of Alappuzha (Lok Sabha constituency).[3]

The place has the distinction of electing K.R.Gowri Amma to the Kerala Assembly, on a record 8 occasions. During the last elections, however, she lost to a younger candidate A.M. Ariff of CPI(M). It was when Gowri Amma was a minister, that A.K.Antony lead Congress men blocked the NH 47 at Chandiroor over the Velluthully kayal issue. That was the start of A.K. Antony's political career. He later went on to become the Chief Minister of Kerala and then the defense Minister of India. Smt. Gowri Amma was the agriculture minister in his Cabinet.

The panchayats that come under the Aroor Assembly constituency are Aroor, Ezhupunna, Kodamthuruth, Kuthiathode, Thuravoor, Arookutty, Panavally, Thaikkattuserry, Perumpalam and Pallippuram.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aroor.
  1. ↑ "Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  2. ↑ Website of St. Augustune's Church
  3. ↑ "Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
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