Irinjalakuda
Encyclopedia
Irinjalakuda is a municipal town situated in the Thrissur district
of Kerala
, India
. It is famous for the sprawling Koodalmanikyam Temple
that has Bharata
as the main deity and the St Thomas Cathedral in the heart of the City
Irinjalakuda is also known as the varadanangalude nadu
, Ininjalakuda was the head of 10 of them. It is considered that Irinjalakuda is one of the most prominent among them. As like the other villages this ‘Grama’ also followed the ‘Chathurvarnia’ system of society which lay upon caste system based on the ‘Manusmruthi’.
The name Irinjalakuda it is believed has been derived from "Iru" and "Chaal" meaning two streams.
According to another legend, the origin of the name Irinjalakuda came from
'Irinjalikoodal'. 'Koodal' simply means merge together, merging of two rivers. Two streams that start, one from Kurmalipuzha and the other from Kudapuzha, that belongs to Chalakudypuzha, and move through Konthipulam at North whereas, the other one through Velukara at South. Then these two streams merge together in the West. So it shows that Irinjalakuda may have gradually developed, from 'Irinjalikoodal', that derived from 'Inangikoodal', means - merge together. At present there is no river in Irinjalakuda, only but the myth of river.
Another story about the origin of the name Irinjalakuda were heard, "Irunnu Salayil Koodai”, and "Virinja Alu Kuda". There is a huge Banyan tree still standing in the centre of the Irinjalakuda spreading the branches to the sky like an umbrella. In 18th century the Ruler of Kochi
, Sakthan Thampuran
brought four Christian
families for improving commerce and trade to the place known as ‘Chanthappura’(now Chandakunnu). When they struck gold in this field more of this community migrated and settled in the area and now it became one of the strong hold of this community. Besides Hindu
and Christian
communities this area consists of a large number of Muslims in and around.
A prominent Kerala mathematician-astronomer Mādhava of Sañgamāgrama
who founded Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics was from Sangamagrama
, a town in medieval Kerala believed to be the town of Irinjalakuda.
, Irinjalakuda had a population of 32,873. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Irinjalakuda has an average literacy rate of 96% which is much higher than the national average of 74.65%. While male literacy stands at 97.12%, female literacy is 94.56%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
, Sakthan Thampuran
, brought four Christian
families for improving commerce and trade to the place known as 'Chanthappura' (now Chandakunnu) near Irinjalakuda. Economic development took place and Kochi Divan Shanmughan Chetty constructed a canal link known as ‘Shanmugham Canal’ to Cochin which improved the water transport of goods and hence the business. The canal still exists even it has lost the past glory. The ayurvedic soap, Chandrika, made by C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar
originated in Irinjalakuda and was bought by the Bangalore
company Wipro
. Another company which had made it big is Bombay Stock Exchange
listed is Kerala Solvent Extractions Ltd
. The company manufacture cattle feed, edible oils and dairy products. KPL Oil Mills Private Ltd, a big name in packaged coconut oil industry is now national product which is available all over India
.
.
Now it is a part of Thrissur (Lok Sabha constituency). The MLA of the municipality is Advocate Thomas Unniyadan
. Lonappan Nambadan was the last MP of Mukundapuram, now the MP is PC Chacko
.
, which links to major national highways NH 47
and NH 17 in the State. Two main roads State Highway 22 (Kerala)
(Kodungallur
-Shornur) Road and State Highway 61 (Kerala)
(Potta-Moonupeedika) criss-crosses Irinjalakuda town. There is a private bus station in Irinjalakuda which serves local and inter-district travellers.
of Indian Railways
. Most express trains stop at this station. Thrissur Railway Station
is another major railhead around 20 km from Irinjalakuda. Guruvayoor–Chennai Egmore Express, Venad Express, Kanyakumari-Bangalore Express, Parasuram Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore Express and Chennai-Alappuzha Express are the some trains which stop at Irinjalakuda Railway Station.
at Nedumbassery
, which is 34 km away. The airport is well connected to all major airports in India and also connected to many foreign cities. Direct flights are available to Chennai
, New Delhi
, Mumbai
, Bangalore
and Kolkata
.
Lal Memorial Hospital and ESI Dispensary are few to name. Ayurveda Hospitals like Kandamkulathy Ayurveda Hospital and Govt Ayurveda Hospital are also available here.
In the present day there are lots of educational institutions which provides education from nursery to college level.
Thrissur district
Thrissur is a revenue district of Kerala situated in the central part of that state. Spanning an area of about 3,032 km2, Thrissur district is home to over 10% of Kerala’s population. Thrissur district was formed on July 1, 1949, with the headquarters at Thrissur City. Thrissur is known as...
of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is famous for the sprawling Koodalmanikyam Temple
Koodalmanikyam Temple
Koodalmanikyam Temple or Kudal Manikkam Temple is an ancient Hindu temple in Irinjalakuda, a small town in Trissur district, Kerala, India...
that has Bharata
Bharata (Ramayana)
In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Bharata was the second brother of the main protagonist Rama, and the son of Dasaratha and Kaikeyi. Dasaratha was the Emperor of Ayodhya and belonged to the Suryavansha or Solar Dynasty...
as the main deity and the St Thomas Cathedral in the heart of the City
Irinjalakuda is also known as the varadanangalude nadu
History
Irinjalakuda was believed to be created by sage Parasurama. According to Keralolpatthi, out of the 64 gramas established in KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, Ininjalakuda was the head of 10 of them. It is considered that Irinjalakuda is one of the most prominent among them. As like the other villages this ‘Grama’ also followed the ‘Chathurvarnia’ system of society which lay upon caste system based on the ‘Manusmruthi’.
The name Irinjalakuda it is believed has been derived from "Iru" and "Chaal" meaning two streams.
According to another legend, the origin of the name Irinjalakuda came from
'Irinjalikoodal'. 'Koodal' simply means merge together, merging of two rivers. Two streams that start, one from Kurmalipuzha and the other from Kudapuzha, that belongs to Chalakudypuzha, and move through Konthipulam at North whereas, the other one through Velukara at South. Then these two streams merge together in the West. So it shows that Irinjalakuda may have gradually developed, from 'Irinjalikoodal', that derived from 'Inangikoodal', means - merge together. At present there is no river in Irinjalakuda, only but the myth of river.
Another story about the origin of the name Irinjalakuda were heard, "Irunnu Salayil Koodai”, and "Virinja Alu Kuda". There is a huge Banyan tree still standing in the centre of the Irinjalakuda spreading the branches to the sky like an umbrella. In 18th century the Ruler of Kochi
Kochi
-Places:* Kochi, a city in the state of Kerala, India, formerly known as Cochin* Kingdom of Cochin, a former feudal city-state on Malabar Coast, India** Fort Kochi, one of the three main urban components which constitute the present day city of Kochi, Kerala, India...
, Sakthan Thampuran
Sakthan Thampuran
Rama Varma Kunhjipilla Thampuran , or Rama Varma IX, popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran , was the ruler of Cochin. He was the King of Cochin and his palace was in Thrissur. Thrissur is the cultural capital of Kerala and Sakthan Thampuran is the very architect of Thrissur city. Thrissur Pooram was...
brought four Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
families for improving commerce and trade to the place known as ‘Chanthappura’(now Chandakunnu). When they struck gold in this field more of this community migrated and settled in the area and now it became one of the strong hold of this community. Besides Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
and Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
communities this area consists of a large number of Muslims in and around.
A prominent Kerala mathematician-astronomer Mādhava of Sañgamāgrama
Madhava of Sangamagrama
Mādhava of Sañgamāgrama was a prominent Kerala mathematician-astronomer from the town of Irińńālakkuţa near Cochin, Kerala, India. He is considered the founder of the Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics...
who founded Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics was from Sangamagrama
Sangamagrama
Sangamagrama is a town in medieval Kerala believed to be the town ofIrinjalakuda, near Cochin. It is associated with the noted mathematician Madhava of Sangamagrama, founder of the Kerala school of mathematics.It is known for the Koodalmanikyam temple....
, a town in medieval Kerala believed to be the town of Irinjalakuda.
Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Irinjalakuda had a population of 32,873. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Irinjalakuda has an average literacy rate of 96% which is much higher than the national average of 74.65%. While male literacy stands at 97.12%, female literacy is 94.56%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Economy
In 18th century, the ruler of Kingdom of CochinKingdom of Cochin
Kingdom of Cochin was a late medieval Hindu kingdom and later Princely State on the Malabar Coast, South India...
, Sakthan Thampuran
Sakthan Thampuran
Rama Varma Kunhjipilla Thampuran , or Rama Varma IX, popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran , was the ruler of Cochin. He was the King of Cochin and his palace was in Thrissur. Thrissur is the cultural capital of Kerala and Sakthan Thampuran is the very architect of Thrissur city. Thrissur Pooram was...
, brought four Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
families for improving commerce and trade to the place known as 'Chanthappura' (now Chandakunnu) near Irinjalakuda. Economic development took place and Kochi Divan Shanmughan Chetty constructed a canal link known as ‘Shanmugham Canal’ to Cochin which improved the water transport of goods and hence the business. The canal still exists even it has lost the past glory. The ayurvedic soap, Chandrika, made by C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar
C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar
C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar was a social worker, industrialist and traditional Ayurvedic Vaidyar and follower of Sree Narayana Guru. He was born to Chulikat Raman and Kunjalichi of an ezhava family in Kondad Village, about 2.5 KM from Ramapuram Town Meenachil taluk in Kottayam District...
originated in Irinjalakuda and was bought by the Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
company Wipro
Wipro
Wipro Limited formally Western India Products Limited is a global IT services and consulting company headquartered in Bangalore, India. As of 2011, Wipro is the second largest IT services company by turnover in India and employs more than 120,000 people worldwide as of March 2011...
. Another company which had made it big is Bombay Stock Exchange
Bombay Stock Exchange
The Bombay Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located on Dalal Street, Mumbai and is the oldest stock exchange in Asia. The equity market capitalization of the companies listed on the BSE was 1.63 trillion as of December 2010, making it the 4th largest stock exchange in Asia and the 8th largest...
listed is Kerala Solvent Extractions Ltd
Kerala Solvent Extractions Ltd
Kerala Solvent Extractions Ltd, now known as KSE Ltd , is a company that manufacturers cattle feed, edible oils and dairy products in Irinjalakkuda, Thrissur in Kerala. Incorporated in 1963, it is the market leader in the cattle feed industry and has units in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states apart...
. The company manufacture cattle feed, edible oils and dairy products. KPL Oil Mills Private Ltd, a big name in packaged coconut oil industry is now national product which is available all over India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Government
Irinjalakuda is governed by Irinjalakuda Municipality. The Municipality was formed on February 8, 1936 with an area of 11.24 square kilometres. C.K. Varunny was the first municipal chairman and the municipality was divided into 22 electoral wards. Now, the Municipality has 41 wards. Irinjalakuda is the headquarters of the Irinjalakuda Taluk and is a Grade-II municipality. There is a court complex inside the Civil Station that houses the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Additional Sub Court, Munsif Courts and Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal. (M.A.C.T.) Irinjalakuda also have a Sub Jail. Irinjalakuda assembly constituency was a part of Mukundapuram (Lok Sabha constituency)Mukundapuram (Lok Sabha constituency)
Mukundapuram Lok Sabha constituency was a Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala state in southern India. It was dissolved in 2008.-Assembly segments:Mukundapuram Lok Sabha constituency was composed of the following legislative assembly segments:#Chalakudy#Mala...
.
Now it is a part of Thrissur (Lok Sabha constituency). The MLA of the municipality is Advocate Thomas Unniyadan
Thomas Unniyadan
Thomas Unniyadan is a Kerala Congress Leader. He belongs to Kerala Congress . He is a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly representing Irinjalakuda.He was elected to the KLA in 2006 , 2001 and 2011....
. Lonappan Nambadan was the last MP of Mukundapuram, now the MP is PC Chacko
P. C. Chacko
P. C. Chacko is the Member of Parliament from Thrissur Lok Sabha seat in Kerala. He belongs to Indian National Congress. He was a minister in Kerala.- Biography :...
.
Road
Irinjalakuda is located on State Highway 22 (Kerala)State Highway 22 (Kerala)
State Highway 22 is a State Highway in Kerala, India that starts in Kodungallur and ends at State Highway 23. The highway is 70.5 km long.- The Route Map :...
, which links to major national highways NH 47
NH 47
National Highway 47, commonly referred to as NH 47, is a long highway connecting the city of Salem to Kanyakumari town in southern India...
and NH 17 in the State. Two main roads State Highway 22 (Kerala)
State Highway 22 (Kerala)
State Highway 22 is a State Highway in Kerala, India that starts in Kodungallur and ends at State Highway 23. The highway is 70.5 km long.- The Route Map :...
(Kodungallur
Kodungallur
Kodungallur is a municipality in Thrissur District, in the state of Kerala, India on the Malabar Coast. Kodungallur is located about 29 km northwest of Kochi city and 38 km Southwest of Thrissur, on National Highway 17 . Muziris the ancient seaport at the mouth of the Periyar River was...
-Shornur) Road and State Highway 61 (Kerala)
State Highway 61 (Kerala)
State Highway 61 is a State Highway in Kerala, India that starts in Potta and ends in Moonupeedika. The highway is 44.1 km long.- See also :*Roads in Kerala*List of State Highways in Kerala...
(Potta-Moonupeedika) criss-crosses Irinjalakuda town. There is a private bus station in Irinjalakuda which serves local and inter-district travellers.
Railways
The nearest railway station is the Irinjalakuda Railway Station which is about 7 km East of the town at Kallettumkara. Irinjalakuda Railway Station is managed by the Southern RailwaysSouthern Railway Zone (India)
The Southern Railway is the earliest of the 16 zones of the Indian Railways created in independent India. It was created on April 14, 1951 by merging three state railways namely Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway, the South Indian Railway, and the Mysore State Railway. The South Indian Railway...
of Indian Railways
Indian Railways
Indian Railways , abbreviated as IR , is a departmental undertaking of Government of India, which owns and operates most of India's rail transport. It is overseen by the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India....
. Most express trains stop at this station. Thrissur Railway Station
Thrissur Railway Station
Thrissur Railway Station is the busiest railway station in Kerala in terms of number of trains, located in Thrissur, India. As of 2006, 55 pairs of trains passed through the station on an average day...
is another major railhead around 20 km from Irinjalakuda. Guruvayoor–Chennai Egmore Express, Venad Express, Kanyakumari-Bangalore Express, Parasuram Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore Express and Chennai-Alappuzha Express are the some trains which stop at Irinjalakuda Railway Station.
Air
The nearest airport is the Cochin International AirportCochin International Airport
Cochin International Airport is an international airport located in Nedumbassery, a suburb on the outskirts of the city of Kochi about northeast of downtown Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. It is the busiest and largest airport in the state of Kerala...
at Nedumbassery
Nedumbassery
Nedumbassery is a suburb of the city of Kochi situated north of the city and from Thrissur in Kerala, India. The town lies between the two municipalities of Aluva and Angamaly in the Greater Cochin region. It has a population of 28,607 as on 2001, with a sex-ratio of 1012 females to 1000 males...
, which is 34 km away. The airport is well connected to all major airports in India and also connected to many foreign cities. Direct flights are available to Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
and Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
.
Healthcare
Irinjalakuda has several hospitals and health clinics. Govt Taluk Hospital, Marina Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital,Lal Memorial Hospital and ESI Dispensary are few to name. Ayurveda Hospitals like Kandamkulathy Ayurveda Hospital and Govt Ayurveda Hospital are also available here.
Education
Between the 14th and 16th Century, it was a center of learning. Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics which was believed to be founded here, made major contributions in Algebra, Arithmetic, Astronomy, Calculus, Geometry, Infinite Series and Linguistics.In the present day there are lots of educational institutions which provides education from nursery to college level.
Colleges
- Christ College
- St. Joseph's Girls College
- Jyothis College Irinjalakuda
- Namboodiris College of Teacher education
- Lisieux Convent & Home Science College
- Bharathiar University, off campus, Christ College
- PNS College of Engineering & KTES Industrial Training Center
Schools
- National High School
- Govt Girls High School
- Santhinikethan Public school
- Govt. Model Boys High School
- Don Bosco Higher Secondary SchoolDon Bosco High School (Irinjalakuda)Don Bosco Higher Secondary School in Irinjalakuda, in the Kerala state of India, began in March 1962 on the invitation of the late Bishop of Thrissur, George Alappatt. A high school, a lower primary school and a boarding were started...
- Don Bosco Central School (ICSE & ISC)
- St Mary's High School
- Little Flower Girls High School
- Mahatma UP School, Porathissery
- Christ Vidyaniketan.
- Sree Narayana Higher Secondary School
- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Vidya Mandir
- N.S.S. Sangameshwara English Medium School
- Prateeksha Bhavan (School for the mentally struggling children)