Kothamangalam

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Kothamangalam
State - District(s)	Kerala - Ernakulam
Area
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001) - Density	37,169 -

Kothamangalam (Malayalam :കോതമംഗലം) is the name of a Taluk and a municipality that is the headquarters of the taluk in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala in India. It is located 13 km from Muvattupuzha. It is also a constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Kothamangalam is a small town lying at the foothills of the Western Ghats and is known as The Gateway to the High ranges. Until recent past, the town was also a very important trading center for spices and hill produce. Kothamangalam is known for its old Christian churches and its prominent educational institutions.

1 History
2 Leaders and Celebrities
3 Demographics
4 How to reach
5 Tourist Destinations
6 Educational institutions

[edit] History

Kothamangalam occupies a prominent place in the ancient history of Kerala. According to some historians like Professor Joseph Mundasseri, or Kanaksabha 'Kotha' in the name must have been the official name of the Cheras who ruled Kerala in the first millennium. There is also an opinion that Thrikkariyoor (Karur), a village that lies 3 km north of the Kothamangalam town was the capital of Cheras, but it is not widely accepted.T rikkariyur came into being after it was considered as a holy temple of Cheras. The nearby Cheramala at the bank of river periyar is considered to be the summer palace of Cheras.The ruins are still visible at the hill top.

Historically, Kothamangalam serves a main role in unfolding the mysterious past of Kerala. The trade links with the west had a lot of impact on the prominence of Kothamangalam. The ancient Tracians had a great influence on the culture of this place. A lot of places in and around Kothamangalam bear the suffix "PARA" to the place names. It does not denote the significance of rocks but on the other hand it denotes a village. "Para" in thracian language means a village. Keerampara is a village nearby enroute the Cheramala. The name Keerampara means" Village of parrots". Keeram is parrot.

St.Thomas is believed to be preached in this place and converted about 240 brahmin families into Christian faith including" Cheladans" (see the book of Kesari Balakrishna Pillai). Chelad is a village near to Kothamangalam. The ancient Ekachakra gramam is none other than Kothamangalam where the Baka was killed (Mahabaratha epic). It is stated that the Ekachakra gramam was situated in between Malayattoor and Neriamangalam and in Venpuram (capital) which is Kothamangalam. The ancient trade route to Madura was thorough Kothamangalam signifying its link even from time immemorial. Kothamangalam was famous for its name but nobody knew where it was situated hence the ancient saying" Ethappa Kothamangalam".

Kothamangalam taluk was created on January 26, 1972 including parts of the Muvattupuzha municipality. It was composed of Kothamangalam, Keerampara, Kottapady, Pindimana,Nellikuzhi,Pothanikad,Varappetty, Kadavoor and Pallarimanagalam villages. Later Neriamangalam and Thrikkariyoor were added to the taluk in 1981. Kothamangalam became a municipality in 1978.

[edit] Leaders and Celebrities

There are several great leaders from Kothamangalam and few such prominent personalities are Mr. M.P Varghese, the first MLA of Kothamangalam and Mr.T.M.Meethian, Ex.MLA, who was a well known mediator for settling disputes outside court. Mr. M.P varghese is a veteran in the education field of Kothamangalam. His vision only made Kothamangalam to marwell in the educational field. Like M.P Varghese, there are leaders like P.K. Sajeev, T.U Kuruvilla, Edathala Mathai etc.

Cricketer S. Sreesanth [[1]], was born in Kothamangalam

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^GRIndia, Kothamangalam had a population of 37,169. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Kothamangalam has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 95%. In Kothamangalam, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] How to reach

Nearest Railway station - Alwaye 35 km / Ernakulam - 53 km.
Nearest Airport - Nedumbasserry (Kochi) - 34 km

[edit] Tourist Destinations

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary (Salim Ali Wild Life Sanctuary) Thattekkad, 14 km from Kothamangalam is home to the Thattekad bird sanctuary where we can find some rare species of birds. Exotic birds flock to this sanctuary and make this place a haven for any ornithologist.

Bhoothathan Kettu Bhoothathan Kettu is a good picnic spot, located 10 km from Kothamangalam. There is a dam here, and in the adjoining reservoir, one can go for boating too. The legend says that the dam was built by a "Bhootham" (A spirit) using the rocks, which is which is how the name Bhothathan Kettu (Tied by a spirit) came to be. Trekking through the forest to the old Bhoothathan Kettu is very interesting. The forest offers a wide variety of flora and fauna and is a botanist's delight.