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72-507: Muttuchira is a village in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala , India. As of the 2001 India census , Muttuchira had a population of 14,303 with 7,022 males and 7,281 females. It is a quiet farming village with rubber plantations, coconut plantations, and paddy fields. The landscape is hilly and narrow and is inhabited by Christians and Hindus. Most people are employed in either the farming or service sector. In ancient records, Muttuchira

144-725: A Rubber Board as well as a rubber research institute in Kottayam. Jacob of Muttuchira Archdeacon Jacob was born to the Nadackal line of Pakalomattam family in Muttuchira. Traditionally it had been the privilege of the eldest priest belonging to Pakalomattam to be the Archdeacon of the Saint Thomas Christians. The position of Archdeacon is the highest clerical rank in the Church of

216-467: A granite tablet found in Muttuchira. The 'Muttuchira inscriptions' are inscriptions narrating about the installation of the free standing Cross and the Pahlavi inscribed bas relief cross, The 'Muttuchira Sliba'. The inscriptions are on a rectangular granite slab in two sections divided by a vertical line in between. According to Mr. T. K. Joseph, this inscription must be of AD 1581 or later. This tablet has been

288-579: 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

360-450: 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

432-428: 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

504-701: 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

576-554: 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

648-536: Is in the village. The village is part of Kaduthuruthy Gram Panchayat and Kaduthuruthy Assembly constituency. Saint Alphonsa of India was brought up in this village. The majority population are Syro-Malabar Catholics and some protestant Christians, but many Hindus also live in Muttuchira harmoniously. Holy Ghost Forane church, Muttuchira is one of the oldest churches in India. There is an ancient Pahlavi inscribed granite bas-relief cross found in Muttuchira. According to

720-539: 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

792-459: Is the main Church at Muttuchira today. In AD 1923, the old Rooha D Kudhisha Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Muttuchira on the eastern side of the present Church was renovated to rededicate it to Saint Francis of Assisi. During the renovations, the ancient Pahlavi inscribed Granite Sliva was rediscovered behind the wooden raredos-rathaal of the old church fixed to the eastern wall of the Madbaha. It

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864-650: 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

936-557: 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

1008-655: The Common Era ) had their original headquarters in 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

1080-534: 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

1152-617: 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

1224-560: The Muricken family of Muttuchira due to her mother's death upon her birth. Kottayam district Kottayam ( IPA: [koːʈːɐjɐm] ) 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

1296-622: 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

1368-616: 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

1440-759: 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

1512-657: 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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1584-529: 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

1656-554: 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 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

1728-580: The Bishop Alexander de Campo for the Catholic St. Thomas Christians on 1 February 1663 thus, they kept their Syro Chaldean rite of worship. Palliveettil Mar Chandy used the historic title 'The Metropolitan and the Gate of all India'. This title denotes a Quasi Patriarchal status with all India jurisdiction. Archdeacon Jacob of Muttuchira was a native of Muttuchira and was based in this church until his death. He

1800-518: The East after a bishop. He is the head of all the clerics belonging to a diocese and he is incharge of the cathedral church and represents the will of the bishop in his absence. Since India was an exterior province of the Church of the East and since the Patriarch reserved for himself the right to send Metropolitans to India, the effective ecclesiastical authority vested on the native Archdeacon. Archdeaconate

1872-585: The English translation of the inscription on the granite plaque: By the command of the lord in AD 1528 Mar Thana [Mar Denha] and Mar Avu [ Jacob Abuna ] along with Giwargis Padre, installed this Holy Cross in this place. After this, Giwargis padre went to Portugal along with his nephew Mathai padre. In AD 1580, kanni 13 sunday, on the day of the feast of Holy Cross, this mar Sliva was erected covered in wood, by Bishop Mar Simon and Jacob [Archdeacon Jacob] Padre. Same year, on

1944-571: 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

2016-790: 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

2088-779: The Malabar Christians until his death in 1597. Archdeacon Jacob maintained his authority and support among the native Christians even after Mar Simeon had been deported to Portugal. He maintained constant touch with Mar Simeon through letters in which Mar Simeon was addressed as the Metropolitan of India. He based his administration in Muttuchira and built the Prasu Church and rebuilt the older Church of Ruha D’ Qudisha. He also built churches at Kothanalloor , Elanji , and other regions. He refused to accept Mar Abraham, since numerous Latin innovations were already being interpolated into

2160-784: The Malabar rite under Mar Abraham's jurisdiction as prescribed by the Goan synods, in which Mar Abraham attended as instructed by the pope. Archdeacon Jacob rejected the Gregorian Calendar and taught his followers to recite the traditional Chaldean raza without the Latin interpolations. Dom Alexis de Menezes , the Archbishop of Goa and the mastermind of the Synod of Diamper , wrote to him that Mar Simeon had been convicted and his orders were declared invalid by

2232-459: The Muttuchita inscriptions. This Church was dedicated to Ruha D Kudisha- Holy Spirit. The Pahlavi inscribed granite Cross was transferred to this Church from the ancient Mar Sliba Church. Later, this sliba which was placed in the altar was covered by building a wooden raredos rathaal in front of it. In AD 1854-58 period, another Church was built in front the old Church dedicated to Ruha D Kudisha which

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2304-682: The Portuguese Padroado allowed Mar Joseph to occupy the see as the Metropolitan of the East Syriac Christians. Later Mar Abraham was captured and forced to confess Catholic faith and was sent back to Mesopotamia by the Portuguese missionaries. Following this, the Roman Catholic Inquisition also captured Mar Joseph and sent him to Lisbon from where he reached Rome to meet the pope. Mar Joseph returned to Malabar in 1564 but

2376-498: 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

2448-561: 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

2520-469: 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

2592-687: The district. The headquarters of two religious communities in Kerala are also in the Kottayam District: Nair Service Society and 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

2664-399: 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

2736-504: 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

2808-435: The hypothesis. However, there are archaeological evidences of 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

2880-505: 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

2952-432: 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

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3024-518: 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

3096-551: 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

3168-459: The local tradition, the Church at Muttuchira was founded in AD 510. It was probably located near the ancient open air rock cross at Kurisum-moodu, a little east of the present church dedicated to Mar Sleeba ( syriac:sliba meaning Holy Cross). It is probable that a new Church was built in the present Church compound on the Eastern side in AD 1528 by Mar Denha and Mar Abo ( Mar Jacob Abuna) as narrated on

3240-480: 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

3312-400: The lowest Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) of zero among all districts of India, indicating no deprivation as per 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

3384-612: 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

3456-559: 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

3528-476: 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 ,

3600-539: 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

3672-478: 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

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3744-411: 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

3816-399: The pope in Rome, in attempt to force the archdeacon to submit to the Papal authority and even offered him large promises and favours in return. But Archdeacon Jacob rejected Menezes' attempts and was finally excommunicated by Menezes. Archdeacon Jacob died in 1596 and was entombed in the old Ruha d'Qudisha Church (currently church of Saint Francis of Assisi) in Muttuchira. Following is

3888-472: The presence of the new bishop, the Portuguese missionaries allowed Mar Abraham to occupy the see. Mar Simeon was captured by Franciscan missionaries in 1584 and sent to Rome where his priestly orders were declared invalid and forced to remain until his death in 1559. Although the missionaries were successful in this, the presence of the rebellious Archdeacon Jacob who according to them resisted all attempts of latinisations, forced them to let Mar Abraham to govern

3960-436: 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

4032-423: 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

4104-423: 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

4176-413: The right to send bishops to India. Apparently, the first to send a prelate to India was the Nestorian Patriarch, Simeon VII Denkha . The prelate whom he sent was Mar Abraham, who must have reached Malabar before 1556. At the same time, Patriarch Abdisho IV Maron (1555-1567) sent Mar Joseph Sulaqa to Malabar. However Mar Joseph could not reach Malabar before 1558. Alerted by the presence of Mar Abraham,

4248-412: 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

4320-417: The subject of extensive research by many scholars. This granite slab was found on the western wall of the ground floor room of the two storey building attached to the northern side of the old Church of the Holy Ghost. The upper story was used as the Priest's Home and the ground floor was used as the sacristy. Muttuchira Sliba, the Pahlavi inscribed Cross is an invaluable monument of the Christian community that

4392-435: 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

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4464-399: 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

4536-420: Was a native of the Muttuchira parish, in the present central Kerala. As a priest his original name was Palliveettil Chandy Cathanar. He was consecrated Titular Bishop of Megara in Achala and Vicar Apostolic and Administrator of the Archbishopric of Cranganore on 31 January 1663, at Kaduthuruthy. He celebrated his first pontifical mass at Muttuchira church. Portuguese Bishop appointed Palliveettil Chandy Cathanar as

4608-486: Was again captured and deported to Rome by the Roman Catholic missionaries in 1567. Meanwhile, Mar Abraham was gone over to the Chaldean Catholic side and was consecrated as Catholic bishop and was sent to India with the approval of the pope. Since Mar Abraham had gone over to the Chaldaean Catholic side, the Nestorian Patriarch, Mar Eliah VI (1576-1591), sent another bishop, Mar Simeon, to Malabar in 1576. Mar Simeon appointed Jacob of Muttuchira as his Archdeacon. Alarmed by

4680-466: Was again neglected and transferred to the new Ruha D' Qudisha Church in a very unimportant place- back side of the wall of the facade in a corner, probably because of the interests of the Archaeological Department of the then Government of Travancore. Now, this invaluable monument of Saint Thomas Christians of Malabar has been placed in a side altar of the main Church. Muttuchira inscriptions are early Malayalam inscriptions- Vattezhuthu- Nanam Monum- on

4752-408: Was buried in the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi. He was appointed as Archdeacon by Mar Simon, the Chaldean Bishop who arrived in Malabar in 1576 AD during the time of Mar Abraham, as a rival. Mar Simon was sent to Rome but Archdeacon Jacob had followers until his death in 1596. Saint Alphonsa of India spent her early years in Muttuchira parish. Saint Alphonsa was brought up in her aunt's house,

4824-436: 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

4896-410: Was not just an ecclesiastical institution, but a socio-political and ethno-religious, princely authority, that represented the integrity of the Christian community of Hendo (India). Following the schism of 1552 , by which a faction of the Church of the East entered into obedience to the Holy See , both the Eliah Patriarchate ( Nestorian ) and the Shemon Patriarchate ( Chaldean Catholic ) contested for

4968-508: Was recorded as Nayappilli. Muttuchira got its name from a small check dam (chira) constructed in earlier times to irrigate paddy fields. It currently has a hospital (Muttuchira Holy Ghost Mission Hospital), a bank, an ATM, a Village Office, a post office, multiple churches (Holy Ghost Church), Temples (Kunnasheri Kave, Trikke), a Government Polytechnic, a nursing school, a girls high school, boys high school, LP & UP schools, Government Ayurveda dispensary and market. Kaduthuruthy Railway Halt

5040-459: 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

5112-449: Was the symbol of veneration of the ancient Christian settlement of Muttuchira. Muttuchira inscription tablet is another landmark monument which narrates installation of the Mar Thoma Sliva in the altar and the open air Rock Cross of Muttuchira Church is historically important. Palliveettil Chandy Metran belonged to the Palliveetti family at Muttuchira. He was Vicar of Kuravilangad Parish and later had Kuravilangad as his headquarters. He

5184-580: 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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