Kayamkulam
For the feudal state of the same name, see Onattukara
| Kayamkulam | |
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| — Town, Municipality, Assembly constituency — | |
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 Kayamkulam
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| Coordinates: 9°10′N 76°29′E / 9.17°N 76.49°ECoordinates: 9°10′N 76°29′E / 9.17°N 76.49°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Alappuzha |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body | Municipal Council |
| • MLA | C K Sadasivan |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 65,299 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 690502 |
| Telephone code | +91-479 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-29 |
| Sex ratio | 0.944 ♂/♀ |
| Literacy | 81.76%% |
Kayamkulam (Malayalam: കായംകുളം) is a town on the Arabian Sea in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, Indian state. Located on the western coast of India, it was an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest thermal power plants in Kerala, the Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Plant run by the NTPC, is situated in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.
Kayamkulam is closely associated with the legend of Kayamkulam Kochunni. He was a famed highwayman, active in the area known as Central Thiruvithamkoor, in the early part of the 19th century. He is said to have stolen from the rich and given to the poor (like Robin Hood). Legends about his exploits are part of the local folklore.
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History
Historically, very ancient rulers ruled in Kayamkulam. It was a kingdom under the Kayamkulam Rajas. Krishnapuram was their palace. During the regime of Marthanda varma of Travancore, Kayamkulam was attacked and the palace was set on fire . It is said that the kingdom of Kayamkulam had a huge army led by a valiant commander 'Yeruvayil Achutha warrior' and therefore the large army of Travancore attempted three times before they succeeded in capturing Kayamkulam. The present day palace was built in its place by Anizham Thirunal Martanda Varma (1729–1758) after annexing Kayamkulam to Travancore.
Kayamkulam, Mavelikkara and Karunagappally were previously known as Onattukara. Kayamkulam had Slave Markets in the 17th Century.
Tourist attractions
The Krishnapuram Palace, built in the 18th century, now functions as a museum. Constructed in typical Kerala-style architecture, it has the largest mural painting in Kerala.[1] Also, this palace museum at Krishnapuram houses the famous Kayamkulam double-edged sword.[2]
Kayamkulam Lake is a part of the Kerala backwaters tourist map. The Kayamkulam Boat Race[3] is held on the fourth Saturday of August every year.[4] The famous Chinese fishing nets can be found on the banks of the lagoon.
Recently, Azhikkal Beach (Aayiram Tengu) and Valiya Azhikkal beach (Kochiyude Jetty) are gaining popularity as tourist locations.
Transport
Kayamkulam is well connected by road and rail network. Besides this, Alappuzha-Kollam boat service runs via Kayamkulam.
Roads
NH47 passes through Kayamkulam, which conveniently connects it to the major cities Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Trichur, Palakkad and Coimbatore. The Kayamkulam-Punalur (KP) road is a major road connecting it to the eastern parts of the State. The KSRTC Bus Station[code KYLM] lies very near to the national highway and is one of the biggest bus stations of KSRTC in terms of total area. All the KSRTC buses have halt at Kayamkulam Bus station.
105 km from Trivandrum International Airport, on National Highway 47.
131 km from Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery, Alwaye, on National Highway 47.
109 km from Thiruvananthapuram KSRTC Central Bus Station to Kayamkulam Bus station by bus takes about 2.40 hours
106 km from Ernakulam KSRTC Bus Station via Alappuzha to Kayamkulam by bus takes about 2.20 hours
Railways
Kayamkulam Junction Railway Station [code KYJ] is a major railway junction situated 1.5 km from the town on the K.P. Road. Trains from the North from Ernakulam via Kottayam, and from Ernakulam via Alappuzha pass through Kayamkulam Junction and then proceed to Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and further to Nagercoil and Kanyakumari.Almost all trains have stoppage at Kayamkulam.
106 km from Thiruvananthapuram to Kayamkulam through train takes about 2.10 hours
101 km from Ernakulam via Alappuzha to Kayamkulam through train takes about 2.00 hours
111 km from Ernakulam via Kottayam to Kayamkulam through train takes about 3.10 hours
Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[5] Kayamkulam has a population of 65,299. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kayamkulam has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 79%. In Kayamkulam, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Civic adminstration
Kayamkulam assembly constituency is part of Alappuzha (Lok Sabha constituency).[6]
Educational and research institutes
The Central Coconut Research Station (CCRS) at Kayamkulam was established in 1948, as a field station of the erstwhile Agricultural Research Laboratory. Presently, it is a regional station of the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI).[7]
Popular personalities
- Kayamkulam Philipose Ramban, translated the Bible for the first time into the vernacular language, Malayalam.
- Eruvayil Achutha Warrier - Minister of Kayamkulam Rajyam. Ramayyan Dalava killed him, while praying in a temple. It was believed that he cannot be defeated if carrying a weapon.
- P. K. Kunju Sahib, former finance minister of Kerala sate.
- Thopil Bhasi, Actor and Founder of KPAC.
- P .Keshava Deve, famous Malayalam story writer from Puthuppally.
- P A Harris.
- Dr. K. M. Cherian
Religious places
♦ Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple 7 km north,
- Eruvayil Krishnaswamy Temple
♦ Vettikodu Nagaraja Temple 7 km east,
♦ Kurakkavu Devi Temple, Kappil Mekku, Krishnapuram. p o. 5 km south of the place.
♦ Oachira Parabrahma Temple 5 km south of the place.
- TOWN JUMA MASJID, KAYAMKULAM
- TownHall Juma Masjid, Kayamkulam
See also
- Alappuzha
- Mavelikkara
- Chengannur
- Mannar
- Vallikunnam
- Alappuzha (Lok Sabha constituency)
- Onattukara
- Oachira
- Padanilam
- Chettikulangara
- Haripad
References
- ^ Lonely Planet Things to do in Southern Kerala by Lonely Planet travellers.
- ^ Department of Archeology Website.
- ^ First Kayamkulam boat race.
- ^ Kerala boat races.
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ^ "Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies". Kerala. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
- ^ [1], additional text.
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