Thiruvankulam
| Thiruvankulam തിരുവാങ്കുളം | |
|---|---|
| town | |
|
Shiva Temple | |
| Coordinates: 9°56′37″N 76°22′26″E / 9.943569°N 76.373904°ECoordinates: 9°56′37″N 76°22′26″E / 9.943569°N 76.373904°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Ernakulam |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 21,713 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Thiruvankulam is a suburb of the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. It is a part of Tripunithura Municipality and Kochi metropolitan area. In the days of the Kochi and Travancore kingdoms, Thiruvankulam was a border village. The Kavaleeshwaram stream, now a canal, separated the two kingdoms. The Kochi - Madurai National Highway (NH 49) passes through Thiruvankulam. It is a major fork junction on the highway from Kochi, going east towards Muvattupuzha and south towards Kottayam. Karingachira serves as a terminus of the Airport–Seaport road connecting Nedumbaseery and the Kochi port.
Though Thiruvankulam was an idyllic village, its proximity to the city as well as industrial areas comprising the Kochi refineries and allied industries have contributed to its growth. The economic spurt in Kochi has resulted in Thiruvankulam emerging as a preferred residential area. This has resulted in a large increase in the village population, bringing it into a status of a small town.
Etymology
The name "Thiruvankulam" is derived from the word Thiru-vayaram-kulam. The legend behind this name is related to Lord Shiva and Parasurama Muni. The Siva temple at Thiruvankulam is one out of four other Siva temples, Parasurama Muni had build consecutively. Other 3 temples are Kureekkad, Perunninakulam and Trikkathara. It is believed that Muni saw Siva lying spread across all these places. So he built temples at places where he saw Siva’s head, nabhi, stomach and leg. The "Prathishta" in Thrivankulam Temple is considered as "Swayambhoo" - self-born.
Demographics
Thiruvankulam is a census town in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. As of 2001 India census,[1] Thiruvankulam had a population of 21,713. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Thiruvankulam has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 88%, and female literacy is 84%. In Thiruvankulam, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Administration
Thiruvankulam was administered by a special grade panchayat under the Kerala Panchayati Raj act.In 2010, as a result of the re-organization of administrative divisions in Kerala, Thiruvankulam panchayat merged with the neighbouring Thrippunithura municipality. But it is notable that Thiruvankulam is still part of the Piravom assembly constituency.
Places to visit
Hill Palace
Hill Palace is a large archaeological museum in Kerala situated in Thirivankulam. It was the administrative office of Kochi Rajas. Built in 1865, the Palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style, spreading across in 54 acres (220,000 m2). The complex has an archaeological museum, a heritage museum, a deer park, a pre-historic park and a children’s park. The land surrounding the Hill Palace has rare Medicinal Plants.
The palace has been converted into a museum and is open to public all days except Mondays from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
Karingachira Church
A Jacobite Syrian Church was built in 722 AD near Hill Palace, Thripunitura. The church is named after Saint George. The Katthanar (Vicar) of Karingachira was considered the representative of the Nasarani community of the erstwhile Cochin State. The Saint Parumala Thirumeni was ordained as a deacon in this church in 1857 AD.
This church was elevated as a Cathedral by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas in 2004.
Economic activities
The village is home to large petroleum corporations as well as numerous small scale and cottage industries. TRACO Cable Company, a cable manufacturer, as well major oil corporations like BPCL, IOC, HPCL have their presence there. Agriculture, though it has fallen from the status of the prime means of livelihood in Thiruvankulam, is still in good shape. The major produces include coconuts, arecanuts, nutmeg, and pepper. Rice cultivation is on the decline.
Most people are employed in the city of Kochi, major employers being the Kochi Refineries, HOC, FACT and the government of Kerala.
References
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.