Ettumanoor

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
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district = Kottayam
state_name = Kerala
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Ettumanoor (sometimes referred as Ettumanur ) is a major town in Kottayam District of Kerala state, south India, strategically located 12 Kilometers north-east of Kottayam town, 65 KM off from Cochin and 73 KM off from Cochin International Airport.The state Highway No.1 popularly known as the Main Central (MC) Road passess through Ettumanoor, and is a major connecting link between Palai and beyond to the Western Ghats and to the commercial capital of Kerala - Kochi. Ettumanoor is en-route the tourist resort at wagamon and Poonjar.

History

The name of the place had its origin from the word 'man oor' in Malayalam, which means the place of deer as deer means 'maan' and 'oor' means place. There is another version about the origin of the name Ettumanoor is about the former rulers of this place. "Ettu" in malayalam language means Eight, "Mana" means the house of a Brahmin and "Oor" in Tamil means village.This was a place ruled by the brahmins who lived in eight separate houses. Ettmanoor is a historical place as myths have says that the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa had established temple here.

Ettumanoor railway station was the hub for steel supply for Idukki dams during its construction.

Trade links

A road linking Ettumanoor to Poonjar is one of the No.1 state highway in Kerala. The road is superb in its rubberised tar made use of built. The famous Ettumanoor Fish Market serves a large scale of fish products to Pala and Wagamon tourist areas.

Education

An Industrial Traning College called ITI, a Government Boys and Girls Schools and lower primary school are the famous institutions here. Colleges in Ettumanoor are affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University which is just 5 KM away from here. Mangalam College of Engineering, Mangalam BEd College, Ettumanoorappan College and Sarma's College are also famous.

Culture and people

Though the population is diverse, the town is considered as a hub of Hindu communities.

Famous people

* Ettumanoor Radhakrishnan, BJP leader
* Ettumanoor Sivakumar, Horror novelist
* V.D. Rajappan, Comedy actor and Parody Songs poet
* Mathew Mattathil, Novelist
* T.G Bhaskaran Nair, Philanthropist and Social Worker

The Ettumanoor Mahadevar temple

The ancient Siva temple here has brought glory and fame to the place. Myths have it that the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa had worshipped at this temple. The name of the place had its origin from the word 'manoor', which means the home of deer.

The present temple building, with its gopuram and the fortress around it, was reconstructed in 717 ME (1542 AD). There are Dravidian mural paintings on the walls inside and outside of the main entrance. The fresco of Pradosha Nritham (Dance of Shiva) is one of the finest Wall painting in India. There is a golden flag staff inside the temple. On the top of it is the idol of a bull surrounded by small bells and metal leaves of the banyan tree. The temple roofs are covered with copper sheets and it has 14 ornamental tops. Bhagavati, Sastha, Ganapathy and Yakshi are installed here as subordinate deities. It is believed that the great philosopher, Sankaracharya wrote the 'Soundaraya Lahari' staying in the temple.

The famous Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple hosts the arattu festival celebrated on a grand scale on the Thiruvathira day in February-March every year. Lot of people come to this temple on the 8th and 10th day of the festival when seven and half elephants (in Malayalam: ezharaponnaana) made of gold (nearly 13 Kgms) will be held in public view.this statue was donated to the temple by a travancore maharaja. The temple, the wealthiest Devaswom in Kerala, has many valuable possessions.

The Thulabharam is one of the important rituals of this temple. People make offerings to God for favours received. On balance, the child or man for whom offerings were promised to God, is weighed against offerings ranging from gold to fruits. Ettumanoor is an important pilgrim Centre of Hindus.

Other Religious places / worships

Christuraj church (Christ the King Church) is one of the famous church in Kottayam district. The tall and beautiful church being renovated recently stands in the heart of the town. There are a number of muslim mosques also. Apart from this, Athirampuzha St. Mary's church is a famous pilgrim center is just 4 KM away from this place.

References

* [http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/ettumanoorfestival.htm about Ettumanoor]
* [http://www.thecheers.org/news/South-Asia/news_1223_Christian-family-donates-50-year-old-teak-tree-for-Hindu-temple-in-Kerala.html Christian family donates 50-year-old teak tree for Ettumanoor Temple]
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