Changanassery
Located 18 km from Kottayam town, Changanassery has grown to town status long back.
Changanasseriy is gateway to both high ranges and backwaters of Kuttanad. The distance to hill resorts is 40 km and to back waters 3 km.
Changanassery was known as Anchu Vilakinte Pattanam (town of five lamps) in the past.
Occupationally, Changannsery is agriculture, trade and commerce leaned.
The town has an 18 century temple where Deepam Festival celebrated in every winter is a crowd puller.
No scarcity for the tales about the etymology of Changanassery. The tale relating to the erstwhile ruler of Changanassery appears to be more appropriate. The Hindu ruler constructed a temple, a church and a mosque in equi-distance from his palace. This was aimed for him to wake up in the morning on hearing the sound of Sank (from conch) from temple, Natham (musical sound) of the church bell or Vank (sherry) (specific pattern of loud voice discharged by clergyman as a signal for time to pray) from mosque. These three – shank, natham and sherry linked together is Changanassery.
Changanassery is economically advanced. The economy is boosted by the salary income from abroad as many from here have landed in employment especially in Gulf, European and American States.
Among the inhabitants, Christians share first rank, Hindus second and Muslims third strength-wise.
Changanassery has excellent educational facilities ranging from lower primary to college level. The schools and colleges maintain excellent standard of education.
St Berchaman’s College, established in 1922 and run by Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery, is one amongst the best in India. With thirteen post-graduation and seven research departments the College is sought after one for admission. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council awarded this College Five Star and A+ level status. St Berchaman’s is the first college in the State to get this status.
Other colleges are NSS College and Assumption College which too maintain high standard of education.
In school sector, St Berchaman’s High School, Sacred Heart English Medium High School, Kristu Jyothi English High School, Good Shepherd Public School and Placid Vidya Vihar deliver high degree of excellence.
All the three religions have their own shrines and December is a celebration-full month for the Changanasserians.
The Archdiocese of Changanassery is the largest and oldest Catholic Diocese in India. The present Dioceses of Palai, Kanjirapilly and Thukalay were carved out from this Diocese for administration convenience as the population grew.
Changanassery Archdiocese is one of the first two Vicariates of the Syrian Catholics and the second Metropolitan Archdiocese of the Syro Malabar Church after the establishment of Syro Malabar hierarchy as a prelude to the restoration of the identity of the Church in 1992 as a Sui Juris Church.
Changanassery is also the headquarters of Nair Service Society short-called as NSS. NSS is a social organization contributing to the sectors of education and healthcare mainly. Its grass-root level work is through 4000 odd Karayogams (village organs). NSS was established on 31 October 1914 by Mannath Padmanabhan, a social fighter for equality.
The outskirts of Changanassery are enviably beautiful. Cruise in boat to various Kuttanadan villages will be an unforgettable event with many village and nature experience to show-case in the mind. A morning or evening stroll amidst green blanketed paddy fields and straight-trunked and green-capped coconut palms will be soul-soothing.
Healthcare and entertainment facilities are abundant here.
Christians and Hindus mainly inhabited Changanassery has the presence of Muslims too in a thin layer.
All the three communities have their on shrines.
Subramanya Temple, built in 753 AD at Perunna, Sree Bhagawathi Temple, popularly known as Kavil Ambalam (temple), at Puzhavath, Sreekrishna Temple at Madhumoola, Trikannupuram Temple and Sree Mahadeva Temple at Vazhapally are Hindu shrines. Kavil Ambalam at Puzhavath has a distinction of wellcoming Chandanakudam (mosque feast with a pot smeared with sandalwood paste) of moque at Puthoor held on 25th and 26th December every year.
Metropolitan Catholic Church where the feasts of St Sebastian in January and St Mary in September are celebrated, Church at Parel where St Mary’s feast lasting 3 days on 6th to 8th December is celebrated, Holy Heart Church at Chethipuzha, Fathima Matha Church and Gethsemane Church at Madhumoola, St Joseph’s Church at Veroor and St Antony’s Church at Perunna are the Christian shrines.
Mosque at Puthoor is the shrine for Muslims.
Villages in Kottayam District
- Alapra
- Ayamkudy
- Bharananganam
- Changanassery
- Chempu
- Erattupetta
- Eravinalloor
- Ettumanoor
- Ithipuzha
- Kadathuruthy
- Kaipuzha
- Kallara
- Kangazha
- Karukachal
- Kidangoor
- Koorapada
- Koottickal
- Kothanalloor
- Kudamaloor
- Kummanam
- Manarkadu
- Monipally
- Moscow
- Paika
- Pallom
- Puthupally
- Ramapuram
- Teekoy
- Thalayolaprambu
- Vandanpathal
- Vennimala
