Kanjirappally

Kanjirappally is a taluk and a town in Kottayam district situated about 38 km (24 mi) away from the district capital, in the state of Kerala, India. National Highway (old NH 220 Kollam - Theni now NH 183) connects Kanjirapally to major nearest cities. Kanjirappally is also known as the Gateway of Highrange as it is the geographic entrance to the 'Malanad' or the Hill country of Kerala that extends to Idukki district and then to Tamil Nadu. Kanjirapally is one of the most busiest towns in the Kottayam district. The nearest Airport is Nedumbassery International Airport (94 km (58 mi)). The nearest railway station is Kottayam Railway Station (36.3 km (22.6 mi)).

Kanjirappally

കാഞ്ഞിരപ്പള്ളി

The Gateway of Highrange
Town
A Rainy Morning in Kanjirappally Town
Coordinates: 9°33′0″N 76°47′0″E
Country India
StateKerala
DistrictKottayam
Government
 • TypePanchayath
Population
 (2011 census)
 • Total270,145
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
686507 (Kanjirappally Head Post Office)
Telephone code04828
Vehicle registrationKL-34 (Kanjirappally) or KL-05 (Kottayam)
Coastline0 kilometres (0 mi)
Nearest citiesKottayam, Thodupuzha, Pala
Lok Sabha constituencyPathanamthitta (Kanjirappally Niyamasabha Mandalam)
ClimateTropical monsoon (Köppen)
Avg. summer temperature31 °C (88 °F)
Avg. winter temperature23 °C (73 °F)
Sree Madhura Meenakshi Temple procession

Economy

Rubber plantations are a major source of income for the local population. Part of the Syrian Christian belt under Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Changanassery, the place has a large population of Syrian Catholic Christians. The Christians of Kanjirapally are known to be the earliest agrarian group in Kerala to have switched to plantation agriculture by the beginning of the 20th century. The place is, therefore, home to many legendary Syrian Christian families of Kerala who owe their affluence to plantation agriculture, particularly to the production of latex.

Business

Kanjirappally is one of the major agrarian business towns in Kerala, with a large production of latex, spices, jack fruits, etc. being exported. Kanjirappally has many business headquarters, including:

  • St Mary's Rubber
  • Oxygen
  • Eloit
  • Heavecrumb

Film shooting

Since the early 1980s, scores of Malayalam movies depicted the region as a pocket of Christian affluence. The term 'Achayan', which is colloquially used among the Nasranis of Central Travancore, has always been synonymous with Kanjirapally and neighboring towns like Mundakayam, Ponkunnam etc. The film 'Thopil Jopan' was shot in the Kanjirapally cathedral church.

Syrian Christian Settlements

The Syrian Christian colonization of Kanjirappally had a profound impact on the history of commerce and agriculture in these parts. The Christians claim their roots from early settlements at Nilackal or Chayal on the banks of Pamba River, in the Sabarimala Hills of eastern Kerala. There is also a strong belief that the flourishing Christian community here was founded by Saint Thomas the Apostle himself. The place was in the forest recesses far away from seats of power. Nilackal became an important depot for spices like pepper, cardamom, etc., and the Christians were engaged in this lucrative trade as procures and sorters. Following a catastrophic event in the mid 14th century, the Christian inhabitants of Nilackal fled the region, a large section of whom migrated to the present day Kanjirapally, which is 30 miles northwest of the ancient town. The direct descendants of these settlers constructed the Pazhayapally Akkarappally (meaning the 'Old Church') in the middle of the town. Following the agrarian expansion of the 19th century, the Syrian Christians spread to places around Kanjirapally, such as Manimala, Ponkunnam, Erumely, Mundakayam and their surrounding regions, clearing forests and setting up farms.

Climate

Kanjirapally has the highest number of rainy days in Kerala. It receives the highest amount of summer rains, winter rains and northeast monsoons (Thulaam Mazha) in Kerala, making it one of the very few places in India enjoying equatorial rainforest type climate, with no distinct dry season. The well-distributed rainfall pattern of Kanjirapally is the primary reason for the phenomenon of high yield of latex from Rubber plantations in and around the town. The average annual rainfall is 4156 mm.[1]

Religion
Kanjirappally bishop Mar Mathew Arackal with Fr. Prasant Payyappilly Palakkappilly and other priests at the tomb of Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly

The population in the town area is a mixture of Syrian Christians, Muslims, and Hindus. However, the Syro Malabar Christians constitute the vast majority in the interior regions of Kanjirapally, where agriculture thrives. They also make up the dominant socio-economic community of the region. Born again Christians are also found in certain areas.

Ganapathy Koil is a beautiful Hindu temple built in granite. Hindus from Kerala come here to offer prayers. It was built by the Vellala community of Tamil Nadu, but this 900-year-old structure is almost in ruins today, although the carvings and inscriptions on its granite pillars are still visible.

  • Madhura Meenakshi Temple is another beautiful temple in the heart of Kanjirapally Town. Devi Madhura Meenakshi is worshipped there.
  • St. Dominic's Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Kanjirappally and was built in 1826. The 150th anniversary of St. Dominic's Cathedral was celebrated in 1977.
  • Nainaru Mosque is one of the popular mosques in the region. The Nainaru Mosque attracts Muslims from the town as well as the surrounding areas to offer their prayers.

Transportation

The K. K. Road (NH 183: Kollam-Theni) (Kottayam-Kumily Road) connects Kanjirapally to major nearest cities like Mundakkayam (16 km or 9.9 mi), Kottayam (38 km or 24 mi), Kuttikkanam (34 km or 21 mi), Kumily (72 km or 45 mi) and Ponkunnam (5 km or 3.1 mi).

The nearest international airport is Cochin International Airport in Nedumbassery, the nearest railway station is in Kottayam, Changanacherry and the nearest KSRTC bus station is in Ponkunnam. The area between Ponkunnam and Kanjirapally is gradually reducing with rapid commercialization. The nearest Medical College is at Kottayam. Proposal for a long-awaited, not happening soon railway station is expected to be built at Kanjirappally as a part of Angamaly-Sabarimala rail route in future.

Sabarigiri International Airport

On 19 July 2017, the Kerala Government has announced the construction of the 5th International Airport in Kerala, Sabarigiri International Airport at Cheruvally Estate of Harrisons Plantations at Manimala, Erumely, situated at the Border of Kottayam District and Pathanamthitta district to facilitate travel of Sabarimala pilgrims.[2]

Administration
Kanjirappally mini civil station

Kanjirappally assembly constituency is part of Pathanamthitta (Lok Sabha constituency). Previously it was part of Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency). Most of the local administration offices like PWD, Railway Reservation Counter, Employment Exchange, Taluk offices etc. are now located in the recently constructed Mini Civil Station.

Celebrities

School Education
  • St. Antony's Public School Anakkal, Kanjirappally
  • AKJM Public School, Kanjirappally
  • SRV NSS VHSS, Chirakkadavu
  • Veda Vyasa Vidhya Mandiram, Thampalakkadu
  • Sreyas Public School and Junior College, Ponkunnam
  • St. Mary's Higher Secondary School Kanjirappally.
  • St. Dominic's Higher Secondary School Kanjirappally.
  • St. Joseph's Public School and Junior College, Kunnumbhagam Kanjirappally
  • Mumtaz Memorial MYCA School Kanjirappally
  • Sree Neelakanta Vidhyapeetham, Chirakkadavu
  • Vellala Samajam UPS, Ponkunnam
  • SCTM ups Mooleplavu.
  • Alfeen Public School, 26th-mile, Kanjirappaly
  • St. Ephrem's HighSchool, Chirakkadavu Kanjirappally
  • MGM UPS Chirakkadavu
  • Assumption High School Palampra Kanjirappally
  • St.Joseph's L.P School Velichiyani
  • Government Higher Secondary School Kanjirappally
  • Infant Jesus Public School Kanjirappally
  • John Joseph Murphy Memorial Higher Secondary School
  • N.H.A.U.P. School
  • Government LP School Thampalakkad (established 1910)
  • Assumption High School, Palampra P.O, Kanjirappally
  • Sanathanam Up School, Chirakkadavu

Engineering Colleges
  • Amal Jyothi College of Engineering Koovappally, Kanjirappally - 5 km from Kanjirappally town

Arts and Science Colleges
  • College of Applied Science IHRD (under MG University) Petta Junction, Kanjirappally.
  • SVRV NSS College, Vazhoor
  • St Dominic's College, 27th Mile Kanjirappally
  • Sree Sabareesa College, Murikkumvayal, Mundakayam (Aided)
  • Govt. B.ed. college Petta junction Kanjirappally
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References
  1. Kumar, PK Pradeep. Physiographic Features and Changes in the rainfall pattern of Kerala. Physical Oceanography and meteorology division.
  2. "Kerala cabinet gives nod to green airport in Kanjirappally to facilitate travel for Sabarimala pilgrims". Firstpost. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
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