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Thodupuzha

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Thodupuzha
Municipality
Thodupuzha Civil Station Complex
Thodupuzha Civil Station Complex
Thodupuzha is located in Kerala
Thodupuzha
Thodupuzha
Location in Kerala, India
Thodupuzha is located in India
Thodupuzha
Thodupuzha
Thodupuzha (India)
Coordinates: 9°54′00″N 76°43′09″E / 9.89998°N 76.71920°E / 9.89998; 76.71920
Country India
StateKerala
DistrictIdukki
Government
 • TypeFirst Grade Municipality
 • Member of Legislative AssemblyApu John Joseph (KC/UDF)
 • Municipal ChairmanMrs. Saabira Jaleel, IUML
Area
 • Total
35.43 km2 (13.68 sq mi)
Elevation
40 m (130 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total
52,045
 • Density1,469/km2 (3,805/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
685584
Telephone code04862
Vehicle registrationKL-38
Nearest cityKottayam, Kochi
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
Nearest Airport Cochin International Airport (COK) 54 km
Vidhan Sabha constituencyThodupuzha
Lok Sabha constituencyIdukki
ClimateTropical monsoon (Köppen)
Avg. summer temperature32.5 °C (90.5 °F)
Avg. winter temperature23 °C (73 °F)

Thodupuzha ([kaʈ:ap:ɐna]) is a municipality[2] and taluk in the Idukki district of Kerala,[3][4] India. It is located 55 km (34.2 mi) west of the district headquarters in Painavu and about 195 km (121.2 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Thodupuzha has a population of 52,045 people, and a population density of 1,468/km2 (3,800/sq mi).

Thodupuzha is the largest town and main commercial centre in Idukki. It is bordered by the Kottayam district on the southern side and the Ernakulam District on the western side. It also acts as a gateway to various tourist spots in the High Range regions towards its east, including Munnar, Thekkady, and Peermade.[5]

Etymology

[edit]

During the annexation of the Vadakkumkoor principality by the Kingdom of Travancore, the capital Karikkode was destroyed by Diwan Ramayyan and his forces. In response, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore, appointed Elasamprathi Narayana Varma as the administrator of the newly acquired territory. A nearby area called Edavathuruth, surrounded by hillocks and rocky terrain, was selected as the new headquarters of Thodupuzha taluk. The former capital Karikkode was reduced to a small village known as a "Pakuthy". The Maharaja also appointed Mallan Sankaran of Palliyadi as surveyor to prepare land revenue records, including the Ozhukku survey and Kandezhuthu settlement. As Mallan Sankaran failed to execute his mission due to widespread objection and riot of the local people, survey was only completed during the reign of Karthikathirunal Ramavarma. The place was named Thodupuzha by the Raja of Vadakkumkoor Maluvakon Manikantan who used to reside in his palace at Vaickam and Edavetty(Mattam Palace) near Karikkode, used to mention the nearby flowing wide "Valiyathodu" as thodu (transl. "rivulet") puzha (transl. "river"). It is believed that the stream developed into a river due to the changes in geophysical conditions of the area wherefrom it originates and enter the vally of Arakulam, to be known as Thodupuzha 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[6] 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 of Travancore Anizhamthirunal Marthanda Varma.

History

[edit]
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.[7] 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.[8]

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. Elasamprathi Narayana Varma is credited with introducing a new system of tax collection in the region. Thodupuzha is an ancient town with a history spanning several centuries. Buddhist and Jain influences reached Thodupuzha and surrounding areas as early as the 3rd century BCE.

In the 14th century, Kerala was divided into several administrative provinces, including Venadu, Otanadu, Navishainadu, Munjunadu, Vempolinadu, and Keezhmalainadu. Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha were part of Keezhmalainadu, which existed until 1600, when it was defeated by Vadakkumkoor and subsequently became part of that principality.

St George Syro-Malabar Forane Church at Muthalakodam St. George Forane Church MuthalakodamWayback MachineSt. George's Forane Church, Muthalakodam · WP6M+764, SH44, Muthalakodam, Kerala 685605, India, near Thodupuzha, is believed to have constructed before the 13th century. It was re-built several times since then and the current structure was built in the year 1973.

Mylacombu St Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Thodupuzha Architecture of Churches in Kerala | Christianity in Kerala | Kerala TourismSt. Thomas Forane Church, Mylacombu · WMFX+QPQ, Mylacombu, Kumaramangalam, Idukki, Kerala 685608, India is believed to be built in 660 AD by Syrian Christian settlers in Mylacombu near Thodupuzha who migrated from Kuravilangad, Kodungallur, Angamaly, Kadamattom and Vadakara, Koothattukulam.[9][10]

St Mary's Syro-Malabar Church, Nediyasala St. Mary's Syro Malabar Church, Nediyasala · VMPF+PMM, Thodupuzha, Koothattukulam Road, Nediyasala, Kerala 685608, India near Thodupuzha is another ancient church in the locality.

After Indian independence, from 1949 to 1956, Thodupuzha was a part of the Kottayam district in Travancore-Cochin state.[11] In 1956, when Kerala state was formed, Thodupuzha remained as a part of Kottayam district until 1958, when Ernakulam district was formed on 1 April 1958 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.

Demographics

[edit]
Religions in Thodupuzha Taluka(2011)[12]
Religion Percent(%)
Christianity
 
 45.15%
Hinduism
 
 40.57%
Islam
 
 14.03%
Sikhism
 
 0.01%
Buddhism
 
 0.03%
Jainism
 
 0.00%
Not stated
 
 0.2%
Others
 
 0.04%
Old bridge of Thodupuzha

As of 2011 Census,[13] Thodupuzha Taluka, with an area of 884.93 km2 (341.67 sq mi) had a total population of 325,951; males comprised 49% of the population and females 51%. The literacy rate of Thodupuzha Taluka in 2011 was 95.56%, in which, male and female literacy were 96.81% and 94.33% respectively. In Thodupuzha, 9% of the population was under the age of six.

Economy and infrastructure

[edit]

Thodupuzha taluk (later bifurcated into Thodupuzha and Idukki taluks) lies mostly in the low-range plains of central Kerala. The area serves as a major trading hub for hill produce, including rubber, coconut, black pepper, tapioca, banana, ginger, turmeric, pineapple, and cocoa.Prior to the rise of real estate development, large areas in the region were used for paddy cultivation. However, paddy farming has largely been abandoned by farmers in recent decades. Agriculture, particularly rubber cultivation, has traditionally been the mainstay of Thodupuzha's economy. Other crops such as pineapple, coconut, rice, pepper, cocoa, tapioca, banana, ginger, turmeric are also cultivated. In recent decades, Thodupuzha has seen growth in small-scale and village industries, supported by state government policies. Several manufacturing units have been established in the area, including The Dhanwanthari Vaidyasala (the first Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing unit in the district), Nagarjuna, Guardian Controls, Lunar Chappals, Saro Plast, and Brahmins Industries.

The town has also benefited from improved infrastructure, including bypass roads, and the presence of numerous public and private institutions.

|+Neighbouring cities & towns |

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Climate

[edit]
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[14]

Politics

[edit]
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 Thodupuzha municipality was formed by merging the Thodupuzha panchayat with the neighboring panchayats of Kumaramangalam, Karikkode, and Manacaud. It was administered by a special officer for the first ten years. In 1988, the first popularly elected municipal council was formed, with N. Chandran as its chairman.

Sri Krishna Swami temple

Sports

[edit]

The Thodupuzha Cricket Stadium constructed by the Kerala Cricket Association is located in Thekkumbhagom, approximately five kilometers away from Thodupuzha,[15] which is large enough to host two cricket matches at the same time.[16]

Municipality Members

[edit]
Ward No.Ward NameCouncilor NamePartyAlliance
001VengalloorT.K. Sudhakaran NairINDOTH
002Guru L.P.C.Shimnas K.K.CPI(M)LDF
003VengathanamBiji SureshINDOTH
004MadathikkandomRaji AjeshINCUDF
005Municipal U.P. SchoolDeepak K.INCUDF
006AmbalamGopalakrishnan K.BJPNDA
007B.H.SSubaida SeythumuhammadIUMLUDF
008VadakkummurrySafiya JabbarIUMLUDF
009PettenaduAdv. Sreeja RajeshBJPNDA
010Muthalakodam WestBasheerINDOTH
011Holy FamilyMercy SebastianKECUDF
012KaropparaMini TomyINDOTH
013KunnamAnnies John KuzhikandathilINCUDF
014PattayamkavalaAdv. Jomon UlahannanKECUDF
015Muthalakodam EastT.M. BasheerIUMLUDF
016UndaplavuA.M. HaaridIUMLUDF
017B.T.M. SchoolNishadIUMLUDF
018KummamkalluSaabira JaleelIUMLUDF
019MalepparambuRamziya NiyasIUMLUDF
020ValiyajaramJisha RazakIUMLUDF
021KeerikodeVishnu K. SasiINCUDF
022MuthaliyarmadomJithesh C. InjakattuBJPNDA
023Municipal OfficeP.A. Shahul HameedINCUDF
024UrumpilpalamRenuka RajasekharanBJPNDA
025MaramkunnuP.R. VijayakumariBJPNDA
026KanjiramattomRajeswariBJPNDA
027OlamattomJoy MyladiINCUDF
028PerukkoniLitty JosephINCUDF
029KothaikunnuRinkumol SebastianINDOTH
030KolaniR. HariINDOTH
031NadukkandomNisha SomanINCUDF
032ParakkadavuKavitha N.S.CPI(M)LDF
033AmaramkavuUma A.B.BJPNDA
034Municipal QuartersR. AjiBJPNDA
035Co-operative HospitalRajesh BabuINCUDF
036ChunkamAthira JoshiINDOTH
037River ViewProf. Jessy AntonyKC(M)LDF
038ManakkadPadmakumar S.BJPNDA

Education

[edit]
University College of Engineering

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Kerala (India): Districts, Cities and Towns - Population Statistics, Charts and Map".
  2. ↑ "Grama Panchayaths" (PDF). lsgkerala.gov.in.
  3. ↑ "Thodupuzha Municipality | District Idukki, Government of Kerala | India". Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  4. ↑ Boxall Online Delivery Pvt Ltd. "Thodupuzha | Gateway to the High Ranges, Idukki". Boxall. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Kudumbashree.org subdistrict 991020-12".
  6. ↑ "Government of Kerala kudumbashree". Government of Kerala. 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  7. ↑ Nair, K. K. (2013). By Sweat and Sword: Trade, Diplomacy and War in Kerala Through the Ages. KK Nair. p. 157. ISBN 9788173049736.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ "St. Thomas Forane Church Mailacombu::Kothamangalam Eparchy:: Syro Malabar Church Parish". www.syromalabarchurch.in. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "Architecture of Churches in Kerala | Christianity in Kerala | Kerala Tourism". Christianity. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  11. ↑ K. M. Mathew, ed. (2006). Unknown. Malayala Manorama. p. 116.
  12. ↑ "Population by Religious Community". Census of India. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  13. ↑ Kerala, Directorate of Census Operations. District Census Handbook, Idukki (PDF). Thiruvananthapuram: Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala. p. 78,79. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  14. ↑ "CLIMATE: THODUPUZHA", Climate-Data.org. Web: .
  15. ↑ "Thodupuzha Cricket Stadium- Idukki".
  16. ↑ "Thodupuzha to get a world-class cricket stadium | Kozhikode News - Times of India". The Times of India. 17 April 2015.
  17. ↑ "St. Joseph's College moolamattom".
  18. ↑ "Newman College |". Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  19. ↑ "University College of Engineering, Thodupuzha". ucet.ac.in.
  20. ↑ "University College of Engineering:Home". ucet.ac.in.
  21. ↑ "St. Augustine`s H. S. S. Karimkunnam". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  22. ↑ "Govt. V H S S Thodupuzha". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in/.
  23. ↑ "Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Govt. H S S Thodupuzha". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  24. ↑ "St. Sebastian`s H S Thodupuzha". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  25. ↑ "ST GEORGE H S S, MUTHALAKODAM, IDUKKI". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  26. ↑ "Sacred Heart Girls H S Muthalakodam". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  27. ↑ "St. George`s H S Kallanickal". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  28. ↑ "M K N M H S Kumaramangalam". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  29. ↑ "St. Rita`s High School Paynkulam". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  30. ↑ "St. Antony`s H S Kuninji". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  31. ↑ "St. Sebastian`s H S S Vazhithala". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  32. ↑ "St. Sebastian`s H S Purapuzha". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  33. ↑ "GOVT. HIGH SCHOOL ARIKUZHA". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  34. ↑ "Govt. U. P. School Thondikuzha". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  35. ↑ "Govt. L. P. School Arikuzha". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  36. ↑ "N. S. S. (Govt.) L. P. School Chittoor". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  37. ↑ "Govt. L. P. School Edavetty". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  38. ↑ "Govt. L. P. School Kaloor". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  39. ↑ "Govt. L. P. School Karimkunnam". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  40. ↑ "Govt. L. P. School Kuninji". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  41. ↑ "Govt. L. P. School Kumaramangalam". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  42. ↑ "Govt. L. P. School Purappuzha". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  43. ↑ "St. Sebastian`s U. P. School Ezhalloor". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  44. ↑ "S. G. U. P. School Kallanickal". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  45. ↑ "M. M. U. P. School Meenmutty". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  46. ↑ "S M U P S NEDIYASALA". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  47. ↑ "L. F. U. P. School Nediyakadu". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  48. ↑ "S. P. U. P. School Thattarathatta". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  49. ↑ "S. J. U. P. School Perumpillichira". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  50. ↑ "L. F. L. P. School Chittoor". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  51. ↑ "S. T. L. P. School Kolady". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  52. ↑ "St. Thomas U. P. S. Paynkulam". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  53. ↑ "S. J. L. P. School Peryampra". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  54. ↑ "P. L. P. School Perumpillichira". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  55. ↑ "S. A. L. P. School Vengalloor". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  56. ↑ "TECHNICAL HS PURAPPUZHA". sametham.kite.kerala.gov.in.
  57. ↑ "timesofindia". timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
  58. ↑ "'അഭിപ്രായസ്വാതന്ത്ര്യം നല്‍കുന്ന സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ വേണം'; വോട്ടുചെയ്ത ആസിഫ് അലിയുടെ സ്വപ്നം..." 9 April 2026.
  59. ↑ "Askar Ali". infoflick.com.
  60. ↑ "P. K. Abdul Aziz". en.unionpedia.org.
  61. ↑ "Dileesh Nair". mywordsnthoughts.com.
  62. ↑ "Hakkim Shajahan interview: 'I try to give my best to the roles that come my way'". thehindu.com.
  63. ↑ "Jaffar Idukki". in.bookmyshow.com.
  64. ↑ "Kerala Assembly polls 2026 | Legacy meets development pitch in Thodupuzha".
  65. ↑ "'ദ കുങ്ഫു മാസ്റ്ററി'ൽ എത്തിച്ചത് എബ്രിഡ് ഷൈൻ എന്ന ബ്രാൻഡ് നെയിമിലുള്ള വിശ്വാസം - നീത പിള്ള". deepika.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  66. ↑ "Naduparambil Pappachen Pradeep". Facebook.com.
  67. ↑ "Formez-Vous! Formations CPF en 24H avec English Coach BORDEAUX Coaching+Formation Anglais TOEIC Formations Anglais CPF VisioConference Cours de Langues Centre de Test TOEIC Formation Anglais & Langues BORDEAUX".
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