60-657: Kozhaa Sree Narasimhaswami Temple is a Hindu shrine at Kozha, in the village of Kuravilangad , Kottayam , Kerala , in India . The temple is dedicated to Narasimha , the fourth incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu . Kozha is about 23 kilometres (14 mi) north-east of Kottayam and about 27 kilometres (17 mi) east of the pilgrim town of Vaikom. The belief is that it is the only swayambhu (self-manifested) idol of Narasimha in Kerala. Till circa 1752 CE, Kozha, mostly uninhabited and wooded,
120-425: A man (human being), a deva (a divine being)), an animal or anything animate or inanimate. Obviously deva in this context meant demigods. Another boon was that he could not be done away with - in the air or on earth or indoors or outdoors or during day or night. Insulated as he was with these boons, Hiranyakashipu conquered the whole universe and even dethroned Indra, the king of Swarga (the world of deva s and
180-550: A region called Kuzhamur at Kuttanad in the ancient Tamilakam and were sometimes known as the Kuttuvans . The Chera dynasty is mentioned as Keralaputras in the inscriptions of the emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Empire (322 BCE – 184 BCE). The province Kuttanad of the ancient kingdom of Keralaputras included the modern-day districts of Kottayam , Ernakulam , Idukki , and parts of Alappuzha , which can be defined as
240-630: A result of the continuous war that occurred between the Chera Perumals and the Medieval Cholas throughout the 11th century CE. The Vazhappally copper plate (c. 882/83 CE ) is a copper plate inscription written in Old Malayalam language that dates back to the 9th century CE found at Vazhappally in Kottayam district. Recent scholarship puts the date of the plate in c. 882/83 CE. The inscription
300-450: A work which belongs to the Malayalam literature written during early decades of the 14th century CE, contains a short geographical and political description of the regions and the medieval feudal states that lied between Kaduthuruthy and Thiruvananthapuram . It contains details about the medieval kingdoms of Thekkumkur (1102–1749) and Vadakkumkur (1102–1750) those together constitute
360-628: Is an Indian town located in the northern part of the Kottayam district in Kerala . It is situated in the Meenachil taluk , about 22 km north of the district capital Kottayam and 17 km west of the municipal town Pala . Kuravilangad is the largest town in the northern side of the Kottayam district . It includes the entire Kuravilangad panchayath, including Thottuva , Kappumthala , Vakkad, Kurianad, Mannakkanad , Elakkad , and Kalathoor. Kuravilangad
420-428: Is divided into two revenue divisions which together incorporate five Taluks within them. Kottayam district is divided into 100 revenue villages for the ease and decentralisation of its revenue administration. They are further incorporated into 5 taluks as eludicated below. The major towns of the district include: Kottayam has a mountainous terrain as well as low-lying areas very close to sea level. Depending on
480-701: Is engraved on a single copper plate (with five lines on both sides) in an early form of the Old Malayalam language in Vatteluttu script with some Grantha characters . The contents of the plate are incomplete. The inscription was discovered by V. Srinivasa Sastri from Thalamana Illam near Changanassery . The plate is owned by Muvidathu Madom , Thiruvalla . The record is dated to the twelfth regnal year of Chera Perumal king Rama Rajasekhara (882/83 CE). Inscriptions related to Rama Kulasekhara (1089–1123 CE) of Chera Perumal dynasty can be found at Perunna near Changanassery . The Perunna inscription dates back to
540-506: Is famous for Ambal fest. Kottayam is linked by major roads and rail to other prominent cities in Kerala , and also by waterways allowing for waterborne travel. The Kottayam Kumali, Ettumanoor-Ernakulam, Kottayam-Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla-Kidangoor Central Kerala Bypass, and MC road are the major roads in the district. The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport . SWTD operates ferry services from different parts of
600-709: Is known for the Marian pilgrim center, St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Major Archepiscopal Church , founded in 105 AD according to tradition, and the Kozha Sree Narasimhaswami Temple . Kuravilangad is the local hub of education, which caters education to students from both Kottayam and Ernakulam District. Notable educational institutes include Deva Matha College, Kuravilangad St Marys's HS, St. Anne's HSS, De Paul HSS, Chavara Hills High School, and St. Marys Girls High School. Sreekanth murali Kottayam district Kottayam ( IPA: [koːʈːɐjɐm] )
660-559: Is one of 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala . Kottayam district comprises six municipal towns: Kottayam , Changanassery , Pala , Erattupetta , Ettumanoor , and Vaikom . It is the only district in Kerala that does not border either the Arabian Sea or another Indian state. The district is bordered by hills in the east, and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on
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#1732859248457720-539: Is received in Kottayam. December, January, and February are cooler, while March, April, and May are warmer. The highest temperature recorded in Kottayam was 38.5 °C on 6 April 1998, and the lowest was 15 °C on 13 December 2000. The Kottayam district experienced intense red rainfall in 2001, during which the rain was colored red, yellow, green, and black. Kottayam has a network of rivers, backwaters , ancient religious places, and hill stations. Local tourist places include: Malarikkal and Panachikkad in Kottayam
780-698: The CMS College Kottayam in 1815 as the first Western style institute of higher education in India. The region progressed much in its literacy rate by the end of the 19th century CE. It became one of the most literate regions in the British Indian Empire by 1860. Due to its remarkable progress in the fields of literacy, education, and printing, many early newspapers and magazines in Malayalam such as Deepika (1887) and Malayala Manorama (1888) were established in Kottayam . The same period also saw
840-557: The Chera dynasty began to expand towards the northern and the eastern regions of Kuttanad by conquering the provinces of Kudanadu and Kongu Nadu . Afterwards the dynasty got split into three branches and fixed their capitals at Muziris , Tyndis , and Caroura , respectively, as seen in the ancient Greco-Roman travelogues as well as the Old Tamil literary works of the Sangam period . During
900-534: The Divan Peshkars gave way to district collectors , paving the way for the birth of the Kottayam district on 1 July 1949. The erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin was reorganized into Thrissur district and Taluks of North Paravur and Kunnathunad were transferred to that district. Similarly the Cherthala Taluk was transferred into the newly formed Kollam district on 1 July 1949. The High Range division of
960-539: The Indian Orthodox Church . The name Kottayam is a combination of the words "kotta" and "akam" in the local language of Malayalam , meaning "interior of a fort". A substantial portion of Kottayam district may have been under the Arabian Sea during prehistoric times. Marine fossils have been found in an area near Changanassery , thus supporting the hypothesis. However, there are archaeological evidences of
1020-617: The Kingdom of Cochin and the Kingdom of Odanad ( Kayamkulam ) against the military invasions of the kingdom of Travancore into its northern kingdoms that occurred during the 1740s. As a result, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma , the architect of the modern Travancore, attacked and annexed the kingdom of Thekkumkur into Travancore in 1749 during the Battle of Changanassery , after his annexation of Kayamkulam in 1746. The Thekkumkur king took refuge in
1080-622: The Taluks of North Paravur , Kunnathunad , Muvattupuzha , Thodupuzha , Meenachil , Changanassery , Kottayam , Vaikom , and Cherthala in 1931. At the time of the integration of the state of Travancore and Cochin into the state of Travancore-Cochin in 1949 following the integration of the British Princely states of Travancore and Cochin into the Dominion of India , the erstwhile revenue divisions were reorganised into districts and
1140-616: The Travancore civil service irrespective of their caste and religion. Vaikom Satyagraha , a protest against caste discrimination , took place in Kottayam district in 1924. The district also participated in the protests for responsible government in Travancore, which ended with the overthrow of Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer , who was the Divan of the British princely state of Travancore in 1947. During
1200-759: The Travancorean administration, the British princely state of Travancore was divided into four revenue divisions- the Northern division headquartered at Kottayam , the Central division headquartered at Kollam , the Southern division headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram , and the High Range division with its headquarters at Devikulam . Kottayam was the headquarters of the northernmost revenue division in Travancore which included
1260-606: The Western Ghats and sought political asylum in Kerala . Manavikrama purchased a vast tract of land bordering the Pandyan territories, from the ruler of Thekkumkur which comprised the Meenachil taluk the regions of Poonjar , Erattupeta, Pala, Patthanamthitta, Thodupuzha, etc. along with the High Range region of modern-day Idukki district in 1160 CE, which originally belonged to the Thekkumkur Rajas. This incident commenced
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#17328592484571320-529: The 16th century CE. The Dutch Malabar who became an influential power in the territory of Vadakkumkur during the 17th century CE and the first half of the 18th century CE had a trade centre at Vechoor (in Vaikom taluk ) in Vadakkumkur. The Kingdom of Kizhmalanadu (1102–1600), which had included the modern-day Taluks of Muvattupuzha and Thodupuzha with its headquarters at Karikode near Thodupuzha, merged with
1380-571: The Kannan Devan plantation (125000 acres)leased to John Monroe, and subsequently transferred to Tata Finlay, and finally to Tata Tea was not relinquished by the Poonjar royal family. This was established by a court challenge to the status, which was resolved by a Kerala High Court order in the early 1990s. The order was in favor of the Poonjar royal family establishing ownership.The lease terms are currently being fulfilled with regards to lease payments as per
1440-790: The Kottayam district. The ferry service from Vaikom to Thavanakkadavu in the Alappuzha district is the longest. India's first solar ferry service boat, 'Adhithya', operates from Vaikom. Kottayam city is the administrative headquarters of the Kottayam district. The district is divided into two revenue divisions- Kottayam and Pala. There are 6 municipal towns in the district. They are: There are three Lok Sabha constituencies in Kottayam district: Kottayam (6 assembly constituencies), Pathanamthitta (2 assembly constituencies, i.e., Kanjirappally and Poonjar) and Mavelikara (1 assembly constituency, i.e., Changanassery). There are nine Kerala Legislative Assembly seats in Kottayam district. The district
1500-419: The abode of liberated souls from earth). He declared himself to be the almighty and decimated whoever choosing to accept Narayana (or Vishnu, another supreme being of the trinity and lord of maintenance and sustenance of the universe) as his lord. The word ‘Narayana’ in paeans, panegyrics and prayers was replaced by Hiranyakashipu with his own name. (The asur s in purana s pay obeisance only to Brahma and Siva,
1560-498: The beginning of the Poonjar dynasty . They were a sovereign state. Though disputed, the territory of Poonjar was claimed by the Kingdom of Travancore in 1899 AD. Travancore claimed that the sovereignty reverted to them following the annexation of the principalities of Thekkumkur and Vadakkumkur in 1749–1750. The land ownership was not disputed. The Kannan Devan Hills on the High Range region were given on lease on 11 July 1877 by
1620-561: The commencement of Kerala reformation movement with an aim to eradicate the Untouchability , inequality, and the irrational practices existed in the Kerala society for many centuries which ultimately led to the movements like the Vaikom Satyagraha (1924). Kottayam has been involved in a number of political movements, including the 'Malayali Memorial' movement. The goal of the movement was to seek more representation for Malayalis in
1680-469: The district, which later led to a transformation in the social structure of the region after the 10th century CE. The ancient prominent religions in the district like Buddhism began to vanish after the 10th century CE. Sri Mulavasam was a prominent centre of Buddhism in the Indian peninsula until the early medieval period, prior to the Chera-Chola wars of the 11th century CE. The regions included in
1740-474: The early human inhabitation period of this district, including ancient fossils, stone inscriptions and monuments, in the archeological sites like the excavation sites, the caves, the temples, etc. The literary works of the Sangam period also help to take a look into the ancient period of the district. Early members of the Chera dynasty (first few centuries of the Common Era ) had their original headquarters in
1800-399: The erstwhile Travancore was merged with the remaining Taluks of the erstwhile Kottayam division to form the Kottayam district as a part of the inauguration of the new Indian state of Travancore-Cochin on 1 July 1949. The new district of Kottayam at that time contained eight Taluks – Changanassery, Kottayam, Vaikom, Meenachil, Muvattupuzha, Thodupuzha, Devikulam, and Peerumede. As a part of
1860-504: The formation of the new Indian state of Kerala according to the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 , many jurisdictional changes were done in the district. Two new Taluks, namely Kanjirappally (from Changanassery and Thiruvalla) and Udumbanchola (from Devikulam and Peerumede) were carved out on 1 October 1956. After a month, a new Taluk called Kuttanad was carved out from Changanassery and Ambalappuzha . The Kuttanad Taluk
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1920-469: The forms of Kiratha and his consort) situated near the Narasimhaswami temple, lends credence to the story. The region is generally Shaivaite. Few Vishnu/Krishna temples suggest later influence of Vaishnavism. Puranas speak of Hiranyakashipu , an asur (demon), who had acquired special boons from Brahma , the creator among the trinity of the Hindu pantheon. One of the boons was that he be not killed by
1980-505: The kingdom of Thekkumkur . It included the modern-day Taluks of Changanassery , Kanjirappally , Kottayam , and Thiruvalla . The kings of the Thekkumkur dynasty are described by the titles Bimbaleeshas and Manikandas in the Sanskrit literary works. Vennimala and Manikandapuram were the early headquarters of the Thekkumkur dynasty. Later it was transferred to Thazhathangady near
2040-432: The kingdom of Vadakkumkur around 1600 CE. Vadakkumkur Raja was also a part of the combined military alliance formed by the kingdoms of Odanad (Kayamkulam), Thekkumkur , and Cochin against the expansion of Travancore into the northern territories. As a result, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma , the architect of the modern Travancore, attacked and annexed Vadakkumkur in 1750. The Vadakkumkur Raja sought asylum in
2100-518: The kingdom of the Zamorin of Calicut following his defeat in the battle. Vadakkumkur was the northern branch of the erstwhile province of Vempolinadu which attained political autonomy in 1102 CE after the collapse of the Chera Perumals of Mahodayapuram. The rulers of this dynasty were also known by the titles Bimbaleeshas and Manikandas in the contemporary Sanskrit works just like their Thekkumkur counterparts. The kingdom of Vadakkumkur included
2160-551: The kingdom of the Zamorin of Calicut. Later he returned back into Travancore. In 1157 CE , Kulothunga Chola , who belonged to the lineage of the Medieval Cholas , entered into a war with Manavikrama Kulasekhara Perumal, who belonged to the Pandya dynasty of Madurai . Upon the failure in the battle, Manavikrama appointed his brother Maravarman Sreevallabha as the monarch of the Pandya dynasty and left Madurai with his family and some of his trusted servants. Manavikrama crossed
2220-439: The latter being the third of the trinity entrusted with cosmic destruction. The trinity is at the top of the hierarchy of the pantheon). The demon had tried to kill even his own son Prahlada who was a pious devotee of Vishnu; and on all such occasions, he was saved by the divine interference of the lord Vishnu, without manifesting himself on the scene. Hiranyakashipu's atrocities and misdemeanors began bothering even Brahma and upon
2280-434: The latter's request, Vishnu agreed to kill the demon king. Vishnu, whose opportune incarnations were always for ensuring peace and orderliness in the universe, took the form of Narasimha (half man-half lion). The half man-half lion entity, an annihilator not envisaged in the boon, pounced on Hiranyakashipu at twilight (when it was neither day nor night) as the demon king was furiously admonishing his son Prahlad during one of
2340-480: The location, different varieties of food and cash crops are cultivated. Rice is the principal crop extensively cultivated in low-lying regions like Vaikom and Upper Kuttanad . The district occupies third place in the production of rice in Kerala behind Palakkad and Alappuzha . Although it is the staple food of the people, the area under cultivation is dwindling due to more lucrative cash crops such as rubber plantations for which Kottayam significantly contributes to
2400-612: The modern district of Kottayam . The writings and the records of the Portuguese as well as the Dutch , who visited and interfered in the political affairs of the district after the Age of Discovery (1498 CE), such as the Hortus Malabaricus , contain significant information about the geographical and the political conditions of the region during the late medieval period. The area included in
2460-559: The modern-day Taluks of Ettumanoor and Vaikom along with a portion of the Meenachil Taluk. Kaduthuruthy was the earlier headquarters of the Vadakkumkur dynasty which was later transferred into Vaikom . Vadakkumkur was a vassal state of the Kingdom of Cochin until 1750. The Portuguese explorers described Vadakkumkur as "The Pepper country" due to the availability and high scale production of good quality pepper there during
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2520-476: The modern-day district of Kottayam is described well in the medieval Kerala literature which includes works written in both Malayalam and Sanskrit . The 14th century Sanskrit work Sukasandesam describes about Kaduthuruthy . Similarly the 17th century Sanskrit work Bhramara Sandesam contains details about Kumaranalloor and Vaikom . The 18th century Sanskrit literary work Chathaka Sandesam also contains references to Vaikom . Unnuneeli Sandesam ,
2580-539: The modern-day district of Kottayam was part of three Nadus (provinces) during the period of the Chera Perumals of Mahodayapuram (800–1102 CE ) for nearly three centuries. The region around the city of Kottayam was known as Munjunadu , while the Vaikom - Meenachil region, which lies to the north of Munjunadu was included in a province called Vempolinadu (known as Bimbali Desam in Sanskrit). The third province
2640-478: The original deed. Entire portion of the modern-day district of Kottayam became part of the erstwhile British princely state of Travancore by 1750 CE. This era marked considerable progress and social reformation in all spheres. The Church Mission Society press at Kottayam was established in 1821 by Rev. Benjamin Baily , a British missionary, as the first printing press in Kerala . They had also established
2700-411: The overall rubber production in India. Kottayam is India's largest rubber producer. Rubber trees provide a stable income for farmers and the climate is ideal for rubber plantations. Though the highlands are more suitable, cultivation has spread to almost all regions. Other crops cultivated include tapiocas, coconuts, peppers, and vegetables. To enhance rubber productivity, the government of India has set up
2760-432: The prayers of Prahlada. It is in this form that He is worshipped at Kozha temple, showering his blessings. He is invoked by His devotees to fend off dangers and there are testimonies of people who were saved by Him. As per legends, it is one of the most ancient temples of Kerala with Narasimha (or Narasimha Murthy as he is reverentially addressed. Murthy = divine entity) as its main deity. Kuravilangad Kuravilangad
2820-421: The quartet of sages Sanaka, Sananda, Sadananda and Sanat Kumara. Even after killing Hiranyakashipu, Narasimha could not control his extreme fury. None of the divine beings present including Vishnu's consort Lakshmi, were able to calm down him. Then, at the request of Narada, Prahlada was ushered to Narasimha and finally, he was calmed by the prayers of his devotee. Narasimha was all benevolence embodied following
2880-535: The rainy season. Kottayam gets rain from two monsoon seasons, the south-west monsoon and the north-east monsoon, and accumulates an average rainfall of around 3600 mm per year. The south-west monsoon starts in June and ends in September, and the north-east monsoon season is from October to November. Pre-monsoon rains from March to May are accompanied by thunder and lightning; the highest rainfall during this period in Kerala
2940-467: The region between the rivers Periyar and Pamba . It was bounded by the Ay kingdom to the south, which included the regions between Pamba River and Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), and the province of Kudanad , which lies between the rivers Periyar and Chaliyar (modern-day districts of Thrissur , Palakkad , and Malappuram ), to the north. It was during the reign of Uthiyan Cheralathan (105–130 CE) that
3000-726: The reign of Narmudi Cheral , the regions included in the Kingdom of Ezhimala was also added to the Chera empire. The ancient Chera empire collapsed due to the continuous invasions carried out by the Kalabhras , the Pallavas , the Chalukyas , the Pandyas , and the Rashtrakutas during the period between 500 CE and 800 CE for nearly three centuries. This era marked the migration of Nambudiri Brahmins into
3060-493: The report published by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative and UNDP for districts across India. The district's headquarters are based in the city of Kottayam. Hindustan Newsprint Limited and Rubber Board are two central government organizations located in the district. The headquarters of two religious communities in Kerala are also in the Kottayam District: Nair Service Society and
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#17328592484573120-621: The ruler of the Poonjar dynasty to John Daniel Munroe from London and for tea plantations . The land and the plantations were later resumed by the Government of Kerala through the Kannan Devan Hills (Resumption Of Lands) Act, 1971. However, the act only addressed the issue of sovereignty which was taken over by the State of Kerala with the accession of Travancore to the Union of India. The ownership of
3180-410: The torture sessions for his continued devotion to Vishnu. Sitting on the threshold of his palace (neither indoors nor out), Narasimha then put the demon on his lap (neither earth nor space). It was disemboweled using his long sharp claw-like nails (neither animate nor inanimate) as weapon. The mighty asur thus met with his gory end, thereby attaining salvation which he was destined to as per the curse of
3240-493: The town of Kottayam . Thazhathangady is one of the places in Kerala where a church, a mosque, and a Hindu temple co-exist together, which points out the religious harmony that existed under the Thekkumkur Rajas . At times, the town of Changanassery acted as headquarters of the Thekkumkur dynasty. The Thekkumkur Rajas were vassals to the Kingdom of Cochin until the mid-18th century CE. Thekkumkur Rajas also allied with
3300-416: The west. The area's geographic features include paddy fields, highlands, and hills. As of the 2011 census, 28.6% of the district's residents live in urban areas, and it reports a 97.2% literacy rate . In 2008, the district became the first tobacco-free district in India. Kottayam registered the lowest Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) of zero among all districts of India, indicating no deprivation as per
3360-399: The year 1099 CE (the 10th regional year of Rama Kulasekhara). The province Vempolinadu ( Bimbali Desam ) of the Chera Perumals of Mahodayapuram attained political autonomy in 1102 CE following the Chera-Chola wars of the 11th century CE. The Vempolinadu royal family got evolved into two independent branches by the 12th century CE – the southern branch among them later came to be known as
3420-508: Was declared as the first town in India to achieve 100% literacy in 1989. The Multidimensional Poverty Index prepared by NITI Aayog based on the National Family Health Survey 2015–16 declared Kottayam as the first Indian district to achieve zero multidimensional poverty rate. There are no distinct seasons in Kottayam, as it has a tropical climate like that of the rest of Kerala. Humidity is high and rises to about 90% during
3480-549: Was part of the Vadakkumkoor principality. It is believed that it was a vanavedan (jungle-dwelling hunter) who happened to find the idol of Lord Narasimha in the jungles of what is now Kozha. The locals, with the blessings of the powers-that-be, consecrated the idol and over a period of time, it developed into a full-fledged shrine. Some people believe that he was not a real hunter but the Hindu god Shiva himself. The temple of Vettakkarumakan (son of Siva and Parvathy when they took
3540-574: Was the Nantuzhainadu which constitutes the modern-day Taluks of Changanassery and Thiruvalla . This period saw the decline of Buddhism and Jainism , which were once prominent in the region, along with the growth of Hinduism characterised by a large-scale migration of the Nambudiri Brahmins into the region. The territory of the Chera Perumals of Mahodayapuram disintegrated into several small feudal states by early 12th century CE as
3600-580: Was transferred into the newly formed Alappuzha district on 17 August 1957. The Taluks of Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha were transferred into the newly formed Ernakulam district on 1 April 1958. On 26 January 1972, the three High Range Taluks, namely Devikulam, Udumbanchola, and Peerumede, were separated from Kottayam district to form a new district called Idukki . The district of Kottayam took its current shape on 26 January 1972. Now it contains five Taluks- Changanassery , Kottayam , Vaikom , Meenachil , and Kanjirappally . The municipality of Kottayam
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