Muvattupuzha

For the Taluk, see Moovattupuzha Taluk.

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Moovattupuzha
മൂവാറ്റുപുഴ
Moovattupuzha
Big Town
Moovattupuzha

Location in Kerala, India

Coordinates: 9°58′01″N 76°34′59″E / 9.9670°N 76.5830°E / 9.9670; 76.5830Coordinates: 9°58′01″N 76°34′59″E / 9.9670°N 76.5830°E / 9.9670; 76.5830
Country  India
State Kerala
District Ernakulam
Government
 • Type Municipality
 • Municipal Chairman Mr.U.R Babu
Area
 • Total 13.18 km2 (5.09 sq mi)
Elevation 15 m (49 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 30,397
 • Density 2,306.3/km2 (5,973/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 686661
Telephone code 0485
Vehicle registration KL-17
Nearest city Ernakulam, Kottayam
Sex ratio 1023 ♂/♀
Lok Sabha constituency Idukki
Climate Tropical monsoon (Köppen)
Avg. summer temperature 32.5 °C (90.5 °F)
Avg. winter temperature 20 °C (68 °F)
The town where three rivers merge to form Muvattupuzha river.
Anchal Post with spelling Moovattupuzha
Anchal Post with spelling Muvattupuzha

Moovattupuzha is a merger place of three rivers(Thriveni Sangamam) namely Thodupuzhayar(Thodupuzha river), Kaliyar (Kali river) & Kothayar (Kothamangalam river) to form Moovattupuzhayar (മൂവാറ്റുപുഴ ) and hence this Thriveni Sangamam is called Moovattupuzha. Moovattupuzha is a municipality in the eastern side of Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town. Muvattupuzha lies on the intersection between M C Road and National Highway 49, about 43 km from district capital Ernakulam.

Etymology

The town is named after the Muvattupuzha river (Muvattupuzha aaru) which flows through it. The name is made up of three Malayalam words: Moonnu, which stands for three, aaru - small river, and puzha, which also means river. Aaru is a word that is usually used for rivers in the southern half of Kerala, while the term puzha is used in the northern parts. The three rivers in this case are the Kothamangalam river or Kothayaar, Kaliyar and Thodupuzhayar, which merge to form a single river called Moovattupuzhayar. This place is called Thriveni Sangamam in Malayalam which means the point of confluence of three rivers. In English both spellings viz. Moovattupuzha and Muvattupuzha are interchangeably used. Etymologically Moovattupuzha is the correct spelling how ever commoners widely use the spelling Muvattupuzha and is also well accepted.

History

Moovattupuzha was part of the Vadakkumkoor[1] Kingdom until it was captured by the Travancore Kingdom. Old documents show that parts of the lands of Moovattupuzha belonged to ‘Edappally Swaroopam’, but were later transferred to Manas’ (Brahmin Families).[2]

After Indian Independence, from 1949 to 1956, Muvattupuzha was a part of the Kottayam district in Travancore-Cochin state.[3] In 1956, when Kerala state was formed, Muvattupuzha remained as a part of Kottayam district till 1958. Muvattupuzha, as a village union, came under the control of a council of three members nominated by the Government. V. P. Govindan Nair was the first president of the village union. By 1953, Muvattupuzha was declared a Panchayat. Kunnappillil Varkey Vaidyan was the first president of the elected Panchayat Committee. Muvattupuzha was raised to the status of a Municipality in the year 1958. N. Parameshwaran Nair became the first Municipal Chairman. Muvattupuzha made history as the first Municipality where the Communist Party came to power in a general election.

N. P. Varghese was the first elected M.L.A. from Muvattupuzha Assembly Constituency. He defeated Manjunatha Prabhu of Communist party.[4] Later, K. M. George, founder of Kerala Congress represented Muvattupuzha. The first M.P. of Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency) was George Thomas Kottukapally. Of all the Municipal Chairmen of the town, P. P. Esthose deserves special mention. He was simultaneously an MLA and the Municipal Chairman of Muvattupuzha. He got state-level recognition as the Chairman of Chamber of Chairmen. In its entire history, he is the only Communist member elected to the Parliament from the constituency.

St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ who introduced Christianity to India, is believed to have visited this region. The Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of Arakuzha has a recorded history of over 1000 years, making it one of the oldest Syrian churches in Kerala.[5][6] It is known for its paintings and sculptures. Muvattupuzha was also known as Arakuzha Pakuthi (meaning half of Arakuzha).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[7] Muvattupuzha had a population of 29,230. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Muvattupuzha has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 82%. In Muvattupuzha, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Religion

The region has Hindus, Syrian Christians and Muslims.

Kavumpady Road in the heart of the town contains major Agraharam of Kerala Iyers. Konkanis are also in lesser numbers. Hindus are majority in the region with castes like Nair, Ezhava, Namboodiri and ,Pulayar present around the Taluka.

Syrian Christians include a majority of Syro-Malabar Catholics and Jacobites. There are Orthodox, Syro-Malankara Catholics, Marthomites and Evangelists also. Muvattupuzha is the seat of Muvattupuzha diocese of Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church and Kandanad East diocese of Orthodox.

Mappila Muslims make up most of the Muslim population. Hanafi sect called Thulukkar are concentrated around Pettah, near Post office Junction. Muslims include Sunni, Ahmediyya.

Geography

The town is situated on highland regions.[8] Essentially, the regions of Thodupuzha, Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalam were called sub-high range[9] or Keezhmalanad[10] of erstwhile Vadakkumkoor Kingdom[11] indicating these as lands with fertile soils deposited by Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha rivers over a period of time due to floodings of the banks. The town is 20m above mean sea level (MSL).

Politics

Muvattupuzha is one of the 140 legislative assembly constituencies of Kerala state. Muvattupuzha assembly constituency is part of Idukki (Lok Sabha constituency). Previously it was a part of Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency). The major political parties of Muvattupuzha are Indian National Congress, CPI (M), Muslium League, CPI, Kerala Congress (mani), Kerala Congress (Jacob) and B.J.P.

Eminent political leaders of the past include K. M. George (former Minister and the founder of Kerala Congress)and P.P Esthose (Former M.P and M.L.A ). The present political leaders of Kerala who are from Muvattupuzha are Johny Nelloor, former M.L.A and Chairman of Kerala Congress Jacob faction and Chairman of Oushadhi and Francis George (Former M.P), Gopi Kottamurikkal (Former M.L.A and Ernakulam district secretary of CPI(M).

Moovattupuzha river

Muvattupuzha River

Muvattupuzha river (Malayalam: മൂവാറ്റുപുഴയാർ ) which starts and flows through Muvattupuzha town runs for 121 km and enters Kottayam district as well. The major source of water is the Thodupuzha river which starts in the Idukki district and provides water throughout the year, enabled by the supply of water from Idukki arch dam. Idukki dam is the largest arch dam in India and it is used for hydro-electric power generation.[12] this is an old heritage route all along the river's path up to Vaikom. Old settlements along the path of the river evolved into towns along the Muvattupuzhayaar flow. be it Vaikom, Piravom, Muvattupuzha. ancient times transportation was essentially through Kettuvallam(Country boat) travelling to Vettikkattumukku and Vaikom to reach Alappuzha and Kochi. before Kothamangalam and Thodupuzha evolved as prominent hill produce market, Muvattupuzha was the old centre owing to the connectivity through the river. Muvattupuzha river is the prime victim of river pollution nowadays. Green People, an environmental organization is now leading a campaign to save the Muvattupuzha river.Companies like Hindusthan Newsprint Limited functions near the banks of this river but this company was having advanced effluent treatment system but these days this system is not functioning as per expectation and the river water turns black where effluent joins river at pipeline junction.

Moovattupuzha Bridge

It was in 1914 when Colonel Munroe, the Resident Diwan of Travancore,the first concrete bridge in Kerala was built in Muvattupuzha under the supervision of the British engineer W.H. Emrald. It is said that on its inauguration, to convince the strength & stability of the bridge, the British engineer sat beneath the bridge while 12 elephants walked over it.[13] This bridge is across the Muvattupuzha river connecting Nehru Park and Kacherithazham.

There was wooden bridge across the river through which the steam bus(കല്ക്കരി വണ്ടി ) goes from Muvattupuzha to Ernakulam in olden days. The border to Cochin state was at Chungam , Mamala, near Thiruvankulam. Until late 70's traffic was through the old concrete bridge. There was traffic police outpost on either side of the bridge to control one way traffic at a time through the narrow bridge. Later in 1970's a new bridge was constructed and in late 70's the traffic diverted through this wider two way bridge.

Folklores

Kadamattathu Kathanar was a famous magician in this region who travelled all over Kerala to immobilize Yakshis(female demons).[14]

Theevettikkolla (തീവെട്ടിക്കൊള്ള) is a term originated from Muvattupuzha.In olden days when law and order was weak, a kind of thugs used to come and set fire to properties and loot everything. When they come people got frightened and start run away taking their valuable belongings. In modern days theevettikkolla is a term widely used to connote a loot in any kind.

There is another folklore of buffalo legged man (പോത്തും കാലൻ) traveling in night time in Kadathy area in olden days.

Suburbs

In olden days there was petroleum pump in B O C junction which is a short form for Burma Oil Company. Later it is said that Jawaharilal Nehru addressed people in this junction and now called Nehru Park after his name . The town consists of two regions separated by the Muvattupuzha bridge. Kacherithazham is the main centre of the town to the east of the Muvattupuzha bridge. Nehru Park, Velloorkunnam and Vazhappilly are to the north of the bridge. TB.Junction and P.O Junction lies East of the bridge. Kavumkara is an old market which lies to the northeast of the town after the bridge on the Muvattupuzha-Kothamangalam road.

Latha bridge or Thodupuzha bridge is over the Thodupuzha river, which flows through the southeast portions of the town before merging with Muvattupuzha river near Kacherithazham. Kizhakkekara and Randaattinkara (Randarkara or Randar) lies on the eastern part of the town on the banks of the Muvattupuzha river. From the olden times, south of Marady (മാറാടി) panchayat towards Kottayam were sparsely occupied and still has old rubber plantations and a hilly terrain till Koothattukulam. Aaroor (ആറൂര്‍) (near Meenkunnam) was a forest before 5-6 decades. While every direction from Muvattupuzha is populated and almost urbanized, the southern direction towards Kottayam via M C Road is not so developed in terms of infrastructure. At a distance approximately 8 km southwards, Muvattupuzha town is covered by a curve-like hilly region of 40-60 MSL in the whole southern side which crosses Kottayam and Piravom routes. Most of these hills are rubber plantations.[15] KSTP's second phase project of straightening of the Muvattupuzha - Chengannur MC Road is recently inaugurated.

The old Muvattupuzha bridge built over the Muvattupuzha river was the first concrete bridge in Asia. It was completed in 1914.[16] This serves as the connection between Nehru Park and Kacherithazham.

The nearby panchayaths are mostly into agriculture, small- and medium-scale industries. Pineapple and rubber plantations are the common agrarian efforts. Match box industries, plywood factories, saw mills, paper, plastic and wood carton making are the main industries in this area. KINFRA's Small Industries Park at Nellad is 9 km from Muvattupuzha on SH41.[17]

Nearby towns

The nearby main towns are Kothamangalam, Thodupuzha, Piravom, Koothattukulam, Kolenchery, Perumbavoor. There are many small suburban towns close to Muvattupuzha like Vazhakulam,Kalloorkkad, Pothanicad, Nellikuzhy, Nellad etc.

Neighbouring cities & towns
Destinations from Muvattupuzha
Pattimattom Perumbavoor Kothamangalam
Kolenchery Kalloorkad, Pothanicad
   Muvattupuzha  
Piravom Koothattukulam Thodupuzha

Culture

Moovattupuzha has a rich cultural tradition. Margamkali and martial arts like Parichamuttukali, are popular among the Syrian Christian community. It is performed by men and women separately during Syrian Christian weddings. Shadkala Govinda Marar was born on the banks of the Muvattupuzha river. In the new era,Mela (Muvattupuzha Enlightened Lovers of Arts) - a registered fine arts society which was established in 1968 plays the lead role in the cultural life of this town.

Notable people

Places of worship

Temples and Ashramas

Velloorkunnam Shiva Temple

‘Velloorkunnu’ means the hill of light.This is one of the rarest Siva Temples situated near The three rivers,which merge to form a single river. Lord Maheswara is the eliminator of all the worries. He gets easily pleased with those who worship. He awards peace in this World and salvation in the other World. He is the annihilator of the wicked and protector of the good. The idol in Velloorkunnam Mahadeva Temple is Kirathamoorthy, who gets easily pleased in his Devotees. They believe that the fore sating of arrogance and the trust in Lord Sankara bring them auspices. The other deities are Vinayaka, Sreekrishna, Sreedharma Sastha and Naga. Mondays, Saturdays and Pradosha days are important here.Among the Hindu temples the Velloorkunnam temple is the oldest and most traditional. Old peoples say that during the period of invasion of Tippu terrified with the attack at any time the flag mast of this temple was removed and deposited in the river by the devotees. Still one can find the basement of this staff at the temple courtyard. Stories also live as to the hiding of the flag mast and valuables of Narasimha Temple at the pond in the temple compound. The ‘Sreekovil’ (sanctum sanctorum) of this temple which is round in shape is so beautiful incomparable with anyone of its kind. Narasimha Temple is also an old and traditional one owned by various ‘Manas’

This is one of the rarest Siva Temples situated near The three rivers,which merge to form a single river. Lord Maheswara is the eliminator of all the worries. He gets easily pleased with those who worship. He awards peace in this World and salvation in the other World. He is the annihilator of the wicked and protector of the good. The idol in Velloorkunnam Mahadeva Temple is Kirathamoorthy, who gets easily pleased in his Devotees. They believe that the fore sating of arrogance and the trust in Lord Sankara bring them auspices. The other deities are Vinayaka, Sreekrishna, Sreedharma Sastha and Naga. Mondays, Saturdays and Pradosha days are important here.

Puzhakkarakavu Bhagavati Temple

Puzhakkarakavu temple is dedicated to the Divine Mother. It is situated at the confluence of the three rivers and is the oldest temple in the town. The town grew around it. Sangharakshita gives some details about this place in his book.

Puzhakkarakavu' on which the beauty, glory and fame of Muvattupuzha are founded requires particular mention. Even people from distant places come to worship here. The idol or ‘Vigraham’ in this temple is ‘Swayambhoo’, self made, naturally born. With the joint efforts of the king’s servants and local chiefs the temple was constructed at ‘Thriveni Sangamam’, point of harmony of the rivers, where the deity was discovered. The ‘Chirappu Maholsavam’ here is grand and colorful. It was started during the rule of the king, which is still celebrated with all devotion and glamour by the people of muvattupuzha irrespective of the cast and the religion. Colorful cultural programs, rituals and prayers are the specialities of this age-old festival. There is an ‘Aanapandal’ ( A canopy for the elephant) in this kavu which also bears a historical story. As the predecessor to the concrete Thodupuzha Bridge, there was a bridge made of wood, pillars been made of granite stones, constructed in the year 1917. Chattanathakaralayar of chenkottai was the contractor for the work. The stone pillars failed to stick well to the ground and become firm despite all the engineering skills. A perplexed god fearing contractor made an offering to the goddess by donating the ‘anapandal’ when everything was made all right. This historical fact is inscribed in the stone laid in the temple.

Sree Kumara Bhajana Devaswom Temple

Sree Kumara Bhajana Devaswom Temple is located on a small hill at the heart of Muvattupuzha town. It is managed by the SNDP Union, Muvattupuzha. Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan have equal importance here. Annual temple festival called "Kumbha Pooya Mahotsavam" is very famous.

Pallikavu Bhagavati Temple

Pallikavu Bhagavati temple is situated on the banks of muvattupuzha river. The temple is dedicated to 'Pallikavilamma.' It is situated off the Muvattupuzha-Arakuzha road. The divine presence of Pallikavilamma is believed to have been radiating from Chottinakkara. The temple is more than hundred years old.

Mattapili Sri. Krishna Temple

Sri. Krishna temple is dedicated to lord Krishna . It is situated on the banks of Muvattupuzha river, off the Muvattupuzha-Arakuzha road. Its name is Mattapilli Sree Krishna Swamy temple. This temple is hundreds of years old. It is believed that its by the bhramins who fled in fear of Tippu sulthan from Malabar placed their Lord in this place. There is Goddess Kali with krishna in this temple.

Sivankunnu Temple

This temple of Shiva, situated at a great height, is almost as old as the one at the confluence. Sangharakshita mentions this place too in his book. It has almost 108 steps

Ramakrishna Math

This Math is known locally for long as Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama. It is situated on a little hillock called Ashramam Kunnu and was founded in 1931 on behalf of Ramakrishna Mission by Swami Nirmalananda who was one of the Direct Disciples of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Though some renovation work was done between 2006 to 2008, this Math still exudes an old world charm. This Math has paid host to a number of noted monks of the Ramakrishna Mission starting with Swami Nirmalananda. They include Swami Niranjanananda (Junior), Swami Sailajananda (both disciples of Swami Nirmalananda) and others. Swami Chitswarupananda (1948–78) and Swami Purushottamananda (1978–1997) managed the Ashrama as instructed by Ramakrishna Mission. Here stayed and worked for about fifteen months in 1947-48, the future Sangharakshita and Buddharakshita as Angarika Dharmapriya and Angarika Satyapriya. In his books `Thousand Petalled Lotus: The Indian Journey of an English Buddhist' and `The Rainbow Road' (both having many common chapters) - Sangharakshita devotes three very informative chapters to the sights he saw and experienced here. This began as a branch of Tiruvalla centre of Ramakrishna Mission and at present is a sub-center of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math under the direct administrative control of its branch center at Kalady[23][24][25][26][27][28]

Kizhakkekara Sri Dharma Sastha Temple

This temple is located in Kizhakkekara road adjacent to Nirmala Medical Centre. Lord Ayyappa,Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapathy, Goddess Durga, Goddess Bhadra are also being worshiped here.There are separate Sree Kovils for Navagraha. This temple comes under Sri Dharma Sastha Temple trust.

Nettorkottu Vanadurga Devi Temple

This temple is located very close to the Muvattupuzha town on Muvattupuzha-Piravom Road, locally known as Nettorkottu Kavu. The main deity of this temple is the Goddess Vanadurga. Lord Ayyappa, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Naga (Sarppam) are also being worshiped here. There are separate Sree Kovils for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu . This temple comes under the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Churches

Muvattupuzha is a major center for Syrian Christians (commonly known as Nasrani) in Kerala. Syrian Christians of Muvattupuzha include Syro-Malabar Catholic, Syro-Malankara Catholic, Jacobite and Malankara Orthodox. Important churches in the region are:

Kadamattom Church

Kadamattathu Kathanar is a historical legend who became famous all over Kerala for his magical powers and he established his own tradition in Magic called Kadamattathu Sambradayam.[29] Kadamattom Church is the oldest church in this region and is situated 10 km west on route to Ernakulam.

Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church

Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church is in Arakuzha village, 6 km from Muvattupuzha. It was established in 999 A.D. [30]

Holy Magi Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church

Holy Magi Forane Church Muvattupuzha

Holy Magi Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, a Syrian Catholic Church situated in the centre of the city. The Church is under the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kothamangalam

The Syrian Church located at the Post Office Junction is known as Holy Magi Church. In the first quarter of the 19th century, after circuit to the northern region, the King’s administrators were returning to south in ‘Manchal’ accompanied by the pedestrian forces. When they reached Muvattupuzha it was getting dark. They had to reach Koothattukulam, the nearby Inn for their stay. The team was upset due to lack of adequate lamps. Geevarghese achan of Arakuzha Pittapillil family helped them by arranging torches made of dried coconut leaves. As an expression of gratification for this, the ‘Adhikari’ recommended Achan to the king. Achan was invited to the palace and honoured with a ‘Vadi and Pidi’ (Stick with a Grip). Considering of goodwill of Achan, king allotted some land for the construction of a church. On 27 July 1820 the ancient form of the present church, a small chapel, came into existence. Apart from the native Christians who mainly hail from Arakuzha, Kothamangalam and Mylakompu Foranes, who constitute majority of the laity, Syrian Christians from Kizhakkambalam, Palai, Mannathoor, Veliyannoor, Nediyasala and other places migrated to this land and a powerful Syrian Catholic community made its roots here.

St. Joseph's Syro-Malankara Catholic Cathedral

St. Joseph's Syro-Malankara Catholic Cathedral is the headquarters of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Diocese of Muvattupuzha.[31]

Christ the King Roman Latin Church

Christ the King Latin Church is situated near Vazhappilly junction founded in 1925.[32] A Latin Roman Catholic community, though small in number consisting of people originally from Varapuzha, Kottappuram and Kochi lives here.

Mosques

Centalmahallujamaath2

Muvattupuzha-Kothamangalam region is a main centre for Mappila Muslims. unlike southern districts of Kerala, Mappila Muslims makes up most of the Muslim population. Thulukkar, the Hanafi school of Islam followers are majority in southern parts of Kerala. In Muvattupuzha, Thulukkar are concentrated around Pettah, near Post office Junction. Muslims include Sunni, Ahmediyya.

Education

Colleges in Muvattupuzha are affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University of Kottayam.

The Nirmala Group of Institutions includes

These are run by the Syrian Catholic Diocese of Kothamangalam. Nirmala College founded in 1953 by Mar Augustine Kandathil is the oldest college in the town.[35][36]

Other schools St. Augustines Girls Higher Secondary School

Ilahia College of Engineering and Technology and Ilahia Arts and Science College are colleges run by Ilahia Trust.[37][38] Town U.P. School is the oldest school in the town. St. Thomas Public School is the first CBSE school in Muvattupuzha. It was established in 1990. St. Augustines Girls Higher Secondary School at Muvattupuzha is the only girl’s high school here.

Transportation

KL-17 is the RTO code for Muvattupuzha taluka including Muvattupuzha town. Muvattupuzha KSRTC depot is located on MC Road towards south of the town. KSRTC operates few long distance services and mostly caters to the Ernakulam to Thodupuzha route. Private bus services are available to major towns in the Ernakulam district as well as Kottayam and Idukki districts. Frequent buses are available to neighbouring towns like Kothamangalam, Piravom, Koothattukulam, Perumbavoor, Pattimattom and Thodupuzha. Auto rickshaws are commonly used for small distances. Taxis are also available in plenty. The nearest major railway station is Aluva railway station 34 km away. The Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is 34 km away from the town.

Muvattupuzha town is a major junction for highways passing through the town. major highways are:

Muvattupuzha is surrounded by a few small, populous commuter villages, connected to the town by buses. The notable ones are Ayavana, Paipra, Avoly, Valakom, Cheruvattor, Mannoor, Marady etc. Vazhakulam town is one of the main interchange points for public transport.

Health

Major Hospitals in Muvattupuzha are Muvattupuzha Medical Center, Nirmala Medical Centre run by Franciscan Clarist Sisters under the Syrian Catholic Eparchy of Kothamangalam,[39][40] Nedumchalil Trust Hospital and Vallakalil Hospital apart from the Government District Hospital. It also has many homeopathic and ayurvedic clinics. Sabine Hospital and Research Centre is an advanced referral centre for infertility, laparoscopic surgeries, high risk pregnancy and neonatology run by Dr Sabine S, a renowned infertility specialist in Kerala.

The Referral Hospitals near to Muvattupuzha are Kolenchery Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College 13 km from the town, Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi 42 km from the town and AIMS, Ponekkara 40 km from the town. Kottayam Medical College lies 50 km from the town.

Economy

Ernakulam and Muvattupuzha are culturally and geographically different as Muvattupuzha taluk consists of midlands and highlands with agriculture and small-scale industries as its primary economic base, while Kochi has coastal regions whose lifestyle and culture are different to the eastern-central Midlands. Muvattupuzha was a part of erstwhile Travancore Kingdom. The border check posts of Travancore in Mamala, near Thiruvankulam prevented interconnectivity between Kochi and Muvattupuzha. Muvattupuzha was an important commercial centre and a prominent town till about 1975. Two decades back a separate Muvattupuzha district was to be carved out of the districts Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam. Demand for Muvattupuzha District still exists. But the new district formation is not yet supported from Kerala government. Census of India, 2011 noted a new, separate and distinct urban agglomeration including parts of Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalam talukas.[41] Lately, Kerala Government is supporting and considering the formation of Muvattupuzha district; but faces opposition from a regional party Kerala Congress (M). There is a strong lobby based on Thodupuzha who does not want to see realization of Muvattupuzha district. Their fear is, given the geographical proximity that Muvattupuzha enjoys as well as the biggest urban region in the central-eastern midlands makes Muvattupuzha grow into a major city in the eastern side of Kochi. Muvattupuzha-Kothamangalam will have the possibility of growing into a single city. This can kill the high growth Thodupuzha town is experiencing now. But Muvattupuzha still is a town with its own history and old glory being a major city in the central Kerala and the second biggest in the district.[42]

Entertainment

Canton shopping mall is situated near 130 junction, Muvattupuzha. This mall contains a 2 screen 3D multiplex.[43]

Movie houses in the town

Many old theatres once famous in Muvattupuzha town was closed down. Lone surviving theatre from the olden days is Latha theatre. Five decades back, Muvattupuzha boasted 5 theatres. Theatres which are closed:

Infrastructure

Muvattupuzha is a part of Central Kerala. It lies between Angamaly and Kottayam on the Main Central Road which runs along the length of the old Travancore, from Thiruvananthapuram to Angamaly. The first and second longest state highways of Kerala, Main Central Road (Angamaly - Thiruvananthapuram / SH-01 / 240 km) and Main Eastern Highway (Muvattupuzha - Punalur / SH-08 / 154 km), meet here. The Kochi - Madurai NH 49 passes through Muvattupuzha. The Muvattupuzha - Theni Highway (SH 43) starts at the Chalikkadavu Bridge and goes through Randattinkara, Kotta, Udumbannoor, Nedumkandam and Cumbum before ending at Theni. This is a shorter route to Madurai in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.[44] A bypass has been planned from Kadathy to Puthuppady to avoid traffic from the Kochi - Madurai NH 49 which is also the route to Munnar, a popular hill station. A bypass to Thodupuzha Road and MC Road is planned from Kadathi on NH49 via the proposed new bridge at Murikkallu.[45] Later the road will join MC Road towards Kottayam at Marady. A Muvattupuzha-Kakkanad-Palarivattom four-lane highway project is at discussion levels. Proposed route is via Vazhappilly, Pattimattom, Kizhakkambalam, Infopark to Reach Vyttila Central Bus Terminal in 30 minutes over 31 km.[46][47] Chalikkadavu bridge helps long distance travelers from being caught in traffic, particularly during the rush hour. The bypass will go through Kizhakkekara to Marady to link the SH-8 to Thodupuzha and to the MC Road.

How to Reach

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://inorite.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/the-rajahs-of-vadakkumkur/
  2. ↑ http://www.muvattupuzha.com/religion.htm
  3. ↑ K. M. Mathew, ed. (2006). Manorama Year Book. Malayala Manorama. p. 116.
  4. ↑ http://www.kerala.gov.in/docs/election_reportage/assembly_election/1951.pdf
  5. ↑ http://nasrani.net/2007/01/16/ancient-stone-crosses-of-kerala-saint-thomas-cross-nazraney-sthambams-persian-crosses/
  6. ↑ Arakuzha Church
  7. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  8. ↑ http://www.ekm.kerala.gov.in/physio.htm
  9. ↑ http://deepika.epapr.in/c/3897647
  10. ↑ http://www.southdreamz.com/tourisum/kerala-cities/thodupuzha
  11. ↑ http://idukki.nic.in/formation.htm
  12. ↑ http://www.zonkerala.com/tourism/Idukki-6/
  13. ↑ http://www.metrovaartha.com/2008/12/31142059/muvattupuzha-bridge.html
  14. ↑ "Wikibooks Malayalam- Aithihyamala- Kadamattathu Kathanar". Wikibooks-Malayalam. 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  15. ↑ http://wikimapia.org/#lat=9.9642857&lon=76.5966797&z=13&l=0&m=t
  16. ↑ http://www.metrovaartha.com/2008/12/31142059/muvattupuzha-bridge.html
  17. ↑ "Kinfra park at Nellad fully occupied". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 2007-11-13.
  18. ↑ http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m153.htm
  19. ↑ http://www.ppesthose.org/bio.html
  20. ↑ http://www.muvattupuzhamunicipality.in/ml/history
  21. ↑ http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m194.htm
  22. ↑ Payyappilly Palakkappilly Varghese Kathanar
  23. ↑ Annual General Reports of the Ramakrishna Mission issued by the General Secretary since the year 2006
  24. ↑ Swami Nirmalananda - His Life and Teachings by Swami Vishadananda and others
  25. ↑ http://www.vivekananda.net/PDFBooks/Nirmalananda.pdf
  26. ↑ http://www.sangharakshita.org/bookshelf/rainbow-road.pdf
  27. ↑ The Rainbow Road - by Sangharakshita (Dennis Philip Edward Lingwood)
  28. ↑ Thousand-Petalled Lotus by Sangharakshita
  29. ↑ Stories from Ithihyamala: Fables of Kerala. A. K. Shrikumar. 2001. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  30. ↑ http://www.smcim.org/church/arakuzha/article/391
  31. ↑ http://www.muvattupuzhadiocese.com
  32. ↑ http://www.vijayapuramdiocese.org/vijayapuram_diocese_parishesmore.php?id=50
  33. ↑ http://www.cmjmasjid.org/about.php
  34. ↑ http://nirmalapbs.org/
  35. ↑ Nirmala College
  36. ↑ Mar Augustine Kandathil
  37. ↑
  38. ↑
  39. ↑ Nirmala Medical Centre
  40. ↑ Franciscan Clarist Sisters
  41. ↑ http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/kerala/Final_Kerala_Paper_1_Pdf.pdf
  42. ↑ http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2012/January/international_January1047.xml&section=international&col=
  43. ↑ http://www.cinepoint.in/
  44. ↑ http://www.metrovaartha.com/2009/01/09150145/MUVATTUPUZHATHENIROAD.html
  45. ↑ http://www.mathrubhumi.com/localnews/story.php?id=151874&v_id=73
  46. ↑ http://www.metrovaartha.com/2009/09/05092203/four-line-road.html
  47. ↑ http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?s=01f8717204b946b43560c3c84e092206&p=4446928&postcount=3857
  1. Kerala PWD
  2. Statehighways in Yahoo Maps
  3. State Highway list

External links

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