Kaviyoor

Kaviyoor (Malayalam: (also Kaviyur) is village located on the banks of the Manimala River in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. It is a highly literate village with much emphasis on education. There are 2 major high schools in the village having been over 50 years old. There are also some other schools and a couple Teacher Training Institutes.

Vital Statistics

(According to the 2001 census)
*Area: 12.67 km².
*Population: 16,311
*Population Density: 1287 per square km
*Literacy: 96.35% (Male 97.67%, Female 95.09%)

Demographics

The majority of the residents belong to the Hindu or Christian community. The total population is estimated to be about 16,311 people. The literacy rate about 97%.

Local Self Government

There are 13 wards in the Kaviyoor Grama Panchayat out of which few are represented by women. The HO of the Panchayat is near the Kanika Madapam. which is adjacent to the Krishi Bhavan.

There is also a village office in Kaviyoor Near the K.N.M Govt. High School.

Kaviyoor Grama Panchayat, Kaviyoor P.O, Kerala, India. Phone: [phone]

Transport

Thottabhagam is a centre of the Transport activity of the village. There are many buses from Thottabhagam to Changanacherry. Most of the bus services to Changanacherry originate from here but there are also services from Kozhencherry and Pathanamthitta. As Thottabhagam lies on the T.K.Road between Pathanamthitta and Thiruvalla there are many buses plying in this route. Both K.S.R.T.C and private buses operate from Thiruvalla to Mallapally via Njalikandam which is in Kaviyoor.

The nearest railway station is in Thiruvalla which is 5 km from here. It connects Thiruvalla with all the major cities in India. There are daily train Services to New Delhi,
Mumbai,Chennai, Howrah Kolkatta,Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Both the Trivandrum International Airport and Cochin International Airport are of identical distance from Kaviyoor. There are also plans to build an Airport in Aranmula by some NRIs in the near future.

Temples of Kaviyoor

Cave temple

An ancient rock cut temple is located there, carved on a huge rock and the carved rooms and sculptures aore well preserved.The Kaviyoor Trikkukkudi Cave Temple, also known as the Rock Cut Cave Temple, is of historical importance and is preserved as a monument by the Archaeological Department. The engravings here are among the earliest specimens of stone sculptures in Kerala.

The temple has a verandah with a sculpture of Lord Ganapathi carved into the wall and inner sanctum containging a tall shivalinga, all carved out a one huge rock. It bears close resemblance to the Pallava style of architecture. The engravings here are among the earliest specimens of stone sculptures in Kerala. Enshrined in a square cave is the main deity of the shrine, Lord Shiva, represented in the ' Shivalinga' which is about three feet high and carved out of rock. The shrine also has idols of Ganapathy, Maharshi and Dwarapalakas.It was constructed during the rule of the Pallava dynasty who reigned over South India from 608 to 850 AD.

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple

Another temple is the Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple which has a unique style of architecture and is one of the oldest of the Mahadeva temples in Kerala. It stands on a small hillock and is built in the gable style architecture peculiar to Kerala.It is believed to have been constructed in the early years of the 10th century and the 'Kaviyoor Shasanas' of 950 AD has references to the gifts that were offered to this temple. The 'Darusilpas' (wood sculpture) seen around the temple belong to the 17th century. The temple festival is held in December-January of every year. Hanuman Jayanthi, the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman is also celebrated along with the temple festival.

Njaliyil Bhagavathy Temple

Njaliyil Bhagavathy Temple is a temple dedicated to Njaliyil Bhagavathy at Njalikandam in Kaviyoor. The main attraction of the temple is the 101 Kallam(101 Pots) which takes place during the temple festival.

There are also several Illoms.

Agriculture

Main agricultural produces are Rice, Coconut, Arecanut (Betel nut), Betel leaves, Black pepper, Rubber, Plantain, Banana, Sugarcane and Cassava (Tapioca). There is a National Fish Seed Farm located at Polachira in Kaviyoor.

Prominent Citizens

Kaviyoor Revamma

kaviyoor Ponnamma

Getting there

The nearest Train Station is at Thiruvalla and the nearest Airport is Cochin International Airport.

ee also

* Pathanamthitta

Notes