Ayroor

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
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district = Pathanamthitta
state_name = Kerala
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Ayroor is a village situated on the western part of Ranni Taluk of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala state, India. The Pamba River flows by the southern side of this scenic village and makes soil around the village very fertile. Ayroor village used to be a part of the erstwhile Travencore kingdom.

It is believed that the Thekencore kingdom's Kovilans ruled Ayroor in the past. The Kovilans brought a Christian family from the north as they believed that the kingdom will become prosperous with the presence of Christians. The descendants of this family is still present in Ayroor and is known as the Aiyyakkavil family.

Other prominent Christian families are Thazhamon, Kurudamannil & Mannakuzhiyil.

Thazamon family is supposed to have migrated from Kuravilangad, more than 300 years ago and belongs to Panamkuzha family in Kuravilangad which are discents of ancient Pakalomattom family. Thazhamon family has several Branches in Ayroor like Cherukara, Mavelil, Kidangineth, Chempothira, Kuttikkandathil, Manatt etc.

Kurudamannil belongs to Thayillum family. Thayillum Kudumbam is believed to be one of the oldest Christian Families in Kerala, which has its roots from the famous Thayillum Brahmin Family of Ancient Ayroor. One such nazrani family in Ayroor village was known as 'tharayilethu' (thaayillum) family. This ancestral place is situated about one kilometre west of Cherukolpuzha by the side of the main Thiruvella-Cherkolpuzha road.

Mannakuzhiyil Family is part of Aiyyakkavil Family.

The prominent Nair family is Thottavallil. It is believed that Thottavallil family came from down north, from Malabar to be prcise about 450yrs ago. The then maharaja of Thiruvalla wanted some one from the Thacholi tharavadu to teach his soldiers kalaripayattu. Thus he brought over a branch of Thacholi to Thiruvalla and gave them a whole village which included Thadiyoor and Cherukolpuzha. Thus Thadiyoor became the home of those Kurups who came from Thacholi. As years passed, lot of their property was lost and thus others came and settled at Thadiyoor.

Hindus and Christians are currently almost equal in numbers and social status.

One of the highlights of Ayroor is the "Cherukolpuzha Hindu Parishad" which is held on the dry bed of the Pamba river. The convention is held for a week in February every year. Snakeboat races also attract people to the village. Ayroor boasts numerous Churches and Temples. The harmony with which the two prominent communities live in Ayroor is worth noting.

The Pamba river and the surrounding hills make Ayroor one of the most picturesque places in central Travencore. Residents of Ayroor cultivate Coconut, Rubber, Cocoa, Tapiocca, Plantain, Cinnamon, Pepper, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Rambutan and other crops.

One of the specialties is the vibrant NRI community in Ayroor. The per capita income of the residents is considerably above the state average. Ayroor is the first village in India to have two branches of a nationalized bank.

Nearby places

* Pathanamthitta
* Kozhencherry
* Ranni
* Kuriannoor
* Pullad
* Aranmula
* Cherukol
* Thadiyoor
* Thekkemala

Education

* THSS Ayroor(managed By IHRD)
* Govt. High school, Ayroor

ee also

* Pathanamthitta

External links

* [http://www.kerala-tourism.org/pilgrimage-in-kerala/index.html Details of Cherukolpuzha Convention]
* [http://www.sehionmarthomachurch.com Website of Marthoma Church]
* [http://www.ayroor.com/ Personal Website on Ayroor]