This is an accepted version of this page
59-542: Arakuzha is a small village situated 6 km from Muvattupuzha in Kerala, India . The SH 41 connects Arakuzha with Muvattupuzha and Koothattukulam and Moozhi bridge connects Arakuzha to pineapple city of India, Vazhakulam town which is also 6 km from Arakuzha. It is located on SH 41 towards Koothattukulam , the alternate route for Main Central Road . St. Mary's High School and St. Joseph’s girls' school are
118-652: A Malayali Brahmin caste, native to what is now the state of Kerala , India, where they constituted part of the traditional feudal elite. Headed by the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal Samrāṭ , the Nambudiris were the highest ranking caste in Kerala. They owned a large portion of the land in the region of Malabar , and together with the Nair monarchs, the Nambudiris formed the landed aristocracy known as
177-587: A majority of Syro-Malabar Catholics and Jacobites . There are Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church , Syro-Malankara Catholics , Marthomites and Pentecostal . Muvattupuzha is the seat of the Muvattupuzha diocese of Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of the Kandanad East diocese. There is a small Latin Catholic community also in Muvattupuzha whose church
236-417: A population of 30,397, of which 15,010 were males and 15,387 females. Muvattupuzha Municipality have an area of 13.18 km (5.09 sq mi) with 7,414 families residing in it. The sub-population of children aged 0–6 was 2,945, which was 9.69% of total population of Muvattupuzha. The literacy rate in Muvattupuzha town was 96.11%, higher than the state average of 94.00%. In Muvattupuzha, male literacy
295-576: A vasthram. Nambudiris wore their traditional hair tufts ( kuṭumi or śikhā ) on the front like the Dikshitars of Tamil Nadu. Nambudiri Brahmin families practised a more strict version of primogeniture than Brahmin communities elsewhere in India. Under this custom, only the eldest son could marry a Nambudiri woman and thus produce an heir to the family property. Younger sons were restricted to sambandam relationships with non-Brahmin women, whom
354-517: Is a municipality in the Ernakulam district of Kerala , India . It is located 26 km (16.2 mi) east of the district headquarters in Thrikkakara and about 170 km (105.6 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram . As per the 2011 Indian census , Muvattupuzha has a population of 30,397 people, and a population density of 2,306/km (5,970/sq mi). Muvattupuzha
413-503: Is a municipality and the current municipal council is ruled by Indian National Congress , led by P P Eldose who was elected in 2020. Political leaders of the past include K. M. George (former Minister and the founder of Kerala Congress) and P.P Esthose (former MP and MLA). The present political leaders of Kerala who are from Muvattupuzha are Mathew Kuzhalnadan, Johny Nelloor , Francis George (former MP), and Gopi Kottamurikkal (former MLA and Ernakulam district secretary of CPI(M)). KL-17
472-466: Is a shorter route to Madurai in neighbouring Tamil Nadu . A bypass to Thodupuzha Road and MC Road is planned from Kadathi on NH49 via the proposed new bridge at Murikkallu. Kizhakkekara and Randaattinkara (Randarkara or Randar) lies on the eastern part of the town on the banks of the Muvattupuzha river. About 9 km (5.6 mi) southwards, Muvattupuzha town is covered by a hilly region of 40–60 m (130–200 ft) above sea level that crosses
531-699: Is between Angamaly and Kottayam on the Main Central Road , The first and second longest state highways of Kerala, Main Central Road (Angamaly - Thiruvananthapuram / SH-01 / 240 km (150 mi)) and Main Eastern Highway (Muvattupuzha–Punalur / SH-08 / 154 km (96 mi)), meet here. The Muvattupuzha–Theni Highway (SH 43) starts at the Chalikkadavu Bridge and goes through Randattinkara, Kotta, Udumbannoor, Kattappana, Nedumkandam and Cumbum before ending at Theni , which
590-540: Is bordered by the Kottayam district on the southern side and the Idukki district on the eastern side. Muvattupuzha lies on the intersection between MC Road and National Highway 49 , about 28 km (17 mi) from the district capital Ernakulam . Muvattupuzha is located 20 km (12 mi) from Thodupuzha , 17 km (11 mi) from Koothattukulam , and 5 km (3.1 mi) away from Arakuzha . The town
649-682: Is called Thriveni Sangamam in Malayalam, which means "the point of confluence of three rivers". In English both spellings (Muvattupuzha and Moovattupuzha) are used interchangeably. Muvattupuzha was part of the Vadakkumkoor Kingdom until it was seized by the Travancore . Old documents show that parts of the lands of Muvattupuzha belonged to Edappally Swaroopam, but were later transferred to Manas' ( Brahmin families). After Indian independence , from 1949 to 1956, Muvattupuzha
SECTION 10
#1732794495047708-419: Is certain that in theory hypergamy can cause a shortage of marriageable women in the lowest ranks of a caste and promote upwards social movement from the lower Nair subdivisions, the numbers involved would have been very small. It was not a common practice outside the higher subcaste groups and the Nambudiris had mostly stopped the practice by the 1920s. The form of Sanskrit theatre known as Koodiyattam , which
767-551: Is located in the mosque. The town and western parts of the region are mainly plains and is culturally similar to Ernakulam, whereas the eastern parts are mainly highlands. The regions of Thodupuzha , Muvattupuzha, and Kothamangalam are called sub-high ranges or keezhmalanad of Vadakkumkoor Kingdom, indicating they were lands with fertile soil deposited by the Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha rivers from flooding. Muvattupuzha and nearby areas are less hilly and fertile. The altitude
826-662: Is lower and the hilly region is the Kadalikkad-Meenkunnam-Pampakkuda curved region. The town is 20 m (66 ft) above mean sea level . The term sub-high ranges or "low ranges" is a term used to describe the towns of Thodupuzha and Palai. The low-range towns lying in the foothills of western ghats along the SH 8 (Punaloor-Muvattupuzha road) meet the main interjunction at Muvattupuzha. Nine major roads converge here and connect to all directions. The Muvattupuzha river ( Malayalam : മൂവാറ്റുപുഴയാർ ) starts in
885-465: Is named after the Muvattupuzha river that flows through it. The name is made up of three Malayalam words: Moonnu ( transl. "three" ), aaru ( transl. "small river" ); and puzha ( transl. "river" ). Aaru is usually used for rivers in the southern half of Kerala, while puzha is used in the northern parts. The three rivers are Kothayaar, Kaliyar, and Thodupuzhayar, which merge to form Muvattupuzhayar. The meeting point
944-463: Is one of the 140 legislative assembly constituencies of Kerala state. Its assembly constituency is part of Idukki (Lok Sabha constituency) and the current MP is Dean Kuriakose of Indian National Congress . The major political parties of Muvattupuzha are Indian National Congress, Kerala Congress (M), CPI (M), CPI, Muslim League, and BJP. Mathew Kuzhalnadan of Indian National Congress is the current MLA of Muvattupuzha. Administratively, Muvattupuzha
1003-571: Is the RTO code for Muvattupuzha taluka, including the town. Auto rickshaws are commonly used for small distances. Taxis are also available. The Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is 29 km (18 mi) away from Muvattupuzha town. Muvattupuzha is well-connected to the main cities of the state via road. Muvattupuzha is in the center of the midlands region starting from the eastern borders of Kochi city at Kakkanad spreading all
1062-530: The Arakuzha block panchayat division. St. Thomas , the apostle who introduced Christianity to India, is believed to have visited this region. The Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of Arakuzha has a recorded history of over 1,000 years, making it one of the oldest Syrian churches in Kerala. It is known for its paintings and sculptures. Muvattupuzha was also known as Arakuzha Pakuthi (meaning half of Arakuzha). As of 2011 Census , Muvattupuzha had
1121-600: The Jenmimar , until the Kerala Land Reforms starting in 1957. The Nambudiris have traditionally lived in ancestral homes known as Illams and have been described by anthropologist Joan Mencher as, "A wealthy, aristocratic landed caste of the highest ritual and secular rank." Venerated as the carriers of the Sanskrit language and ancient Vedic culture, the Nambudiris held more power and authority than
1180-647: The Palakkad Gap , which is also the largest opening in the southern Western Ghats , and settled around the river Bharathappuzha . The region around Coimbatore near Karnataka - western Tamil Nadu border was ruled by the Cheras during Sangam period between 1st and the 4th centuries CE and it served as the eastern entrance to the Palakkad Gap , the principal trade route between the Malabar Coast and Tamil Nadu . The Azhvanchery Thamprakkal , who were
1239-680: The Tipu 's persecution of Nasranis. Venerable Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly had served as the parish priest of Marth Mariam Church in Arakuzha (1920-22). During his tenure in Arakuzha he started St. Mary's School there. He also purchased 12 acres (49,000 m) of land in M.C.Road for constructing St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Meenkunnam . Several families migrated to different parts of Kerala, mainly to Malabar and high range areas, in search of agriculture land. Muvattupuzha Muvattupuzha ( [muʋɐːt̺ːupuɻɐ] )
SECTION 20
#17327944950471298-419: The steam bus went from Muvattupuzha to Ernakulam. The border to Kochi state was at Chungam, Mamala, near Thiruvankulam. Until the late 1970s, traffic went over the old concrete bridge. There was a traffic police outpost on either side of the bridge to control one-way traffic. Later in the 1970s, a new bridge was constructed and in the late 1970s the traffic diverted through a wider two-way bridge. Muvattupuzha
1357-625: The Brahmins who migrated through the Palakkad Gap . Anthropologists Heike Moser and Paul Younger note that the Nambudiri Brahmin presence predates the 9th century, as attested by grants of land given to them by ruling families. According to the historian Romila Thapar , local kings and chiefs encouraged them to move to the area by offering such tax-exempt land grants in return for them officiating in Vedic rites that would legitimise
1416-688: The Chief Priest at the Badrinath Temple , one of the holiest temples for Hindus. Furthermore, the spiritual leader of the Nambudiri Brahmins is given the title Azhvanchery Thamprakkal Samrāṭ , with the word "Samrāṭ" meaning "Emperor" in the Sanskrit language. Aside from holding rights over the sacred Guruvayur Temple , the presence and blessings of the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal was a ritual necessity during
1475-516: The Idukki highranges and flows through Muvattupuzha, running 121 km (75 mi) before entering the Kottayam district. The major source of water is the Thodupuzha river which starts in the Idukki district and provides water throughout the year, enabled by the supply of water from Idukki arch dam, which is the largest arch dam in India, and is used for hydro-electric power generation. In 1914,
1534-460: The Kottayam and Piravom routes; most of these hills are rubber plantations. The old Muvattupuzha bridge built over the Muvattupuzha river was the first concrete bridge in Asia, and was completed in 1914. It serves as the connection between Nehru Park and Kacherithazham. The nearby panchayaths mostly have agriculture and small- and medium-scale industries. Pineapple and rubber plantations are
1593-549: The Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Muvattupuzha Assembly Constituency, who defeated Manjunatha Prabhu of the Communist Party. Later, K. M. George , founder of Kerala Congress , represented Muvattupuzha. The first member of parliament (MP) of Muvattupuzha ( as a Lok Sabha constituency ) was George Thomas Kottukapally. The first block panchayat president of Muvattupuzha was Shyson P Manguzha in 1995 from
1652-471: The Nair aspirational culture whereby they would seek to improve their status within the caste. Furthermore, that: ... among the higher-ranking Nayars (and Kshatriyas and Samantans) in contradistinction to the "commoner" Nayars, no two subdivisions admitted to equal status. Thus the relations set up by the tali-rite [ie: the thalikettu kalyanam ] and the sambandham union were always hypergamous. Although it
1711-442: The Nambudiris considered to be concubines and whose offspring could not inherit. This tradition limited the extent of marriage within their own caste and led to the practice of hypergamy with the Nair community. Kathleen Gough notes that: These hypergamous unions were regarded by Brahmans as socially acceptable concubinage , for the union was not initiated with Vedic rites, the children were not legitimized as Brahmans, and neither
1770-442: The Nambudiris could be found in all matters related to Kerala , including religion, politics, society, economics and culture. Operating from their illam houses, Nambudiris' ownership of agricultural land under the janmi system increased over many centuries and, according to Moser and Younger, they "established landholding temples and taught the people the rules of caste". The Nambudiris have been described to be responsible for
1829-533: The Sanskrit influence on Malayalam , a Dravidian language, due to the Nambudiri Brahmin's mixing of Sanskrit and the local Tamil language. Medieval Kerala has been characterised as an oligarchy which was dominated by the Nambudiris, who owned all the temples and their subsidiary villages. The Nambudiris had influence with the ruling class through the practice of sambandam , where younger Nambudiris used to have relationships with Kshatriya women or women from
Arakuzha - Misplaced Pages Continue
1888-547: The area, sociologist Randall Collins thinks it is unlikely that such a change could be imposed and says that "more probably it was the result of a process of marriage politics spread by emulation in the decentralised situation of status competition." Some other scholars believe that the matrilineal customs predate the period entirely and cite the queens of the Pandyan dynasty as evidence for this. The unwillingness of Nambudiris to adapt to changes in wider society persisted until
1947-439: The basis of the Malayalam language version of the epic. There are lots of theories as to how Nambudiri Brahmins came to settle in Kerala, the commonly accepted point of view is that they moved in from North India via Tulu Nadu or Karnataka . Another theory based on the retention of Mahabharata types as memorized by different Brahmin communities points to Tamil Nadu as the base from which they migrated to Kerala via
2006-511: The common agrarian products. Match box industries, plywood factories, saw mills, paper, plastic and wood carton production are the main industries in this area. KINFRA's Small Industries Park in Nellad is 9 km (5.6 mi) from Muvattupuzha on SH41 . Namboodiri The Nambudiri ( Malayalam pronunciation: [n̪ɐmbuːd̪iɾi] ), also transliterated as Nampoothiri , Nambūdiri , Namboodiri , Namboothiri and Nampūtiri , are
2065-518: The coronation of the Zamorin , the Nair king of Kozhikode . They have historically been distinguished by rare practices such as the adherence to Śrauta ritualism , the Pūrva-Mīmāṁsā school of Hindu philosophy and orthodox traditions, as well as many idiosyncratic customs that are unique among Brahmins , including primogeniture . Cyriac Pullapilly mentions that the dominating influence of
2124-503: The early years of the 20th century but Susan Bayly believes that their decline in significance can be traced to the period 1729-1748 when Marthanda Varma established the Kingdom of Travancore and chose to use Iyer and Deshastha Brahmins from Tamil Nadu in his civil service. She believes that decision undermined the relationship between the Nambudiri Brahmins and royalty in the region, although others have said that Varma's influence
2183-475: The first concrete bridge in Asia was built in Muvattupuzha under the supervision of the British engineer W.H. Emrald. It is said that on its inauguration, to convince others of the strength and stability of the bridge, Emrald and his wife sat beneath the bridge in a boat while 15 elephants walked over it. This bridge connects Nehru Park and Kacherithazham. There was a wooden bridge across the river through which
2242-476: The grantors' status as rulers. They also gained land and improved their influence over the socio-economic life of the region by helping rulers during the wars between the Chola and Chera dynasties when Vedic schools were turned into military academies. Adi Shankara , one of the most revered Vedic scholars of Hinduism, was a Nambudiri ascetic who initiated the protocol of permitting only Nambudiris to lead as
2301-405: The kings and were "above and outside the political systems of the kingdoms." Nambudiri mythology associates their immigration to Kerala from the banks of Narmada , Krishna , Kaveri rivers with the legendary creation of Kerala by Parashurama , the sixth avatar of Vishnu . According to this legend, the region was created when Parashurama threw his axe into the sea Although it is known that
2360-622: The landholdings, inheritance customs and marriage arrangements of both the Nambudiris and Nairs. The traditional basis of life was challenged by these and other changes, affecting also the other major ethnic groups of the area, such as the Ezhavas and the Syrian Christians . Like others, the desire for social reform went strong among the Nambudiris which led to the formation of the Yogakshema movement in 1908 in order to agitate for
2419-701: The marriage of all the junior males within the community itself. It also focused on popularising the English language study and abolishing the Purdah system among the Nambudiri females. The Nambudhiri Brahmins are a super-minority community in Kerala. According to the 1901 Census reports, they represent 0.47% of the total population of Nambudiris within Kerala. They are dominant and highly influential in British Malabar , where they account for more than 66% of
Arakuzha - Misplaced Pages Continue
2478-545: The oldest Nambudiri settlements of Kerala are situated around the River Bharathappuzha . The Kingdom of Tanur , Kingdom of Valluvanad , Perumpadappu Swaroopam , and the kingdom of Palakkad , located around the river Bharathappuzha , were once strongholds of Nambudiris. The introduction of Grantha script which later got evolved into Malayalam script , and the evolution of Malayalam language through Sanskritisation of Middle Tamil are highly related to
2537-729: The oldest high school in Arakuzha. Arakuzha is also home to two Christian pilgrim centres-St. Mary’s Forane Church and Malekurish Church. The chief festival is on the first Sunday after Easter . The village has a large population of Syrian Catholic Christians. Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church has an important role in the life of the people. Saint Thomas Christians of Arakuzha have more than 1,500 years of recorded history . This region comprising Kothamangalam , Vazhakulam, Arakuzha, Mylakompu, Nagapuzha, Muthalakodam of erstwhile Travancore kingdom has some very old Syrian churches. Arakuzha, being an ancient Syrian Christian centre has given asylum to many migrant Syrian Christians during
2596-565: The oldest known rituals, was maintained by Nambudiri Brahmins until at least 1975. Although it may have largely died out elsewhere in India and thus be symptomatic of the community's resistance to change, David Knipe notes that it is still performed regularly in Andhra Pradesh and has been for centuries. Traditionally, they wore a simple cloth around the waist called a thorthu (or thortumundu ), in domestic settings. When they had to travel, they wore two sets of cloth in addition known as
2655-410: The practice of strict primogeniture and patrilineal inheritance. Despite their younger members having hypergamous relationships with Nairs , whose caste traditions were matrilineal , Nambudiri families remained aloof from general society. Although the historian E. K. Pillai has claimed that the Nambudiris from the 1100s enforced matrilineal polyandry on the previously patrilineal communities of
2714-583: The present-day region of Kerala was once governed by the Chera dynasty , little information exists regarding its early ethnography. Brahmin presence in the Tamil country is attested from the Sangam period onward. Based on the fact that Nambudiris are Pūrvaśikhā Brahmins wearing the traditional hair tuft on the front, T.P Mahadevan proposes that they are the descendants of these Sangam age Brahmins who moved west into
2773-584: The region of Malabar during the Kalabhra interregnum, with those remaining behind in what is today Tamil Nadu composing the Śōḻiya Brahmins. This sets them apart from the later Aparaśikhā Brahmin (wearing their hair tufts on the back) migrants to South India such as the Tamil Iyers . According to T.P Mahadevan, the Nambudiris brought with them a very early recension of the Mahabharata which became
2832-427: The titular head of all Nambudiri Brahmins of Kerala, originally had right over parts of present-day Palakkad Taluk. Later they moved westwards along the River Bharathappuzha and settled around the river. Finally the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal bought Athavanad- Tirunavaya region in present-day Tirur Taluk and gave Palakkad to Palakkad Raja s ( Tarur Swaroopam ) who were originally from Athavanad region. Many of
2891-621: The total population of Nambudiris in Kerala. Most of them reside in the Palakkad and Kozhikode districts of South Malabar and the Kannur district of North Malabar . A small Population is also found in Cochin and Travancore Kingdom . The following Vedic recensions are attested among them. The ancient Vedic ritual of Agnicayana (the altar of fire), which spans a 12-day period and which Frits Staal and Robert Gardner claim to be one of
2950-421: The upper sections of the Nair caste. The children of such unions were not considered Nambudiris, but a part of their matrilocal lineages. As a result of such unions, many kings and ruling chiefs in Kerala would be the offspring of Nambudiri fathers. These arrangements allowed the Nambudiris to gain political power in addition to religious and cultural dominance. The Nambudiri's grip on land was maintained through
3009-502: The way to Thodupuzha and Vannappuram. The town has very good accessibility through roads. Unfortunately, railways has not yet reached Muvattupuzha. But, Sabari railway will ensure railway connectivity. Muvattupuzha is a major junction for highways passing through the town. There are nine highways and major roads which join at Muvattupuzha, which include: Muvattupuzha taluk consists of midlands and highlands with agriculture and small-scale industries as its primary economic base. Muvattupuzha
SECTION 50
#17327944950473068-405: The woman nor her child was accorded the rights of kin. By the matrilineal castes, however, the same unions were regarded as marriage, for they fulfilled the conditions of ordinary Nayar marriage and served to legitimize the child as an acceptable member of his matrilineal lineage and caste." The disparity in caste ranking in a relationship between a Brahmin man and a Nair woman meant that the woman
3127-555: Was a part of the Kottayam district in Travancore-Cochin state. In 1956, when Kerala state was formed, Muvattupuzha remained as a part of Kottayam district until 1958, when Ernakulam district was formed on 1 April 1958. Muvattupuzha, as a village union, came under the control of a council of three members nominated by the Government. V. P. Govindan Nair was the first president of the village union. By 1953, Muvattupuzha
3186-537: Was a part of the Travancore Kingdom. The border check posts of Travancore in Mamala, near Thiruvankulam prevented interconnectivity between Kochi and Muvattupuzha. Muvattupuzha was an important commercial centre and a prominent town until about 1975. The 2011 Census of India noted a new, separate, and distinct urban agglomeration including parts of the Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalam talukas. Muvattupuzha
3245-414: Was around 97.20% while female literacy rate was 95.07%. The region has Hindus , Syrian Christians , and Rowther Muslims . Kavumpady Road in the town center contains major agraharam of Kerala Iyers . Konkanis are also present in fewer numbers. Hindus are the majority in the region with castes like Nair , Ezhava , Namboodiri , and Pulayar present around the taluk. Syrian Christians include
3304-470: Was declared a panchayat . Kunnappillil Varkey Vaidyan was the first president of the elected panchayat committee. Muvattupuzha was raised to the status of a municipality in the year 1958. N. Parameshwaran Nair became the first municipal chairman. Muvattupuzha is the first municipality where the Communist Party came into power in a general election. N. P. Varghese was the first elected Member of
3363-615: Was established in 1925, situated in Vazhappilly. Rowther Muslims comprise most of the Muslim population.The Kothamangalam-Muvattupuzha region is an important center for Rowther Muslims. Perumattam Juma Masjid, the first mosque in the eastern part of the district, is located in Muvattupuzha Taluk. The mosque is believed to have been built by a Sufi saint named Valiyupappa who lived in the 16th century AD and his dargah(tomb)
3422-614: Was short-lived and that the main cause of change was the influence of British diplomats who worked with the Travancore Maharaja in the 19th century. After the passing of the Charter Acts of 1833 and 1853 in the British Parliament, the British encouraged the work of Christian missionaries, notably in provision of education, and began the introduction of a judicial system that would have a significant impact on
3481-458: Was unable to live with her husband(s) in the Brahmin family and so remained in her own family. The children resulting from such marriages always became Nairs. K. M. Panikkar argues that it is this type of relationship that resulted in the matrilineal and matrilocal system. It has also been argued that the practice, along with judicious selection of the man who tied the thali , formed a part of
#46953