More Villages in Thiruvananthsapuram
Agastyamala: Agastyamala, also known as Agastyarkoodam, is located in Western Ghats in a distance of 58 km from Thiruvananthapuram city and 32 km from Neyyar Dam. Agastyamala is a peak with the height of 6129 ft from seal level and borders Tamil Nadu.
Agastymala’s importance is as a pilgrim centre and as a store-house of medicinal herbs and plants. Sage Agastya, one of the seven Rishis (sages) of Hindu Puranas (epics) is stated to have lived here. Tamil language is believed to have originated from Agasthya. A full-sized statue of Agastya in the peak-top is worshipped by devotees. There is no Poojari (priest) to conduct adoration. The devotees themselves have to conduct the Pooja (adoration).
The lower elevation of Agastyamala is a treassure of rare herbs and medicinal plants. About 2000 herbs and plants used in Auyurveda preparation and/or treatments are found here. The medicinal herbs and plants are testaments to the firm authority of Ayurveda who is none other than Agastya.
Agastyamala Biosphere Reserve harbours rare flora and fona.
Base stations of Agastyamala are spread of tea gardens established by British nationals when India was under their rule. The base stations spreads to Brimore, Bonacuad and Ponmudi.
The easiest access to Agastyamala from Thiruvananthapuram is via Bonacuad.
Amboory: Amboory is located in the southern tip of Western Ghats and its south-east portion borders Tamil Nadu. Eastern portion is covered by Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Western part of the village is dotted with hills. On one of the hills there is a giant boulder called Dravyappara (treasure rock). The boulder gained this name as a sequal to the stay here of Venad Raja (earswhile King of Venad) on his exile. The boulder has 72 steps carved which enable the visitors to climb on it. Dravyappara is positioned 1500 ft above sea level.
The fertile soil of the village gives better yields of rubber, pepper, coconut, herbs and medicinal plants. The village has a plantion of Rudraksh (Eleocarpus Spaericus) trees.
The original inhabitants of Amboory were Kanikars. The 2nd world war contributed severe femine in the princely State of Travancore. The femine forced the Raja of Travanocre to allow Christian families to migrate from Pala and Kottayam to high ranges in Western Ghats. This paved the way to encroach on tribal lands and establish settlements.
St Mary’s Church at Mayam was the first Roman Catholic Church in the region. Likewise, St Mary’s School was the first school in the region.
During the construction of Neyyar Dam, all people (Christians, Pulayas and Parayas (latter two scheduled castes)) from Pantha evacuated and resettled in Amboory. Subsequently 25 Christian families from Central Travancore also migrated to Amboory in 1947. In 1950 another 50 Christian families also migrated from Central Travancore. All these made possible to have Christian majority in Amboory, snatching the majority position from Kanikars.
Amboory is now a much developed village with many schools of both English and Malayalam medium and top class healthcare institutions.
A tragedy struck on Amboory on 9 November 2001 in the shape of a landslide which claimed 40 lives from the gathering of a family. The house of C D Thomas was joyful with friends, relatives and neighbours gathered for the betrothal of his son. Incessant rain forced all in the courtyard to move into the house. At this moment a landslide occurred on the house, which was on the foot of a hill, snatched away 40 lives. Thomas was spared with multiple injuries.
Cherunniyoor : The village Cherunniyoor is located 4 km south of Varkala.
The agri-prone village produces various crops.
Population comprises of Hindus, Muslims and Christians.
The village has attained good developments in various fronts due to better inflow of money from overseas, especially Middle East, as many youngsters of the village have engaged in well-paid employment there.
The village has adequate facilities for education and healthcare.
Kariavattom: Kariavattom village, situated 14 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city, has progressed in to a town. NH 47 passes through Kariavattom.
The main vocation of the village is agriculture.
The name Kariavattom has a legendary tale behind. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in the place. Ettuveetil Pillamar (Pillais of a family called Ettuveettil. Pillai is religious surname of an upper-caste community), who were martial fighters, used to sit round near the temple and gossip. This was a routine affair. Karya in vernacular means matter and Vattom means circle. As they used to sit in circle and gossip or discuss the matters, the villagers used to call that small congregation as Kariavattom humourously and the place was eventually came to be known as Kariavattom.
As Kariavattom is in the outskirt of Thiruvananthapuram city it was chosen for housing some government-run educational institutions. Post-graduate Division of Kerala University, a Government College, an Engineering College and Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education are all here.
Technopark, a largest IT and Electronic hub, is located here.
Kariavattom has excellent schooling and healthcare facilities.
The population consists of Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities.
Kazhakoottam: Once a predominently agriculture village, Kazhakoottam is now a developed town, thanks to the proximity of Thriruvananthapuram city. As it is located just 3 km away from Kariavattom, the government educational institutions housed in Kariavattom hold good for Kazhakoottam as well. Additionally, it has proximity to Vikram Sarabhai Space Center which is within 3 km. The upcoming new railway terminal at Kochuveli is distanced by only 8 km and the Thiruvanthapuram International Airport is within 8 km distance. The projected Technocity is within 4 km north of Kazhakoottram.
Kazhakoottam was the power centre of Kazhakoottam Ugran Pillai, prominent among the Ettuveettil Pillamar, who rebelled in vain against Marthanda Varma, the then Travancore King, in late 18th century. In retaliation, Marthada Varma demolished Pillai’s Palace and dug a pond in its place. Nearby a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna was also built. Both the temple and pond are still there.
Kazhakoottam has advanced facilities for education and healthcare.
On the population scene, Hindus are more. Second most is Christians and Muslims stand behind them.
Navaikulam : Navaikulam is located 45 km north of Thiruvanthapuram city on the way to Kollam as on NH 47.
The agri-based village produces various crops.
Population of Hindus is more. Christians count second and Muslims third.
The landmark of the village is a temple known as Sankaranayana temple housed in a vast compound. The image of Sankaranyaraya is with the attributes of Lord Vishnu in the left half and Lord Shiva in the right half.
The village has education facilities up to higher secondary.
In the healthcare front there are satisfactory facilities.
Nedumangad: Nedumangad, located 20 km north-east of Thiruvanthapuram city, has progressed in to a town long back.
The village is bonded to nature with flora and fauna amid rich vegetation all around. The access is through Thiruvanthapuram-Thenmala state Highway.
An agriculture wholesale market run by Agriculture Department with the assistance of European Union functions here.
The town is a market outlet for hill produces.
En-route to Ponmudiy there is Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, a hotspot of wildlife enthusiasts and ornithologists, within a distance of 32 km. And within a distance of 50 km lies Agastyakoodam, the storehouse of medicinal herbs and plants of about 2000 species.
Koyikkal Palace, an arch specimen of Kerala’s traditional architecture and much talked about heritage, is located near the town.
The village has excellent educational infrastructure upto college level and equally better healthcare infrastructure. A government college and National Training College for Women are notable among the educational institutions.
On population front Christians are more followed by Hindus. Muslim population is also there.
Nemom: Once an agrarian village, Nemom lies 8 km south of Thiruvanthapuram city. Proximity to the fast developing city and the thrust of modern culture deprived the agriculture vocation of the village. It is being preferred and favoured as a residential spot.
Much of the inhabitants belong to Hindu faith followed by Christian faith. The presence of Islam faith is also there in a good scale.
On educational and healthcare fronts Nemon is placed in a hiked-up slot.
A military training division of Indian Army located here contributes much to the upkeep of peace and harmony in the region.
Neyyattinkara: Jetted to a town, Neyyattinkara is located 20 km southward from Thiruvanthapuram city on the way to Kanyakumari (Cape Comrin).
Once an agrarian village, Neyyattinkara’s vocation is more or less confined to cottage industries and handloom weaving. The significance of the agriculture is almost lost on the village.
The Hindu dominated village has Christian and Muslim inhabitants.
Neyyattinkara carries high-volt historical vale. It is here, Marthanda Varma, the erstwhile ruler of Travancore, hid during his wars. His hideout was the Srikrishna Swamy Temple which is a milestone of the place.
In educational and healthcare spheres, Neyyattinkara is well-placed.
Pakalkuri: Beautifully landscaped and serene looking Pakalkuri village lies on the banks of Ithikkara River in the northern periphery of the district. Ithikkara River originated from the Western Ghats and going down to Arabian Sea demarcates Thiruvanthapuram district and Kollam district at Pakalkuri.
The village is agrarian and produces varied crops.
On head-count of population Hindus come in front followed by Muslims. Christians enjoy third position.
The village has adequate facilities for education up to higher secondary level. Guru Chenganur Kathakali Academy, popularly known as Kala Bharathi, is located here. Kathakali, Chendamelam (percussion music) etc is taught in the academy.
Many among the ladyfolks of the village are engaged in handloom Khadi thread making and cloth weaving in Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi Kendra under Khadi Board, and in a cashew factory for breaking the fried nuts to retrieve kernels.
The village has satisfactory healthcare outlets.
Peroorkada: Perookada is a residential area in the north side of Thiruvanathapuram city and lies on the way to Nedumangad and Ponmudi.
Government-run Oolanpara Mental Hospital is located here.
Peroorkada houses several schools and colleges including a Law College. There are few temples, few churches and a mosque to meet the worship needs of Hindus, Christians and Muslims who constitute the population. Hindus are more in number. The second large population is of Christians.
Puthenthope: A coastal village, Puthenthope is situated 19 km north-west of Thiruvananthapuram city. Arabian Seas kisses the western side of the village while eastern side is demarcated by man-made canal Parvathi Puthanar. The canal was created during the time of Regent Sethu Lakshmibai of erstwhile Travancore Kingdom.
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre is nearby.
Puthenthope has two manmade hills, each on south and north. The hills were created during the regime of Portuguese.
Occupants of the village are mostly Christians followed by Hindus. Muslim presence is also there.
St Ignatius Church here is an important shrine of Christians.
Sreekariyam: Sreekariyam is a residential suburb of Thiruvananthapuram city within a short distance of 10 km. The place is home to some prestigious educational institutions and a research institute.
Loyola School, Loyola College of Social Science, Bethelem (elementary school) and Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) are the institutions housed here.
College of Engineering, Technopark, Chempazhanthy (birth place of Sree Narayana Guru), Sree Narayana Public School, Headquarters of Southern Air Command of Indian Air Force and Akulam (a popular lakeside tourist spot) are all nearby to hike the glamour of Sreekariyam.
Elamkulam Mahadeva Temple, Kariyam Devi Temple and Mar Baselios Mar Gregorios Orthodox Syrian Church are nursed by Sreekariyam.
Majority of the inhabitants are Hindus. Christians are next to Hindus. There is miniscule presence of Muslims.
Categories : Villages
Categories : Temples
