Thalavady

Thalavady
village
Thalavady Location in Kerala, India Show map of Kerala Thalavady Thalavady (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 9°21′0″N 76°32′0″E
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Alappuzha
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	689572
Vehicle registration	KL-
Nearest city	Alappuzha
Lok Sabha constituency	Alappuzha

Thalavady is an Upper Kuttanadu village and Panchayat located in Kuttanadu Taluk, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India. The village was ruled by King of Chembakassery Kingdom. Its geography is dominated by its vast lush green paddy field, unique to Kuttanad villages, bordered by a network of canals running between the fields and the Pampa River that flows through the village. Thalavady panchayat office is located in Trikkayil.

Thalavady is the site of several famous temples and churches. Chakkulathukavu Temple on the banks of Pampa river in Thalavady is one of Kerala's most popular pilgrim centres. The 25-year-old Pamba Boat race is held at Neerattupuram on the day of Uthradam.

A book describing the village in detail was published in 1982, based on a socio-economic study conducted in 1971.^[1]

Etymology

Prior to 1750, it was ruled by Chempakassery Kingdom and the capital was Ambalapuzha. Chempakassery Kings had a summer palace at Thalavady. The distance between Thalavady and Ambalapuzha was about 17 kilometers. At that time there was no roadways connecting Ambalapuzha and Thalavady. Travel was possible only through waterways. The Royal party had to move between these two places frequently. Whenever the Royal entourage start from Thalavady, a ceremonial cracker will be set off. This is a message to the people to clear off the canal through which the entourage is coming. The first cracker was fired at Thalavady. The word 'Thalavedy' means first cracker. It is believed that the present name was derived from 'Thalavedi'.

Transportation

Distance from Thalavady:

1.Cochin International Airport- 111 km 2.Trivandrum International Airport- 134 km 3.Tiruvalla railway station - 12.2 km 4. Ambalappuzha railway station - 16.5 km 5. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates bus service from Thiruvalla and Edathua.

Government

See also: Kuttanad Assembly constituency § Detailed election results

Thalavady is designated number 11 of the 13 self-governed segments in the Kuttanad Assembly constituency. It has an elected Local Self Government standing committee, with one member elected for each of its 15 wards.^[2]

Important places

• Vyasapuram
• Narakattaramukku
• Manattara
• Trikkayil
• Anaprambal
• Vellakkinar
• Shappupadi
• Parethodu

Educational Institutions

• Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Thalavady
• Government Model U.P School, Thalavady
• Anaprampal Devaswom Upper Primary School, Thalavady
• CMS High School, Kunthirikkal Thalavady

References

1. Verghese, K. E. (1982). Slow Flows the Pampa: Socio-economic Changes in a Kuttanad Village in Kerala. Concept Publishing Company. p. 15.
2. "Local Self Government Department | Local Self Government Department". lsgkerala.gov.in. Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 3 November 2024.