Chunkappara

Alapra
—  town  —
Alapra Location of Alapra in Kerala and India
Coordinates	9°27′13″N 76°44′38″E / 9.45361°N 76.74389°E / 9.45361; 76.74389Coordinates: 9°27′13″N 76°44′38″E / 9.45361°N 76.74389°E / 9.45361; 76.74389
Country	India
State	Kerala
District(s)	[Kottayam District]
Nearest city	Cunkkappara
Parliamentary constituency	Pathanamthitta
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Codes • Vehicle • KL-

Chunkappara is a small town in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state, South India. Chunkappara is situated 26 km east of the town of Thiruvalla, where the nearest railway station is located. Other neighbouring towns include Kottangal, Perumpetty, Alapra, Manimala, Ponthanpuzha, Ranni, Erumeli, Vaipur, Ezhumatoor, and Chalapally.

Chunkappara is in the middle of a hilly region, with springs flowing throughout. The place is believed to have been located in the midst of Ponthanpuzha forest centuries ago. It is the only independent place where people have access without discrimination regarding caste, creed, colour, religion, age or sex.

History

It is believed Chunkappara had a forest path and there was a check post erected here to collect taxes. The tax collectors used to sit beneath a huge rock, which is how the name Chunkappara developed ("Chunkam" means "tax" and "Para" means "rock"). Elderly people say that the place will one day become Kanakappara ("Golden Rock").

Chunkappara is a developing town of the Kottangal Panchayat, Mallapally Thaluk. Development has come at a faster pace as there are many Gulf returnees and successful businessmen in the area.

One of the oldest schools is St. George High School, Kottangal. It keeps academic standards.C.M.S. L.P. School is another old educational institution in Kottangal Panchaya. There is also an English middle school called Christu Raja English Medium School, which is run by the Malankara Catholic Church.

Alapra is a small town 2 km far from Chunkappara. It is surrounded by several hills (Vattukunnam Hill, Vechukkunnu Hill, and Vanchikappra hill). Ponthanpuzha Forest touching throughout a side of Alapra. The forest area is around 7000 Acres. A biggest rock hill can be seen from far. Its called Oottupara. Its have been declared by Chief Minister V.S. Achudananthan as Eco Tourism Package. Alapra including a small town called Melel Kavala. Alapra is beautiful place and agriculture area.

See also

• Pathanamthitta