Pampady

Pampady
Town
Pampady Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Kottayam
Elevation	81 m (266 ft)
Population (2012)
• Total	181,098 (7km2)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	686502
Telephone code	91 481
Vehicle registration	KL5

Pampady is a small town 16 kilometres east of Kottayam in Kerala, Southern India. It lies midway between the serene backwaters of Western Kerala and the misty mountains of Western Ghats. National highway 220 passing through the heart of pampady. It is well connected to Kottayam, Ponkunnam, Kanjirappally, Pallickkathodu, Puthuppally and Karukachal.

History

Vennimala on the western boundary of Pampady was once the Capital of Thekkumkoor. Unnuneeli sandesam written in 14th century AD describes Vennimala and Thiruvanchiyoor in Thekkumkoor. In AD 1749 King Marthanda Varma of Venadu captured Thekkumkoor and thereafter it was portion of Travancore. After 1956, Pampady became part of Travancore-Cochin State.

The old records, dating back to ME 352 (AD 1176), kept with Kaithamattom Illam in Velloor, throws light on the history of Pampady. There was human inhabitation here about 1000 years back. The Subramanya temple of the Illam was old even at that time.

Up to middle of 16th Century, Pampady was under King of Thekkumkoor. Thalikotta was the capital of Thekkumkoor. Pampady was owned by Kothala Madom and later by Ambazhathunkal Kartha. Pampady had three portions-Velloor, Pampady and Thekkan Pampady. Velloor was owned by Kaithamattom Illam.

The meaning of Pampady as per Malayalam Dictionary -"Sabdatharavaly" of Sreekandeswaram- is "Ananthasayanan". (The Land of Lord Vishnu). The area where there was a Sreekrishna Temple by Valiyamadom Potty was called Pampady according to one school of thought.

The development of Pampady is closely connected to KK Road, which came into existence in AD 1038, as a graded road. Mr. Murphy- a far sighted Englishman and rubber planter should be remembered for extending this road to the high ranges during the 1st half of 20th century. Hundreds of labourers of backward classes from Puthuvelil, Kothala area lost their lives in this great task, especially the section between Peruvanthanam and Kuttikkanam. This road is now a national highway, from Quilon to Theni at Tamil Nadu. There was a wayside inn at the site of present Bus stand. Kolathettu family donated the site. Later a vegetable and a cattle market- the only one between Kambam- Tamil Nadu and Alleppey, were started in Pampady. Pallivathukkal (MDLP) School was started in AD1879. This was started by Cheriyamadathil Yacoob Kathanar. Madathil Aasaan (C.G. Raman Nair) and Thanathukara Keralan Nair were the Teachers. Alampally School was started in 1880 and this was followed by MGM High School, a Private Management institution offering quality English education. Pampady Govt Dispensary was started in 1924. A Public Library was started in 1929 by Gandhian Kuzhiyidathara Kunjappan (K.I. Jacob). K.G College was started in 1981 and Govt Engineering College in 1991. The college which was later renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology or RIT, Kottayam bought about major changes in the panchayat. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, named after the late Prime Minister Sri. Rajiv Gandhi, run by the Government of Kerala, started functioning in 1991. It has established a vast infrastructure and put together a team of dedicated teachers. The institution has thus attained a remarkable place as a technical training Institute.Government started this institution with a view of making it a center for post graduation and research studies. The college is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam, Kerala.

It is believed that Lord Rama and Lakshmana during their period of exile visited this hillside. At that time numerous sages meditated in the caves of Vennimala. Upon the request of the sages Lakshmana killed many demons that were a threat and nuisance to the sages. Thus the place came to be called ‘Vijayadri’ in Sanskrit. The name means ‘hill of victory’ as Lakshmana won the battle with demons. Vijayadri in Malayalam became Vennimala. A detailed description of this place appears in the famous Malayalam work ‘Aitihyamala’ by Kottarathil Sankunni.

The legend goes that Cheraman Perumal constructed this temple as per the direction of Kapila Maharshi. The place name was Iravipuram originally. The king who reached this place by canal route as per astronomical directions, was shown the idol in this hill by a hunter named Iravi. Later on, the temple came under the suzerainty of Thekkumkoor¹ kings who ruled this region. The temple is more than thousand years old as judged from the mrgamala in the namaskara mantapa, even though the present structures may be of later period.

Even though the main idol is that of Lakshmana Perumal, Sri Rama is also present in the srikovil by conviction. Reinforcing this conviction, there are two bronze dhwajastambhas (flagmasts) in the front yard. Previously the temple was a Mahakshetra with five poojas and three sreebalis daily. Now, only three poojas are performed. Earlier there was a 28-day festival from Rohini in Makaram to Rohini in Kumbhom culminating in the Arattu. For the arattu, during the forward journey Lakshmana was in front followed by Sri Rama while for the return after the aratt Sri Rama used to come in front. All the 28 days were punctuated by Chakyar Koothu. The koothambalam is part of Valiambalam. Pothiyil Chakyars had the hereditory rights of performing Koothu in this temple. Only Ramayanam story used to be played here. Koothu for 16 days followed by Koodiyattom for 12 days was the routine. Vennimala Koothu has been an integral part of the cultural scene of Kerala for centuries. At present, the festival goes on for reduced duration of ten days.

Architecture

The temple is facing West. The entrance to the temple is through a dwara gopura in Kerala style followed by an Anappandal. Then come the two dhwajastambhas followed by the Agra Mantapam or Balikkalpura. This is followed by the Valiambalam with an in-built koothambalam. The Nalambalm is of wood and tile and on the exterior there is a Vilakkumadom as well.

The valiambalam leads to the inner prasada (courtyard) containing the Srikovil and the namaskara mantapa. The namskara mantapa of medium size contains four pillars and has been reconstructed in teak quite recently with tiled roofing. On the south side of the namaskara mantapa, in between the two pillars is the ancient Kanikka Vanchi of Teak with brass locking system etc., a rare find.

Beyond the namaskara mantapa comes the unique srikovil only one of its kind in South India. It is the 'Ghata Prasada'² type with a pot shape, the Srikovil proper is in circular form with a neck shaped mukhamantapa in front. The srikovil has been constructed in stone and the mukhamantapa has ornamented wooden panels in between stone pillars. Both are roofed over by an integral copper roof supported by rafters. The exterior of the srikovil has beautiful daru silpas (wooden idols) at intervals along the periphery. Sopanam as well as pillars in the mantapa have been enclosed by brass membrane. Of the daru silpas special mention can be made of Siva, Venugopal, Ravana, Sri Rama and Mahalakshmi.

Among the subsidiary shrines, that of Sri Krishna is unique. Located in the North-West corner of the outer prakara, it is a small square srikovil abutted in front by a square mukhamantapa. The inside of the srikovil is hexagaonal shape. The srikovil and mukhamantapa are surrounded by pillars enclosing a small walk-way around and tile over. There is a namaskaramantapa and balikkal in front of the shrine. Other upadevatas are Ganapathy, Nagaraja and Yakshi.

The tantra rights of this temple are vested in the Thazhaman Matom. Balikarmas take place during Thulam and Karkidagam vavu days in the temple tank nearby with rocky outcrops. The temple comes under the administrative control of the Uranma Devaswom Board.

Outside the nalambalam are the flagmasts and the anapandal (the elephant portico) on the eastern side culminating in the dvara-sala. The Sastha shrine is located on the south-west side while Bhagavathi, Nagaraja and Yakshi are accommodated on the north-west side of the outer prakara.

The huge rock in Kattankunnu in Velloor is called "Pampurumpara" - the rock where snakes crawl. According to second school from this, the name Pampady was derived. Another view is that the name was derived from Payampady (area where water is available).

Vennimala SriRama-Laksmana temple, situated in 4th ward of Puthupally, is 2 km south to Vellor. This very old temple is on a hill 1500 feet high from sea level. There are a number of small wells and ponds around the temple. In the month of Karkidakam, people conduct Vavubaliritual here. "Vennimal Perumal" Bhaskara Revivarma, the Cheraman Perumal built the temple. Famous sopana musician Shadkala Govinda Marar, contemporary of Swathi Thirunal was born near the temple in Pulikkal house.

Cheruvallikavu

The famous Cheruvallikavu Devi Temple located in pampady village. Alampally Sreekrishnaswamy temple, and Chennampally Gandharvasamy temple are also in pampady. St. Thomas Church, St. Thomas High School are in Kuttikkal jn, South pampady.

Kangazha

Kangazha is a beautiful place, having a serene atmosphere in Changanacherry Taluk south to Pampady. 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, Theophilis College of Nursing is also situated at Kangazha. Other educational institutions at kangazha are Devaswam Board High School Kangazha,Muslim Higher Secondary School Kangazha,Govt. L.P. School Kangazha, PGM college of Arts and Science, P Geevarghese School of Nursing, School of Laboratory Technology-MGDM Hospital, Baselios Higher Secondary School, St. Thomas School Kangazha etc.

Pampady Dayara

This is a famous Christian pilgrim centre is situated near Pampady. Dayara Chapel is a tomb church of Kuriakose Mar Gregorios (Pampady Thirumeni), bishop of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Under this chapel, a lot of institutions are functioning.

Education

Block Resource Centre Pampady, SSA, near Pampady at 8th mile Velloor. Schools from Pampady, Kooroppada, Meenadom, Manarcadu and Ayarkkunnam (part) panchayath are under this BRC .

High schools and Higher Secondary schools

There are many high schools: MGM High School, BMM English Medium School,Cross Roads School, Vimalambika School, Govt HSS Alampally, PTM High School Velloor,MGM HSS lakkattoor, St. Thomas High School South Pampady, Technical High School Velloor, and a number of primary schools.

Technical education:

The famous Engineering College named Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology (RIT). Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, named after the late Prime Minister Sri. Rajiv Gandhi, run by the Government of Kerala, started functioning in 1991. The college is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam, Kerala.

Colleges: K G College, The college is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam, Kerala.

Cultural

The famous Malayalam writer Ponkunnam Varkey hails from this village. 'Navalokam', is an active cultural forum functioning from Pampady. There was the 'Pampady Arts Society' an arts society set up by the art lovers of Pampady. They used to arrange a cultural programme at the Community Hall every month. Deepa Arts Club, Pothenpuram was a very active club during 70's. It was affiliated to the 'Manorama Balajanasakhyam'. They used to participate in the famous 'Balalokam' program of All India Radio. SURABHI Arts Club used to organize All Kerala Native Ball Tournament every year at PTM Govt High School, velloor,pampady.

Health care

The Govt Taluk Hospital is located near Alampally. There are many clinics and ayurvedic dispensaries are also functioning in Pampady.

Govt Institutions

The Pampady Block situated at Pallickathode about 9 km from Pampady town. Pampady having many other govt and semi govt institutions such as Rajive Gandhi Institute of Technology Govt. Engineering College, Police Circle inspector office, BSNl exchange,panchayath office, KSEB Sub station etc.

Notable people/Family/Churches

• Ponkunnam Varkey, a famous writer.
• Pampady John Joseph, a Dalit activist and the founder of the socio-religious movement Cheramar MahajanSabha.
• Pratish Nandan, a Serial and Film actor and an anchor of Kiran TV.
• Dr. Pathrose Kochutharayil, an Anglican Bishop.
• Pampady Balan, an artist.
• St Simons Jacobite Syrian Church - this church is of more than 115 years old and consists about 2000 families. This church stand as a strong pillar amongst and like other Jacobite churches showing its faith, respect and loyalty to the Syrian Antioch throne.
• St Johns Cathedral - Pampady St. Johns Cathedral enjoys the privilege of being one of the largest parishes in the Malankara Orthodox Church.The cathedral has the privilege of being the mother church of fifteen neighboring orthodox parishes.

External links

• [1]
• Pampady Community in ORKUT
• Official Site of Pampady Dayara
• Pampady(Pothenpuram) Dayara, Pampady thirumeni
• Engineering College
• MGDM Hospital, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.
• Theophilus College of Nursing, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.
• P Geevarghese School of Nursing, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.
• P G M College, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.
• Baselios Higher Secondary School, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.
• School of Laboratory Technology MGDM Hospital, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.

In Pampady, sivadarsana devaswom temple is situated, which is about 1.5 km from the Kalachanda Junction to the north direction. The temple is more than 100 years old, which was established in 1911. Sree Narayana Guru visited the temple and his disciple, Sreenarayana theerthar was the first President of the Devaswom, who became the President of Sivagiri Dharma Sanghom Trust.