Kayamkulam

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Kayamkulam | type = city | latd = | longd =
state_name = Kerala
district = Alappuzha
leader_title =
leader_name =
latd = 9.17
longd = 76.49
altitude =
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 65,299| population_density =
area_magnitude=
area_total =
leader_title_1 = MLA
leader_name_1 = C K Sadasivan
area_telephone =914792
postal_code =69053x
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio = 0.944
literacy = 81.76%
literacy_male = 84.49%
literacy_female = 79.02%
unlocode =
website =www.kayamkulam.in
footnotes =

Kayamkulam is a city and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient market town that is almost equidistant from Alappuzha town and Kollam. The city is well connected by rail and road with other cities in the region. Kayamkulam gets its name from a portmanteau of two Malayalam words - "kayam" (sap of a spice tree) and "kulam" (pond). Kayamkulam is well known for its coir, fishing and tourism industries. The town is an important township located on the backwaters of Kerala. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the National Thermal Power Corporation, is located in Kayamkulam. The climate is tropical wet, with heavy rain in the monsoon season.

Kayamkulam is closely associated with the legend of "Kayamkulam Kochunni". He was a famed highwayman, active in the area known as "Central Thiruvithamkoor", in the early part of the 19th century. He is said to have stolen from the rich and given to the poor. Legends about his exploits are part of the local folklore.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Kayamkulam had a population of 65,299. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kayamkulam has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 79%. In Kayamkulam, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

How to reach Kayamkulam

* 100 km from Trivandrum International Airport, on National Highway 47.
* 140 km from Nedumbassery Airport, Alwaye, on National Highway 47.
* Kayamkulam Railway Junction is 1.5 km from the town. Trains from the North from Eranakulam via Kottayam, and from Eranakulam via Alappuzha passes through Kayamkulam Junction and then proceed to Quilon, Trivandrum and further to Nagercoil and Kanyakumari.

Festivals

Oachira Vrishchikam festival is celebrated every year at the Oachira Temple.

Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani, the "bharani" festival celebrated in the month of "Kumbham" is an important event for the people of this locality and neighbouring places. This festival celebrated with pomp and gaiety is popularly known as the Kumbhamela of South. Lakhs of people from different parts of Kerala and abroad visit Chettikulangara to participate in this mega event.

Evoor Aaaraattu, the "Aaaraattu" festival celebrated in the month of "Makaram" is very important for the people . This festival is celebrated with great devotion . People belonging to all religions participate in this event to express their salutations to Evoor Sreekrishnaswamy, the immensely powerful Deity which was consecrated by Lord Krishna, Himself ((eruva sreekrishna swamy temple)).Ramapurathu Aswathy and Kumbhabharani 'Pallivilakku' is a very important festival.Ramapurathu Valyamma is considered as the Theevaara Moorthy (Kingdom Goddess) of Kayamkulam King.The Ezhunnalathu of Bhagavathi is very famous in Onattukara, commonly called as 'Ramapuram Chitta' in Ezhunnallathu.

Nearest towns

* Mavelikkara - 15 km
* Pandalam - 35 km
* Haripad - 13 km
* Karunagappally - 20 km
* Adoor - 30 km
* Keerikkadu Jetty - 07 km
* Muthukulam - 07 km
* Evoor - 07 km
* Kattanam - 07 km
* Ramapuram - 08 km
* kaleekkasseril temple -07 km
* [http://www.karunagappally.co.in Karunagappally, Kollam, Kerala Webportal]

Krishnapuram Palace

Krishnapuram Palace is a tourist attraction, just 400 m from N.H.47 located between Kayamkulam town and Oachira. The palace is maintained by the Archeological Department and contains exhibits that belonged to the Palace and its former occupant, the Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma. The palace is also famous for a large pond within the palace. It is said that an underground escape route runs from the bottom of the pond as a possible escape route from enemies. The "Gajendra Moksham", mural painting in the palace is the largest in Kerala. The two-edged "Kayamkulam Vaal(sword)" is also on display here. The palace also houses, in its courtyard, one of the four statues of Buddha in Alappuzha District.

Pilgrimage centres and places of interest

{| class="wikitable"
-! Place Name

! Religion! Distance from town
-
Shree Vittala Devaswom temple
[Gaud Saraswat Brahmins]
1 km
-
kaleekkasseril temple prayar
Hindu
7km
-
Ramapuram Devi temple
[Hindhuism|Hindu]
7 km
-
Krishnapuram temple
Hindu
3 km
-
kottukulangara majlisussaqafathi sunniyya
[(Islam)]
2 km
-
Oachira temple
Hindu
5 km]
-
Chettikulangara Devi Temple
Hindu
10 km
-
Karunamuttam Shiva Temple
Hindu
8 km
-
Madempil Temple
Hindu
8 km
-
Karunamuttam Shiva Temple
Hindu
8 km
-
Vadakkankoyikkal Temple
Hindu
9 km
-
Irandackal Bhaghavathy Temple
Hindu
6 km
-
Kollanthara Bhagavathy Temple
Hindu
10 km
-
Pathiyoor Bhagavathy Temple
Hindu
5 km
-
Puthiyidom SreeKrishna Temple
Hindu
1 km
-
Koonrathu Devi Temple(Arattupuzha)
Hindu
9 km
-
Varampathu Devi Temple(Kandalloor)
Hindu
6 km
-
Koladathu Kavu Devi Temple
Hindu
6 km
-
Puthiyidam Sree Krishna Temple
Hindu
1 km
-
Bharanikkavu Devi Temple
Hindu
9 km
-
Kayamkulam Shahithar Mosque
Islam
1 km
-
Churches at Kattanam
Christianity
1 km
-
Mosque at Kayamkulam
Islam
1 km
-
Mata Amritanandamyi Math| Hindu shrine
13 km
-
Evoor Sri Krishnaswamy Temple
Hindu
7 km
-
Eruva SreeKrishna Swamy Temple
Hindu
2 km
-
kottukulangara Mosque
[(Islam)]
2km
-
Pandavarkavu Devi Shetram
Hindu
9 km
-
Padinjattathil Devi Temple, Puthuppally
Hindu temple
4 km
-
Pullukulangara Shastha Temple, Pullukulangara
Hindu
6 km
-
Thottathil Illam Devi Temple, Peringala
Hindu
1.5 km

References

* [http://www.karunagappally.co.in Karunagappally, Kollam, Kerala Webportal]