Karukachal

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Karukachal | type = Village | latd =9.5 | longd =76.63333
state_name = Kerala
district = Kottayam
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude =81
population_as_of =
population_total = (7km2)| population_density =
area_magnitude= km²
area_total =
area_telephone =91 48248
postal_code =686540
vehicle_code_range = KL -
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
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Karukachal is a small village in Kottayam district of Kerala state in India. Karukachal is 20 km from Kottayam town. The nearest railway station is Changanassery which is 15 km away.

The origin of the name Karukachal is possibly related to the Malayalam words "karuka" and "chal"."Karuka" is a type of grass and "chal" means a small stream. Its also said that Karukachal and nearby places were home to many chekavans(warriors). Although there is no historical evidence to back this, its said that, the warriors used to clean their sword after battles in stream near to this place .(There was a small stream near the present bus stand in karukachal).Thus chances are that Karukachal got its name from the malayalam words "vaal kazhuki chaal". vaal(sword), kazhuki (to wash) and chal (stream).Vaalkazhukeechal ultimately became karukachal.

Religious places

The present day Karukachal does not have the stream from which the village got its name. Karukachal is also home to many temples and churches. Champakkara Devi temple, Champakkara Church, Nettallore Devi kshetram, Kootrappalli Church,Vetticavumkal Sree Mahadeva Kshetram, Nedumkunnam St.John the Baptist Church, Sree subhananda Darsana Mandapam.Kuttikkal. (Subhananda Gurudevan a social reformer among backward caste who have been under slavery for decades)and Four more Subhanandasramams are being situated in Karukachal.The world's versatile Traditional Kalari treatment Center Sreerangom CVN Kalari Chikilsa Kendram- [http://www.sreerangomayur.com] -is the main attraction of who reaches at Karukachal."Puthooram" cable network has its head end here. The Nair Service Society(NSS) gives its own importance to Karukachal.The Society possesses a hospital and an Estate in Karukachal.

Champakara is actually a hill covered by beautiful paddy fields and small rivers. The term "champa" is originated from the sanskrit word " sampath" (Wealth) and the "kara" means land, so the concept was that Champakara, a wealthy village with full of virtues.

Nearest places

* Karukachal Town
* Karukachal-Aniyarappadi-Nathellore Road

The location of Karukachal was very important during Rajavazcha. It was a resting place for Royal Family members who made pleasure trips to Highranges. For their safety, many Kuruppan families settled in Karukachal. The Royal family members enjoyed their hospitality, protection and of course, their women. The earliest Concrete Road runs thru' Karukachal. The present Changanacherry-Kumily Road is laid upon the old concrete Road. Bullock Carts used to ply in convoys to the western market in Changanacherry and back. Karukachal was an assembling point for these carts which were coming from various inlands.
*Kangazha
Kangazha is a beautiful place, having a serene atmosphere in Changanacherry Taluk east to Karukachal. Famous for the MGDM Hospital one of the oldest multispeciality community referral hospitals in Kerala. The first Self Finance Nursing College in private sector in Kerala, [http://theophiluscollegeofnursing.com Theophilis College of Nursing] is also situated at Kangazha. Other educational institutions at kangazha are [http://pgmcollege.googlepages.com/home PGM college] of arts and Science, [http://pgsonkangazha.googlepages.com/home P Geevarghese School of Nursing] , [http://mgdmhospital.googlepages.com/home School of Laboratory Technology-MGDM Hospital] , [http://baselioshsskangazha.googlepages.com/home Baselios Higher Secondary School] , St. Thomas School Kangazha etc.
*Panayampala
*Vettikavumkal
*Kochuparambu
*Nedumkunnam
*Punnavely
*Nethalloor
*Kaidachira
*Kochukulam
*Puthupally padavu
*Muthiramala
*Champakara
*Koothrapally
*Santhipuram
*Kavalimavu
*Mampathy
*Peumpettymon
*Nedungadappally
*PlachikalBanglam Kunnu
*Perumpanachy/Thengana----