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Thodupuzha

Coordinates: 9°53′49″N 76°42′41″E / 9.896918°N 76.7113°E / 9.896918; 76.7113
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For the river, see Thodupuzha river.

Thodupuzha
തൊടുപുഴ
Gateway of Highrange
Municipal town
Thodupuzha Civil Station
Thodupuzha Civil Station
Thodupuzha is located in Kerala
Thodupuzha
Thodupuzha
Location in Kerala, India
Thodupuzha is located in India
Thodupuzha
Thodupuzha
Thodupuzha (India)
Coordinates: 9°53′49″N 76°42′41″E / 9.896918°N 76.7113°E / 9.896918; 76.7113
Country India
StateKerala
DistrictIdukki
Government
 • TypeFirst Grade Municipality
 • Municipal ChairpersonMrs Sicily Jose
Area
 • Total35.43 km2 (13.68 sq mi)
Elevation
40 m (130 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total52,045
 • Density1,500/km2 (3,800/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
685584
Telephone code04862
Vehicle registrationKL-38
Nearest cityErnakulam, Kottayam, Muvattupuzha, Pala
Nearest Railway StationsPiravam Road(PVRD) 38 km

Ettumanoor (ETM) 45.9 km
Thrippunithura (TRTR) 50.3 km
Aluva (AWY) 54 km
Kottayam (KTYM) 54.2 km
Ernakulam Jn. / Ernakulam South (ERS) 59.2 km

Ernakulam Town / Ernakulam North (ERN) 59.8 km
Lok Sabha constituencyIdukki
Nearest Airport Cochin International Airport (COK) 54 km
ClimateTropical monsoon (Köppen)
Avg. summer temperature32.5 °C (90.5 °F)
Avg. winter temperature23 °C (73 °F)

Thodupuzha (തൊടുപുഴ) is a municipality located in Idukki, Kerala, India, that covers an area of 35.43 km2 (13.68 sq mi).[2] It lies on the banks of Thodupuzha river, which merges with the Kaliyar and Kothamangalam rivers at Muvattupuzha to form the Muvattupuzha river. Thodupuzha is 53 km (33 mi) from Kottayam and 60 km (37 mi) south east of Kochi. Thodupuzha is 197 km (122 mi) from the state capital, Trivandrum. The geographical classification of the Thodupuzha Region is Malanad or Keezhmalanad.

Thodupuzha is the largest town in Idukki district and is a main commercial center. The town is being modernized with the help of a program sponsored by the World Bank. It was once part of Travancore. The Thodupuzha municipality area is characterized by abundant vegetation.

Etymology

The place was named Thodupuzha by Elasamprathi Narayana Varma from two words: thodu (transl. "rivulet") and puzha (transl. "river"). It is believed that the stream developed into a river, and the town on the banks of the river came to be known as Thodupuzha. There is another version that defines thodu as "touch" instead. The Mattathil Kovilakam[3] were the protectors and rulers of the region. The last ruler of the region was Elasamprathi Narayana Varma, who originally came from Trivandrum and was the representative of Maharaja Raja.

History

Sarvadhikari Elasamprathi Narayana Varma of Vadakkumkur

The Vadakkumkur kings used to live in Karikode for several years. Vadakkumkur was a late medieval/early modern feudal principality located in Kerala. After the kingdom separated, Thekkumkur became an independent kingdom, while Vadakkumkur became a vassal of Cochin. During the time of Portuguese dominance in Cochin, disputes arose between the Vadakkumkur chieftain and the Kingdom of Cochin over the pepper trade, and the Vadakkumkur raja was killed in battle with Cochin and their Portuguese allies. After the attack, Vadakkumkur palace split into two branches: one was known as Mattathil Palace, which remained in Thondikkuzha; and the other one in Kadanadu Pala.[4] Vadakkumkur and Thekkumkur were later annexed by Marthanda Varma and incorporated into the kingdom of Travancore. Maharaja appointed his representative known as Elasamprathi Narayana Varam to develop the region called Keezhmalainadu. Varam became known as the father of Keezhmalainadu and modern Thodupuzha.[5]

Varam erected many monuments, including the government offices, Pandikasala, and temples. The Karikode mosque and other buildings in Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha also date from his reign. He was the founder of the new style of tax collection in this region. Thodupuzha is an ancient town with a history dating back to many centuries. The Buddhist and Jain religions which made their first inroads into Kerala in 300 BC left their influence at Thodupuzha and neighboring areas. In the 14th century, Kerala was divided for administrative reasons into several provinces: Venadu, Otanadu, Navishainadu, Munjunadu, Vempolinadu, and Keezhmalainadu. Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha were in Keezhmalainadu, which was in existence until 1600; in that year it lost a battle with Vadakkumkoor and became a part of it.

St George Forane Church church at Muthalakodam, near Thodupuzha, is believed to have constructed before 13th Century. It is believed to have been set up in the 19th century by an ancient noble lady named (Mattathil Muthi). It was re-built several times since then. Today's magnificent church was built in the year 1973.

When Kerala formed in 1956, Thodupuzha was part of the Ernakulam district and C. A. Mathew (മാത്യു ചൂരപുഴ) became the first member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 1957 to 1960, and from 1960 to 1965.. In 1972, the Idukki district was formed by merging the Thodupuzha taluk with the Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peermade taluks, which were part of the Kottayam district. thumb

Climate

Climate data for Thodupuzha, Kerala
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 31.8
(89.2) 		32.8
(91.0) 		33.9
(93.0) 		33.9
(93.0) 		32.9
(91.2) 		30.6
(87.1) 		29.8
(85.6) 		29.8
(85.6) 		30.5
(86.9) 		30.6
(87.1) 		30.7
(87.3) 		31.3
(88.3) 		31.6
(88.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22.1
(71.8) 		23.0
(73.4) 		24.6
(76.3) 		25.5
(77.9) 		25.3
(77.5) 		24.2
(75.6) 		23.5
(74.3) 		23.7
(74.7) 		23.8
(74.8) 		23.7
(74.7) 		23.5
(74.3) 		22.4
(72.3) 		23.8
(74.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 23
(0.9) 		43
(1.7) 		64
(2.5) 		170
(6.7) 		360
(14.2) 		705
(27.8) 		779
(30.7) 		587
(23.1) 		342
(13.5) 		368
(14.5) 		208
(8.2) 		64
(2.5) 		3,713
(146.3)
Source: Climate-Data.org[6]

Demographics

Religions in Thodupuzha Municipality(2011)[7]
Religion Percent(%)
Hindu
 
 37.6%
Muslim
 
 32%
Christian
 
 30%
Sikh
 
 0.01%
Buddhist
 
 0.03%
Jain
 
 0.00%
Not stated
 
 0.2%
Others
 
 0.04%

As of 2011 Census,[8] Thodupuzha Municipality with an area of 35.43 km2 (13.68 sq mi) had total population of 52,045; males comprised 49% of the population and females 51%. Thodupuzha had an average literacy rate of 95.6%, higher than the state average of 94%: male literacy was 97%, and female literacy was 94.3%. In Thodupuzha, 10% of the population was under 6 years of age.

University College of Engineering
Sri Krishna Swami temple
Old bridge of Thodupuzha

Economy and infrastructure

Thodupuzha's economy is driven by agriculture, business, and small industries. Farmers in Thodupuzha raise a number of crops, mostly rubber. Other crops such as pineapple, coconut, rice, pepper, cocoa, tapioca, banana, ginger, turmeric are also cultivated. The headquarters of the first manufacturing industry in the district, Dhanwanthari Vaidyasala, are in Thodupuzha.

Politics

Civil Station

Thodupuzha was administered by a village panchayat and village union for several years, but on 1 September 1978, it was upgraded into a municipality. The municipality was formed by merging the Thodupuzha panchayat and the neighboring panchayats of Kumaramangalam, Karicodu, and Manacaud. The municipality was administered by a special officer for ten years. In 1988, elections were held and the first popularly elected municipal council was formed, with N. Chandran as the chairman.

Sports

The Thodupuzha Cricket Stadium constructed by the Kerala Cricket Association is located in Karikkode, approximately five kilometers away from Thodupuzha,[9] which is large enough to host two cricket matches at the same time.[10]

Education

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.citypopulation.de/en/india/kerala/ [bare URL]
  2. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  3. ^ "Government of Kerala kudumbashree". Government of Kerala. 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  4. ^ Nair, K. K. (2013). By Sweat and Sword: Trade, Diplomacy and War in Kerala Through the Ages. KK Nair. p. 157. ISBN 9788173049736.
  5. ^ AIYA, V. NAGAM (1906). TRAVANCORE STATE MANUAL: with foreword by VED from VICTORIA INSTITUTIONS. VICTORIA INSTITUTIONS, Aaradhana, DEVERKOVIL 673508 India www.victoriainstitutions.com. p. 48.
  6. ^ "CLIMATE: THODUPUZHA", Climate-Data.org. Web: [1].
  7. ^ "Population by Religious Community". Census of India. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  8. ^ Kerala, Directorate of Census Operations. District Census Handbook, Idukki (PDF). Thiruvananthapuram: Directorateof Census Operations,Kerala. p. 78,79. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Thodupuzha Cricket Stadium- Idukki".
  10. ^ "Thodupuzha to get a world-class cricket stadium | Kozhikode News - Times of India".
  11. ^ "S.T Joseph College Moolamattom".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "Newman College |". Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  13. ^ "University College of Engineering Thodupuzha".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ http://www.malayalammovies.org/artist/nishanth-sagar
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thodupuzha.
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