Tuesday, March 10, 2009

എന്‍റെ മാവേലിക്കര - ENTE MAVELIKARA





                       

Geography
Mavelikara lies at the south of Alappuzha district; on the banks of the river Achankovil. It is located at 9.267° N 76.55° E.

Economy
Some of the industries in and around Mavelikkara are 1) Allind steel near Mannar 2) Travancore Oxygen near Kunnam 3) Sangrose Laboratories, a local company in Mavelikkara



Demographics
As of 2001 India census, Mavelikkara had a population of 28,440. Males constitute 47% of the population and females 53%. Mavelikkara has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 87%, and female literacy is 85%. In Mavelikkara, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.




Transport
Mavelikara lies between the the NH 47 and SH-1, and is also connected by rail.

Politics
Mavelikara is a Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency - consisting of Changanaserry, Kuttanad, Chengannur, Mavelikara, Kunnathoor, Kottarakara and Pathanapuram assembly constituencies (2005 Lok Sabha Delimitation).
Ms. C.S.Sujatha (CPI-M) represents the Mavelikara Parliament constituency (from 2004).
Mr. M.Murali (INC) represents the Mavelikara Assembly constituency (from 2006).
Mr. Ramesh Chennithala, present KPCC President & Ex-MP, hails from Mavelikara.

Nearest towns
East : Pandalam, Chengannur
West : Harippad
South : Kayamkulam
North : Thiruvalla

Famous Personalities
Mavelikara has given birth to many famous personalities
Dr. P.C Alexander (Former Governor of Tamil Nadu & Maharashtra. Former Indian High commissioner for U.K)
Mr. C.M Stephen (Former Union Cabinet Minister)
Professor A.R. Raja Raja Varma (Known as 'Kerala Panini' )
Ravindra Varma (Veteran Gandhian, freedom fighter, student leader, former Union Cabinet Minister and grandson of A.R. Rajaraja Varma)
Padmashri Mavelikkara Krishnankutty Nair (Mridangam maestro)
Mavelikara Ponnamma (Malayalam Stage and Movie Actress)
Late Prof: R. Narendra Prasad (playwright, film actor, teacher and literary critic of eminence)
PGN Unnithan (former Dewan of Travancore State)
Sethu Lakshmi Bayi (Maharani of Travancore)
K.K. Sudhakaran (Writer)
Late Mr.N.Kunjukrishnan Unnithan (Eminent Lawyer,First Municipal Commissioner of Mavelikkara)
Parappurathu K E Mathai (writter)

Interesting Facts
It is a place in Kerala where one can find THE STATUE OF BUDDHA IN SEATED POSITION, which has its origin many centuries ago. The seated Buddha is in front of famous Sri Krshna Swami temple.
Mavelikara is a Thaluk in Alappuzha district of Kerala and is one among the oldest municipalities in the the state। It is both a legislative assembly as well as a parliamentary constituency. Here we are dwelling on the regions with in the municipal area and the surrounding panchayaths such as Thazhakara, Chettikulangara, Chennithala-Thripperumthurai and Thekkekkara.


History
Mavelikara’s historical backdrop extends around 400 years. The first reference of Mavelikara is made in the Kandiyoor mattom padappattu. The known history of Mavelikara starts from the reign of the Maveli kings who ruled the Madathinkoor kingdom. The capital of Madathinkoor was Kambam and Koodallur. Their area extended up to central Kerala.
Before this there existed a kingdom called Oodanad. This was also called Oonattukara. The region north to Desinganadu ( Kollam) consisted of places including Mavelikara, Karunagappally and Karthikappally thalucks. Kayamkulam king was the ruler. Kandiyoor mattom was its first capital. Later it was shifted to Eruva and then to Krishnapuram. In 1746 Marthandavarma conquered the land and it was annexed to Travancore.Thiruvalla cheppedu (A.D.11th Century ) and the famous poetries such as Unniyadi charitham and Unnuneeli sandhesam clearly and widely narrate Oodanadu and Kandiyoor. During the famous ‘Sangam’ age the place including Mavelikara was ruled by Aayi kingdom. It was an agricultural society. Traces of this culture is evident in many festivals of this land. After this period the Hindu culture gained dominance. Then came Buddhism. We can also trace so many aspects of Buddha culture from here. And after the colonization Christianity also prevailed here. From all these cultural strong currents Maveikara developed its character.
It is mentioned in Kottarathil Sankunni’s Aitheehyamala that during the assault of Tippu Sultan, Lord Gurvayurappan was taken out in a solemn procession to Mavelikara and settled there for a short period.
During his Kerala visit, Mahatma Gandhi came to Mavelikara and attended a meeting on 19th January 1934. Gandhiji’s reception was in Thattarambalam Sree Chitrolsava Mandiram. Personalities namely Artist Rama Varma Thampuran, Thattarambalam Raman Pillai, Sree Subhananda Guru Devan etc were participated in the meeting. The conversations between Subhananda Guru Devan and Gandhiji were translated by Mannar Gopalan Nair.
Either by paternal or maternal relation, many eminent personalities were born and brought up in Mavelikara. They have been proud of their connection with Mavelikara.
The love and affection of Hindu and Christian communities of Mavelikara are evident from the ‘Purathezhunnallippu’ and ‘Ethirelppu’ processions of Puthiyakavu Devi Temple starts in front of the Puthiyakavu St.Mary’s Cathredal Church. Mutual faith and harmony between these religions remain unaffected since decades.


Dynasty
Oonattukara consisted of four kovilakams-Perakathu, Cherayi, Puthiyidathu, Pazhedathu. The eldest one of these Kovilakams was made the king of Oonattukara. Later Oonattukara splitted into two. Of these one was conjoined to Venad. The other remained as Kayamkulam
In 1737 Ramayyan became the dhalava of Venad.During his period Mavelikara came into prominance as a major business centre of Venad. In the meantime Achutha warrier, the army cheif of Kayamkulam was killed by dhalava. This forced Kayamkulam to surrender.After this Ramayyan constucted 'Pandakasala' at Mavelikara.

An agrrement was signed by the Dutch and Travancore in 1753. In this accord Dutch conceded not to attack Travancore. This agreement was signed at Mavelikara. As a memorial to this agreement Dutch donated a pillar light ( sthamba vilakku ) to Sree Krishna temple at Mavelikara. In this vilakku we can see a Dutch soldier with his head bowed holding a gun upside down. Ramayyan also constructed a 'kotta' ( fort) at Mavlikara. After the rule of Velu thampi dhalava, Lord Mekkala destroyed it in 1809.This place at the heart of the town today also known as Kottakkakam. Near Sree Krishna Temple there is a building called Dhalava madom.

In order to keep the continuity of the dynasty Sree Moolam Thirunal adopted two princess from Mavelikara. The elder one Sethu Lakshmi Bhai ruled Travancore as the Regent. The younger one was Sethu Parvathi Bhai whose son Sree Chithira Thirunal was the famous and the last ruler of Travancore. Recently the Travancore royal family adopted princess Lekha from Mavelikara.

As a result of the close association with the Tavancore royal family, Mavelikara gained modern facilities well ahead of other places in the state। This includes a fullfledged transport station and its development into a municipality. Even before India attain independence, Mavelikara had to its credit a super express transport service to Trivandrum.

Famous Personalities
Mavelikara has given birth to many famous personalities
Dr PC Alexander (Former Governor of Tamil Nadu & Maharashtra। Former Indian High commissioner for U.K)
Mr. C.M Stephen (Former Union Cabinet Minister)
Professor A.R. Raja Raja Varma (Known as 'Kerala Panini' )
Ravindra Varma (Veteran Gandhian, freedom fighter, student leader, former Union Cabinet Minister and grandson of A.R. Rajaraja Varma)
Padmashri Mavelikkara Krishnankutty Nair (Mridangam maestro)
Mavelikara Ponnamma (Malayalam Stage and Movie Actress)
Late Prof: R. Narendra Prasad (playwright, film actor, teacher and literary critic of eminence)
PGN Unnithan (former Dewan of Travancore State)
Sethu Lakshmi Bayi (Maharani of Travancore)
K.K. Sudhakaran (Writer)
Late Mr.N.Kunjukrishnan Unnithan ( Eminent Lawyer,First Municipal Commissioner of Mavelikkara)
Parappurathu K E Mathai (writter)


Churches / Temples

St.Mary's Cathedral Church Puthiyakavu Mavelikara


This church is famous for the resolution (Padiyola – click here to know more), unanimously accepted at the Mavelikara Synod held in 1836 at the Mavelikara Puthiyakavu St.Mary's church which was drawn up in the year of our Lord 1836 corresponding 5th Makarom 1011 at the church dedicated to the Virgin Mother of Lord at Mavelikara, between Mar Dionyosious Metropolitan of the Jacobite Syrian Church of Malankarai subject to the supremacy of Mar Ignatius Patriarch, the Father of Fathers, and the Chief of Chiefs ruling the throne of St. Peter of Antioch, the mother of all Churches and his successor Mar Kurilos, and the vicars, priests and parishioners of Ankamali and other churches under the charge of the said Metropolitan.


St. John's Church, Mattam




Orthodox Bhadrasana Church, Thazakkara




















 
Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple

Located about 5 km south-west of Mavelikkara , Chettikulangara is famous for the well known Bhagavathy temple. The important festival in this temple is the Kumbha Bharani festival conducted during February-March. The important festivity associated with this utsavam is 'kettu-Kazhcha' which resembles the Chinese festival celebrated on the birthday of Budha. Kuthiyottam is also another important festivity.










Bharanikavu Temple

Located on the Mavelikkara -Kurathikadu-Kayamkulam road, Bharanikavu is famous for its Devi Temple and its swarna jeevitha and houses one of the four Buddha Statues (Puthrachan)in Alappuzha District.

Kandiyoor Mahadeva Temple


Kandiyoor is place of historical importance. It was there that the Travancore Raja gained the decisive victory over Kayamkulam Raja. There is famous Mahadeva temple which contains the sub-shrines considered to have been made especially sacred by the presence of all Gods of Hindu Pantheon. There are ancient inscriptions of archaeological importance and it is noted for stone sculptures.

Sree Krishna Swami Temple


Buddha Temple















 












Educational InstitutionsSchools

Government High School for Boys, Mavelikara
A. R. Raja Raja Varma Government Higher Secondary School for Girls, Mavelikara
Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Mavelikara
Seventh-Day Adventist English Medium School
St. Johns High School, Mattom
Bishop Hodges Higher Secondary School, Mavelikara
Bishop Moore VidyaPith, Mavelikara
Infant Jesus High School, Mavelikara
St. Mary’s High School, Mavelikara

Colleges
Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara
Peet Memorial Training College, Mavelikara (B.Ed)
College of Applied Sciences, Mavelikara (IT)

Public Information
Police, Fire
Police: Phone: 100, +91 479 2302238
Fire: Phone: 101, +91 479 2306242

Railway, KSRTC
Railway - Phone: +91 479 2302249
KSRTC - Phone: +91 479 2302282

KSEB, Water Authority
KSEB - Phone: +91 479 2302213
Water Authority - Phone: +91 479 2303264

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