Kollengode

Kollengode is a small town in Palakkad district of Kerala state, south India.

Kollengode, 19 km from Palakkad town, has endless green paddy fields, an ancient Vishnu temple and the Kollengode Palace, built in the traditional Kerala architectural style.

Kollengode enshrines the pristine beauty of rural Palakkad. The village gets its name from the blacksmith ('Kollen' in the native Malayalam language) community who live here.

Tourist places near Kollengode

* Nelliampathi
* The Pothundi Dam
* The Seethargund

Demographics

Temples, Palace, yearly festivals, weekly grocery fair ('chantha') are among a few attractions in Kollengode. The predominant religion practiced is Hinduism. People from families belonging to Nair, Brahmin (Namboothiris and Iyers), Ezhava, Mudaliarand Chettiar communities are actively involved in Kollengode's social and economic infrastructure.

Its known for being the place of some popular families like K.H.M Manzil, Chockalingam chettiar and some prominent Nair families such as Ravuniyarthe, Karumathile. Also worth mentioning is that SRT (Sunder Rajan Travels) bus transportation main office is in Kollengode. Kollengode is home to the famous "Kollengode Kovilakam" and luminaries like late Carnatic musician K.V. Narayanaswamy (Palghat Kollengode Viswanatha Narayanaswamy), writer-bureaucrat Shashi Tharoor, late chenda exponents Kachamkuruichi Eachara Marar and Kannan Marar, politician Achutha Menon (MLA), Dr P.M Balakrishna Menon (veterinary surgeon) and meteorologist Prof P.R. Pisharody to name a few.

Late actor Raghuvaran was Born in Kollengode as part of the Chakkungal Tharavad in Palakkad district, Kerala.

Worth mentioning is the big lineage of Mudaliars like Sivrama Mudaliar of Veliya veedu in South Pavady who was the first general manager of Madras Co-operative spinning mills at Guntakal to note that was one of the first textile mills in co-operative sector in South India. The foundation stone of the mill was laid by our first prime minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

He was also the founder of Handloom House in Tamilnadu, and his son Sundararajan was the first engineer from the village and he went on to become the chief engineer in Kerala State electricity Board. Other popular Mudaliar includes Late Mr Ranganatha Mudaliar and Mr Ramachandra Mudaliar. Late Ranganatha Mudaliar is a known freedom fighter and had served as secretary in weaver cooperative society. was involved in the cultural development of kollengode in specific to the mudaliar community. Ramachandra Mudaliar and Late Ranganatha mudaliar both belong to Valiya veedu. Mr Ranganatha mudaliar son R. Sivaraman was also invoved in the development of Kollengode and as serving kollengode and nearby localities as secretary of grama panchayat. Ramachandra Mudaliar's son Krishna kumar is a known personality and was also an elected member to district panchayat.

Seethargundu water falls, Palakapandi water falls, Vittu Thotti water falls, all these falls are visible from anywhere in Kollengode village.If you can get the right guide you can trek to Nelliampathy hills. Mus visit is Kachakurichi temple of Lord Vishnu, a huge temple and there is a saying that it is the Tirupathy of Kerala, and the temple was started by Sage Vyasa and he had observed penance in the hill behind called Govinda malai.

Nearest "Meter Gauge" railway station is "Kollengode Railway Station" which is about 2 km away from Kollengode town and the place is known as OOTTARA. Oottara is located on the Palakkad - Kollengode road .

"Kollengode Railway Station" which is on the Palakkad - Dindigul "Meter Gauge" line . Palani is an important station on this line and is an important pilgrim centre.

Getting to Kollengode

Lord Shiva Temple situated in Pudugramam, is a very old temple.
* Nearest railway station: Palakkad, about 19 km from Kollengode.
* Nearest airport: Coimbatore, about 55 km from Palakkad town.
* Nearest Busstation : Kollengode 0 KMS
* Nearest BSNL Office : 04923-262200
* Nearest Police Station Kollengode

Santhigiri Ashram Olassery is nearest from Kollengode.

"'For your construction in Ashram systems (like Aruda Shudhi its for Ashram devottees) and general plse contact Mr. Avaneendran (Civil Enggineer) Vithanassery. Mobile : [phone]"'

ee also

* Nemmara
* Nemmara Vela
* Nelliampathi

Thamarapadam owned by Santhigiri Ashram nearest from Kollengode town.

=Satellite

* [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&start=0&num=200&msa=0&msid=114038809751246788218.000446f3003c119a1bdc6&ll=10.612578,76.695771&spn=0.00657,0.010042&t=k&z=17 Satellite Image of the town.]

External links

* [http://www.koduvayur.com Koduvayur Community Website]
* [http://www.TattaMangalam.com Website of Tattamangalam]