Ponkunnam
| Ponkunnam പൊൻകുന്നം | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
  Ponkunnam Location in Kerala, India | |
| Coordinates: 9°34′N 76°45′E / 9.56°N 76.75°ECoordinates: 9°34′N 76°45′E / 9.56°N 76.75°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Kottayam |
| Government | |
| • Body | Chirakadavu Panchayath |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 26,121 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| • Other | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 686506 |
| Telephone code | 04828 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-34 |
| Nearest city | Kottayam, Kanjirappally. |
| Literacy | 99.8% |
| Website | www.ponkunnamtown.in |
Ponkunnam (Malayalam: പൊന്കുന്നം) is a census town in the eastern high-ranges of Kerala, India, part of Kottayam district under Kanjirappally Taluk. Ponkunnam literally means 'The Town on a Golden Mountain' (Ponn = Gold, Kunn = Mountain). Nearby towns are Kanjirappally, Manimala and Pala. This part of Kerala is famous for its fertile land and rubber plantations. It is at an altitude of 495 feet above mean sea level. The town is at the junction of two majour roads in Kerala: NH220 and main eastern highway. The climate is moderate with timely cold breezes; the town is the gateway to the eastern high ranges.
Overview
Ponkunnam is one of the busiest towns along the NH 220 comprising key administrative institutions of kanjirappally taluk such as the Ponkunnam court complex, DySP office, and RT office. It is a part of Kanjirappaly constituency (state) and pathanamthittaLA. The town is also a home to many educational institutions and health care facilities.
Religious places
- Holy Family Syro Malabar Church - near KSRTC bus station.
- Chirakkadavu Mahadeva Temple, is on the way to Manimala, nearly 3 km from Ponkunnam Town
- Ponkunnam Puthiyakavu Temple is near the Ponkunnam private bus stand.
- Orthodox church is on the Ponkunnam–Thampalakad road.
- Mosque is near Ponkunnam bus stand & in Manimala road.
- Latin Church 2 km from the town (westward) by the side of NH 183.
- CMS church half km from the town at Attickal in PP Road.
- Elamgulam sreedharma shastha temple and elagmulam church are 5 km away from the town.
- Panamttom devi temple (Where the traditional travancore folklore padyani is held every year as a part of temple fest) is 4.5 km from Ponkunnam.
Notable persons
- Babu Antony, prominent South Indian film actor
- Bipin Chandran, noted film script-writer from Kerala.
- M. D. Rajendran, Film director
- Ponkunnam Damodaran, Poet from Kerala
- Ponkunnam Varkey, one of the best writers from Kerala
- Thampi Antony, a famous actor and novelist from Kerala
Transport
Road
Here, there is one KSRTC Bus stand and one private bus stand. Daily, there are many buses to Kottayam, Changanassery, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Kozhikode , Banglore and also to the nearest cities Kanjirappally, Erumely etc.. KSRTC operates a chain service to Pala. KSRTC also operates a chain service from Kottayam to Kumily via Ponkunnam.
Railway
The nearest railway stations are Kottayam (33 km) and Changanassery (38 km).
Air
The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, Kochi (94 km).