Location of Pala
in Keralaor 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....
and IndiaIndia , 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...
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CoordinatesA geographic coordinate system is a coordinate system that enables every location on the Earth to be specified by a set of numbers. The coordinates are often chosen such that one of the numbers represent vertical position, and two or three of the numbers represent horizontal position...
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http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Palai¶ms=9.7_N_76.70_E_type:city_region:IN-KL_9°42′N 76°42′E / 9.7°N 76.70°E / 9.7; 76.70]CoordinatesA geographic coordinate system is a coordinate system that enables every location on the Earth to be specified by a set of numbers. The coordinates are often chosen such that one of the numbers represent vertical position, and two or three of the numbers represent horizontal position...
: http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Palai¶ms=9.7_N_76.70_E_type:city_region:IN-KL_9°42′N 76°42′E / 9.7°N 76.70°E / 9.7; 76.70]
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IndiaIndia , 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...
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StateIndia is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
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Keralaor 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....
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District(s)A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
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KottayamKottayam is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala, India. The district has its headquarters at Kottayam town, located at 9.36° N and 76.17° E. According to the 1991 census, it is the first district to achieve highest literacy rate in the whole of India...
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Nearest city
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KottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
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MuvattupuzhaMuvattupuzha is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a junction of three districts namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town...
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Municipal Chairperson
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Population
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DensityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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22,640UNIQ3e0,394e3,289d4c7a-ref-00,000,001-QINU (2001[//en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palai&action=edit [update]])
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1,375 /km2 (3,561 /sq mi)
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ISTIndian Standard Time is the time observed throughout India and Sri Lanka, with a time offset of UTC+05:30. India does not observe daylight saving time or other seasonal adjustments, although DST was used briefly during the Sino–Indian War of 1962 and the Indo–Pakistani Wars of 1965 and 1971...
(UTC+05:30)
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AreaThe geography of India describes the physical features of India, a country in South Asia, that lies entirely on the Indian Plate in the northern portion of the Indo-Australian Plate. The country lies to the north of the equator between 8°4' and 37°6' north latitude and 68°7' and 97°25' east...
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ElevationThe term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
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15.93 square kilometres (6.15 sq mi)
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56.7 metres (186 ft)
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Codes
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Pala ({{Lang-ml|പാലാ}}, also written as
Palai), is a municipal town 32 km east of
KottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
in the Indian
stateIndia is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of
Keralaor 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....
, spread over an area of 15.93 km
2. Pala has the largest proportion of
Syrian Malabar NasraniThe Syrian Malabar Nasrani people, also known as Saint Thomas Christians, "'Nasrani Mappila'" and Nasranis, are an ethnoreligious group from Kerala, India, adhering to the various churches of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition...
community in
Keralaor 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....
. It is situated 173 km North from the state capital
ThiruvananthapuramThiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
, on the banks of the
Meenachil RiverThe Meenachil river flows through the heart of Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. The river, 78 km long, flows through Poonjar, Teekoy, Erattupetta, Palai, Ettumanoor and Kottayam before emptying itself into the Vembanad Lake at Kumarakom, the famous tourist place of Kerala.The...
and is the headquarters of the
MeenachilMeenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
Taluk and the Pala Revenue Division. It is the one of the main gateways to the southern high ranges of
Western GhatsThe Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
.
Etymology
There are various versions regarding the origin of the place name. According to one, Pala gets its name from
Palazhi (Ksheera Sagara), the mythological
Ocean of milkIn Hindu cosmology, the Ocean of Milk is the fifth from the center of the seven oceans that surround loka or directional space and separate it from aloka or non-directional space. It surrounds the continent known as Krauncha. The gods and demons worked together for a millennium to churn the sea...
from which nectar was churned out. Another view is that the name was derived from
Palathu Chettiyar families, the prominent early settlers of the region.
History
Pala was part of the erstwhile
princely stateA Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
of
TravancoreKingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
, and was ruled by the "Travancore Rajas" for a long time. The local chieftains were "
Meenachil KarthaMeenachil Karthas were members of an Illathu Nair aristocratic clan, which ruled the small kingdom of Meenachil from 15th century AD until 1754...
s". The first royal
Kartha families were known as
Njavakattu Karthas. They had a title called "Damodara Simhar" and they were rulers of a small kingdom called "
MeenachilMeenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
" which is today's Palai (
KottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
district).
There are also many other attributes which make them distinct from the normal
NairNair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
folks. "Simhar" family deity (Bhavai instead of Bhadrakali) and family name was Mevada (Mewar). They also used to have very colorful funeral processions. They were pure vegetarians though they had no sacred threads (poonul), and they followed "Marumakkathayam."
They ruled
MeenachilMeenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
taluk and were instrumental in promoting the Christian settlement in this place. Later they were defeated by the
TravancoreKingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
army of
Dharma RajaDharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma was the Maharajah of Travancore from 1758 until his death in 1798. He succeeded his uncle Marthanda Varma, who is credited with the title of "maker of modern Travancore"...
(successor of
Marthanda VarmaMarthanda Varma , was the founder of the Indian Hindu feudal kingdom of Travancore from Venad SwaroopamHe ruled from 1729 till his death in 1758, having succeeded his maternal uncle Dharma Raja.King Marthanda Varma is usually credited as the "founder of Kingdom of Travancore" from...
) and their kingdom was annexed to
TravancoreKingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
(the ruling king committed suicide). All their male folks including boys were slaughtered. However, the ladies were spared. Also, the
TravancoreKingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
king gave them pension. The family had a successor only after a very long gap due to this genocide by the Travancore forces.
Early settlements
Early settlements in the region date back to 1000
AD and Before Christ are designations used to label or number years used with the Julian and Gregorian calendars....
.
ChristianA 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...
settlers came to the area very early, probably at the invitation of the local rulers. The first four Christian families are considered to be
Tharayil (Tharayil Mappila)
Koottumkal (brother of Tharayil Mappila) Erakonni (Kottarathil, Kuthivalachel) & Vayalakombil. They were engaged mainly in agriculture and trade. It is believed that Pala market was established around 1736 on the banks of Meenachil River by Christian settlers on the land allotted by Meenachil Karthas, who were the local rulers.
Geography and climate
Located at 9.7°N 76.7°E, Pala is 56.7 meters above MSL. Nearby towns are
KottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
,
PonkunnamPonkunnam is a town in the eastern high-ranges of Kerala, India, part of Kottayam district. Nearby towns are Kanjirappally, Manimala and Pala. This part of Kerala is famous for its fertile lands and rubber plantations. It is at an altitude of 495 Metres above MSL sea level.- Overview :Ponkunnam is...
,
ErattupettaErattupetta is a town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.It is 38 km east of Kottayam, the District Centre. Erattupetta was known as Erappili and Erappuzha before the Advent of Tamil Muslims into this town. Erattupetta is situated in the foothills of High Ranges. It was the...
,
ThodupuzhaThodupuzha is a town and a municipality in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 35.43 km2. It is 62 km from Ernakulam. Geographical Classification of Thodupuzha Region is Midland or Idanad....
and
MuvattupuzhaMuvattupuzha is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a junction of three districts namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town...
. Pala is on the
Main Eastern HighwayThe Main Eastern Highway is the life line of the high range townships of the Travancore region of Kerala state, India. It is also known as Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Thodupuzha-Muvattupuzha Highway. Main Eastern Highway is categorized as State Highway - 08 of Kerala. It is the second longest State...
(
MuvattupuzhaMuvattupuzha is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a junction of three districts namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town...
-
PathanamthittaPathanamthitta is a large town and a municipality situated in the central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, south India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The city has a population of 38,000...
-
PunalurPunalur is a city situvated near the Tamil Nadu Kerala Border in Kollam district in the southern state of Kerala, India. It is the pioneer in starting industrial revolution in Kerala by establishing Punalur Paper Mills, the first industry in kerala. It is situated in the banks of the river Kallada...
Road / SH - 08). The state highway '
SH-32State Highway 32 is a State Highway in Kerala, India that starts in Athirapuzha and ends in Poonjar. The highway is 37.9 km long.- The Route Map :...
' (
EttumanoorEttumanoor is a major town in Kottayam District of Kerala, India, located 11 kilometers north-east of Kottayam town, 65 km from Cochin and 73 km from Cochin International Airport...
to
PoonjarPoonjar is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. Before the independence of India, Poonjar had been the capital of the Poonjar Koyikkal Swaroopam or Edavaka.-History:...
) also passes through Pala.
Pala Diocese
The
Syrian ChristiansThe Saint Thomas Christians are an ancient body of Christians from Kerala, India, who trace their origins to the evangelical activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. They are also known as "Nasranis" because they are followers of "Jesus of Nazareth". The term "Nasrani" is still used by St...
of Pala owe their faith to St Thomas the Apostle, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, who came down to Kerala in 52 AD. Though Pala Diocese is only half a century old (July 25, 1950), some of the Churches trace their origin to earlier centuries.
Pope Pius XIIThe Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
by the Bull "Quo Ecclesiarim" issued on July 25, 1950, bifurcated the Diocese of Changanacherry, and out of the territory covered by the Foranes of Palai, Muttuchira (including the present
KothanalloorKothanalloor is a village located in the Kottayam District of Kerala, India. It is situated on the Kottayam-Ernakulam highway, 21 kilometers from Kottayam and 53 kilometers from Ernakulam....
Forone), Kuravilangad, Anakkallu (Bharananganam-including the present Forane of Aruvithura) and Ramapuram erected the Diocese of Palai as suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam.
On August 22, 1956 when the
Holy SeeThe Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
by the Apostolic Constitution "Regnum Coelorum" raised the Diocese of Changanacherry to the status of an Archdiocese and constituted the new Ecclesiastical Province of Changanacherry, the Diocese of Palai became one of its suffragans. Pala Diocese comprises Meenachil Taluk, and a few villages of
KottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
, Idukki and
ErnakulamErnakulam refers to the downtown area or the western part of the mainland of Kochi city in Kerala, India. The city is the most urban part of Kochi and has lent its name to the Ernakulam district. Ernakulam is called the commercial capital of the state of Kerala and is a main nerve of business in...
districts.
Pala had contacts with other continents from time immemorial. In 1663, the Lalam Old Church (St Mary's Church) was constructed. Before Pala Church (now a cathedral) was built in 1002,
AruvithuraErattupetta is a town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.It is 38 km east of Kottayam, the District Centre. Erattupetta was known as Erappili and Erappuzha before the Advent of Tamil Muslims into this town. Erattupetta is situated in the foothills of High Ranges. It was the...
used to be the Parish. It is believed that
St. ThomasThomas the Apostle, also called Doubting Thomas or Didymus was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is best known for questioning Jesus' resurrection when first told of it, then proclaiming "My Lord and my God" on seeing Jesus in . He was perhaps the only Apostle who went outside the Roman...
traveled through the then navigable Meenachil river and reached
AruvithuraErattupetta is a town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.It is 38 km east of Kottayam, the District Centre. Erattupetta was known as Erappili and Erappuzha before the Advent of Tamil Muslims into this town. Erattupetta is situated in the foothills of High Ranges. It was the...
and
CherpunkalCherpunkal is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala State in India.On the Kottayam Pala road,7 km from pala city.Cherpunkal boasts a Holy Cross Church, believed to have been established by Thomas the Apostle himself, it is also believed that St.Thomas put his sandals there while taking a...
. Pala has many other ancient churches that are considered as pilgrim centers.
Temples
There are 11 temples in Pala Municipality. Among them Lalam Mahadeva Temple is among the most famous and is called Dakshina Kasi (
Kasi-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
of South). Lalam Mahadeva Temple is situated at the heart of Pala town on the bank of Lalam River. It is believed that this is the oldest temple in Meenachil Taluk and was once the only temple in the 58 Karas or Villages of Meenachil Taluk.
ThiruvathiraThiruvathira is a Hindu festival celebrated in the southern Indian state of Kerala on the full moon day of the month of Dhanu . The festival commemorates the death of Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love...
festival in Dhanu (December - January) is the main festival of this temple. Ambalppurathukavu Bhagavthy Temple is situated near to Lalam temple.
Kadappattor Mahadeva Temple which is situated on the bank of
Meenachil RiverThe Meenachil river flows through the heart of Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. The river, 78 km long, flows through Poonjar, Teekoy, Erattupetta, Palai, Ettumanoor and Kottayam before emptying itself into the Vembanad Lake at Kumarakom, the famous tourist place of Kerala.The...
is the most famous Hindu temple in this region. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Kadappattoor temple every year, on their way to
SabarimalaSabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in India with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan...
.
Kizhathadiyoor Puthiyakavu Devi Temple, Chembittambalam Kizhathadiyoor Thrukkayil Mahadeva Temple, Murikkumpuzha Devi Temple, Idayattu Bala Ganapathy Temple, Narasimha Swami Temple, Vellappattu Sree Vana Durga Bhagavathy Temple (the only temple in Kottayam district where Jeevatha ezhunnallathu is performed), Thattarakathu Bhagavathy Temple, Ooraasala Subrahmanya Swami Temple and Anakkulangara Bhagavathy Temple,Kochidappady Sree Shanmugha swami Temple are the other temples situated within the boundaries of Pala Municipality.
Cheruthil Valuthu (
big among small) Puliyannoor Mahadeva temple is also a famous temple near to Pala. It was constructed by Chonaru Chettair of Chathamplackal family now known as Nalonnil. Both these temples are located in Mutholi Panchayath. Meenachil vadakke kavu is a famous Bhadrakaaly temple near Pala. "Mandalakala pooja (41days)" is very famous with Kalamezhuthu & Kalam karikkal. Meenachil Dharmasastha Temple, Idayattu Bala Ganapathy Temple, Poovarany Mahadeva Temple, Valavoor Mahadeva Temple, Idanadu Bhagavathy Temple, Anthinadu Mahadeva Temple, Vezhanganam Mahadeva Temple, Bharanaganam Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Alanadu Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Ponad Bhagavathy Temple and Sree Kurumbakkavu Devi Temple are the other important temples of this region.
Churches
Kurishupalli, a
shrineA shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
located at the centre of the Pala town, acts as the landmark of the town.
St. Thomas Cathedral, PalaSt Thomas Cathedral is a major church in Palai, Kerala, India.The church was constructed in the 11th century by four Syrian Christian families. These four Christian families of PALA were THARAYIL KOOTTUMKAL ERAKONNI & VAYALAKOMBIL. They engaged mainly in agriculture and trade. It is believed that...
and St. Mary's Church, Lalam are two of the main Christian churches in Pala.
A famous pilgrim centre nearby is the Alphonsa Church at
BharananganamBharananganam, an important pilgrim centre in South India, is located on the banks of Meenachil river, 5 km east of Pala in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala. Bharananganam and surrounding places are bestowed with natural beauty due to hilly areas and lot of vegetation.- Saint Alphonsa's...
, where the mortal remains of St. Alphonsa of India are kept. Adjacent to it is St. Mary's Church of Bharananganam which was founded in 1004. St. George's Church, Aruvithura, near Erattupetta, is also a famous pilgrim centre. Another Christian pilgrim centre near Pala is the St. Augustine's Church at
RamapuramRamapuram is a town in the Kottayam district of the Indian state of Kerala.-General information:The word "Ramapuram" means "the abode of Lord Rama", the village's chief deity. Ramapuram is unique in the sense that it houses the temple of Rama as well as his three brothers in a radius of just...
, where the mortal remains of the Blessed Augustine Kunjachan are kept. Monastery of Mutholy was founded by
BlessedBeatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
Chavara Kuriakose Elias.
Though Pala has remained very conservative in faith and beliefs, due to the large influence of education and media which promoted free thinking and freedom of choice, it has also welcomed and promoted a number of Reformed Evangelical and Pentacostal churches, namely Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church,
Malankara Christian Church,
Indian Pentecostal Church of GodThe Indian Pentecostal Church of God is the largest indigenous Pentecostal movement in India, with its headquarters at Hebron, Kumbanad, Kerala, India. The movement was established in 1924 and registered on 9 December 1935 at Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, under the Government of India.K. C...
,
Assemblies of GodThe Assemblies of God , officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is a group of over 140 autonomous but loosely-associated national groupings of churches which together form the world's largest Pentecostal denomination...
, etc.
Trade links
Pala had trade links
Tamil NaduTamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, and even countries in the Middle East. A jungle route to Gudalloor in
Tamil NaduTamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, through the dense forests in the High Ranges, is believed to have brought a significant number of
VellalaVellala is a small village in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is near the town of Proddutur in the Kadapa District.The village got its name from the locally famous "Vellala sanjevaraswami ", a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman....
s and
ChettiarChettiar , also spelled Chetty, is a title used by various castes in South India especially in Tamil Nadu. In Kannada, it appears as Setty, Shettar and Shettigar, who are Padmashalis in Andhra Pradesh....
s during the
Middle AgesThe Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. During early 1900s Pala became famous for its spice market. A particular brand of pepper called "Pala
PepperBlack pepper is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. The fruit, known as a peppercorn when dried, is approximately in diameter, dark red when fully mature, and, like all drupes, contains a single seed...
" was quoted in the London market in the early 1900s. Once
rubberNatural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
took a firm root in Central Kerala, Pala became a rubber market.
A road linking
AthirampuzhaAthirampuzha is the name of a Panchayat and a small town in Kottayam district of Kerala state, South India. Athirampuzha is situated 10 km north of Kottayam town....
to
ErattupettaErattupetta is a town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.It is 38 km east of Kottayam, the District Centre. Erattupetta was known as Erappili and Erappuzha before the Advent of Tamil Muslims into this town. Erattupetta is situated in the foothills of High Ranges. It was the...
through Pala was established in 1868. Pala was linked to
ThodupuzhaThodupuzha is a town and a municipality in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 35.43 km2. It is 62 km from Ernakulam. Geographical Classification of Thodupuzha Region is Midland or Idanad....
by road in 1893. Motor vehicles appeared in Pala in the early 1900s. The first bus service was started in 1908 by a public company by name Meenachil Motor Association which was the 3rd registered company in
TravancoreKingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
.
Pala became a
MunicipalityA municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in 1949.
Meenachil River
The
Meenachil RiverThe Meenachil river flows through the heart of Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. The river, 78 km long, flows through Poonjar, Teekoy, Erattupetta, Palai, Ettumanoor and Kottayam before emptying itself into the Vembanad Lake at Kumarakom, the famous tourist place of Kerala.The...
flows through the taluks of
MeenachilMeenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
,
VaikomVaikom is a taluk and also its capital town, situated in the North-West of Kottayam in Kerala, India. Its western border is the Lake Vembanad, and is crossed by various estuaries of the River Muvattupuzha. It lies between Ernakulam and Kottayam...
and
KottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
. It is formed by several streams originating from the
Western GhatsThe Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
in Idukki district. At Erattupeetta, Poonjar River also joins it, takes a sharp turn and flows towards the west. At Kondur, it is joined by the Chittar and at Lalam it receives the Payuapparathodu and flows in a south- west direction till it reaches
KottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
. Here, it branches into several streams before emptying into the
Vembanad LakeVembanad Lake is the longest lake in India, and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes, in India. A lake spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known by different names in different localities viz. Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, Kochi Lake in...
. The important towns in the basin are Pala,
PoonjarPoonjar is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. Before the independence of India, Poonjar had been the capital of the Poonjar Koyikkal Swaroopam or Edavaka.-History:...
,
EttumanoorEttumanoor is a major town in Kottayam District of Kerala, India, located 11 kilometers north-east of Kottayam town, 65 km from Cochin and 73 km from Cochin International Airport...
and
KottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
.
Palai Central Bank
Pala dominated the banking and financial scene of Kerala for over three decades (1927–60) through
Palai Central BankPalai Central Bank was a commercial bank that functioned with its headquarters in Kerala, South India during the middle of last century. Although it was started in a small remote town, the Bank grew up to become not only the biggest bank but the biggest institution in Kerala, after the state...
. Started in 1927, it grew up to become the largest business enterprise of Kerala, and the 17th largest among the 94 scheduled commercial banks in India. The daring initiatives of this small-town-bank included the opening of a branch in India's new capital
New DelhiNew 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...
in 1932, the first Bank to open a branch in the newly built city. During the 3-decade period of its dominant presence, the Bank played a major role in the growth of Pala town too, including using its influence to bring the Municipality, Catholic Diocese, St Thomas College and other institutions to Pala, beating the claims of some of the other bigger and older towns nearby.
The Bank was liquidated in 1960 on the orders of
Kerala High CourtHigh Court of Kerala is the highest court in the Indian state of Kerala and in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. The High Court of Kerala is headquartered at Kochi...
in response to a petition made by the
Reserve Bank of IndiaThe Reserve Bank of India is the central banking institution of India and controls the monetary policy of the rupee as well as US$300.21 billion of currency reserves. The institution was established on 1 April 1935 during the British Raj in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of...
(RBI). In the published history of RBI a 27-page appendix (Appendix C: The Palai Central Bank) extensively covers the history of the Bank. In it Prime Minister
Jawaharlal NehruJawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
is quoted as saying that RBI made a "mistake" in closing down the Palai Central Bank.
Healthcare, hospitals
- Govt. Hospital, Pala
- Marian medical center, Arunapuram
- Cherupushpam Trust Hospital, Pala
- Carmel Hospital, Pala
Closest cities, towns and villages
{| style="right; margin:0 0 0 0;"
|+
Neighbouring cities & towns
|
{{Geographic Location
|title =
Destinations from Pala
|Northwest =
MuvattupuzhaMuvattupuzha is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a junction of three districts namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town...
|North =
ThodupuzhaThodupuzha is a town and a municipality in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 35.43 km2. It is 62 km from Ernakulam. Geographical Classification of Thodupuzha Region is Midland or Idanad....
|Northeast = Moolamattam
|West =
VaikomVaikom is a taluk and also its capital town, situated in the North-West of Kottayam in Kerala, India. Its western border is the Lake Vembanad, and is crossed by various estuaries of the River Muvattupuzha. It lies between Ernakulam and Kottayam...
|Centre = Palai
|East = Vagamon
|Southwest =
KottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
|South =
PonkunnamPonkunnam is a town in the eastern high-ranges of Kerala, India, part of Kottayam district. Nearby towns are Kanjirappally, Manimala and Pala. This part of Kerala is famous for its fertile lands and rubber plantations. It is at an altitude of 495 Metres above MSL sea level.- Overview :Ponkunnam is...
|Southeast =
ErattupettaErattupetta is a town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.It is 38 km east of Kottayam, the District Centre. Erattupetta was known as Erappili and Erappuzha before the Advent of Tamil Muslims into this town. Erattupetta is situated in the foothills of High Ranges. It was the...
}}
|}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Cities
- Kochi (78 km northwest)
- Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
(121 km north)
- Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
(173 km south)
- Kozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
(240 km North West)
- Kollam
Kollam , often anglicized as ', is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake on the Arabian sea coast and is situated about north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram...
(120 km Southwest)
- Madurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
(223 km North East)
- Coimbatore
Coimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
(235 km North East)
Towns
- Ettumanoor
Ettumanoor is a major town in Kottayam District of Kerala, India, located 11 kilometers north-east of Kottayam town, 65 km from Cochin and 73 km from Cochin International Airport...
(19 km southwest)
- Changanassery (45 km southwest)
- Erattupetta
Erattupetta is a town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.It is 38 km east of Kottayam, the District Centre. Erattupetta was known as Erappili and Erappuzha before the Advent of Tamil Muslims into this town. Erattupetta is situated in the foothills of High Ranges. It was the...
(13 km east)
- Kanjirappally
Kanjirappally is a taluk and a town in Kottayam district, in the state of Kerala, India. Rubber plantations are a major source of income for the local population. The place has a large population of Syrian Catholic Christians....
(25 km southeast)
- Ponkunnam
Ponkunnam is a town in the eastern high-ranges of Kerala, India, part of Kottayam district. Nearby towns are Kanjirappally, Manimala and Pala. This part of Kerala is famous for its fertile lands and rubber plantations. It is at an altitude of 495 Metres above MSL sea level.- Overview :Ponkunnam is...
(13 km southeast)
- Kothamangalam (56 km Northwest)
- Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
(35 km southwest)
- Vaikom
Vaikom is a taluk and also its capital town, situated in the North-West of Kottayam in Kerala, India. Its western border is the Lake Vembanad, and is crossed by various estuaries of the River Muvattupuzha. It lies between Ernakulam and Kottayam...
(47 km northwest)
- Muvattupuzha
Muvattupuzha is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a junction of three districts namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town...
(39 km northwest)
- Poonjar
Poonjar is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. Before the independence of India, Poonjar had been the capital of the Poonjar Koyikkal Swaroopam or Edavaka.-History:...
(17 km east)
- Thodupuzha
Thodupuzha is a town and a municipality in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 35.43 km2. It is 62 km from Ernakulam. Geographical Classification of Thodupuzha Region is Midland or Idanad....
(28 km north)
- Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla , is a city and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2...
(52 km southwest)
Villages
- Kanattupara, 2 km north
- Karoor
Karoor is a village near Pala in Kottayam, Kerala. Karoor Panchayath is one of the neighboring Panchayaths of Pala Municipality. It is on the way to Ramapuram. The place got its name from the Karoor family, who donated land to construct the local church and educational institutions....
, 2 km north
- Palayam, 9;km
- Padinjattinkara, 8;km
- Panthathala
Panthathala is a village close to Palai in the Kottayam district of Kerala state in India. The river Meenachil flows by on one side of the village. Panthathala's primary product is rubber and most of its inhabitants are farmers. The main religion is Hindu, with some Roman Catholics. Famous temples...
, 2 km north west
- Payappar, 3 km north
- Puliyannoor, 3 km west
- Meenachil
Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
, 4 km south
- Anthinadu, 5 km north
- Bharananganam
Bharananganam, an important pilgrim centre in South India, is located on the banks of Meenachil river, 5 km east of Pala in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala. Bharananganam and surrounding places are bestowed with natural beauty due to hilly areas and lot of vegetation.- Saint Alphonsa's...
, 5 km east
- Cherpunkal
Cherpunkal is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala State in India.On the Kottayam Pala road,7 km from pala city.Cherpunkal boasts a Holy Cross Church, believed to have been established by Thomas the Apostle himself, it is also believed that St.Thomas put his sandals there while taking a...
, 5 km west
- Mattakkara
Mattakkara is a part of Kottayam District. The area is mainly spread in Akalakunnam Panchayath. This is considered as the biggest kara in Kerala. The place is accessible by road...
,15 km west
- Melukavu
Melukavu , is a village in the eastern part of Meenachil Taluk in Kottayam District of Kerala state, India.The place is a major tourist attraction for nature lovers with beautiful hills,streams and the rubber plantations that forms a green blanket to the place.The famous tourist spot is Ilaveezha...
,12 km east
- Pravithanam, 5 km north
- Narianganam, 12 km
- Vallichira
Vallichira is a village in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.-Demographics: India census, Vallichira had a population of 13455 with 6769 males and 6686 females....
, 5 km west
- Kollappally, 7 km north
- Poovarany
Poovarany is a village in Meenachil Pachayath, Palai, Kottayam district, Kerala, India.The name poovarany means jungle of flowers. The Sacred Heart Church and Sree Mahadeva temple are the main religious centers. Two small rivers, the Cheruthode and Valiyathodu, flow through the area...
, 7 km west
- Valavoor
Valavoor, the business center of Karoor Panchayath, is located at the south-western tip of India near Palai in Kottayam district, Kerala.Valavoor is between Palai and Uzhavoor. Both towns are 6 km away.Pin Code 686635....
, 7 km north
- Amparanirappel
Amparanirappel is a place near Palai in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India.Neaby towns include Palai and Erattupetta. Rubber is planted in this area. Bharananganam, a pilgrimage centre, is in the vicinity...
, 8 km east
- Ezhacherry, 8 km
- Kezhuvamkulam
Kezhuvamkulam is a village in the Kottayam District in the Indian state of Kerala.Pincode of this village is 686584....
, 8 km west
- Edamattom
Edamattom is a small place located 6 km southeast of Pala. Most of the people here are farmers with several others having migrated to the cities. Majority of the people of Edamattom are hard working Syrian Catholics. Landmarks include the St.Michael's Church...
, 10 km southeast
- Kidangoor, 10 km west
- Koodalloor
Koodalloor is a village in Kottayam district, Kerala, India. It is strategically located 7 Kilometers off from Ettumanoor - Pala Road , 2 km from Kadaplamttom 24 km from Kottayam town. It has paddy fields, natural rubber plantations and other agricultural products. Kodalloor is blessed...
,14 km
- Kadappoor
Kadappoor is a village in Kottayam district, Kerala, India. It is strategically located 3 Kilometers off from Ettumanoor - Pala Road , 5 km off from Cochin - Kottayam Road and 18 km from Kottayam town. It has paddy fields, natural rubber plantations and other agricultural products...
, 14 km
- Kodumpidy, 10 km north
- Kozhuvanal
is a town in Meenachil, in the district of Kottayam in Kerala, India.Kozhuvanal main centre of Kozhuvanal Panchayat. It has amenities including a school, post office, hospital, church, temple and stationary shops.It can be called the financial capital of neighboring [areas.It has private as well as...
, 10 km west
- Paika
Paika is a small town 8 km away from Palai on Pala-Ponkunnam road of Muvattupuzha - Punalur state highway No.8, in Kottayam district, Kerala, India. It is part of Meenachil Taluka, known as the best fertile agricultural land of Travancore. Majority of people are Syrian Malabar Nasrani Catholic...
7.5 km south
- Elamgulam
Elamgulam is a village in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.-Demographics: India census, Elamgulam had a population of 13115 with 6513 males and 6602 females.-Religious Institutions:...
, 9 km south
- Mevida, 8;km west
- Ramapuram
Ramapuram is a town in the Kottayam district of the Indian state of Kerala.-General information:The word "Ramapuram" means "the abode of Lord Rama", the village's chief deity. Ramapuram is unique in the sense that it houses the temple of Rama as well as his three brothers in a radius of just...
, 12 km north
- Kurumannu, 13 km north
- Pizhaku, 13 km north
- Vayala
Vayala is a village located in the Kottayam district in Kerala, India. It is approximately 7 kilometers from the town Ettumanoor. Vayala is a beautiful village which has one hospital, a bank, a post office, a school, a Catholic church, and three Hindu temples. The name Vayala is derived from...
, 14 km
- Amanakara, 15 km north
- Kuravilangad
Kuravilangad is a town located in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. The town is situated in the Meenachil Taluk, about 22 km north of Kottayam, and is located near the town of Ettumanoor and places like Kalathoor, Kalikave, Vempally, Marangattupally, Kurianad, Monippally, Vakkadu...
, 15 km NW
- Edamaruk
Edamaruk is a place in Udumbannoor Panchayath in Thodupuzha Taluk of Idukki District, Kerala, India. The place became famous due to Joseph Edamaruku, who is the founder-president of Rationalist International....
, 15 km east
- Manathoor
Manathoor is a small village in Kottayam district, 12 km from Palai town and 16 km from Thodupuzha town.This place is calm, peaceful and it is a good place for relaxation. There are two main junctions in Manathoor. Church junction and school junction...
, 15 km north
- Kurinji, 16 km north
- Teekoy
Teekoy is a Southern Indian village, situated in the eastern part of Kottayam district in Kerala, between Vagamon, Erattupetta and Thalanadu.-Geoography:...
, 16 km
- Kuninji
Kuninji is a village in the Idukki district of Kerala, India. It is located near to Thodupuzha, a small town in central Travancore. Kuninji is an area surrounded by a number of hills on four sides, which gives a fortified effect...
, 18 km north
- Thalanadu
Thalanadu is a Southern Indian village, situated in the eastern part of Kottayam district in Kerala, between Vagamon, Moonnilavu and Teekoy- Geoography :...
, 20 km
- Moonnilavu, 22 km east
- Pathampuzha
Pathampuzha is a small village in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India.This village having a school St.Joseph UPS attached to Mar Sleeva Church Malayinchippara.It's having public library and child health care centre located in Pathampuzha itself....
, 22 km east
- Marangattupally,10 km NW
- Monippally
Monippally - 'The Spicy Virgin Village മോനിപ്പള്ളിMonippally is a small and peaceful village in Kottayam district, Kerala, South India. Formerly known as 'Mohanappally' or 'Munippally'. In her yesteryears, Monippally was a famous ginger cultivation area in Central Travancore...
,18 km NW
- Palackattumala
Palackattumala is a village in Kottayam District of Kerala, India with a population 1500. An oblong tableland located on a small rolling hill, north of illickal junction in ] - Vaikom] road...
, 7 km NW
- Andoor
Andoor is a village in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. The village is located approximately 9 km north-west of Palai on the road towards Kuravilangad....
, 9 km NW
- Valavoor
Valavoor, the business center of Karoor Panchayath, is located at the south-western tip of India near Palai in Kottayam district, Kerala.Valavoor is between Palai and Uzhavoor. Both towns are 6 km away.Pin Code 686635....
, 7 km north
{{col-end}}
Culture and people
Though the population is diverse, Pala is considered as an important hub of Roman Catholic Syrian Christians in India. The Palaites have enjoyed a reputation of being hard workers, as many from Meenachil Taluk migrated to the high ranges and the Malabar region of
Keralaor 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....
, turning forest land into farms. In those days they worked hard during the day and spent the evenings having
toddyPalm wine also called Palm Toddy also called "Kallu" written in Malayalam and கள்ளு in Tamil or simply Toddy is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the palmyra, and coconut palms...
. That was the custom then. But nowadays as alcoholism has spread, it has little link with hard work.
Meenachil taluk, of which Pala is the headquarters, has produced people with notable contribution in many fields:
{{col-begin}}
Head of State
- K. R. Narayanan
Kocheril Raman Narayanan , also known as K. R. Narayanan, was the tenth President of India. He was the first Dalit, and the first Malayali, to have been President....
, President of India (1997–2002), Vice-President of India (1992–97).
Governor/Minister/Legislator
[In chronological order]
- M J Varkey (Vakkachen) Mattathil, Member of Indian Parliament - Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Rajya means "state," and Sabha means "assembly hall" in Sanskrit. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature,...
(1998–2004).
- N M Joseph, Minister of Forests, Kerala State (1987–91)
- M M Jacob, Deputy Chairman of Rajaya Sabha (1986–87), Union Minister (1987–93), State Governor of Meghalaya
Meghalaya is a state in north-eastern India. The word "Meghalaya" literally means the Abode of Clouds in Sanskrit and other Indic languages. Meghalaya is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country about 300 km long and 100 km wide, with a total area of about 8,700 sq mi . The...
(1995–2007).
- Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai, General Secretary of NSS (1967 onwards) and Indian High-Commissioner to Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
(1992 onwards).
- K M Chandy, State Governor (1982–89), President of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee.
- k m mani, Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly (1965 onwards) and Minister of Kerala State (different terms during 1977-2006).
- T A Thomman, Minister of Home, Kerala State (1964–65)
- Cherian J Kappen, Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
(1962–67).
- George Thomas Kottukapally, Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
(1957–62), U.N. Delegate.
- R V Thomas
R v Thomas was an Australian court case decided in the Victorian Court of Appeal on 18 August 2006. It concerned the conviction in February 2006 of Joseph Thomas on terrorism-related charges, specifically receiving funds from Al Qaeda...
, President (Speaker) of TravancoreKingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
State Legislative Assembly (1947–49).
- Dr P J Thomas, Member of Madras Legislative Council
Tamil Nadu Legislative Council is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It began its existence as Madras Legislative Council, the first provincial legislature for Madras Presidency. It was initially created as an advisory body in 1861, by the British...
, 1937–42 and Member of Indian Parliament - Rajya SabhaThe Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Rajya means "state," and Sabha means "assembly hall" in Sanskrit. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature,...
1957-62.
- J Thomas Kayalackakom, Member of Sree Moolam Popular Assembly
Sree Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore was the first popularly elected legislature in the history of India.Its predecessor legislative council was formed in Travancore in 1888 with 8 appointed members. Sree Moolam Thirunal Ramavarma who became king of Travancore in 1886 set up this unique...
of TravancoreKingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
State (1922–31).
Social Activist
- Fr. Abel Periapuram, Founder of Kalabhavan
Kalabhavan is a centre for learning performing arts in Kochi. Kalabhavan is notable and known for being the first organized performing mimicry group in Kerala and which popularised the art of mimicry in the state of Kerala. Ever since its founding, Kalabhavan has served as a grooming centre for...
.
- James Cherian Maruthukunnel, District Governor, Lions Clubs International (1988–89).
Literature & Education
- Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar
Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar is the author of Varthamanapusthakam , the first ever travelogue in an Indian language . He was Administrator of the Archdiocese of Cranganore from 1786 till his death....
: Author of "Varthamana PusthakamVarthamana Pusthakam or Varthamanapusthakam was written by Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar is the first travelogue written in Malayalam Language.It gives the history of the journey between Malabar to Rome via Lisbon and there return journey....
", the first travalogue in an Indian language.
- Ramapurathu Warrier
Ramapurathu Warrier is considered to be the pioneer of the "Vanchipattu" or Boatsong form of poetry in Malayalam language.He was born in Ramapuram, near Palai, in Meenachil Taluk, Kottayam District, Kerala. He was a courtier of two successive Kings of Travancore, viz...
- Poet (Kuchelavritham).
- Mahakavi Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai
Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai was a Malayalam poet. His magnum opus is the epic poem Shreeyeshu Vijayam composed over a span of 15 years, and finished in the year 1926, which earned him the title of Mahakavi. He was the Editor of Vijnaana Rathnaakaram, one of the early literary magazines in the...
(1859–1936) - Author of Sri Yesu Vijayam (1926) & Editor of Vijnaana Rathnaakaram"Vijnaana Rathnaakaram" was a literary magazine started in 1913 in the old Native State of Travancore, India. J Thomas Kayalackakom was its founder publisher and Mahakavi Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai was its Editor. It was the second literary magazine of Travancore, and one of the early such...
(1913)
- Mathew M Kuzhively, Encyclopedia editor
- Mahakavi Pala Narayanan Nair
Mahakavi Pala Narayanan Nair was an Indian poet. His most celebrated work 'Keralam Valarunnu', penned in 1953 in ten volumes, absorbs the cultural vibrancy, spirit and hope of the masses who were then on the threshold of imbibing the concept of a unified state.The masterpiece earned him the...
, poet, teacher, most celebrated work 'keralam valarunnu'
- Mahakavi Pravithanam P M Devasia, poet
- Lalithambika Antharjanam, novelist
- B. Sandhya
B. Sandhya is the Inspector General of Kerala Police in India. She is also a painter, writer and author of few published books.The International Association of Women Police , based in USA recently awarded Sandhya Bharatdas an award and scholarship of distinction. This award was given in addition...
IPS, writer and policeThe Kerala State Police is the law enforcement agency for the state of Kerala, India. Kerala Police has its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. The Police training college was set up by Travancore Maharaja in Thiruvananthapuram in mid 20th centuary. In 2004,a larger Kerala...
officer.
- Vettoor Raman Nair, writer
- Paul Zacharia
Paul Zacharia is a Malayalam short story writer, novelist and essayist. Born in Urulikkunnam in Kottayam district in Kerala, India, Zacharia lives in Trivandrum.-Literary career:...
, writer & columnist
- Ezhacherry Ramachandran, poet
- BishopSebastian Vayalil
Bishop Sebastian Vayalil was the first bishop of the Eparchy of Pala, in Kerala, India. He was born on 28th January 1906 at Palai. He took his B. A. Degree from the Maharaja’s College, Trivandrum in 1928. He had his ecclesiastical studies at the St. Joseph’s Ap. Seminary Mangalapuzha, Alwaye and...
, Founder of St. Thomas College
- A.T.Devassia, former Vice Chancellor
- Cyriac Thomas
Cyriac Thomas, Ph.D. is a Member of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions of India and the former Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India.-Personal profile:...
, former Vice Chancellor
- Joseph Pulikunnel, writer & editor
- BishopJoseph Pallikaparambil, Founder of St. Joseph's Engineering College
- George Kallivayalil - Columnist and Journalist
Sports
- Col. G.V. Raja - Foremost Sports Promoter.
- Wilson Cherian, Swimmer - Arjuna award winner.
- T.J. Jacob, Swimmer - Indian Team at Asian Games.
- Mathew Joseph, Swimmer - Indian Team at Asian Games.
- Sumi Cyriac, Swimmer - National Champion.
- Sony Cyriac, swimmer - Indian Team
- Mani C Kappen, Volley Ball - Indian Team Player.
- M D Valsamma, Athletics - Asian Gold Medalist.
- Sunny Thomas - National Coach in Riffle Shooting.
- S. Pazhaniya Pillai - Indian Athletic Team Manager.
Management & Administration
- V.V.Joseph, IAS bureaucrat
- R Ramachandran Nair, IAS bureaucrat, former Chief Secretary
- M. S. Joseph, IAS bureaucrat.
- Jacob Thomas, IPS police officer
- K.J. Mathew, IAS bureaucrat, Chief Secretary
- P M Kuriakose, IAS bureaucrat, former Secretary
- V J Kurian, IAS bureaucrat.
- Tom Jose IAS, bureaucrat.
Commerce & Industry
- Jacob Cherian Maruthukunnel - Pioneer in Banking, Motor Transport, Deep sea Fishing
- Abraham Kallivayalil- Pappan chettan - Pioneer in Rubber, Pepper, Cardomom Plantations.
- George Joseph Kottukapally - Director of Palai Central Bank and Sree Moolam Prajha Sabha Member
- George Thomas Kottukapally - Member of Parliament, recorded as the largest individual Syrian Christian landholder in history with over 13,000 acres
- Joseph Michael Manarkattu - Leader in State-wide Liquor Trade.
- Dominic Joseph Kuruvinakkunnel - Father of Tourism Industry in Kerala.
- C R Kesavan Vaidyan - Pioneer Medicinal Soap Maker.
- M O Devasia Mattathil - Leader in Forward Trade of Spices.Populary known as "The Pepper King"
- Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom
Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom was an outstanding entrepreneur of Kerala, India. He made pioneering ventures in diverse spheres during the first half of the 20th century, and was a major figure in the financial and social arena of the State for nearly fifty years.He was born in 1884 in Palai, a small...
(1884–1968) - Founder Managing Director of Palai Central BankPalai Central Bank was a commercial bank that functioned with its headquarters in Kerala, South India during the middle of last century. Although it was started in a small remote town, the Bank grew up to become not only the biggest bank but the biggest institution in Kerala, after the state...
.
- Jose Joseph Mamparampil
Movies
- Bhadran
Bhadran is a village in the state of Gujarat, in far western India. It is in the Anand district. Bhadran was nicknamed the "Paris of Gaekwad state" due to its prosperity and civil works carried out by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the visionary ruler of Baroda.-Legend:Years ago in Padampur,...
, Movie Director
- Miss Kumari
-Early life:Miss Kumari, whose real name was Thresiamma, was born on 1 June 1932 at Bharananganam in Kottayam District, in the Kerala state of India.-Malayalam cinema:...
, late Malayalam actress
- Joseph Kakkattil (Cherupuspam Kochettan), Movie Producer & Studio Owner
- Mani C Kappen, Movie Producer
- Suvarna Actress
- Rimi Tomy Singer
- Chanchal
-Geography:Chanchal is located at . Chanchal is the headquarters of the Chanchal subdivision. Also, the headquarters of the Chanchal–I CD block is here....
Actress
- Issac Thomas Kottukapally, National Award Winning Music Composer & Director
Science
- K.L. Sebastian
Prof. K. L. Sebastian is a Professor of chemistry at the department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.-Career:...
, winner of S.S. Bhatnagar Prize in Chemistry.
- Dr. A.M.Michael, Director, Agricultural Institute of India
Journalist
- Jose Panachippuram
Jose Panachippuram is a noted short story writer and journalist in Malayalam. He is presently working as the associate editor of Malayala Manorama daily...
, Associate Editor, Malayala Manorama daily
- George Kallivayalil, Chief of Bureau, New Delhi, Deepika Daily
- Rogen Joseph,Editor,Engineers World
- Eby J Jose Editor, Gulf Life Magazine
- T.Devaprasad, Deepika Daily, Tvpm
Education
Colleges in Pala are affiliated to the
Mahatma Gandhi UniversityMahatma Gandhi University, also known as M G University, was established on 2 October 1983 in Kottayam. The University Grants Commission of India does not believe that the names of Indian universities should be unique, so another UGC-recognized government-run Mahatma Gandhi University was...
, Kottayam. Educational institutes here are hubs of sports excellence. Famous international
volleyballVolleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
player
Jimmy GeorgeJimmy George is often considered one of the greatest Indian volleyball players of all time...
was an alumnus of St. Thomas College.
OlympianThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
Shiny Wilson is an alumnus of Alphonsa College. Many institutions are run under the management of the Diocese of Pala.
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Colleges
- St. Thomas College, Pala
St. Thomas College, Pala was founded on 7th August 1950 by the Diocese of Palai, one of the leading educational institutions in Kerala. The College was accredited at Four Star level by NAAC in 2000 and is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. It is recognized under section 2 and 12B of...
- Alphonsa College, Pala
- Deva Matha College, Kuravilangad
- Government Polytechnic College, Pala
- BVM Holy Cross College, Cherpunkal
- Co-operative Engineering College, Kidnangoor
- College of engineering Poonjar
- St. Joseph's College of Engineering and Technology, Pala
- Mar Sleeba Nursing School, Cherpunkal
- Mangalam college of Engineering, Ettumanoor
- Mar Augusthinose college, Ramapuram
Schools
- St. Augustine's HSS, Ramapuram (Kerala Board)
- Chavara CMI International School, Ramapuram (ICSE&ISC)
- Government HSS, Pala (Kerala Board)
- St. Thomas HSS, Pala (Kerala Board)
- St. Mary's HSS, Pala (Kerala Board)
- St. Thomas HS, Marangattupilly (Kerala Board)
- St. Antonys's HSS, Mutholy (Kerala Board)
- Holy Cross HSS, Cherpunkal (Kerala Board)
- Alphonsa Residential School Bharanganam (ICSE)
- St. Vincent HSS, Pala (ICSE)
- Chavara Junior College (CBSE)
- St. J.N.HSS, Kozhuvanal (Kerala Board)
{{col-2}}
- St.Sebastins Hsaa Kadanad {Kerala Board}
- St.Josph's HS Manathot {Kerala Board}
- Labour India Gurukulam public school [cbse]
- St. Antony's HSS, Plassanal (Kerala Board)
- St. Mary's HSS, Kidangoor
- NSS HSS Kdangoor
- St.Michael's H.S. Pravithanam
- S. V NSS HS Edanad
Demographics
{{As of|2001}} India
censusA 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...
, Pala had a population of 22,640. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pala has an average literacy rate of 98%, higher than the national average of 73%: male literacy is 98.5%, and female literacy is 97.8%, still much lower than the state average. This is thought to be because of the plantation industry influence despite having large number of schools. In Pala, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
A Rare Social Model
Although Palai is very much associated with
rubberNatural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
cultivation, the widespread cultivation of rubber started here only around the middle of 20th century. But Palai was into agriculture decades - or even centuries - before that. Until rubber came, farming in Palai was of the composite type, i.e. all crops were inter-planted in all fields by everyone. Typically, all fields had several tiers of plants. Big trees like
CoconutThe coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
,
JackfruitThe jackfruit is a species of tree in the Artocarpus genus of the mulberry family . It is native to parts of Southern and Southeast Asia. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh, . The jackfruit tree is believed to be indigenous to the southwestern rain forests of India...
,
MangoThe mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While...
etc. were there at the upper-most level, followed by other plants of medium height that supported pepper vines. Then the banana plants were there, followed by tubers like
tapiocaTapioca is a starch extracted Manihot esculenta. This species, native to the Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and most of the West Indies, is now cultivated worldwide and has many names, including cassava, manioc, aipim,...
,
yamYam is the common name for some species in the genus Dioscorea . These are perennial herbaceous vines cultivated for the consumption of their starchy tubers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania...
,
sweet potatoThe sweet potato is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots are an important root vegetable. The young leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten as greens. Of the approximately 50 genera and more than 1,000 species of...
etc. These were staple items then. Further, there were the home-grown vegetables like lady's fingers, egg plant, different varieties of
gourdA gourd is a plant of the family Cucurbitaceae. Gourd is occasionally used to describe crops like cucumbers, squash, luffas, and melons. The term 'gourd' however, can more specifically, refer to the plants of the two Cucurbitaceae genera Lagenaria and Cucurbita or also to their hollow dried out shell...
etc. Finally, at the ground level, there were the shrub-like plants like
gingerGinger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family . Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal....
,
turmericTurmeric is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is native to tropical South Asia and needs temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive...
etc. This form of composite cultivation, though required hard work throughout the year, was a self-supporting one.
Another feature of Palai is that the place was colonized centuries ago by people migrating from the plains in search of land, and with the hope of making a living - if not a fortune - by 'taming' the land. It was a sort of "wild west". Many among the new migrants perished in the hostile environment, but those who survived became well off. Also, there were no "landless labor" that was common in other parts of
Keralaor 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....
. There was a practice called "Kilachupaathy" (ploughed half) - also called "Vechupaathy" (kept half) - in which owners of large tracts of undeveloped land gave land to those willing to develop it, who in turn are allowed to keep half the land as their own after developing it, and only the other half need to be returned to the original owner. As a result of this novel practice, everyone was the owner of a small parcel of land that he cultivated himself. On the one hand, the cultivation of tapioca and other tuber crops saved the people from poverty and famines that affected other places, while on the other, the dispersed land holding helped to reduce disparities in income levels. A unique type of egalitarian social set up therefore emerged. This also prevented extremist ideologies from making inroads into Palai.
Even now Palai is one of the few places where the rich are not addressed as "Muthalali" (rich man). Instead, the common form of addressing is "Chettan" (elder brother). Those younger than you are simply called by their names, irrespective of their position, wealth or social standing. Only those in the bureaucracy or the professions are addressed by a polite "sir". One is reminded of the practice in
Gujarat where all the elderly are addressed by even kids as simply "bhai" (elder brother) even if he happens to be the prime minister. The dominant presence of
Syrian Malabar NasraniThe Syrian Malabar Nasrani people, also known as Saint Thomas Christians, "'Nasrani Mappila'" and Nasranis, are an ethnoreligious group from Kerala, India, adhering to the various churches of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition...
Christians here also would have played a role in bringing about this unique social set up in Palai.
Social change which swept the rest of
Keralaor 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....
naturally affected Palai also. In the second half the 20th century, as income from land got divided among the many children in each family, the more enterprising among them started the second wave of migration - this time to the high ranges in Idukki district and to the northern Malabar region of
Keralaor 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....
. Many of today's residents in those regions confirm that their ancestors came from places in and around Palai. The 1960s saw another development. As education became common, many young boys and girls from even middle class families started going to Europe, USA, UK,
AustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and
New ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
to work as Registered Nurses and other medical support staff. This brought great prosperity to a section of population. This was followed by the so-called "Gulf Boom" in which, though late, even many from Palai also joined. As the price of rubber became erratic there was massive influx into government jobs too. The 1990s saw children from every family trying to get a job, preferably an overseas job. The advent of the
Information TechnologyInformation technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
boom made the dreams of many come true.
Records and Achievements
Meenachil Taluk, of which Pala town is the headquarters, has the unique distinction of holding innumerable records. It is amazing that a rather remote Taluk located in the hilly inland could achieve so much.
World Records:
- The Christian parish that is home to the largest number of priests in the world – Kozhuvanal
is a town in Meenachil, in the district of Kottayam in Kerala, India.Kozhuvanal main centre of Kozhuvanal Panchayat. It has amenities including a school, post office, hospital, church, temple and stationary shops.It can be called the financial capital of neighboring [areas.It has private as well as...
Parish, Pala Diocese (101 priests).
- Promoter of one of the world's ten best Resort Hotels selected by the world's leading travel magazine – Dominic Joseph Kuruvinakkunnel (Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam , in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala.-Environment:...
of Casino CGH Earth Group of Hotels).
National Records:
- India's only dalit President – K R Narayanan (1997).
- First Indian to become Economic Advisor to Government of India – Dr P J Thomas (1942).
- India's first and only Taluk to produce one President/Vice-President, two State Governors, one State Chief Minister and one Ambassador – K R Narayanan, K M Chandy, M M Jacob, P K Vasudevan Nair & Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai.
- Longest term as Finance Minister of a State in India – K M Mani (7 years).
- Longest term as State Governor in India – M M Jacob (12 years).
- Highest number of Bishops from a Diocese in India – Pala Diocese.
- The first travelogue in an Indian language – "Varthamana Pusthakam
Varthamana Pusthakam or Varthamanapusthakam was written by Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar is the first travelogue written in Malayalam Language.It gives the history of the journey between Malabar to Rome via Lisbon and there return journey....
" by Paremmakkal Thoma KathanarParemmakkal Thoma Kathanar is the author of Varthamanapusthakam , the first ever travelogue in an Indian language . He was Administrator of the Archdiocese of Cranganore from 1786 till his death....
(eighteenth century).
- The first native Indian Roman Catholic (and the only Syro Malabar Catholic) Saint – St. Alphonsa.
- Author of the first encyclopaedia in an Indian language – Mathew M Kuzhively Syrian Malabar Nasrani
The Syrian Malabar Nasrani people, also known as Saint Thomas Christians, "'Nasrani Mappila'" and Nasranis, are an ethnoreligious group from Kerala, India, adhering to the various churches of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition...
.
- First head of a Homoeo Medical Dept. of a State in India – Dr K Z George (1973).
- First Bank to open a branch in India's capital New Delhi – Palai Central Bank
Palai Central Bank was a commercial bank that functioned with its headquarters in Kerala, South India during the middle of last century. Although it was started in a small remote town, the Bank grew up to become not only the biggest bank but the biggest institution in Kerala, after the state...
(1932).
- Maker of India's largest selling medicinal toilet soap – C R Kesavan Vaidyan (Chandrika Soap).
State Records:
- First and only President/Vice-President from Kerala – K R Narayanan (1997/1992).
- First Speaker of the State since Independence – R V Thomas
R v Thomas was an Australian court case decided in the Victorian Court of Appeal on 18 August 2006. It concerned the conviction in February 2006 of Joseph Thomas on terrorism-related charges, specifically receiving funds from Al Qaeda...
(1948).
- Longest continuous term as MLA of the State – K M Mani (1965 onwards)
- One of the first two from the State to be beatified by Catholic church – St Alphonsa (1986).
- Promoter of the institution that was the largest in the State for over three decades – Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom
Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom was an outstanding entrepreneur of Kerala, India. He made pioneering ventures in diverse spheres during the first half of the 20th century, and was a major figure in the financial and social arena of the State for nearly fifty years.He was born in 1884 in Palai, a small...
- Palai Central BankPalai Central Bank was a commercial bank that functioned with its headquarters in Kerala, South India during the middle of last century. Although it was started in a small remote town, the Bank grew up to become not only the biggest bank but the biggest institution in Kerala, after the state...
(1927–60).
- First and foremost sports promoter of the State – Col. G.V. Raja.
- First company promoter of the State to make a public issue of shares of a plantation company – J Thomas Kayalackakom - Mysore Plantations Ltd (1943).
- First person to run a Star Hotel in the State – Dominic Joseph Kuruvinakkunnel - Malabar Hotel, Cochin (1962).
- First Liquor Baron of the State – Joseph Michael Manarkattu (1980s).
- First Stock Broker's Firm in the State – Kayalackakom Company (1946).
- First person from the State to dominate the multi-crore Forward Trade (Satta Bazar) in spices – M O Devasia Mattathil (1970s).
- First lady athlete of Kerala to win Asian Games gold medal – M D Valsamma (1982)
- One of the first two women IPS officers from the State – B. Sandhya
B. Sandhya is the Inspector General of Kerala Police in India. She is also a painter, writer and author of few published books.The International Association of Women Police , based in USA recently awarded Sandhya Bharatdas an award and scholarship of distinction. This award was given in addition...
IPS (1994).
- First MBA degree holder of Kerala – K M George Kayalackakom - New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(1948).
- First Christian Mahakavi and Editor of one of the oldest literary magazines in Malayalam – Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai
Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai was a Malayalam poet. His magnum opus is the epic poem Shreeyeshu Vijayam composed over a span of 15 years, and finished in the year 1926, which earned him the title of Mahakavi. He was the Editor of Vijnaana Rathnaakaram, one of the early literary magazines in the...
- Sreeyesu Vijayam (1926) & Vijnaana Rathnaakaram"Vijnaana Rathnaakaram" was a literary magazine started in 1913 in the old Native State of Travancore, India. J Thomas Kayalackakom was its founder publisher and Mahakavi Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai was its Editor. It was the second literary magazine of Travancore, and one of the early such...
(1913).
- First person to introduce the ‘Vanchippaattu’ branch of Malayalam poetry – Ramapurathu Warrier
Ramapurathu Warrier is considered to be the pioneer of the "Vanchipattu" or Boatsong form of poetry in Malayalam language.He was born in Ramapuram, near Palai, in Meenachil Taluk, Kottayam District, Kerala. He was a courtier of two successive Kings of Travancore, viz...
- Kuchelavritham (18th century).
- First editor of a Malayalam Newspaper – Nidhiry Mani Kathanar
Nidhiry Mani Kathanar alias Fr. Emmanuel Nidhiri was a colossus in the history of the Syrian Malabar Nasrani church in Kerala. He led the community against a fearless fight against the European hegemony over the Nasrani Christians...
- Nasrani Deepika (1887).
- First bridge constructed by private individuals - Puzhakkara Bridge - 80 ft*16 ft (Constructed in 1998 by P.A Kuriakose and brothers John and Joseph, Puzhakkara family).[Page10, 15 June 1998 Malayala Manorama Daily, Business Deepika 15-21, 1999].
- First Queen of the Malayalam silver screen: Miss Kumari
-Early life:Miss Kumari, whose real name was Thresiamma, was born on 1 June 1932 at Bharananganam in Kottayam District, in the Kerala state of India.-Malayalam cinema:...
- First candle manufacturing company in Kerala:THE LITTLE FLOWER CANDLE WORKS PALAI Estd.1939 Mg.Prop.J Thomas Chavara Palai
- Foremost entrance coaching institution of Kerala: Brilliant Study Centre
Pala Related Websites
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