The name Chengannur (chem-kunnu-ur/oor) is derived from the words 'chem' (Malayalam) which means red, 'kunnu' (Malayalam) which means hill and 'ur/oor' (Malayalam) meaning land. It means the land of red hills. The red soil of Chengannur was different from the soil of nearby regions of Mavelikara and Kuttanad.
History
Ancient Period
Chengannur was a part of the Ay Kingdom in the ancient period. The Ay Kingdom's territory extended from Pamba River in the north to Nagercoil in the south. Thereafter it came under the sovereignty of the Cheraman Perumals. The earliest epigraphical record to mention Chengannur (Thiruchenkunrur) is the Mampalli copper plate inscription (947 CE) which records a donation from Venad chiefly family to the Chengannur Temple.[4]
Medieval Period
In the medieval age, Chengannur was controlled by the Vanjipuzha chieftains of Mundencavu, of Tulu Brahmin origin.[5] The principality was a feudatory of Odanad. Chengannur came under the Kingdom of Travancore when the area was annexed by Marthanda Varma in 1742. Marthanda Varma transferred the rights over Chengannur from the King of Odanad to the Vanjipuzha family, after the family helped him in his conquests. The economic, social and religious esteem and the political power and sway of Vanjipuzha family over Chengannur continued to be intact throughout even the British period uninterrupted.[4]
In the mid-18th century, there were large-scale migrations from Kollam due to various natural disasters. Black pepper was a major export item of Chengannur. Angadikkal (Angadi means market in Malayalam) was the main market in Chengannur. The current Chengannur market, known as Shastham Puram Chanda, was developed by Velu Thampi Dalawa. During the 19th and 20th centuries, this market played a major role in selling and buying goods produced in the eastern mountains with the towns along the coast.
Early Modern Period
Mahatma Gandhi addressed at the Mills Ground (Mills Maithan is Ksrtc Bus standnow) at Chengannur in 1925 as part of his visit to the Kingdom of Travancore. In 1938 as part of Indian independence movement, large gathering of people from all over Central Travancore were present at the Mills Maithan in Chengannur in response to a notification circulated by the State Congress. There was police lathi charge during the meeting and a person named 'Kutilil George' died and scores of people were injured.
Chengannur Municipality was formed in the year 1980 with Shri. P.K John Plammoottil as its First Municipal Chairman.
Culture
The cultural background of Chengannur originates from the era of Royal rule. Chengannur was a part of Vanjippuzha Principality which was under the rule of Travancore.
Chengannur town is in the banks of holy riverPamba which influenced the culture of this town. There are many "Chundan Vallam" (Snake boats) participating in Aranmula Boat Race hails from Chengannur and nearby areas. Padayani is a traditional temple artform performed as part of the festival in the Vadasserikkavu Devi Temple. Chengannur has produced several great Kathakali artists, the most famous being Chenganoor Raman Pillai. Chengannur was also historically famous for the craftsmen who were brought by rulers of Travancore to build the Sabarimala temple. Idols of the deities of many temples in Kerala were crafted in Chengannur.
Chengannur is a major Shaiva pilgrim destination in India. The Chengannur temple is one of the 108 temples believed to have been created by Parasurama. The Vishnu temples of Chengannur are believed to been established by the Pandavas of the Mahabharatha. These temples are major Vaishnava pilgrim destinations of South India.
The Chengannur Suriyani Church, built by the Vanjipuzha Chiefs, is famous for its unique architecture. The Church is shared by both the Marthoma and Orthodox Christians. There is a 33.5 feet tall cross said to have been carved from a single stone is a minor attraction. The annual custom of Aval Nercha (offering of flattened rice) at this church is another tradition believed to have been initiated by a member nearly 400 years ago. This custom is still practiced by the local Nasrani community and is organised by members of the Mukkath Kudumba Yogam on Maundy Thursday.
As of 2011 Census, Chengannur had a population of 23,466 and a population density of 1,607 inhabitants per square kilometre (4,160/sq mi). Of this, 10,933 are males and 12,533 are females. Chengannur Municipality has an area of 14.6 km2 (5.6 sq mi) with 6,278 families residing in it. The average female sex ratio was 1146 higher than the state average of 1084. 7.2% of the population was under 6 years of age. Chengannur had an average literacy of 97.8% higher than the state average of 94%; male literacy was 98.3% and female literacy was 97.4%.[7]
According to the 2011 census, Hindus are the majority with 62% of the population adhering to the religion. Christians form a significant minority, constituting 37% of the population. Muslims constitute 0.56% of the population.
Transport
Chengannur is well-connected by road and rail. State Highway 1 (SH1), popularly known as the MC Road, passes through the heart of the town and connects Chengannur to state capital, Thiruvananthapuram and Angamaly in Eranakulam District. The Chengannur - Kottayam stretch of the MC Road is also part of the NH 183 which stretches between Kollam and Theni. Another major road is State Highway 10 which connects Chengannur to Mavelikkara and Kozhencherry. Besides these two roads, there are also many arterial roads running across the length and breadth of the town.
Chengannur is served by the Trivandrum International Airport, which is about 115 kilometers from the city via Main Central Road. Another Airport is Cochin International Airport, which is 125 km from Chengannur via MC Road
Chengannur is a part of the Mavelikara constituency which after demarcation extends from Changanassery in Kottayam district to Kottarakkara in Kollam district. Kodikunnil Suresh of the INC has been representing the Mavelikkara constituency since 2009.
State Assembly
Chengannur's assembly constituency (Number 110) is a part of the Mavelikkara (Lok Sabha constituency). The first speaker of the Kerala legislative assembly, Sankaranarayanan Thampi, was an MLA from Chengannur. K. K. Ramachandran Nair was the MLA from 2016 onwards. He died and was replaced in the by-elections conducted on 28 May 2018 by Saji Cherian of Left Democratic Front.[10]
The two administrative systems prevailing in the Chengannur are Revenue and local self-government. As per the revenue system, Chengannur is one of the two revenue divisions of Alappuzha district. The Chengannur revenue division comprises Karthikapally, Chengannur and Mavelikkara taluks consisting of a total of 44 villages. Under the local self-government system, Chengannur is divided into 1 statutory town and development blocks consisting of 11 panchayats.
Economy
There are many state Government offices, Banks and educational institutions located in Chengannur. A good number of people work in these institutions. Other major source of income is from the Non Residential Indians, which is a common economical factor in the central Travancore region, and the rest of Kerala as well. Agriculture is also there in the outskirts, but mostly confined to Rubber Plantations. There are no major industries in Chengannur, but a number of small scale industries are present. Major private employers are limited to banks, hospitals and shops.
Chengannur Central Hatchery in chengannur which was started in 1961 was Asia's biggest poultry hatchery under government initiative.
In Sabarimala season, which starts from mid-November to mid-January there is a huge boost in economical activities in this town. Since Chengannur is the nearest Railway station to Sabarimala Temple,[12] most devotees use this railway station to visit the temple. During this season a boost in restaurant, hotel and transportation business is visible.
Saji Cherian - Minister for Fisheries, Culture and Youth Affairs, Government of Kerala
Places of worship
The population of Chengannur mainly practices Hinduism and Christianity. Muslims are also found in the M.C. Road Mulakuzha region of the town. Most of Muslims are living at Kollakadavu and Mannar areas.
The Vanjippuzha Palace had close architectural similarities to that of Thrichittatt Temple[4]
^Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner (web), Delimitation Commission of India (web), Rand McNally International Atlas 1994, School of Planning & Architecture (web)
^Kerala, Directorate of Census Operations. District Census Handbook, Alappuzha(PDF). Thiruvananthapuram: Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala. p. 182,183. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
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