Mavelikara was the erstwhile capital of the feudal kingdom of Odanad, and is today a primary economic and cultural hub of the Onattukara region.
Etymology
The name Mavelikara is believed to be turned out from the words Maveli or Mahabali, the mythical king of Kerala, and Kara means land. This land is believed to be the place 'Mattom Mahadeva temple'where king Mahabali knelt before Vamana, offering his head for Vamana to keep his feet.[citation needed]
Background
Mavelikara was a major centre of trade and commerce in ancient Kerala and the erstwhile capital of the rulers of Onattukara. As a result of the close association with the Travancore Royal Family, Mavelikara gained modern facilities well ahead of other places in the state. It is one of the oldest municipalities of the state. Even before India attained independence, Mavelikara had a super express transport service to Trivandrum.[citation needed]
The town boasts about a rich historical and cultural background. The place is home to one of the 108 Shiva temples of Kerala created by Lord Parashurama, the Kandiyoor Mahadeva Temple. Mavelikara Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Sree Krishna Swami Temple is managed and owned by the Travancore Devaswom board.The Chettikulangara Devi Temple, known for the Kumbha Bharani festival is located near the municipality.The only sarvam swayambhu shiva Temple in India is situated in Chunakkara, Mavelikara.
The town also has the famous St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral founded in the year 943 AD and affiliated with the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The church is locally referred to as "Puthiyacavu Pally" and is known for holding the Mavelikara Padiyola in 1836 in which the Malankara Orthodox Church refused the anglicization attempts of the British and severed ties with them. The church is also the diocesan cathedral of the Mavelikara Diocese in close proximity to Malankara Syrian Seminary in Thazhakara which hosts the Theobhavan Aramana and bishop's residence. The Mavelikara Diocese is currently headed by Vattamparambil Dr. Abraham Mar Epiphanios with about 80 parishes and a dozen chapels.[4][5]
Demographics
As of 2011 Census, Mavelikara had a population of 26,421 with 12,070 males and 14,351 females. Mavelikara Municipality has an area of 12.65 km2 (4.88 sq mi) with 7,184 families residing in it. The average female sex ratio was 1189 higher than the state average of 1084. 7.7% of the population was under 6 years of age. Mavelikara had an average literacy of 96.9% higher than the state average of 94%: male literacy was 97.8% and female literacy was 96.2%.[6]
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has a sub depot at Mavelikara (Station Code: MVKA) which is one among the 46 sub depots in the state. The KSRTC sub depot at Mavelikara has an inter state bus service which is operated to Tenkasi every day; 2 trips morning & evening via Kayamkulam, Kattanam.
Several small-scale industries are present in the Industrial Estate (an initiative of SIDCO) located at Kollakadavu.
Politics
Lok Sabha
Mavelikara has its own constituency in the Lok Sabha.[10] Until the 2002 Lok Sabha Delimitation took effect in 2008, the constituency consisted of Chengannur, Mavelikara, Kayamkulam, Pandalam, Thiruvalla and Kallupara. Since then, the assembly constituencies have comprised Changanassery, Kuttanad, Mavelikara (SC), Chengannur, Kunnathur (SC), Kottarakara and Pathanapuram. The constituency is now reserved for a scheduled caste candidate.[citation needed]
Kodikunnil Suresh of the INC has represented the Mavelikara constituency since 2009.
The cultural capital of Alappuzha is Mavelikara. Mavelikara was once part of the principality of Onattukara and has been a centre of religious harmony, culture and arts for several centuries.[citation needed]
As a testament to its link to that flourishing centre of Buddhist culture, Mavelikara is one of the rare places in Kerala where one can find the Statue of Buddha in Seated Position, which dates back to the 9th century AD.[11]
Mar Ivanios, the pioneer of the Reunion Movement is from this holy socio-cultural land. He is from the Medayil Panicker Family situated at the center of the Mavelikara Town.
P. C. Alexander, principal Secretary to former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, member of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.[12]
Zacharias Athanasios, 3rd Bishop of Tiruvalla - Cherian Polachirackal, originally from Mavelikara, raised in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.[13]
His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, leader of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, 20th Malankara Metropolitan and 7th Catholicos of the Malankara Church
Ramesh Chennithala, home minister, leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly
Ramayyan Dalawa, the chief minister and friend of marthandavarma- the kavu in front of municipal office is in his name
C. M. Stephen, Leader of Congress and the INTUC, he is the first opposition leader of congress, a devoted member of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church[14]
^Kerala, Directorate of Census Operations. District Census Handbook, Alappuzha(PDF). Thiruvananthapuram: Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala. p. 182,183. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
