Champakulam

Champakulam
—  village  —
Champakulam Location of Champakulam in Kerala and India
Coordinates	9°24′41″N 76°24′46″E / 9.411447°N 76.412723°E / 9.411447; 76.412723Coordinates: 9°24′41″N 76°24′46″E / 9.411447°N 76.412723°E / 9.411447; 76.412723
Country	India
State	Kerala
District(s)	Alappuzha
Subdistrict(s)	Kuttanad
Spoken languages	Malayalam English
Ethnic groups	Hindu Christian
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 1 metre (3.3 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 688505 • Telephone • +0477 • Vehicle • KL-04

Champakulam (Malayalam: ചന്പക്കുളം) is a village in Kerala, India. It is in Alappuzha district. Champakulam is part of Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala, and is resplendent in green paddy fields, coconut groves and water fowl. Champakulam is an important tourist spot and is famous for the Moolam boat race. The river Pampa flows through the village, splitting it into two. currently it is connected, by road to Alappuzha and Changanassery.

Champakulam Kalloorkadu St. Mary's Forane Church (Valia Palli)

One of the oldest Christian churches in India ^{[1] [2]} and the mother church of almost all Catholic Syrian churches in Alleppey District. Believed to be established in AD 427. Rebuilt many times and the many rock inscriptions found around the church tell us about the history of the church. The open air Rock Cross at Champakulam church is one of the most ancient ones with clear documentation of its antiquity up to AD 1151. There are many archaeological artefacts found around the church about its history. Champakulam church was once under Niranam Church. Champakulam Church had very friedly relations with the Jacobite Syrian group and had a pivotal role in many ecumenical efforts in the Eighteenth century. Belongs to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of India.

The annual feast at this church is on the 3rd Sunday of October every year. The feast of St. Joseph is celebrated on March 19.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is the oldest ^{[3] [4] [5] [6]} and one of the most popular vallam kali (snake boat race) in Kerala state of south India. The race is held on river Pampa on the moolam day (according to the Malayalam Era M.E) of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race

Educational Institutions

St. Mary's High School
St. Thomas UP School
BKM English Medium School
Porookkara Memorial School

Notable personalities from Champakulam

Bishop Kurialassery ^[7]
Champakulam Pachupilla ^[8]

Tourist facilities

Champakulam is an important tourist spot. You can see hundreds of houseboats moving along the Pampa River everyday. Champakulam church (Valia Palli) and Champakulam snake boat (and some other snake boats too) are some of the tourist attractions. There are a number of resorts where people can stay and enjoy the beauty of nature. Champakulam angadi has some art-emporiums where tourists might find items of interest.

Getting there

Road - 15 KM away from Alleppey, 18 km from Changanassery by road.
Rail - Well connected to Major Cities. Nearest Rail heads: Alleppey, Changanassery.
Air - Nearest International Airports : Kochi (Nedumbassery) - 85 km. Thiruvananthapuram - 150 km.
Water - Linked by boat service through the back waters to Alappuzha (1 hr), Kollam(8 Hrs), Changanacherry(3 hrs), Kumarakom(3 hr), Cochin(4 hrs) etc.

Location (Wikimapia)

http://wikimapia.org/3880758/ചമ്പക്കുളം-Champakulam

Places in and around Champakulam

Though Champakulam is a village itself, there are many other small places in and around Champakulam. Some of them are part of Champakulam.

• Amichakari
• Champakulam
• Kandankari
• Kondakkal
• Manapra
• Mancombu
• Nedumudi
• Padaharam
• Pulincunnu
• Pullangadi
• Thekkekkara
• Vaisyambhagom
• Nadubhagam

References

1. ^ "Syrian Churches of Kerala". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Churches_of_Kerala. 
2. ^ "Champakulam Kalloorkkadu St Mary’s Church- The Hidden Pearl in Nasrani History". http://nasrani.net/2010/01/30/champakulam-kalloorkkadu-st-marys-church/. 
3. ^ "Champakulam Moolam Boat Race video". http://www.keralatourism.org/video-clips/champakulam-moolam-boat-race-107.php. 
4. ^ "Champakulam Moolam Boat race at Champakulam , Alappuzha (Alleppey) Kerala state, India". http://www.alappuzhaonline.com/champakulammoolam-boatrace.htm. 
5. ^ "Champakulam Moolam Boat Race - My-Kerala.com". http://www.my-kerala.com/tour/district/alappuzha/boat-race/champakulam-moolam.shtml. 
6. ^ "Champakulam Moolam Boat Race at zonkerala.com". http://www.zonkerala.com/Champakulam-Moolam-Boat-Race-2071.html. 
7. ^ "Bishop Thomas Kurialacherry". http://www.churchesinindia.com/bishop_thomas_kurialacherry.html. 
8. ^ "Death of Kathakali exponent mourned - The Hindu news paper". http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/05/13/stories/2004051306630300.htm. 

External links

• This page gives memories about Champakulam a few years ago.
• A site dedicated to champakulam (site under construction).
• Champakulam moolam boat race latest details).
• St. Mary's Church