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PALAKKAD

By Kaladharan Lal 10std

Palakkad (the other name Palghat is a contribution of the
British Raj) is prime among Kerala’s most
picturesque districts, thanks to its distinctive palmyra
trees and extensive green paddy fields. The Sahya
ranges bordering the region and the 20 mile gap
in the mountains exert a dominant influence on
the climate of the region. Palakkad is rightfully
therefore known as the Gateway of Kerala, giving
the rest of India access to the State. For
precisely the same reasons, Palakkad had to bear
the brunt of invasions from the bordering kingdoms in the
past. It’s therefore no wonder that this place is a melting
pot of different cultures and ethnic denominations enriching its
life, art, tradition & culture. The Bharatapuzha, the life line of
Kerala, arise from these mountains. In olden days, Palakkad
was known as Paalakkattusery. Etymologists trace the word
Palakkadu from Paalainilam, meaning dry area.

Diversity of Palakkad

As said Palakkad has

a big mountain pass

(Palakkad Gap)

Palakkad Gap separating the two folds
of the Western Ghats

between Coimbatore in

Tamil Nadu and Palakkad in Kerala. It has an average

elevation of 140 meters (460 feet) with a width of 24–30

kilometers (20 mile). The pass is located between the Nilgiri

Hills to the north and Anaimalai Hills to the south.

Both the National Highway 544 and Palakkad Gap
the Coimbatore - Shoranur railway
line joining Kerala to Tamil Nadu
pass through the gap.

The Palakkad Gap funnels
the winds blowing from
the west on to Coimbatore and Tirupur districts in
Tamil Nadu making the region one of the major
wind power generation areas. The average annual
wind speed is 18–22 km/hr. Large windmill farms
can be seen in and around Udumalaipettai and Kadathur.

Malampuzha Dam

Malampuzha Dam is one of the largest reservoir in Kerala,
located near Palakkad, in the state of Kerala in South India,
built post independence by the then Madras state. Situated in
the scenic hills of the Western Ghats in the background it is
a combination of a masonry dam with a length of 1,849
metres and an earthen dam with a length of 220
metres. The dam is 355 feet high and crosses
the Malampuzha River, a tributary of Bharathappuzha, Kerala's
second longest river. There is a network of two canal

systems that serve the
dam's reservoir of 42,090
hectares.

Silent Valley – Biodiversity

Silent Valley National Park is a national park in Kerala, In-
dia. It is located in the Nilgiri hills, has a core area of
89.52 km2 (34.56 sq mi), which is surrounded by a buffer
zone of 148 km2 (57 sq mi). This national park has some
rare species of flora and fauna (plant and animal life). This
area was explored in 1847 by the botanist Robert Wight.

The national park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of
South Western Ghats mountain rain forests and tropical moist
evergreen forest in India. Contiguous with the proposed
Karimpuzha National Park (225 km2 (87 sq mi)) to the north
and Mukurthi National Park (78.46 km2) to the north-east, it
is the core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (1,455.4 km2),
and is part of the Nilgiri Sub-Cluster (6,000+ km2), Western
Ghats World Heritage Site, recognised by UNESCO(United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in
2007.

Plans for a hydroelectric project that threatened the park's
biodiversity stimulated an environmentalist social movement in
the 1970s, known as the Save Silent Valley movement, which
resulted in cancelling the project and creating the park in
1980. The visitors' Centre for the park is at Sairandhri.

Biodiversity

The Wildlife Park sustains unusual plants and herbs of great
medicinal value and houses about 110 species of fauna. Seven
novel species of plants have also been discovered here. The
Nilgiri tahrs, whose existence is recently under threat, the wild
elephants, the lion-tailed macaques, ferocious tigers, spotted
leopards, wild boar, the famous Indian hornbill, the Nilgiri
laughing thrush, are all inhabitants of the Park. This park also
boasts of unusual peninsular mammals and there are about 26
kinds of mammals as well as 120 species of birds.





Kannimara Teak

Kannimara Teak Tree is one of
the world’s largest living Teak
tree found in Parambikulam
Tiger Reserve, with an amazing
height of 39.98 m, girth pf 7.15
m (at breast height) and aged
465 years approximately.

The tree has been awarded
“Mahaviriksha Puraskar” by the
Government of India during 1994
-95.

According to the local tribal belief,
when this tree was tried to cut
down, blood spurted out from the
place where it was cut. Since then,
this tree was worshipped by the
local tribals in Parambikulam as
“Virgin Tree”. Thus the name
Kannimara is given as he word
“Kanni” means “Virgin”.

Nellara (Granary)

As said before Palakkad is the land of Palmyras and Paddy
fields. It is the chief granary of Kerala. Palakkad is a vast
stretch of fertile plains interspersed with hills, rivers, moun-
tain streams and forests. Thus, celebrated as the ‘Granary
of Kerala’,

PALAKKAD FORT

Palakkad Fort is an old fort situated in the heart of
Palakkad town of Kerala state, southern India. It was
recaptured and rebuilt grandly by Sultan Hyder Ali in 1766
ACE and remains one of the best preserved forts in Kerala.
The Palakkad Fort is said to have existed from very ancient
times, but believed to be constructed in present form in 1766
A.D, but little is known of its early history.

Jain settlements in Palakkad

During the 17th and 18th centuries, there
were about 400 Jain families living a life of
Ahimsa or non-violence in Palakkad. Their
lives were threatened during the invasion of
Tipu Sultan in the 18th century and so they
fled the place leaving their jewellery hidden in
many wells in the area. Tipu's forces ravaged
the whole of Jainamedu, plundered the place and destroyed
the boundary walls of the temple. The Jain families who had
left the place could not return later.

The temple is in a dilapidated condition now, with only one
family to attend the rituals. The Jain festivals and rituals practised
here throw light into their customs and culture.

The temple which is about 6 kms from Palakkad opens every
day at 5 pm. It is one of the last vestiges of Jainism in Kerala.

Leather puppet

show

(Tholpaavakoothu)

Tholpavakoothu,
literally meaning ‘leather
puppet play’, is a traditional art form of shadow puppetry that
is practiced in Bhadrakali temples at Palakkad. It is
performed using leather puppets as a ritual dedicated to
Bhadrakali and is performed in specially built theatres called
Koothumadams.

It is said to have originated in the 18th century is also
known as pavakoothu (puppet play) or nizhalattam (shadow
play). Puppets (pavakal), usually representing four characters
from the Ramayana, are arranged behind a long white
screen, in front of bright wick lamps. The puppets made of
deer skin are made to dance to songs from the Kamba
Ramayana (the Tamil version of the epic). The performance
starts late at night and continues up to daybreak.

From Granary to Industrial Hub

Vast lands of paddy fields are fast getting converted into Industrial
Hub.

Well known personalities born in Palakkad

 K.R.Narayanan (Former President of India)
 Vallathol Narayana Menon (poet)
 Kunjan Nambiar (poet)
 Olappamanna (poet)
 M.T.Vasudevan Nair (writer)
 O.V.Vijayan (cartoonist,writer)
 Akkitham (poet)
 Malayatoor Ramakrishnan (writer)
 V.R.Krishna Iyer (Chief Justice)
 Methil Radhakrishnan (writer)
 Shashi Tharoor (writer, politician)
 Ravi Shankar (cartoonist)
 M.S.Viswanathan (music composer)
 M.D.Ramanathan (Carnatic musician)
 V.T.Bhattathiripad (Drama, poet)
 Chembai Vaidyanath Bhagavather (Carnatic musician)

 P.Leela (playback singer)
 Unni Menon (playback singer)
 P.Unnikrishnan (playback singer)
 Cartoonist Kutty (cartoonist)
 M.G.Ramachandran (tamil actor)
 Vidya Balan (actress)
 Priya Mani (actress)
 K.P.Kesava Menon (Mathrubhumi)
 E.Sreedharan (Metroman)
 K.G.Subramanian (Artist)

By Kaldharan Lal

Aruvikkara is a village in Thiruvananthapuram district in the state of Kerala , India .It
comes under Nedumangadu Taluk , which is situated in the eastern part of
Thiruvananthapuram district and has 23 villages and 1 muncipality. Aruvikkara is located
on the banks of the Karamana river 15 km from Thiruvananthapuram , the capital of the
state of Kerala in South India. The reservoir and garden makes it a tourist spot. It is
famous for the ancient Bhagavathi temple dedicated to Durga, the divine embodiment
of female power, which is built on a rock.

Ancient Bhagavathi Temple
The streams in front of the temple contains large fishes which are fed by the devotees
visiting the shrine. The headquarters of the Wellington Water Distribution project is
located here. The small Aruvikkara Dam (mini dam) is there which provides water to the
state capital Thiruvananthapuram. K.S. Shabarinathan of INC is sitting as the MLA of
Aruvikkara constituency to the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus is the only mode of
transportation available in Aruvikkara.

•

As of 2001 India census, Aruvikkra had a population of 32,617 with 15,939
males and 16,678 females.

There are many educational institutions including LP school, GHSS Aruvikkara
(school), many nurseries etc.

LP School Aruvikkara

GHSS Aruvikkara

❖ Panchayath

Aruvikkara has become the first geoinformatics Grama Panchayath in the state by
completing a geospatial mappimg project.Under the project undertaken by the local
bodies with technical support from Grameena Patana Kendram at Karakulam, every
detail of the Panchayath has been marked on a map for better planning of

development activities. Mr. A. Sampath, MP (CPM) of Attingal, declared Aruvikkara as the
first geoinformatics Panchayath. Arruvikkara was the first complete women Panchayath
(2017).

• Police Station

On 22.10.2011 Government have accorded sanction to open a new Police station at
Aruvikklara in Thiruvananthapuram Rural District by redefining the area of jurisdiction
of existing Nedumangad, Aryanad and Vilappilsala Police stations. Jurisdiction of
Aruvikkara Police station contains all the areas under Aruvikkara Panchayath and parts
of Karakulam Panchayaths. The new building built for new Poilce station at Aruvikkara
was inaugurated by our Chief Minister , Sri. Pinarayi Vijayan through conference call on
2020.

At early times there was many agricultural lands in Aruvikkara . People used to
do farming in these lands at those times. Main crop was paddies. Other major
plants were coconut trees, plantain farming, tapioca plant, areca nuts(pakku), betel
leaves, different types of flowers etc. People used to grow many animals such
as cow, buffalo, goat, oxen etc. for milk, meat, agricultural activities and birds like
hen, duck etc.for meat and egg.

Karamana is the river flowing through Aruvikkara. The river starts near the
southern tip of the Western Ghats at Agasthyarkoodam. The river flows 66 km
westward and merges with the Arabian Sea at Panathura near Kovalam. There is
a bridge across the river in Aruvikkara.

The Karamana river has two important dams on it. These are the Aruvikkara
dam, built in the 1930’s and the Peppara dam which lies further upstream and
was built in 1983. Aruvikkara dam is a beautiful dam constructed over
Karamana river. There is a small park laid out with an artificial waterfall . Its
name is “Siva park”. There is an open air auditorium near the dam.

The Aruvikkara dam was completed with the aim of providing
piped drinking water to the city. The Trivandrum Water Works inaugurated by
and named after Lord Wellingdon in 1933, is in charge of receiving and
distributing the Karamana’s waters to the city even today.

Aruvikkara dam was flooded due to heavy rainfall rarely. The above given image
is the picture taken on August 15,2018, due to heavy rain 5 out 6 shutters were

opened. The heavy rush of water caused flood in the Trivandrum city also.
Recently, the dam’s 5/6 shutters was opened in May 21 and 22.

…………………………………………

ADITHYA SANKAR .S.R. :-XB [MY PLACE]

Maruthankuzhi / Maruthankuzhy

Maruthankuzhi / Maruthankuzhy is a residential area in Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala. It lies on the way from Sasthamangalam to Vattiyoorkavu. The place is
around 2 km from Vellayambalam and 7 km from East Fort. Udiyannoor Devi
Temple is situated here. Regular bus services connect Maruthankuzhi with
Vattiyoorkavu and East Fort. Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is
around 8 km away. Trivandrum International Airport is around 15 km from here.

Sree Udiyannoor Devi temple

Sree Udiyannoor Devi temple is located at Maruthankuzhy in
Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala. This is one of the

ancient temples in Kerala. This famous major temple of
Udiyannoor Devi is situated on the banks of Killiyar at north
eastern part of Thiruvananthapuram city. Eventhough the
place is known as Udiyannoor, it is commonly called as
‘Maruthamkuzhi’. It is at a distance of 5 kms from Central
Bus stand and Railway station and 13 kms from Trivandrum
International Airport. The temple is about 1300 years old.
The temple complex contains structures having
architectural excellence. Within the sanctum sanctorum
(Srikovil), which faces north, is the glorious idol of the
supreme mother of the Universe resplendent with four arms
and effulgent face depicting motherly affection. This idol is a
combination of Shaiva and Vaishnava features and it is
evident from the weapons in the four hands. Kalamezhuthu
and Pattu, Kuruthi Tharpanam, Udyasthamana Pooja,
Muzhukkappu, Mahaganapathi homom, Ada Vazhipadu,
Mrutyunjaya homom, Kumkumabhishekam,
Swayamvarachana, Sree Sooktham, Archana, Neeranjanam,
Noorum Palum, Rahukala pooja, Aiswarya Pooja,
Samooharchana, Nagar Pooja etc. are the important
offerings of this famous temple. Maruthankuzhi is situated at
a distance of 6 km from Thiruvananthapuram Central
Railway Station.

Sree Udiyanoor Devi Auditorium

Sree Udiyanoor Devi Auditorium is situated at Maruthankuzhi
in Thiruvananthapuram. The hall is a venue for marriages,

cultural programs and public meetings. It has the capacity
to seat as many as 950 people quite comfortably.
Kathirmandapam decoration, vadya melam, kitchen vessels,
electricity, water and cleaning are the added comforts.
Maruthankuzhi is situated at a distance of 6 km from
Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station.
FAMOUS SCHOOLS:- SSRVM [sri sri ravishankar]

SSRVM, Thiruvananthapuram

AN INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE IN VALUE EDUCATION

SSRVM is an initiative by Art of Living Organization.
In today’s modern world, education is being taken as a system to make our children
professionally
competent but somehow in the preparation for this rat race we are losing focus on
building
characters and individuals.
The founder our Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji sensed this and thus SSRVM was
established
to bridge the gap between modern education and old values. He says “Broaden the
vision…
Deepen the roots”. Each day our school begins with this motto where we provide a
conducive,

warm, experiential environment to our students to learn the best of academics and
imbibe the
best of character building. We take care that our students learn the latest aspects of
modern
education and also inculcate the strength of our culture and values.

Historical spot…

The Killi, a tributary of the Karamana river, nurtured
centres of learning and temples on its banks

„Killiar‟, a tributary of the Karamana river, is a major presence in the
city. It is much shorter than the Karamana river, with a length of about
24 km. The name Killi is reminiscent of the name of the ancient
Dravidian Goddess and is also the family name of some Chola dynasties
(Nedumudi Killi was a king who lived during
the Silappadhikaram period). There are names of places etymologically
related to Killi in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu, such as
Killikurussimangalam. A megalithic urn burial site has been identified at
Sasthamangalam, on the banks of the Killi river, by B.S. Harisankar, a
Pune-based pre-historic researcher.

Ward & Conner writes about the Killi river thus: Between Kuramunnay
and the commencement of the town, there is an open street of paddy
fields through which flows the Killyaur, over it is a wooden bridge, this
stream meanders to the East of the suburbs in which are few rocky
heights of inconsiderable size. The town commences a short distance
West of the above river... Its source is in the Nedduvencaud district –
enters this 5 miles North of the Capital, meanders in a Southerly course
three miles and is turned by the rivulet from Wutteeoorkauo S. S. W. 3
1/4 ¼ miles to the high road which crosses it then through: a wide stripe
of cultivation nearly S. 1 3/4 ¾ miles forms a junction with the
Kurramunnayaur. There are two dams thrown across it on the West of
Wutteoorkauo, the Northernmost is dilapidated and the other called
Murthengoe Ana, a canal branches off it, and is conveyed into the fort of
Trivandrum. A mile South of the above dam is one in ruins across the

original track of this river. The nullahs that rise in the Northern ridges
of hills fertilizing the paddy glens, verge towards one point and discharge
themselves into a backwater which communicates with the sea at the
Vailey bar; the principal branches pass by Palliapooram, Cullicoottum &
c. and is termed the Chittar.”

At Maruthankuzhy is one of the oldest „anaikettu‟ (anaicut) in
Thiruvananthapuram. Maruthankuzhy forms a part of the five „madais‟
harvesting water for enriching the Killiar (the fifth one is called
„anachaam mada‟). The anaicut has three gates with stone pillars that
are grooved to enable placing of shutters in them. The granite floor slabs
are held together with metal clips. When the shutters are closed, water
rises and flows into the canal under the road and turns right to proceed
through a channel known as Kochar, on the right side of the road by the
same name, from the Anaikettu spot to Edapazanji. It proceeds via
Jagathy, Valiyasala, Powerhouse road, Thakarapparambu and Padma
Nagar to supply water to the Padmatheertham pond inside the Fort. The
scheme seems to have been in existence at least 200 years ago.
Maruthankuzhy Ana also houses a river-gauge that is used to measure
the river discharge. Killi river has, in addition to the Maruthankuzhy
bridge (a new one is also getting ready), has bridges across it at Jagathy,
Pangode and Killippalam.

Udiyannoor Devi temple at Maruthankuzhy is beside the Killi river.
The Thottam Paattu in Maruthankuzhy Bhadrakaali temple has words of
praise for the Killi river. The Mahadeva Temple at Sasthamangalam is
yet another temple on the banks of Killi river, upstream of the Ana at
Maruthankuzhy. The famous Attukal temple is also on the bank of the
„river foot‟, and hence the name „Attukal‟ (its literal meaning is the foot
of the river).

On the banks of the Killi, at the spot today known as Valiyasala (near
Killippalam on the National Highway), is the famous Valiyasala temple,
associated by many with the Kanthaloor Shaala, the historic university
that received students from various parts of India. A war was fought by

Chola king Raja Raja I over this “Nalanda of the south”. The deity in
the temple is still called Kanthalloor Shaala Mahadevar. Puthankotta,
the palace of Umayamma Rani, was also on the banks of this river.

The Killi‟s vicinity to Chalai, the historic trading centre of the city made
it one of the routes for moving trade goods. Boats could take goods
through the Killi river, enter the Karamana river (at Kalladimugham at
Konchiraravila) and reach Poonthura, which at one time served as a
port. Reminding us of this old status of the river, we can still spot timber
depots in Killippalam-Attakulangara bypass. There are two schools by
the riverside, the Chalai Boys‟ and Girls‟ schools. Floods of the Killi
river used to disrupt functioning of the schools for days.

More than a 100 years ago, Dewan Nanu Pillai wrote to the Chief
Engineer thus: At a short distance from the Killiyar bridge on the main
line. There existed a breach or rather a gap in the embankment. The
whole Shala and the parts of the roads in the front of the fort by the
eastern fort gate were inundated. The walls of houses have mostly
tumbled down. His Highness could not drive by the road. In fact
communication was stopped. I wish you will conceive some project for
water communication near the Anjengo bar in times of floods. If this is
not done, there is scope for danger land accidents. The embankment of
the Killiayur on the southern side of the main bridge has to be
strengthened and the breach should be repaired.”
Another famous spot:- maruthankuzhy bridge

Maruthankuzhy is also famous for it’s bridge,which is a one way from
sasathamangalm to the maruthankuzhi junction…it was inaugurated
on march 2013…the bridge contains solar system & killi river flows
under the bridge…









AMRITHA KRISHNAN A
STD X-A

POOJAPPURA – MY BIRTH PLACE

Poojappura known as "The heart of Trivandrum" is a place in the city of Thiruvananthapuram
(Trivandrum) in India. It is located in the south-east part of the city, surrounded by Jagathi,
Karamana, Mudavanmugal and Thirumala. This place was once used as the worship place during
the Navaratri festival season. The name Poojappura comes from the fact that it was here that the
King of Travancore used to arrive during Mahanavami celebrations for the pooja (worship).
There is the biggest Kavadi Procession on Vijayadeshami day with over 700 Kavadis,
Paravakavadi, Suryakavadi, Mayilkavadi, Agnikavadi etc.

Poojappura is known for housing the Central Prison (Central Jail) of Kerala. The central jail is
one of the oldest in the state and was built by British Engineers during Travancore Reign. The
State Education Department (Pareeksha Bhavan), head office of the HLL life care Limited
(formerly Hindustan Latex Limited), Head Office of State Bank of Travancore, [Bharatheeyam
Charitable Trust] is located here.
History

Poojappura holds a very bright face in the cultural field of Ananthapuri. Once this area was a part
of Aramada and Anchamada villages of Ananthapuri. Six madas (drains) were dug to drain water
from this elevated area to Karamana river; thus making this area as Aramada. Arayalloor, Annur,

Konkalam, Mudavanmukal, Thamalam and Thrivikramangalam were these six madas and even
now these areas are known after the names of these madas. Adjacent to this, 5 madas were dug
for the same purpose, i.e. draining water to Karamana and Killy river. Kaduvetty,
Maruthankuzhi, Pangode, Kundamankadavu and Vallakadavu were the five madas and these
areas were even now known by the names of the madas.

Present Poojappura area forms a part of a Forest Waste Purambokku that spread in Aramada and
Anchamada villages. Numbering as the 7th item of the settlement register of Aramada Pakuthy
(village) of Thiruvananthapuram Taluk, in the erstwhile Thiruvithamcode state, the following
details were found about Poojappura.

1. Mudamon Palace situated in 4 acre 17 cents of land owned by Sree Pandaram by Survey No.
1510.
2. Adjacent to this an area of 6 acre 75 cents by Survey No. 1979.
3. And a government bunglow in 19 acre 96 cents of land by Survey No. 1851.

In the land by the above survey numbers, two palaces were constructed by the then kings of
Travancore - Sethalmandu Palace or Chithal Mannu Palace and Kunnum Bunglow. The land of
Sethalmndu Palace, was full of Chithal (Termite) and thus it was known as Chithal Mannu
Palace which later on became Sethalmandu. This palace was constructed as the royal residence
of the erstwhile Travancore regent queen Rani SethuLakshmi Bai, to live after
her Pallikkettu (marriage). Maharaja Sree Moolam Thirunal constructed Ambarimughappu
Palace, just opposite to Poojappura Mandapam, as the royal residence of his mentally ill elder
brother. In the southern corner of the above mentioned Forest Waste Purambokku land, new
buildings were constructed for Central jail and in 1886 it was shifted to the new building from
west fort to Poojappura.

As per the old revenue records, the vast farming area in Chengazhassery Village, on the banks of
Killiyar near to Poojappura was known as Chaithy. This Chaithy, later on became Jagathy. In the
above mentioned Forest Waste Purambokku there was a place by name 'Chadiyara', from where
many Chadies where excavated. Chadies were very big earthen pots used for burying dead
bodies in ancient times. Historians have already established that it was a custom to bury dead
bodies in Chadies (Muthumakkathazu) during the Tamil sangam period. For the burial of
members of royal family, special burial grounds were demarcated.

Godess Saraswathy is considered the patron of learning by Hindus. It is believed that Godess
Saraswathy is one of the bhavas of 'Devi'. Devi pooja was ancient form of Dravidian culture.
There were several 'Thaivappuras' (place of worship to god) across the erstwhile
Thiruvithamcode. Such a 'Thaivappura' existed in the southern part of the above mentioned
forest waste purambokku. The etymology of the word Poojappura goes back to this
'Thaivappura'. This situation might have influenced the royal authorities for the construction of
the beautiful 'Mandapam'. Even now there is a place by name 'Deviapura' near Peringammala
in Nedumangaud Taluk.

The Poojayeduppu festival has become a regional festival. It is an epitome of religious harmony;
irrespective of caste, creed and religion the whole population of this area participates in this
festival celebrated every year.

Poojappura Ezhunnalathu

The idol of Saraswathy Devi is brought to Thiruvananthapuram in the Navarathri days from
Padmanabha Puram, the earlier capital of Travancore. The idol is kept in the
"Chokkittamandapam at Kottaykkakom. Bhagavan Kumara Swamy from Velimalai and
Munnutti Nanka from Sucheendram also accompanies. The Devi. Kumaraswamy and Munnutti
Nanka are respectively kept in Aryasala and Chenthitta Devi temples.

On Vijayadasami day, the idol of Kumaraswamy is brought to Poojappura Mandapam.
Thousands of people worship Bhagavan here. The honourable king of Travancore arrives at

Poojappura with royal procession. It is known as the famous 'Poojappura Ezhunnalathu'. On the
way to Poojappura mandapam the Raja halts at the 'Ambarimukhappu Kottaram' to take rest.
There after the royal king arrives at the Mandapam to attend the 'Pallivetta'. After the pallivetta
ceremany Bhagavan Kumara Swamy returns.
Even now the famous Navarathri festival is celebrated in the Poojappura Mandapam but the king
of Travancore is not accompanying as part of the Ezhunnalathu.

Some Eminent personalities of Poojappura:
➢ Mohanlal (film actor)
➢ M. Jayachandran (Music composer)
➢ Gopinath Muthukad (Magician; Managing Director- Magic Academy)
➢ Priyadarshan (Film director)
➢ Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri (Kathakali artist)
➢ Poojappura Ravi (Film actor)
➢ G. Shankar (Architect)
➢ Mallika Sukumaran (Film Actress)
➢ Namitha Pramod (Film Actress)
➢ Dr. Jyothidev (Diabetologist)
➢ Balaji (Film actor)

Important Buildings in Poojappura

Sree Chitra Research Centre Central Prison LBS Engineering college

Ayurveda Panchakarma Hospital HLL Life care SBI Head Office

It is said that King Marthanda Varma or Swathithirunal might have codified the formalities of
Navaratri Pooja and thus Poojappura has become the cultural centre of Ananthapuri. The royal
patronage gave added importance, festive mood, grandure and more colours for the annual
Poojayeduppu festival. Poojappura is one of the beautiful places in the city of Trivandrum. There
are Hospitals, Temples, Schools, Offices, Banks, Post Office, Markets etc., are situated in this
place. I am proud to be a citizen of this place.

TRIPUNITTURA:- MY NATIVE LAND

Thrippunithura or Tripunithura is a prominent
historical and residential region in the city of
Kochi in Kerala, India. Located about 8 km
from the city centre. It is a town adjacent
to the city of Kochi. In local administration
it is a municipality. Tripunithura was the
capital of the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin.
The descendants of the Cochin royal family
still live here. The town is abode to
several historical monuments related to the
reign started from the late eighteenth
century. The Hill Palace situated near
Tripunithura was the palace of Maharaja of
Cochin, the ruler of Kingdom of Cochin.

ORGIN OF TRIPUNITHURA

It is believed that the kingdom came to
existence in twelfth century AD, towards
the end of the Chera
kingdom and the family that
was bestowed with the
ruling power of certain parts
of present day Malappuram
came to be known
as Perumpadappu
Swaroopam. The long and
complex history of this
lineage runs parallel to the colonial
history of Malabar and Kochi regions
under the Portuguese, the Dutch and the
British rulers.

ETYMOLOGY

There are umpteen numbers of tales that
describes the origin of the word
“Tripunithura” of which the first one links
to a “Pooni” or “Pooneeram” which
means quiver. The story goes long back
to the times of The Pandavas . It is
believed that during the end of
Dwaparayuga, Arjuna, made a visit to
Lord Vishnu who presented him with an
idol which he carried in his “pooni “.
With the help from Lord Ganesha an
ideal place was identified and the idol
was installed.

Another account of similar variety is also
told, it goes like this- Lord Krishna
presented an idol he himself worshiped
to Arjuna, asking him to find a supreme
place for its installation. It is believed
that Arjuna placed this idol in his bag,
called Pooneeram (in local language),

which was used for storing arrows. On
reaching the place he shouted
“Pooneeram Thura “ which means ‘open
the bag’, thereby giving rise to the name
“Poonitura “.

CULTURAL HISTORY

The 'Raja nagari' or the
royal city is one of the
most prominent centers of
traditional Kerala cultural heritage. The
erstwhile rulers of Kingdom of Cochin
were great patrons of art. This made fine
arts and architecture flourish under them
in many ways. The town is also a
prominent centre of learning for classical
arts like Carnatic music, Kathakali and
Mohiniyattam besides percussion
instruments like mridangam, chenda and
maddalam. Much of this is facilitated by
the RLV College of Music and Institute
of Fine Arts was established here in
1956. Another center of learning is
Kalmandalam. Tripunithura also has many
dedicated centers for stage performances
and promotion of art.

SREE POORNATHRAYESHA TEMPLE

Sree Poornathrayesa temple is situated
in Tripunithura, Kochi. The temple is
considered among the greatest temples in
Kerala and was first among 8 royal temples
of erstwhile Kochi Kingdom. The deity was
also considered as National deity of Cochin
and protector guardian of Tripunithura. Lord
poornathrayeesa is considered to be a big
fan of elephants and he is known for his
elephant love. Hence more than 40
elephants participate in his grant
vrishchikotsavam. And most of the elephants
are sent for the utsavam without a money
return expected by the elephant owners as
poornathrayeesa is considered to be elephant
lover.
The temple is famous for its
yearly Utsavams or festivals. The main one
is the Vrishchikoltsawam, which is conducted

every year in the month
of Vrishchikam (November–December), kicking
off the 'Ulsava' Season in Kerala. And this
Vrishchikolsavam is the biggest temple
festival in the world followed by the
koodalmanikyam ulsavam iringalakkuda and
one of the biggest major festivals in the
world. The deity in this temple is Lord
Vishnu who is in the form
of Santhanagopala Murthy.

LORD GANESHA FACING SOUTH

The Poornathrayesa Temple is the only
temple where Lord Ganesha faces
southwards. All other temples traditionally
have the idols facing the east and/or the
west.

HILL PALACE

The Hill Palace, the official residence of the
Kochi royal family, is today the largest
archaeological museum in
Kerala

Interesting Facts and Trivia About Hill Palace

• The huge ground sprawls an area of
about 65 acres.

• The Kerala style of architecture is
prevalent in all the 50 buildings which
make up the Palace complex.

• The Museum opened to visitors after
renovation work in 1986 after it was
acquired by the Archaeology Department
from the royalty in 1980.

• Exhibits from countries like China and
Japan reflecting their art and pottery are
also on display.

• The park for children on the same
grounds is open till about 6 PM.

• The scenic location is also utilized by
many film makers for movie shooting
purposes, with Manichitrathazhu being the
most famous movie that was shot at this
location.

• The National Mission for Manuscripts has
got a Center for Heritage Studies set up
in the palace.