districtTiancrBook
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC RELATIONS DlS'l'KlCT IIAINDISOOKS OF KEKALA'
PATHAISAMTHITTA
Dt:i'\!iT]ML;iN'r o f ininuc liELVJioNs N IEPA DO
D04226III
32/3892/B District Handbooks of Kerala % \ ^ ^ Pathanamthitta 9 *" Department of Pul)lic Relations 1986, June Printed at Govenmient Press, Trivandrum {Not for sale)
N«ii( ttjtw -n# Aiwiin)- 17JI,StiAv hSmkNtmBSd^U0fli^ ____
Compiled by :— District Information Officer, Pathanamthitta. PREFAGl^,
^ Tlsliis book is a pari ot tUe programme oi Public Rolaiious Department to l)rinig out the handbooks of all the districts of Kerala. An attempt is mailc here to collect and present as nmch information as possible, all up dated. It has been designed to satisfy the needs of the average reader, as well the tourist, win may look^^ a |iandy vohuric contaimng essential informiatioa about the di^^rict, VVe hope that tiic book Wiil-wijirve thi^ purpuStj. . J:iq(ggestions tor improvements are most j<^;littme.
Trivaiadrum, I'. N . J a y a d e v a n , June 1 986. Director, Public Relations Department. CONTENTS
Page SalicHt Fcatmcs 1 Topography and Glimat# 1 Rivers 2 Populiition 2 J)evclopjuen(al activities 3 luI’ages Sret; Vallabha Temple, 'I'hiruvalla .. 20 Sugar Factory, Thiruvalla . . 20 Pan I mala Church .. 21 iNiranam Church .. 21 Religious C(inv<;iition at Marauiou . . 22 Situated ji(;ar the western ghats and h«;dgeplc D>m- prising mostly of Christians, followed by MusIIitls and Hindus are a pious and religious lo(.
SALIENT FEATURES Tlv district now includes portions of the erst while Quilon, A.Heppey and Idukki dieti icts. Pathanamthitta, Adoor, Ranny and Kozhencherry art; some of the important places taken from Quilon district, whereas Ttiiruvalla and Mallappally are the major places taken from Alleppey district. A few villages in the surrotmding regions of Sahavimala u» Ptermedu taluk are taken from Iflukki di&trict. rtu; district came into existence on Novcinber 1, 19B2. The Wosteru Ghats in the east provides a natural boundary for the district on the west is Alleppey district, in the north portions of Idukki and Kottayara districts, and on the south Quilon district. The district consists of 5 taluks, viz Rajmy, Kozhencherry, Adoor, Thiruvalkj and Mallappally. The district has a total geographical area of 2694.62 sq.ms. out of vvliich 1466.85 sq.ms is covcred with thick forests. Thu? forests accounl for more than half the total area of dje district. TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE Like most other districts in Kerala, Pathanamthitla also consist.s of three natural divisions viz. the lowland, middle land, and the highland. The higiiland stretches through the Western Ghats, descends to the middle land in the centre, do.sn to the lowland of coconut gardens in the western botarders of Alleppey district. The topography of the district is highly undulating. It starts from the tall hill slopes covered with thick forests on the east along the mountains, down to the vaHeyjs and small lulls to the flat land of coconut trees in the west. 32/«92/B. The district has inor»*. or less the climatic conditions as prevalent elsewln*re in the state, viz. dry season from Deceral;er to Fcbniary and hot Season from March to May. The southwest monsoon from June to Septem ber and the north west monsoon Irom October to November provide fairly good rain. The southwest monsoon is usually very heavy and about 75% of the annual rain is received during this season. The climate is generally moderate, temperature ranging 20°c. to 39°c.
RIVERS Three important rivers flow through this district. They are the Achan Kovil, Manimala and the Pamba risrers. The Pamba river is formed by the confluence of Pi mbayar, Arudaiyar, Kakkaday^r, Kakkiar and Kallar. It descends from Sabarimala, flows mainly through various parts of Ranny taluk, enters Alleppey district after joining with river Manimala and river Achankovil and empties itself into the V mbanad lake. The river Achankovil is formed by the confluence of several small streams originating from Rishimala, Pasukida mettu, and Ramakkal Teri and joins the Pamba at Veeyapuram, in Alleppey district. One third of the electricity produced by the st ite comes from this district. The powerd is generated from the Sabarigiri hydro-electric project situated at the Pamba basin in the district. Sabarigiri, next to Idukki, is the biggest hydroelectric project in the State. Since the project is located south of the fainots Sabarimala, it is named Sabarigiri project. The abundant water resources in the district is also utilized for irriga tion purposes through the Kallada irrigation project and the Pamba irriga tion project.
POPULATION Popiilation.—^The Pathanamthitta district has a population of 11,09,682 persons. Of the total j opulation 5/39,557 are males and 5,70,125 are females, giving a sex ratio of 1056 females for 1000 males, as against 1019 females for 1000 males in the State. The density of population is 412 per- sons/sq. km. which is loW'er than the State average of 548 persons/sq. km. The scheduled caste population of the district is 1,38,010 persons, whereas 4993 persons belong to the scheduled tribes. DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES Agriculture Agriculture is the main occupation of tiie people. About 80% depend on it directly or indirectly. The main crops raised in the district are rice, tapioca, rubber, sugarcane, ^.recanut, pepper and banana. The district has a total area of 2694.62 sq.k.m. out oi which forest comes an area ot 1466.85 sq.k.m. The total cvUtivated arv;am the district is 'estimated as 1086,53 sq.k.m. 'Fhe total number of households in the [^strict is 213128. Pathanarnthitta district accounts for the maximum quantity of rubber produced in the State. Rubber cultivation is concentrated mainly in th»* hilly eastern zone though one caunat see a house in the district without a rubber tree in its compoiuid. Thus rubber occupies the main position among the commercial crops in the district. Tapioca is a major food crop next only to paddy in extent of acreaj^e. The cropping pattern of important agriridtural products in tertns of the area cultivated is given below ; Coconut 25636 hectares
Paddy 21318 99 Arecanut 2074
Peppr'r 8215 p» Ginger 1482 >>
Cocoa 2000 JJ
Tapioca 2088 yt
Banana 6061 ft (Jashew 1358 Rubber 46773 T urmeric 290
Sugarcane 1450 2>
Vegetables 4683 St Pinrapple 113 While tapioca is cultivated in all parts of the district it is concentrated in Mezhuveli, Konni, Komdtbazhaom in Kozhenchtrry taluk and Thonnallor, Eoatli of Adoor taluks. Coconut also < njoys an important pcsilioii in the agricultural economy of the State. Paddy is cultivated in two s3a«ons viz. virippu (first crop Irom April-May to August-September) irrnncdiately followed by Mundakan (second crop from Soptembsr-October to Dccember-January) Both are rain fed and hence extensively cultivated. Banana and other plantains arc cultivated in dilVerent parts of the district, but Kozhencherry taluk covers the maximiiin area under banana cultivation. Sugarcane is concentrated in Tiruvaila taluk. Animal Husbandry Pathanamthitta district has been declared by Government as a disease-free zone for cattlc. In tUsease-free zones, preven tive measures to free the catile from diseases of various types are taki ri with eraphasi? on the preventive a'^pect vather on the cutative asp*,ct There are a number of veterinary dispensarj(;s and hospitals functioning in this district. At present more than 20 veterinary hospitals are functioi.ixig in the district. They are at Mezhuveli, Thumpainon, Pandalam, Kai- pattoor, Mannady, Ghathanthara, Gliethonkara, Vechoochira, Chittar, Vadasserikkara, Seethathode, Thannithode, Mallappally, Kallooppara, Kozhencherry, Pramadom, Thelliyoor, Ayroir, Konni, Elamanuor, Kodumon, Pulikeezhu, Kidangannoor, Thattoyil, Kottanad and Kalanjoor. There are veterinary dispensaries at Kurichimuttom, Vayala, Naranganam, Kottangal, Angadi, Mannarakulanji, Kunnamthanam Chennerkara and R.Perunad. There is an A. I. centre at Pullad and an A . I. sub centre each at Vallainkulam, Vennikkulam, Ezhumattoor, Elanthoor and Amalloor. Altogether there are four ’.eterinary Polyclinics, 27 veterinary hospitals, one mobile farm aid unit, one A. I . centre, five A. 1 subcentres and nine veterinary dispensaries. Water Supply Several places of the district, especially the hilJy areas, are stai've 1 of drinking water in summer. Yc t several areas arc supplied with protected water supply by means of a number of rural water supply schcmes intr duced iii various parts of the district. They are the Kozhencherry Rural Water Supply Scheme, Pathanamthitta Town Pviira! Water Supply Scheme, Iravau Village Water Supply Scheme, Attachakkal Village Water Supply Scheme, Mylapra Village Water Supply Scheme, Melukara Village Water Supply Scheme, Elanthoor Village Water Supply Scheme, Elanthoor Harijan Colony Water Supply Scheme, Malayaiapuzha Rural Water Supply Scheme, Ranni Thottamon Rural Water Supply Scheme, Ranni-Ithala Rural Wafer Supply Scheme, Ranni-Chellakkad Rural Wattr Supply Scheme, Pazbavangadi-Karikulam Rural Water Supply Scheme, Vadasserik kara Rural Water Supply Scheme, Konni Rural Water Supply Scheme, Aruvappulam Rural Water Supply Scheme, Pramadom Rural Water Supply Sheme, Omalloor Rural Water Supply Scheme, Vechoochira Rural Water Supply Scheme and Chittar Rural Water Supply Scheme Out of this Vechoochira, Vadasserikkara, Pramadom, Konni and Arui appulam Schemes are under Central Government’s accelerated scheme. A major water supply scheme for Pathanamthitta municipal area is being construcfed with an investment of one crore rupees. This is aided by the L.I.e. The Sabarimala and Pampa water works have also been completed already. Industries Pathanamthitta difstrict is not iiidugtrially much advanced At present there are six laTge scale and three mediTJ.rn scale industries in fhc district. Tf e details are as follows Large Scale Industries Kamt of Industries Qapilai Mo. q/ persons investment employed 1. United Vine<;rs (P) l,td., 60 lakhs 40 persons fCaviyo yi 2. VinecTS and Lamitiations, 70 lakha 107 persons West Othara . 3. Travancore Sugars and 55 lakhs 759 persons Chemicals, Thiruvalla 4. Maimam Sugar Mills, 80 Ukhs 584 {>Kaviyoor 6. Wood System India (P) 73 lakhs 45 persons Ltd., Mallappally Medium Industries 1. Poab’s Batteris and Con 40 lakhs 50 persons tainers (P) Ltd., Kuttoor 2. Prime Wood Industries, 40 lakhs 45 persons ^clliinala, Thiruvalla Gcetha Flour Mill, 450 lakhs 189 persons T h it um oo 1 apurtirn, Thiruvalla In addition to this there are mini-industrial estates at Adoor, Paaidalani anti Mallappally when- n variety of engineering goods are mantifaciiired. According to a coisiis taken in 1984 there were 513 small scale indus tries satisfactorily working in the district. There is wide scope for wood- based indastries in the dis»rict in vitw of the easy availability of raw materials. Fisheries One ol th<‘ two breeding centres for quality ftngerlirigs in tlie State is located at Pannivelichira, sorae 15 km away from the district headquarters, the first being at Malampuzha. A branch of tliis institution fuuctious at Polacliira in Kaviyoor panchayat. At Panjiivelichira finger lings of Gatia, Rohu, Mrigal, Labeo and Eyprinus “tc. are producefl by induce 1 breeding and the fing idings. Bxausc of the comm nd ible per formance ot this centre, fish cultivation has developed in and around Pannivclichira witiiin a radius of 10 km. As p";r the n aional fish fCijd programme a Chinese hatchery is being construct ,d at Polachira in Kaviyoor. A Harijan Co-operative Society is ru ictionin^ here for th ' sale of fish. Irrigation; — Pathanamthitta has two major irrigation projects. They are the Pamb ^ Irrigation Project and the Kallada Irrigation Project, both of which are under construction. The district has further scope to implement more irrigation projects because there are three major rivers flowing through this district. The Kallada irrigation project is the biggest multipurpose project undertaking by the State Government. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 83.3 crorcs, to benefit an area of 0.53 lakh hectares (net) and 1.05 lakh hectares (gross^. The project comprises of a masonry dam of 335 m. long with a maxmium height of 81m. at Parappar in 1 henmala across Kallada river to form a reservoir, a pick up weir and sluiaes at Ottakal, 4.6 km, down stream from the dam, 118 m. long and 9 m. high a right bank canal of 69. km long, a left bank canal of 57-75 km long, both taking off from the pick up weir and network of canals. The estimate of the Pamba project is Rs. 33.51 crores and the expected benefit is 41683 hectares (gross) and 19,800 hectares (net). It comprises of a bai raefe at Maniyar across Kakkad river having a length of 115.2i - m and a hc’ght of 16.75 .m and a net work of canals taking off from the barrager There are some medium and minor irrigation works comprising wells, small tanks and reservoirs to cover areas which do not come under th<' purview of the major irrigation projects mentioned above. Most of these schemes are now under various stages of execution. Forests:— Forest covers an area of 1466 85 sq.km in this District, which is more than 50% of the total area of the district, while the optimum area fixed by experts is only 33%. Total cropped area in Pathanamthitta district is 1086.53 sq.k ;.s. The foiests in the district can broadly be classifierl as evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests. Timber is the most important forest produce in the district as else where. Quality timber is used for constructin'^ buildings ajid making furniture. In fact, forest is the main source of raw materials for wood- based industrial units in the district. Teak, rosewood, jacktree, manja. kadambii. anjili, pala etc are some of the important species of timber available in this district. Apart from providing raw materials for ra^on, newsprint, olywood etc., these forests are a source for a number of useful minor products like bamboo, reeds, honey and medicinal plants and herbs. Education.— Pathanamthitta district is divided into two educational division viz FaihanaMhUta and Thiruvalla. There ate 42 Goverimient high schools f\i ictionmg in the district and the number of private high schools comc to 93. There ait five sub divisional educational offices under ihe Pathanamthitta division, viz. Adoor, Konni, Pathanamthitta, Ranni and Kozhench'rry and there are four sub divisional educational olRccs under tie Thiiuvalla, division, viz. Ihiruvalla, Pidlad, Vtnni- kulani and Mallap^^ally. Altogether ther<'. are 194 upper primary schools, and 561 lower primary schools in this district. Apart from these schools ther«‘ are eleven basic training schools functioning in the district. These schools are situated in Parakodt, Chcrukol, Ranni, Mylapra in Pathanamthitta division, and Tiruvall.i, Maramou, Peringara, Thadiyoor, Kiiviyoor and Othara in Tibruvall.i division. Ten out of the eleven schools belong to the private sector. A deaf and dumb school is functioning in Thiruvalla, under thi; auspices of the O.S T seminary there The rate of literacy in the District is compute ! at 80%. There are eight private colleges in the District viz. Marthoma College, Tiruvalla, B A.M . College, Turutikad, St. Thomas College, Ranni, Gatholicate College Pathauamthitla of 8t. Tiionias College, Kozhencherry, D.B. College, Pamba, and N S.S, Colleg.^, Paudalarn and St Gyrits’ College, Adoor, The polytechnic institution at Pandalam, teachers’ training coilege.s at Pandalam and Thiruvallaa are also belong to this district. Medical Facilities The health requirements oi the district art met through the services of Government and pr vate hospitals. There are four major Goverrmient hospitals sn the distri(;t. viz. General hospital Pathanamthitta, District hospital at Kozhencherry with attached T li. Centre, Government hospital at Thiru alia, and Government hospital at Adoor. All these hospitals are st.iffed with specialists in various branches of medicine, like surgery, gynaecology, paediatrics, ENT, ophthalmology and Orthopaedics. The service in these hospitals, are oriented towards the low income groups in this district. Apart from hospitals, th»;fe are six Government primary health centres catering to the needs of the rural public. They are the following. P.H. Centre, Ranni. P.H. Centre, Konni. and P.H. Centre, Elanthoor P.H. Centre, rhumpamon. P.H. Centi'e, Ayroor. and P.H. Oentre, Mallappally- These centres look after both the curative and preventive aspects, Each centie is under the charge of a medical officer who is assisted by other junior doctors, including a lady medical officer. Under each P. H . centre there are about five to six sub caitres manned by paianiedical staff who implement the above said progratnmes under the supervision of doctors. There arc sixteen Government dispensaries catering to the healtii requirements of people in the rural areas of the district. They are located in Kadammanitta, Ranni, Perinad, Malayalapuzha, Mylapra, Mekkozhur, Vallicode Kottayam, Chittar, Seethathode, Thannithode, Naduvathumuzhi, Nallanikunu, Kulanada, Vallana, Vechuchira, and Chandanapalli. There are several major hospitals in Pathanamthitta district. They include. 1. Adoor .. Holy Gross Hospital, 2. Ayroor .. Daisy’s Hospital, 3 Kaipattur .. St. Ignatius Hospital, Thenguvilayil Hospital, Nariyapurarn, 4. Konni .. TVM Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital and Jacob memorial Hospital, 5. Kozhencherry .. S. M. Hospital, Marthoma Mission Hospital. 6. Kurnbanad . Fellowship Hospital, Alexander Memorial Hospital. 7. Mallappally ., Rev. Mathan Memorial Hospital. 8. Maramon .. A. M. M. Hospital 9. Pandalam .. N. S. S. Medical Mission Hospital, G. M. Hospital. 10. Pathanamthitta .. St. Luke’s Hospital, Christian Medical Centre, Good Samaritan Hospital, People’s clinic. 11. Punnakad .. C. S. I. Hospital. 12. Ranni .. Marthoma Medical Mission Hospital, Mynathottam Mission Hospital. 18. Thiruvalla Pushpagiri Hospital, T. M. Mission Hospital, G. K. Hospital, Mar Gregorious Hospital, Parumala. 14. Vallamkulam .. K. K. M. Hospital. Oommunity Development Pathanamthitta district is divided into nine National Extensloti Service blocks, known at present as comniunify development blocks. Pandalarn, Kulanada, Pulikec7.hu, Paracode, Elantlionr, Kolpur »in, Konny, Mallappally and Ranny are the blocks. The main purpose of tlie community development programme, is to issue grants, and loans lor various purposes m rural areas, to cover all fields of development, such as agriculture, animal husbandry, co-operation, irrigation, h<*alth and rural s^nltitlon, crafts and indusuies, education, commvmication and housing. Apart from th ^ regular prograuunes, tlie fecial schemes taken up and impVmtuied in the district are Integrated Rural Development Prograuuuc, National Rural Employment Programme, Rural Landless Employees Guarantee Prograuuuc, Composite programme for women and si hool cjiildren, iVational Savings and Applied Nutrition Programme. The total amount spent for implem**ntiu!^ these sch incs in the 4istrict in 1984-85 is Rs. 3.39 crores. Among these the schemes under R. L, E. G. P. registered the highest expenditure of Rs. 1.28 crores, followed by I R. 1). P. of Rs, 0 81 crores. Ilar|an Welfare Department There are 41 flarijan Welfare Go-oijerative Societies and four CJiriJnu Co-operative Societies in the distiict Tne total amount of Government assistance to the.se societiei for implementing various we Hare measures in 19M” 1905 was Rs. 4,56,000. A special assistance of Rs. 3,9*1,500 by tlie Central Government and a State Government assistance of Rs. 40,592 for implementing tho Tribal sub-plan were also received in 1983-1984. Transport The National highway does not pass tluough the district. But the State highway passes through various parts of the district. The two major highways are the one entering the district from Puualur, passing thi'ough Adoor, Pandalarn, Thiruvalla leading to Kottayam and tiic bifurcation from Punalur, passing througli Konny, Patliananithitta, Ranny, leading to Kottayam. The total length of all the roads in the district is 1405.657 km, out of which the State highways occupy a length of 172. 7u4 km, 1. ngth of the m ajo r district level roads is 457.772 km, and the total length of other district 1< vel roads is 658.758 km. 'I'he village roads in the district occupy a total !«ngth of 116.423 km. The two major transport depots in the district are Pathanamthitta and Thiruvalla- Hus services from Pathanamthitta includes 12 major routes to diflTercnt places in tho State. They include the services to Trivandrum, Quilon, Sabarimala, Thekkady, Ernakulam, Alleppey, Kalady, Malayattoor, Munnar, Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Punalur, Guruvayoor and Poonjar. 32/892/B. Thiruvalla is theing published from this district. But important dailies lik^-, Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi, Kerala Kaumudi and Dtcpika have their bureau functioning at the district headquarters. These papers have vide circulation in the district. Regarding the audio-visual media in the district, th< re arc about 50 cinema theatres in thf district, outofwhirh two arc in Pathanarnthitta pilgrimage to Sabarimala has evoked attention all over India and even abroad. It is the m(st famous centre of Hindu pilgrimage in Kerala now. The Sastha Shrine at Sabarimala attracts people in lakhs for the Mandalapooja and Makara- vilakku festivals in December and January every year. Malayalapuzha Temple Situated in Kozhencherry taluk, Malayalapuzha is a small village. The Bhagavathy temple here is well known from early days. The arlistic wall paintings and stonework in this temple have attracted many foreigners. Manjinikkara Ghnrch Mar Ignatius Elias III, the holy Partriarch of Antioch while on his visit to India died at this place in 1932. His mortal remains are kept in this Church, Later this place developc^d into a place of pilgrimage. Even today pilgrims, Indians as well as foreigners visit this place frequintly. But the important festival is in February every year when devotees flock in their thousands. Maramon A maaimoth religious convention of the Christians, but attended by people belonging to all cojnmunities irrespective of their religion, is held ^t Maramon, near Kozhencherry every year on the vast, sandy beds of the river Pamba, and it lasts for a period of seven {lays. The convention takes place in February every year in an atmosphere of d' votion. Addressed by speakers of international repute, and attended by devotees innumejabh . this is the largest Christian convention in the world. Ghandanakudam Festival at Pathanamthitta The Clianclamkudam festival of the Pathanamthitta Musinn Jama-at Mosque, 1 eld in Febnuiry (M ikaram 28th) every year, attr ids thousaiids of devotees. Hie Chandaji-ikiidaia festi of Kattoor Mos |U(;, in Qherukole Panchayat. Kalarnala Mosque, near Adoor ui {* also very famous. Cliaralkunnu small beautiful UlUock near tvoxUi-ncherry which h.\s dcveloptd iivto a major centrc of social, cultural and religious activities of the Mar I’homa Ghurch in Kerala. Now-a-days import,«it political meetings are held in this place. This beautifld centre in ccntral 'Travaucore is gaining a lot of tourist attention, Aranmula I'he p estigious snake boat regatta held during Onam season in August every year at Pamba River near the Parthasaradhi Temple at Aranmula, in Kozhencherry taluk, is very famous. The boat festival has attained a cosmopolitan character bee ruse of the participation of all classes of people. It ooolmemorates the tradition in connection with the ci’ossijig of the river by the Lonl of the Ar \nraula temple. Thus it has a religious origin. It is more a devotional race than competitive, unlike the famous Punnaniada Boat Ra<’e in Alleppey district, Aianniula is also famous for its metal mirror called ‘Valkannadi’ made out of belhuetal, a unique art that cannot be seen elsewhere. But as the secret of making the mirror is not widely taught the manufacture of this mirror is almost at the point of extinctiou, Perumthenaravi The watei falls in tlie Pumba river at Perumthenaruvi attract thous 5»ids of [.eople from iriside and outside the village. This is a beautiful natural waterfall. Perumthenaruvi is an ideal place of tourist attraction It is only 10 km. from Erumeli. N tranara Situated about six km. away fnmi the headquarters of the Thiruvalia Revenue Division, Niranam is famous from very ancient times. I'he ini[iortance of Niranam derives mainly from the Orthodox Syrian Church thnre which is believed t i be one of the seven churches founded by St, Tfiomas himself. It is only a few yards away from this place that the jreat Malayalam poets known as the Kan lassa Panickers lived and wrote t;h(,‘ir main poetic works. A site has been separately identified to put up a luemarial for them. 32/892/B Koimi Kouni is an important junction in the Kott^yani-Punalur route. It is about six km. from the district headquarters of Pathanainthitta. It is an important centre for cash crops like rubber, pepper, cofFe and ginger whioh form the backbone of the agricultural economy of the State. Till recently it had importance as a placc of trai ling elephants. But el^haut catching by the crude old method being forbidden by the Central Government, no wild elephants are brought here for training. But the big wooden cage used to pul nevvlv caught wild elephants for training is still an attrACtunv for people from far and near. Pathanamtliiitta Pathanamthitta is the headquarters of the Pathanamlhitta district. Even before acquiring this status, Pathanamthitta had an important place in the erstwhile Travancore State. TJie biggest taluk in tJie old Travancore State was Pathanamthitta and the reveime collection from that taluk played a prominent role in filling the coffers of the State. Now it is a seat of high leaning having more than 5 high schools, and a first grade college. In tlie capital of this district there are a number of churches, mosques and temples and people live there harmoniously. There are different kinds of judicial courts to administer justice to the people. Muslims form the majority in the Pathanamthitta town. The annual Ghannanakudam festival is important for them. There is a beautiful mosque in the heart of the town. Parumala It is in this place that Mar Gregorios Metropolitian, the declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church takes his eternal rest. The ‘Ormaperunnal’ celebrated on the first and second of every November is very famous. At that time a large number of people flock to this place fl)r worship. The Travancore Devaswam Board has set up a college hr.re calh'd the Pampa College. Thiruvalla It is jue of the two educational districts in ihc Pathan mihiita revenue district. Before the formation of Pathajiamthitta district Thiiuvalla was included in the Alleppey Revenu ^ District. There are a number of educational institutions at Thiruvalla including a first grade college in ihe private sector and a training colit ge. The famous Sreevallabha Tem|.le icre attracts thousands of Hindus from far and v/ide. Otnalloor Situated some three km, south of tlie district headquarters Omalloor knnwn to outsiders for the famous ‘Rakthakanta Swamy Temple* and the annual cattle fair held in the Malayalam month of Meenam, in whirh jjeople from very disttant places and even from outside the State participat<-. Cherukolpuzha
A m important religious convention of the Hindus is held at Ghemkole on the river bed of Pamba, flowing through the district. There ar« many other places of abundant natural beauty Pamba, Kakki Amuhode, Maniyar Water Reservlors associated with the S.ibarigiri Electricity Project and their surrounding forest suburbs are examples of growing tourist attraction. FAR LI AMEN I’ARY CON SI’ I PL! ENCIES Pathauamthitta Distvict do not have any luU-fii dgod Parliaiuentaty constitutncy in its purvieA'. But, parts of various assembly constituencies, like Adoor, Konni, belonging to Adoor parliamen ary constitucncvj Thiruvalla, Kalloopara, Araninub and parts ot Pandalam Assembly (Constituencies in Mavelikkara Parliamentary Oonstituency, and Ranni' Pathauamthitta Assembly Constituencies in Idukki Parliamentary Oonsti- tuency constitute Pathanamthitta l^istrict. Thus, Pathamthitta is not yet vmified in terfns of Parliamentary Constituencies.
OTHER DETAH.S ABOU'F THE DISTRICll'
Area in heotare SI. Name ot T’aluk according to Village Total geographical No. papers area in hect.
1 . Kozhencherry 34700.96 101536.52 2 Adof»r :^0485.77 30856.77 3. I hiruvalla 1519.1.00 15195.00 4. Mallappally 16883.00 16883.00 4. Ranui 28503.63 104991.00 125768 36 269462.29
I he actual area of each (aluk in Pathanamthitta is tabulated as per the following table. 1 Kozhencherry taluk—Area of Pathanamthitta municipality + Korijii block -f Kulanad block (Elanthooi block-Cherukole panchayat). 2. Adoor Laljk.- -Area of Panclalam block + Paracocle block 4~ Kadarabanad panchayat 4 Pcringanad village. 3. Thiruvalla taluk.—Area of Thiruvalla muuicipality -f- PulikcezUu block -f (Koipiirain block-Pitramattorn, EzhumattJor and Ayoor panchayats). 4. Mallappaliy taluk.—Area of Mallappally block 4- puramattom and Ezhuniattoor panchayats. 5. Raimi taluk.—Area of Ranny block '\yra »c pan ;Uuyat Troni Koipurarn block -f Gherukole panchayat from Elanthoor block.
ULOCK-WISE AREA AND POPULATION OF PA'] HANAMTHITTA 'DISl RlCl SI. No. Name of Taluk/Block Area^in Hectare Population
1. K'ozhencherry Taluk : (a) Elanthoor Block 10622 100826 (b) Kulanada Block 5990 62193 (c) Konni Block B4126 134934 2. Ranni Taluk : (a) Ranni Block 100460 162188 3. Adoor Taluk : (a) Paracode 2058.5 149026 (b) Pandalam 5563 58644 4. Thiruvalla Taluk : (a) Koipurain 12367 115976 (b) Pulikeezhu 8206 109682 5. Mallappally Taluk : (a) Mallappally Block 12624 108845 AkUA AND POPULATION OF PANCHATATS IN EACH BLOCKS OF THE DISTRICT lamo of Blocks/P mchayat-j Area in !i^cfar< Population (2) (3) i) Elanthoor Block ■ 1. rJhounecrtara 1950 18910 Cbiii ukolc 156\ n m 3. Elantlioor 1303 139 76 I R('zlH;in;heriy Hiil 12400 5 . Mallapuzh -ssci y 12 la 10‘)25 <). Narungauiun 2012 10407 7. Oni;ili( or 1 ta-l 152B0 A onni Block s 8. Aruvajjpulam 211M) 20025 <). Koiini 4144 25719 U\. Malayatapuzlia 2753 10114 I I . Myh'pra H)3« 0974 Pr.-niia(*(»!ii 3710 2790! i {. Tlia uiiiUocIe 42H 15 138 ) 3 14. ValHcode I iUiH 10 / ()b AVi ini Block 1"). Chifar 2590 154 )1 1 ‘). Raimi 15C+ 13179 17. Angadi 3072 15150 la. PazhaVat’.gadi 0543 21853 1!). Perur.adu 103G0 30552 20. Niranaminoozhy 21, Seeihalliode 05191' 16739 22. VadassCiikava 5057 21531 23. Vcthoochira 5180 27783 Para- hie Block 24o Adoor 2042 24995 25. EuadiinangaLua 3077 IBG41 26. I'aMth 2174 20884 32 m 2 IQ ______W ______(2) 27. Ezhamkulam 3055 28400 20. Kalanjoor 6601 31129 29. KoJumon 3636 24977 30. Kadampanadu 239ri 23103 (Peringanad Village) (g) Koipuram Block 31. Ayroor 2576 21669 32. Eraviperoor 1864 21588 33. Ezhumattoor 2789 17835 34. Koipuram 2226 23589 35. Puramatfom 1466 14401 36. Thottapiizhassery 1446 14894 (f) Kuianada Block 37. Aranmula 2404 26591 38. Kuianada 2150 21948 39. Mezhuveli 1436 13654 (g) Pandalam Block 40. Pandalam 2840 35391 41. Pandalam I'liekkckara 1939 15679 42. 'rimmpamon 781 7574 (/i) Mallappally Block ; 43. Anicadu 1904 13563 44. Kalloopara 1686 16983 45. Kaviyoor 1267 15111 46. Kottanada 1701 13561 47. Kottangal 23G8 16170 48. Kunnamthanam 1757 169 »3 49. Mallappally 2001 16514 (i) Pulieezhu Block : 50. Kadapra 1474 20720 51. Kultapuzlia 1340 22550 52. Kuitoor 1216 17241 53. Neduinpuram 849 12341 54. Niranam 1317 150GG 55. Peringara 2010 21771 NAMES OF VILLAGES IN EACH TALUKS I. Kozhencheny Taluk : 1 . Patlianamthitta 2. Narunganam 3. Mallapiizhassery 4. FJanthoor 5. Uhenneerkara 6. Omalloor 7. IMalayalapuzha B. rhannithode 9. Konnithazhara 10. Iravon 11. Konni 12. Praniadom 13. Vallikrde 14. Aromnula 15 Kidanganoor 16. Mezhuveli 17. Kulauada Aruvappalara, VaUikode-Kottayarnj Mylapra (All included in Kozhenclierry 'Faluk now) II. Adoor Taluk : Ifi, Koodal i 9. linadimangalain 0 Kodiiraon 21 . Angadickal 22. Ado : r 23. Ezhamkuiam 24. Emth 25. Peringaiiadii 26. Kadairtpaaadvi 27. Pandalam Thekkekara 28. Thonnalloor (Kaianjoor, Enathu, Kuruampaia, Newly formed Villages ) in. Thiruvalla Taluk : 29. Kadapva 30. Ncdumpuram 31 . I’eringara 32. Kizbakkumbhagora 33. 'I'hir-ivalla 34. Kavtmibhagom 31. l>avipcro<>r 36. 'J'Ji()ttapu7,has.sery 37. Koipuram (Kiittr.pra, Kuttoor Newly farmed Villages in Tliiri.valla Taluk) IV. Aiallappally Taluk : 38. Kallcoppara 39. Mai lappa lly 40. Anicadu 41. Kottangal 42. Peril'! p.fy 43. Kavjyoor 41-. E/humattoor 45. Purama:tora (Kuncamihanain, New y f-.mud ViUagc in Mallappilly Taluk). V. lianny Taluk : 46. Augadi 47. P^zhavangadi 48. (Jhethakkal 49. Pcninadii 50. Vadasserikkara 51. Chittai'Scethathode 52. Ranny 53. Chtr.kolc 54. Ayroor (Kollanaala, Athikayain, Newly formed Villages in Ranny Taluk.] Assembly Comtituencies : 1. Pathanainfhitta 2 , Thinivalla 3. K:-j]loopj>ara 1. AraJimula 5. Paxulalatn «i. A‘ (or 7. Ranni H Kouui DIS I’RICT AT A GLANCE Ari;a - 2694.94 Sq. K. M. Fo est A’ea - 1466.85 Sq. K. M, Population 1109682 por.sons Males - 539557 Peinal s - 570125 Ueiisity of Population - 412 pcrsons/Sq. K. M. Literacy rate - 80% Total - 8890J2 persons Femalrs - 445843 Maks - 443189 No. of Revt mn. Divisions No. of Municipalities No. of Education a i Districts 2 No. of Taluks 5 No, of Blocks 9 No, of Panchayats 55 No. of Villages 65 No. of Households 2U12B Scheduled Caste Populaiion 138010 Scheduled Tribe Population 4993 Sree Vallahha Temple—Thiruvalla
Ffnarrr Fnofarv—Th^nfvn^a 4# Parumula Church
l^ a n a m Religimf? Conventimi at Mararno''