Pathanamthitta district

Coordinates: 9°16′50″N 76°52′11″E / 9.28068°N 76.86967°E / 9.28068; 76.86967
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the district in Kerala. For other uses, see Pathanamthitta (disambiguation).

Pathanamthitta district
District
Clockwise from top:
UTC+5:30 (IST)
ISO 3166 codeIN-KL
Vehicle registrationKL-03 Pathanamthitta,
KL-26 Adoor,
KL-27 Thiruvalla,
KL-28 Mallapally,
KL-62 Ranni,
KL-83 Konni
HDI (2005)Increase 0.795[2] ( High)
Websitepathanamthitta.nic.in/en/

Pathanamthitta District (IPA: [pɐt̪ːɐnɐn̪d̪iʈːɐ]), is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. The district headquarters is in the town of Pathanamthitta. There are four municipalities in Pathanamthitta: Adoor, Pandalam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvalla.

According to the 2011

14), after Wayanad and Idukki.[3] Pathanamthitta has been declared the first polio-free district in India.[4] The district is 10.03% urbanised.[5] Pathanamthitta is one of the richest districts in India with just 1.17% poverty as of 2013, which places the district among the top 5 districts in India with least poverty.[6]

Etymology

The district's name is a combination of two Malayalam words, pathanam and thitta, which together mean 'array of houses on the river side'.[7] The district capital is located on the banks of the river Achankovil.

History

Main article: History of Pathanamthitta district
A map of the British Princely state of Travancore published in 1871

It is presumed that the regions that form the district were formerly under the rule of

princely state of Travancore in 1820, the region came under Travancore administration. The Nedumpuram Palace near Thiruvalla belongs to Valluvanad Royal family. Pathanamthitta district, along with most parts of Alappuzha district, was part of the Quilon district of the Travancore Kingdom until the formation of Pathanamthitta district in 1982.[9]

The district was formed on 1 November 1982 as a reward to

Sabarimala from Idukki district[7]

Cultural revival

Pathanamthitta being also a land of culture and learning could bring forth the literary talents of two centuries together in single volume named Desathuti: Pathanamthitta Kavithakal. Unnikrishnan Poozhikkad collected 184 poems of different poets of Pathanamthitta starting from 18th century.[10][page needed].

Geography

Pathanamthitta is a

landlocked district, located at 9°16′N 76°47′E / 9.27°N 76.78°E / 9.27; 76.78, spanning over an area of 2,637 square kilometres (1,018.15 sq mi).[11] The district is bordered by the districts Kottayam and Idukki districts in the north, Alappuzha district in the west, Kollam district in the south. To the east it borders the Tenkasi district of the Tamil Nadu state. Devar Mala is the highest point in Pathnamthitta District.[12]

The district can be divided into three natural geographical regions: the highland, the midland and the lowland. The highland stretches through the Western Ghats, where the hills are tall and covered with thick forests. Western Ghats maintains an average altitude of around 800 m. It descends to the smaller hills of midland in the centre and finally to the lowland. The lowland with its abundance of coconut trees, lies along the eastern borders of Alappuzha district.[13] (western part of Tiruvalla Taluk)

Forest

Pathanamthitta district has a reserve forest area of 1,385.27 square kilometres (534.86 sq mi).

Timber is the most important produce.[citation needed
]

Rivers

Three important rivers flow through the district. These rivers originate from various mountains of the Western Ghats mountain range. The Pamba (176 km or 109 mi), which is the third longest river in Kerala, has its origin in Pulachimala. The Achankovil river (128 km or 80 mi) originates from Pasukida Mettu, and Manimala river (90 km or 56 mi) originates from the Thattamalai hills. A small portion of Kallada river also falls in the southern border of the district. Pamba, Achankovil and Manimala rivers together drain more than 70% of the total area of Pathanamthitta.[15][16]

Administration

Main article: Administration of Pathanamthitta district

The district headquarters is at Pathanamthitta town. The district administration is headed by the District Collector. She is assisted by five Deputy Collectors holding charges of general matters, revenue recovery, land acquisition, land reforms and election. Under the three tier system of

panchayat in rural areas, Pathanamthitta has one district panchayat, 9 block panchayat and 57 grama panchayats
. Under the single tier system in urban areas, there are 4 municipalities in the district.

As per the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008, Pathanamthitta has five

Pathanamthitta parliamentary constituency is formed by including all the five state legislative assembly constituencies of the district along with two other assembly constituencies in the neighbouring Kottayam district.[17][18]

Pathanamthitta town is the administrative headquarters of the Pathanamthitta district. The district is divided into two revenue divisions- Thiruvalla and Adoor.[19]

Municipal towns

Main article:
Municipalities of Kerala

Legislative representation

See also: Kerala Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha

There is a

Pathanamthitta
.

There are five Kerala Legislative Assembly seats in Pathanamthitta district.[20]

Kerala Legislative Assembly Constituencies from Pathanamthitta district (5)
Sl no. Constituency Member Party Alliance
1
Thiruvalla
 Mathew T. Thomas JD(S)   LDF
2
Ranni
 Pramod Narayan KC(M)   LDF
3
Aranmula
 Veena George CPI(M)   LDF
4
Konni
 K. U. Jenish Kumar CPI(M)   LDF
5
Adoor
 Chittayam Gopakumar CPI   LDF

Taluks

Main article: List of taluks of Kerala

The district is divided into two revenue divisions which together incorporate six Taluks within them.[19]

  • Taluks in the Thiruvalla Revenue Division are:[19]
Thiruvalla
Mallappally
 Ranni[19]
  • Taluks in the Adoor Revenue Division are:[19]
Kozhencherry Adoor Konni[19]

Revenue villages

Pathanamthitta district is divided into 70 revenue villages for the ease and decentralisation of its revenue administration.[19] They are further incorporated into 6 taluks as eludicated below.[19]

Thiruvalla Taluk

See also: Thiruvalla

Mallappally Taluk

See also:
Mallappally

Ranni Taluk

See also: Ranni, Kerala

Kozhencherry Taluk

See also: Kozhencherry

Adoor Taluk

See also: Adoor

Konni Taluk

See also: Konni, Kerala

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901276,251—    
1911317,072+1.39%
1921375,935+1.72%
1931478,345+2.44%
1941576,436+1.88%
1951719,272+2.24%
1961888,272+2.13%
19711,028,208+1.47%
19811,125,345+0.91%
19911,188,332+0.55%
20011,234,016+0.38%
20111,197,412−0.30%
source:[21]

According to the

640).[3] The district has a population density of 453 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,170/sq mi).[3] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was −3.12%.[3] Pathanamthitta has a sex ratio of 1129 females for every 1000 males,[3] and a literacy rate of 96.93%. 10.99% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 13.74% and 0.68% of the population respectively.[3]

Malayalam is the predominant language, spoken by 99.13% of the population. Small minorities of Tamil speakers live in urban areas.[24]

According to the

Wayanad.[26] Schedule tribes and castes comprise 13% of the total population. The female to male ratio is 1094:1000, which is the highest among the districts in the State.[27]

Religion

Religions in Pathanamthitta district (2011)[28]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 56.93%
Christianity
 
 38.12%
Islam
 
 4.60%
Other or not stated
 
 0.35%

Pentecostal) (38%) form significant minority.[28]

Transport

Sabarimala airport
is being planned in Konni.

Education

Main article: Education in Pathanamthitta district

Major Towns

The major towns in the district include:

  • Thiruvalla taluk: Thiruvalla, Erviperoor, Kadapra, Kumbanad, Pullad, Kuttoor, Kaviyoor, Nedupram
  • Mallapally taluk: Vennikulam, Mallappally, Ezhumattoor, Kalloopara
  • Ranni taluk: Ranni, Vadasserikara, Athikayam, Vechoochira
  • Kozhencherry taluk: Aranmula, Kozhencherry, Kidangannoor, Kulanada, Elanthoor
  • Adoor taluk: Adoor, Pandalam, Kalanjoor, Kodumon, Enadimangalam
  • Konni taluk: Konni, Pathanamthitta, Koodal, Chittar, Seethathode, Thannithode, Aruvapulam

Tourism

Sabarimala

With a number of fairs and festivals, Pathanamthitta district is known as the "headquarters of pilgrimage tourism."

Hindu deity, Ayyappan. The district is a host to Asia's biggest and the world's second largest Christian convention, the Maramon Convention[31]

Maramon Convention: Asia's biggest Christian gathering

It is an eight-day Christian gathering in the month of February, conducted by the

Malankara Orthodox Church. The Cherukolpuzha Hindu convention, Kadammanitta devi temple, the 10th century Kaviyoor mahadeva temple, Parthasarathi temple at Aranmula and anikkattilammakshethram[32] are some of the Hindu religious places of interest.

anikkattilammakshethram

The most important and famous Christian center is Parumala St Peters, St Paul's and St Gregorios Orthodox Church (http://parumalachurch.org) famous for the tomb of Saint Gregorios (Parumala Thirumeni). Millions of Pilgrims visit this church annually.

St. George Orthodox Church, Chandanapally or Chandanapally Valiyapalli is one of the biggest churches in South India, located at a village named Chandanapally, Pathanamthitta District.

St. George Orthodox Church, Chandanapally or Chandanapally Valiyapalli is one of the biggest churches in South India, located at a village named Chandanapally, Pathanamthitta District in Kerala state of India.

St. George Orthodox Church, Mylapra

Some of the other Christian places of interest are St. Mary's Orthodox church at

Muslim colourful Chandanakkudam festival of the Jama — Al Mosque at Pathanamthitta
town attracts many visitors. Although these places are religious in nature, they attract people from all faiths.

Perunthenaruvi water falls

The district is known for its reserve forest and wild life.

Konni
, Charalkunnu hill station are ideal locations for nature enthusiasts. Trekking to the Sabari Hills during January to March is also organized by Pathanamthitta District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).

Pathanamthitta district has places known for its historical importance. Among them are, ancient Valiyakoickal Temple and Palace at

Muloor Smarakom (Muloor memorial). Pandalam was the capital of the ancient Travancore
kingdom.

The district has other tourist attractions.

Aranmula kottaram has a history of 200 years.[35]

The Cherukolpuzha Convention, in Pathanamthitta is an important religious convention of the Hindus. It is held at Cherukole on the sand banks of Pamba River, usually in February every year. It is organized by the Ayroor-Cherukolpuzha Hindumatha Maha Mandalam at Vidyadhiraja Nagar at Ayroor village.[36]

The

Mar Thoma Church
.

The Church of God (Full Gospel) in India, Kerala State, holds its annual convention in Tiruvalla town center. This is usually held in the month of January and is a large gathering of Pentecostal Christians.

Flora and fauna

The forests of the district have excellent wild life habitats. A variety of animals and birds can be found.

kingfishers
can also be seen.

The existence of the wildlife habitat is under threat from various areas.

Sabarimala pilgrimage such as clearing of forest land and large amount of waste discharged also threatens the habitat.[15][37]

Sports

Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race

The

Central Travancore region. The race is held in three categories.[38]

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Pathanamthitta district

See also

Further reading

  • U. Sivaraman Nair (1952), 1951 Census Handbook- Quilon District (PDF), Trivandrum: Travancore-Cochin Government Press
  • M. K. Devassy (1965), 1961 Census Handbook- Quilon District (PDF), Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala and The Union Territory of Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands
  • Sheela Thomas (2003), 2001 Census Handbook- Pathanamthitta District (Part-A&B) (PDF), Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala
  • Government of India (2014–15), District Census Handbook - Pathanamthitta (Part-A) 2011 (PDF), Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala
  • Government of India (2014–15), District Census Handbook - Pathanamthitta (Part-B) 2011 (PDF), Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala

References

  1. ^ "Pathanamthitta Collectorate opens its walls of art for remembering K.K. Nair the Father of Pathanamthitta District". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Kerala | UNDP in India". UNDP.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "District Census Hand Book: Pathanamthitta" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  4. ^ "District profile-Pathanamthitta". Department of Industries and Commerce, Kerala. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  5. ^ "Pathanamthitta". Census of India. Archived from the original on 11 January 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  6. ^ "Spatial poverty in Kerala". 24 November 2014.
  7. ^ a b "History". Government of India. Archived from the original on 29 July 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  8. ^ "History — Pathanamthitta". Government of Kerala. Retrieved 27 August 2009.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Shungoonny Menon, P. (1878). A history of Travancore from the earliest times. University of California. Madras, Higginbotham.
  10. ^ Unnikrishnan Poozhikkad, ″Desathuti: Pathanamthitta Kavithakal″, Lens Books, Adoor, 2012
  11. ^ "District level database of Pathanamthitta" (PDF). Government of Kerala. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2008. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  12. ^ "Pathanamthitta information". Kerala tourism. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  13. ^ "Pathanamthitta- Physiograpy". Government of India. Archived from the original on 29 July 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  14. ^ "Census of India". Government of India. Archived from the original on 14 May 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
  15. ^ a b "Pampa pollution". Pampa Parirakshana Samithy, N.G.O. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  16. ^ "General features — Kerala". Government of Kerala. Archived from the original on 2 November 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  17. ^ "Parliamentary Constituencies of Kerala - 2008". Government of Kerala. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  18. ^ Radhakrishnan KuttoorKuttoor (31 January 2008). "Due recognition for the youngest district". The Hindu.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by District Administration, Pathanamthitta. "Revenue villages, Taluks, and Revenue divisions in Pathanamthitta district". National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  20. ^ Niyamsabha official site
  21. ^ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
  22. ^ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011. Timor-Leste 1,177,834 July 2011 est.
  23. ^ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2011. Rhode Island 1,052,567
  24. ^ "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Kerala". www.censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  25. ^ "Data sheet — Pathanamthitta" (PDF). Census of India. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  26. ^ "District profile — pathanamthitta" (PDF). Government of Kerala. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2003. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  27. ^ "Demography — Kerala". Government of India. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  28. ^ a b "Table C-01: Population by religious community: Kerala". Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  29. ^ "Places of Interest". Official website — Pathanamthitta. Archived from the original on 27 September 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  30. ^ "Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple". Official website — Pathanamthitta. Archived from the original on 18 August 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  31. ^ "Maramon". Department of tourism, Kerala. Archived from the original on 3 January 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  32. ^ "Anikattilamma Temple Mallappally :: Siva Parvathy Temple ::anicadu::pathanamthitta". anikkattilamma.com. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  33. ^ "St Thomas the Apostle of India". St.Thomas Syro Malabar Mission of San Antonio. Archived from the original on 13 September 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  34. ^ "Syro Malabar Church History". St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church of the Catholic Parish. Archived from the original on 4 June 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  35. ^ "Aranmula". Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Archived from the original on 31 May 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  36. ^ Cherukolpuzha, Kerala Department of Tourism
  37. ^ "TDB to get forest land at Nilackal today". The Hindu. 16 June 2005. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  38. ^ "Maramadimatsaram". Department of tourism, Kerala. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2009.

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