Aluva

Aluva (also known by its former name Alwaye) is a municipality and a northern suburb of the city of Kochi in Kerala, India. It is a part of the Kochi Metropolitan area and is situated around 15 km (9.3 mi) from the city center on the banks of Periyar River.[1] A major transportation hub, with easy access to all major forms of transportation, Aluva acts as a corridor which links the highland districts to the rest of the state. Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is 11.7 km from Aluva. Aluva is accessible through rail (Aluva Railway Station), air (Cochin International Airport), metro (Kochi Metro) along with major highways and roadlines.

Aluva

Alwaye
Suburb
Aluva
Aluva
Coordinates: 10.1167°N 76.3500°E / 10.1167; 76.3500
CountryIndia
StateKerala
DistrictErnakulam
Established1921
Government
 • Chair PersonLissy Abraham
 • MLAAnwar Sadath
Area
 • Total7.18 km2 (2.77 sq mi)
Elevation
8 m (26 ft)
Population
 (2001)
 • Total24,110
 • Density3,358/km2 (8,700/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Aluvakkaran
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
6831xx
Telephone code0484
Vehicle registrationKL 41
Sex ratio1000:1050 ♂/♀
Websitewww.aluvamunicipality.in
Gandhi statue
Aluva Manappuram
Athani Junction
Cannon Ball tree
Mar Athanasius School
Thottumughom Padinjare Palli Juma Masjid

Aluva, home to the summer residency of the Travancore royal family – the Alwaye Palace -[2] is also famous for the Sivarathri festival celebrated annually at the sandbanks of Periyar. The Advaita Ashrams in Aluva founded in 1913 by Sree Narayana Guru, one of India's greatest social reformers, adds to the cultural significance of the town.[3] Today, whilst part of the Kochi urban agglomeration, Aluva is an autonomous municipality, its civic administration conducted by Aluva Municipal Council. The town also serves as the administrative centre of the Aluva taluk. Villages from Mukundapuram, Kanayannur, Kunathunad and North Paravur taluks were combined together to form Aluva Taluk in 1956.The headquarters of the District Police Chief of Ernakulam Rural Police District, Superintending engineer, PWD (Roads) and of the District Educational Officer, Aluva are also located there. It is the starting point of Kochi Metro rail, which began its operations in June 2017.The Metro station is at Bypass, Aluva

View of periyar river from mangalapuzha bridge

History

Archaeologists have found evidence of settlements in Aluva as far back as 250 BC.[4] The place used to be a continuous area of land spread across Kakkanad and Alangad; historians have recorded that it was so up to AD 1341. The town, by then thickly populated, became a holiday resort and a centre of commerce.[5] Mangalappuzha, a branch of Periyar which bifurcates at Aluva was known to be the nerve centre of trade and commerce in this part of South India. Before Indian independence, Aluva was part of the Kingdom of Travancore and was the official summer residence of the royal family.

The etymology of the name of the town of Aluva has been the subject of speculation for centuries. One of the more accepted version relates to the story of Hindu god Shiva drinking the Kalakootam poison to save the world. It is said that Shiva with the poison 'Alam' in his mouth 'Vaa' was made into a deity which was then rested in a temple in Aluva.[6] The Sivarathri festival for which the town is famous for is celebrated in the honour of Shiva. In the twentieth century, when there was a community of Jews in Cochin, some used to have holiday homes in Aluva on the banks of the River Periyar.[7] it also has a name "gate way to east"

Politics

Aluva is a constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The Aluva assembly constituency is part of the Chalakudy (Lok Sabha constituency). Anwar Sadath is the MLA of Aluva.[8] It is part of Chalakudy (Lok Sabha constituency). Benny Behanan is the MP in this constituency.

Administratively, Aluva is a municipality.[9] The current municipal council is ruled by Indian National Congress Party, led by Lissy Abraham who was elected in November 2015.

Previously it was led by Mr. M.T Jacob (2010–2015)

Travel

Aluva is well connected by air, road and rail from all parts of the country

By Air

Cochin International Airport is 15 km from the town center. Regular domestic and international connections are available from the airport.

By Train

Aluva railway station (IR Code: AWY) in the town, is a A graded railway station in Kerala. All passenger, express trains bound to southern Kerala do have a stop in this station. Some leaflets/websites still refer the town's old name (Alwaye).There is also a small railway station in Aluva named Chowara with a 4 km distance from town.

By Metro

Kochi Metro starts from Aluva Bypass and currently operates till Thaikoodam. Upon completion, it will be further extended to Petta. The project was started in mid of 2013 and commenced its operations in 2017.

By Bus

Rajiv Gandhi Central Bus Station is one of the largest Bus terminals in Kerala. Regular private and KSRTC Bus KSRTC.[10] connect from all parts Kerala to this station. Apart from this, daily passenger bus of Karnataka RTC and Tamil Nadu's SETC do connect from places like Mysore, Mangalore, Bangalore, Trichy, Coimbatore, Salem, Palani, Kodaikanal etc.

Privately operated Inter-state bus[11] to Bangalore, Chennai, Mysore, Mumbai etc. do have stops in various points of Aluva town.

By Ferry

Aluva is one major stop for National Waterway 3, scheduled to open by August 2010 which connects to Thiruvananthapuram in south and Kottapuram (Thrissur) in north.

Get around

Bus Service – Most Private and Government owned buses circle around the town before entering the respective Bus Stands.

Autorikshaws – Autos are an easy way of commuting around the town. Be weary of excess charges.

Taxis – There is a taxi counter available at the railway station, and many taxi services are available in the city. Uber taxis are also available.

Walking – The town itself is easy to commute by walking, although for long distances this may not be the ideal choice.

Rented Vehicles – There are many places where cars and bicycles can be rented.

Tourism

Tourists would find the Manappuram on the left as a long stretch of sand bank followed by a plain. Sivagiri Ashram has a small temple which worships Sree Narayana Guru. Popular tourist spots include:

  • Sivarathri Manappuram (Sree Mahadeva temple)
  • Aluva Palace
  • Periyar banks
  • Municipal Park
  • Kunnathery Maqam (Mahlarathul Qadriya)
  • Madrasa Noorul Irfan Arabic Collage, Kunnathery
  • St. Dominic Syro-Malabar Church (Chanthapally)
  • St John the Baptist CSI Church (Estd 1891)
  • Mangalappuzha Major Seminary
  • Kadungalloor Sree Narasimha Swamy temple
  • Thiruvalloor Sree Mahadeva Temple
  • Kunnil sree dharmashastha temple, Kadungalloor
  • Cheerakkada Temple
  • Desom Sree Pallippattukavu Bhagavathy Temple
  • Desom Sree Ananthapuram Mahavishnu Temple
  • Desom Sree Dhattha Anjaneya Temple
  • Adwaitha Ashram
  • Sree Krishna Temple
  • St. Mary's Church Chowara, Aluva
  • Parunthuranchi Manappuram Aluva
  • Uliyannoor Sree Mahadeva Temple
  • Pottachira Sree Krishna Temple
  • Thuruthu, a small island in aluva
  • Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly Museum, Chunangamvely
  • Aluva Settu JumaMasjid
  • Kunjunnikara Juma Masjid
  • Thottumughom Thangal Jaaram
  • Thottumughom Padinjare Palli Juma Masjid
  • Thevarkadu Sree Mahavishnu-Durga Temple, Near Chowwara Ferry, Aluva
  • Edayappuram Juma Masjid
  • Thiruvairanikulam Sree Mahadeva Temple
  • Janaseva Shishu Bhavan, Aluva
  • Sree Kurumbakavu Bhagavathi Temple Edathala
  • Pothiyil Sree Narasimha Moorthy -Sreekrishna Swamy Temple

Culture

The culture scene of Aluva is rich with those who are native of this town and those who have been attracted to it mainly due its proximity to the great river Periyar.

Several popular Malayalam movie songs are dedicated to the river Periyar. Famous poets Changapuzha Krishna Pillai, G. Sankara Kurup and Balachandran Chullikkadu, and critic Kuttipuzha Krishnapilla, and novelist Subash Chandran are from Aluva and lived there. Though not from Aluva area, Vayalar Ramavarma and O.N.V Kurup wrote about Periyar and the town Aluva was an integral part of their paying homage to the most lively river of the state of Kerala, Periyar.

The mimicry comedy revolution that dominated the cultural landscape of Kerala beginning 1980's originated in Aluva by stand-up comedians from that area, though they got larger audience and fans in Kochi and in Malayalam movies later which would make them cultural fixations of Kerala's pop culture. The movie star Dileep is from later part of that era.

Several newspapers and magazines were published from Aluva during the print era. Continuing with that tradition the first online magazine and blogging platform was also started in Aluva by puzha.com, which continues to exist in the cyberspace.

Notable people

Aluva is the hometown for many notable people from various fields of the society.

Business

Aluva is the industrial capital of Kerala and is the home of many business headquarters. Aluva is known for its "Aluva Pukayillatha Aduppu" (smokeless stove) invented by the Alwaye Settlement Church many business headquarters. One of the well established private sector bank in India, The Federal Bank has its Head quarters in Aluva.

Colleges and schools

Many educational institutions are located in Aluva.

Colleges
  • Union Christian College, Aluva
  • St.Xaviers College for Women Aluva
  • Bharata Matha College of Commerce and Arts, Aluva
  • MES College Marampally, Aluva
  • Bharata Mata School of Legal Studies Aluva
  • Carmel College of Nursing Nalamile, Aluva
  • Al Ameen College Edathala, Aluva
  • MES M. K. Mackar Pillay College of Advanced Studies Edathala, Aluva
  • KMEA Engineering College Edathala
  • YMCA College Edayappuram, Aluva
  • Queen Mothers College Aluva

Schools and other educational institutions
  • Govt. Boy's Higher Secondary School
  • St Mary's High School
  • The Alwaye Settlement Higher Secondary School
  • Vidyadhiraja Vidyabhavan Higher Secondary School
  • School For The Blind Aluva
  • St. Francis Higher Secondary School for Girls
  • Government Girls Higher Secondary School Aluva
  • Joe Mount Public School
  • Al-Ameen International Public School
  • KMJ Public School Nochima, Aluva
  • Jyothi Nivas Senior Secondary School, Aluva -2[12]
  • Jeevass CMI Central School
  • SNDP Higher Secondary School
  • Technical Higher Secondary School, Aluva - IHRD
  • Christava Mahilalayam Higher Secondary School
  • Nirmala Higher Secondary School for Girls
  • Islamic Higher Secondary School
  • Holy Ghost Convent Girls High School
  • St.John The Baptist Csi Emhs School
  • St.Joseph's UP School
  • Sivagiri Vidyaniketan Senior Secondary School
  • Al-Hind Public School
  • Talent Public School
  • Crescent Public School
  • Ideal Public School

Aluva Railway Station

There are two railway stations in Aluva: Aluva Railway Station. Aluva Railway Station is a major stop for trains that passes north to south of Kerala. It is the second busiest station in Kerala by number of trains, second only to Thrissur. The station is important for southern railway because of the number of passengers itself. The commuters and travellers from Idukki district have to use either this station or the Tripunithura railway station for all their train journeys as there is no possible railway in the Idukki topography. There are no trains starting or ending at this station, but there are a lot of trains which stop for considerable duration here.

Aluva Railway Station is situated at the Railway Station Road junction near the KSRTC stand. The KSRTC stand hosts many buses from Ernakulam and a lot of City Low Floor buses, both A/C and non A/C which ensures connectivity to almost all the places in Kerala.

Aluva Mahadeva Temple

The Mahadeva Temple is situated at a distance of 1 km from the Marthanda Varma bridge in NH-47. Periyar river splits into two near Aluva railway bridge and after the splitting one part is called Mangalappuzha. Aluva Mahadeva Temple is located on the sand bank in between the Mangalppuzha and Periyar river. Aluva Mahadeva Temple is managed by Travancore Devaswom Board.

The unique feature of Aluva Mahadeva Temple is that the Shivalinga is not enshrined in a Sreekovil. The Swayambhoo Shivalinga installed by Lord Parasurama and worshipped by Lord Sree Rama rises out of the sand banks of the Periyar river. This place is called the Aluva Manal Puram (land with sand).

There are many legends associated with this temple. After installing the Lingam Parasurama built a temple here but was destroyed by a flood. Lord Shiva told him that no temple structure will exist at that place because He does not want a temple structure for protecting the Lingam. Another legend goes like this. The Bhuthaganas of Lord Shiva worshiped the Lingam every night. They decided to construct a temple there. But Lord Shiva told them that they must complete the temple in a single night. Bhuthaganas agreed and started the construction. When the foundation was completed, Lord Vishnu came there, disguised as a cock and crowed to mislead the Bhuthaganas. The Bhuthaganas, fearing that dawn had approached, left the work unfinished. Sri Rama, during his search for Sitha, performed tharpana for Jadayu here. Another legend is associated with Vilwamangalam Swamiyar. One day he visited this place and realised the presence of Lord Shiva and identified the Shiva Linga installed by Parasurama. He started worshipping the Linga and Lord Mahadeva appeared in front of him and told him to start poojas there. Pottayil Ilayathu, Thottathil Nambiar and Idamana Nampoothiri made proper arrangements for Shiva Pooja and Vilwamngalam started the pooja. But there were no vessels to offer Nivedyam. So Vilwamangalam used a Kavungin Pala (aracanut leaf) to offer Nivedyam. Even today the nivedyam is offered in Kavungin Pala and is called Palanivedyam. Later Vilwamangalam and his associates – Ilayathu, Nambiar and Nampoothiri – constructed a temple but it was destroyed by flood in AD 1343. During the monsoon season the whole region gets flooded and the Shivalinga gets submerged in water. So the Ooranma Nampoothiris were decided to construct a small temple on the bank of the river in order to perform poojas during monsoon season. This temple is called Bala Kshetram. It is a fact that though unfinished in nature, this temple has withstood many a flood and still stands as an enigma to the architects, regarding its foundation and structure. The Travancore Devaswom Board authorities constructed a temple structure here some years ago. but the Deva Prasna conducted later revealed that construction of the temple structure is against Lord Shiva's wish.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited

Kochi Metro Rail Limited, the pride project of Kerala Government, undertaken by DMRC starts from Aluva Bypass. Aluva metro station is the northern terminus of the line which was open on 19 June 2017.[13] The construction was started on mid of 2013. Kochi Metro is expected to overcome the traffic problems in Aluva – Ernakulam route. Kochi metro is expected to raise the civil infrastructure of the city. Development of Kochi metro has raised the commercial value of the land.

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See also
  • Gallery
  • Aluva Manapuram
  • Municipal Office Aluva
  • Private Bus Terminal Aluva
  • Aluva Palace Entrance
  • Sree Krishna Temple Aluva
  • Federal Bank HO Aluva
  • UC College Aluva
  • Town Hall Aluva
  • Marthanda Varma Bridge Aluva

Location

References
  1. "Home | Aluva Municipality". Aluvamunicipality.in. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  2. "Alwaye Palace Aluva – Aluva Palace Kerala". Kerala-tourism.org. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  3. "Biograby by Dr. S. Omana". Sndp.org. 20 September 1928. Archived from the original on 3 September 2000. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  4. "ചരിത്രം | Aluva Municipality". Aluvamunicipality.in. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  5. "Kerala". Ashextourism.com. 13 May 1999. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  6. "ആമുഖം | Aluva Municipality". Aluvamunicipality.in. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  7. Weil, S. 2009 'The Place of Alwaye in Modern Cochin Jewish History', Journal of Modern Jewish Studies 8 (3): 319–335.
  8. "Assembly Constituencies – Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies" (PDF). Kerala. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2008.
  9. "Local Administration – Ernakulam District". NIC Ernakulam (Govt. of India). Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  10. "KSRTC Aluva Depot". KSRTC Aluva Depot Contacts. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  11. "Sona Travels". Private Bus Operator Aluva.
  12. http://jyothinivasaluva.com/
  13. Greeshma Sukumaran (17 June 2017). "Kochi Metro inauguration: PM Modi flags off rail service, takes maiden ride with CM Pinarayi Vijayan, 'Metro Man' Sreedharan". International Business Times. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
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