world.wikisort.org - India

Thodupuzha (തൊടുപുഴ) is a municipal town located in Idukki district, Kerala, India, that covers an area of 35.43 km² (13.68 sq mi).[2] It lies on the banks of Thodupuzha river, which merges with the Kaliyar and Kothamangalam rivers at Muvattupuzha to form the Muvattupuzha river. Thodupuzha is 53 km (33 mi) from Kottayam, 75 km (47 mi) from Kattappana and 60 km (37 mi) south east of Kochi. Thodupuzha is 197 km (122 mi) from the state capital, Trivandrum. The geographical classification of the Thodupuzha Region is Malanad or Keezhmalanad.

This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2021)

Thodupuzha തൊടുപുഴ Gateway of Highrange
Municipal town
Thodupuzha Civil Station Complex
Thodupuzha Location in Kerala, India Show map of Kerala Thodupuzha Thodupuzha (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 9.896918°N 76.7113°E / 9.896918; 76.7113
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Idukki
Government
• Type	First Grade Municipality
• Municipal Chairperson	Mrs Sicily Jose
Area
• Total	35.43 km2 (13.68 sq mi)
Elevation	40 m (130 ft)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	52,045
• Density	1,500/km2 (3,800/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	685584
Telephone code	04862
Vehicle registration	KL-38
Nearest city	Ernakulam, Kottayam, Muvattupuzha, Pala
Nearest Railway Stations	Piravam Road(PVRD) 38 km Ettumanoor (ETM) 45.9 km Thrippunithura (TRTR) 50.3 km Aluva (AWY) 54 km Kottayam (KTYM) 54.2 km Ernakulam Jn. / Ernakulam South (ERS) 59.2 km Ernakulam Town / Ernakulam North (ERN) 59.8 km
Lok Sabha constituency	Idukki
Nearest Airport	Cochin International Airport (COK) 54 km
Climate	Tropical monsoon (Köppen)
Avg. summer temperature	32.5 °C (90.5 °F)
Avg. winter temperature	23 °C (73 °F)

Thodupuzha is the largest town in Idukki district and is a main commercial center. The town is being modernized with the help of a program sponsored by the World Bank. It was once part of Travancore. The Thodupuzha municipality area is characterized by abundant vegetation.

Etymology

This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2021)

The place was named Thodupuzha by Elasamprathi Narayana Varma from two words: thodu (transl. "rivulet") and puzha (transl. "river"). It is believed that the stream developed into a river, and the town on the banks of the river came to be known as Thodupuzha. There is another version that defines thodu as "touch" instead. The Mattathil Kovilakam[3] were the protectors and rulers of the region. The last ruler of the region was Elasamprathi Narayana Varma, who originally came from Trivandrum and was the representative of Maharaja Raja.

History

This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2021)

The Vadakkumkur kings used to live in Karikode for several years. Vadakkumkur was a late medieval/early modern feudal principality located in Kerala. After the kingdom separated, Thekkumkur became an independent kingdom, while Vadakkumkur became a vassal of Cochin. During the time of Portuguese dominance in Cochin, disputes arose between the Vadakkumkur chieftain and the Kingdom of Cochin over the pepper trade, and the Vadakkumkur raja was killed in battle with Cochin and their Portuguese allies. After the attack, Vadakkumkur palace split into two branches: one was known as Mattathil Palace, which remained in Thondikkuzha; and the other one in Kadanadu Pala.[4] Vadakkumkur and Thekkumkur were later annexed by Marthanda Varma and incorporated into the kingdom of Travancore. Maharaja appointed his representative known as Elasamprathi Narayana Varam to develop the region called Keezhmalainadu. Varam became known as the father of Keezhmalainadu and modern Thodupuzha.[5]

Varam erected many monuments, including the government offices, Pandikasala, and temples. The Karikode mosque and other buildings in Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha also date from his reign. He was the founder of the new style of tax collection in this region. Thodupuzha is an ancient town with a history dating back to many centuries. The Buddhist and Jain religions which made their first inroads into Kerala in 300 BC left their influence at Thodupuzha and neighboring areas. In the 14th century, Kerala was divided for administrative reasons into several provinces: Venadu, Otanadu, Navishainadu, Munjunadu, Vempolinadu, and Keezhmalainadu. Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha were in Keezhmalainadu, which was in existence until 1600; in that year it lost a battle with Vadakkumkoor and became a part of it.

St George Forane Church church at Muthalakodam, near Thodupuzha, is believed to have constructed before 13th Century. It is believed to have been set up in the 19th century by an ancient noble lady named (Mattathil Muthi). It was re-built several times since then. Today's magnificent church was built in the year 1973.

Mylacombu St Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Thodupuzha is believed to be built in 660 AD by Syrian Christian settlers in Mylacombu near Thodupuzha who migrated from Kuravilangad, Kodungallur, Angamaly, Kadamattom and Vadakara, Koothattukulam.[6][7]

When Kerala formed in 1956, Thodupuzha was part of the Ernakulam district and C. A. Mathew (മാത്യു ചൂരപുഴ) became the first member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 1957 to 1960, and from 1960 to 1965.. In 1972, the Idukki district was formed by merging the Thodupuzha taluk with the Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peermade taluks, which were part of the Kottayam district. thumb

Climate

Demographics

As of 2011 Census,[10] Thodupuzha Taluka with an area of 884.93 km² (341.67 sq mi) had total population of 325,951; males comprised 49% of the population and females 51%. Literacy rate of Thodupuzha Taluka in 2011 were 95.56% in which, male and female literacy were 96.81% and 94.33% respectively. In Thodupuzha, 9% of the population was under 6 years of age.

Economy and infrastructure

This section does not cite any sources. (May 2021)

Thodupuzha's economy is driven by agriculture, business, and small industries. Farmers in Thodupuzha raise a number of crops, mostly rubber. Other crops such as pineapple, coconut, rice, pepper, cocoa, tapioca, banana, ginger, turmeric are also cultivated. The headquarters of the first manufacturing industry in the district, Dhanwanthari Vaidyasala, are in Thodupuzha.

Politics

This section does not cite any sources. (September 2021)

Thodupuzha was administered by a village panchayat and village union for several years, but on 1 September 1978, it was upgraded into a municipality. The municipality was formed by merging the Thodupuzha panchayat and the neighboring panchayats of Kumaramangalam, Karicodu, and Manacaud. The municipality was administered by a special officer for ten years. In 1988, elections were held and the first popularly elected municipal council was formed, with N. Chandran as the chairman.

Sports

The Thodupuzha Cricket Stadium constructed by the Kerala Cricket Association is located in Karikkode, approximately five kilometers away from Thodupuzha,[11] which is large enough to host two cricket matches at the same time.[12]

Education

This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2021)

• The first center of higher learning in the taluk was Newman College, Thodupuzha. It was established in 1964 by the Syrian Catholic Diocese of Kothamangalam and named after Cardinal Newman.[13]
• The second college of Thodupuzha was established in 1982: St. Joseph's College in Arakkulam.[14]
• The University College of Engineering, Thodupuzha, managed and run by the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, is located in Thodupuzha. The college started functioning in 1996.^{[citation needed]}[15]

Notable people

This article's list of residents may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (May 2021)

• Ajitkumar Varma| Deputy Inspector General of Police| CIB| Indian High Commission London
• Asif Ali, film actor
• Askar Ali, film actor
• Asin, film actress
• P. K. Abdul Aziz, vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University
• Jaffar Idukki, film actor
• P. J. Joseph, leader of Kerala Congress and former minister in the Second Oommen Chandy ministry
• Neeta Pillai, film actress
• Pappachen Pradeep, defender for the India national football team, former captain of the U23 team.
• Honey Rose, film actress
• Nishanth Sagar, film actor[16]
• Rajesh Touchriver, film director
• Shiny Wilson (née Abraham), Olympian and Asian Games Medal Winner
• Sivaangi Krishnakumar

See also

References

External links

---