|
Here we are going to start one new website for the people of Meenachil MeenachilTaluk.com
Pala also known as Palai is a municipal town in the eastern hilly areas of Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated on the banks of the Meenachil River and is the headquarters of the Meenachil Taluk and the Pala Revenue Division. It is the main gateway to the southern high ranges. Nearby towns are Ponkunnam, Erattupetta Thodupuzha Ramapuram Ettumanoor Kottayam. Pala is on the Muvattupuzha Punalur eastern state highway.
History
There are various versions regarding the origin of the place name. According to one, Pala gets its name from Palazhi (Ksheera Sagara), the mythological ocean of milk from which nectar was churned out. Another view is that the name was derived from Palathu Chettiyar families, the prominent early settlers of the region.
Pala was ruled by Meenachil Karthas (Hindu Local Chieftains) for a long time. The first royal Kartha families were known as Njavakattu Karthas.
Pala has the largest propotion of Chrisitans in Kerala.
Early settlements
Early settlements in the region date back to 1000 AD. Christian settlers came to the area very early, probably at the invitation of the local rulers.The first four Christian families were THARAYIL (tharayil mappila) KOOTTUMKAL (brother of Tharayil Mappila) ERAKONNI & VAYALAKOMBIL .They engaged mainly in agriculture and trade. It is believed that Pala market was established around 1736 on the banks of Meenachil River by Christian settlers on the land allotted by the rulers Meenachil Karthas.Today it is the land of Latex ( Rubber Pal) and the name Pala is relevant even today.
Religious places
Pala Diocese
[1] The Syrian Christians of Pala owe their faith to St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ who came down to Kerala. Though the diocese is only half a century old (July 25, 1950), some of the Churches trace its origin to the earlier centuries.
Pope Pius XII by the Bull “Quo Ecclesiarim” issued on July 25, 1950, bifurcated the Diocese of Changanacherry, and out of the territory covered by the Foranes of Palai, Muttuchira, Kuravilangad, Anakkallu (including the present Forane of Aruvithura) and Ramapuram erected the Diocese of Palai as suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam.
On August 22, 1956 when the Holy See by the Apostolic Constitution “Regnum Coelorum” raised the Diocese of Changanacherry to the status of an Archdiocese and constituted the new Ecclesiastical Province of Changanacherry, the Diocese of Palai became one of its suffragans.
Pala diocese comprises Meenachil Taluk, and a few villages of Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam districts. Pala had contacts with other continents from time immemorial. In 1663, an Armenian is said to have influenced the construction of the Lalam (old ) church. Before Pala church was built in 1002, Aruvithura used to be the Parish. It is believed that St. Thomas traveled through the then navigable Meenachil river and reached Aruvithura and Cherpunkal.
Pala also has many ancient temples and churches that are considered as pilgrim centers by the devotees.
Temples
There are 11 temples in Pala Municipality. Among them Lalam Mahadeva Temple is the most famous temple and is called Dakshina Kasi (Kasi of South). Lalam Mahadeva Temple is situated at the heart of Pala town on the bank of Lalam river. It is believed that this is the oldest temple in Meenachil Taluk and was once the only temple in the 58 Karas or Villages of Meenachil Taluk. Thiruvathira festival in Dhanu (December - January) is the main festival of this temple. Ambalppurathukavu Bhagavthy Temple is situated near to Lalam temple. Kizhathadiyoor Puthiyakavu Devi Temple, Chembittambalam Kizhathadiyoor Thrukkayil Mahadeva Temple, Murikkumpuzha Devi Temple, Idayattu Bala Ganapathy Temple, Narasimha Swami Temple, Vellappattu Sree Vana Durga Bhagavathy Temple (the only temple in Kottayam district where Jeevatha ezhunnallathu is performed), Thattarakathu Bhagavathy Temple, Ooraasala Subrahmanya Swami Temple and Anakkulangara Bhagavathy Temple are the other temples situated within the boundaries of Pala Municipality.
Kadappattor Mahadeva Temple which is situated on the bank of Meenachil river is the most famous Hindu temple in this region. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Kadappattoor temple every year, on their way to Sabarimala. Cheruthil Valuthu (big among small) Puliyannoor Mahadeva temple is also a famous temple near to Pala. Both these temples are located in Mutholi Panchayath. Meenachil vadakke kavu is a famous Bhadrakaaly temple near Pala. "Mandalakala pooja (41days)" is very famous with Kalamezhuthu& Kalam karikkal. Meenachil Dharmasastha Temple, Idayattu Bala Ganapathy Temple, Poovarany Mahadeva Temple, Valavoor Mahadeva Temple, Idanadu Bhagavathy Temple, Anthinadu Mahadeva Temple, Vezhanganam Mahadeva Temple, Bharanaganam Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Alanadu Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Ponad Bhagavathy Temple and Sree Kurumbakkavu Devi Temple are the other important temples of this region.
Churches
Kurishupalli, a shrine located at the centre of the Pala town, acts as the landmark of the town. St. Thomas Cathedral, Pala and St. Mary's Church, Lalam are two of the main Christian churches in Pala. An Armenian might have played an important role in the establishment of the Lalam Church in 1663.
A famous pilgrim centre nearby is the Alphonsa Church at Bharananganam, where the mortal remains of Blessed Alphonsa of India are kept. Adjacent to it is St. Mary's Church of Bharananganam which was founded in 1004. St. George's Church, Aruvithura, near Erattupetta, is also a famous pilgrim centre. Another Christian pilgrim centre near Pala is the St. Augustine's Church at Ramapuram, where the mortal remains of the Blessed Augustine Kunjachan are kept. Monastery of Mutholy is founded by Blessed Chavara kuriakose Elias.
People of pala and surounding areas ( Meenachil Taluk) are Palakaran.This is one of the most exotic, lush green places in Kerala, resided by loving ,educated, well-cultured people belonging to various castes and religions who live harmoniously and peacefully. Pala flourished as a town on the banks of the Meenachil river. A majority of the population consists of thriving farmers and businessmen. The main cultivations are rubber, pepper, plantain, coconut and tapioca. Rice is the major part of the diet. Pala is blessed with numerous cultural and educational institutions which are counted among the best in the state.Palai, the small, calm, prosperous town resting on the lap of the highranges (the Western Ghat) is the land of rubber and spices, letters, beautiful hillocks, daring and loving people, religious and cultural heritage, serene and vibrant streams and ever cherishing dreams. The main attraction of Pala is the shrine Kurisupally, in the name of St. Mary. It is the pride of the residents of Pala. Its Jubilee Festival celebrations are carried out with grand fervour every year on December 8th by all people of Pala without any caste based or religious boundary.
Trade links
Pala had trade links with far-off places such as TamilNadu, and even foreign countries in the Middle East. A jungle route to Gudalloor, in Tamil Nadu, through the dense forests in the High Ranges, is believed to have brought a significant number of Vellalas and Chettiars during the Middle Ages. During early 1900s Pala became famous for its spice market. A particular brand of pepper called "Pala Pepper" was quoted in the London market in the early 1900s. Once rubber took a firm root in Central Kerala, Pala became a rubber market.
Pala dominated the banking and financial scene of Kerala for over three decades (1927-60) through Palai Central Bank, which was the largest business enterprise of Kerala and the 17th largest scheduled commercial bank in India, when it was liquidated in 1960 by the Reserve Bank of India.
A road linking Athirampuzha to Erattupetta through Pala was established in 1868. Pala was linked to Thodupuzha by road in 1893. Motor vehicles appeared in Pala around the 1920s.
Pala became a Municipality in 1949.
Meenachil River
The Meenachil River flows through the taluks of Meenachil, Vaikom and Kottayam . It is formed by several streams originating from the Western Ghats in Idukki district. At Erattupeetta, Poonjar River also joins it, takes a sharp turn and flows towards the west. At Kondur, it is joined by the Chittar and at Lalam it receives the Payuapparathodu and flows in a south- west direction till it reaches Kottayam . Here, it branches into several streams before emptying into the Vembanad Lake. The important town in the basin are Pala, Poonjar, Ettumanoor and
Anthinad, Bharanaganam, Cherpunkal, Elakkadvu, Erattupeta, Kadanadu, Kadaplamattom, Kalathukadavu, Kanakkari, Karoor, Kayyoor, Kidangoor, Kollapally, Kondoor, Kozhuvanal, Kuravilangadu, Kurichithanam, Lalam ( Pala ), Marangattupally, Meenachil ( Pala ), Melukavu, Monipally, Moonilavu, Mutholy, Neeloor, Plasanal, Poonjar, Poovarani, Pravithanam, Puliyannore, Ramapuram, Thalappalam, Thidanadu, Theekoy, Uzhavoor, Vallichira, Veliyannore, Vellilappally
Thanks to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palai
Silverware, Soaps and Detergents, Social Welfare Organizations Soda, Software Providers, Solar Energy Eqpt. and Systems, Solar Hot Water Solutions, Spices, Spoken English Institutes, Sports Clubs, Sports Goods and wear, Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel Fabricators, Stamp Vendors, Stamps - Philatelic, Stationery Std/ ISD/ PCO, Steel Furniture, Stereos and Music Systems, Stock & Shares, Stone Crushers, Sun Control Films, Supermarkets, Swimming Pools, Switches - Electronics.Tailors - Men, Tailors - Women, Tankers, Tarpaulins, Taxi Services, Tea, Telemarketing Services, Telephone Repair Services, TeleShopping, Television Dlrs., Repairers, Television Programmer Producers, Tempos, Textiles, Tiles, Timber, TMT Bars, Pipes & Wires, Toiletries, Tour Operators, Tourist Buses, Tourist Hostels, Youth Hostels, Holiday Homes, Towels, Trade and Labour Unions, Training Institutes, Translators and Interpreters, Transporters, Travel Agencies and Services, Travel Goods, Tread Rubber, Treks And Camp Organizers, Trophies and Medals, T-shirts, Tubeless Tyres, Tuition Centers, Two Wheelers Sales, Three Wheelers Sales ,Two Wheelers Repairs, Three Wheelers Repairs, Typewriters - Manual, Electric, Electronic, Tyre Rethreading and Repairing, Tyres and Tubes Sales.Umbrellas, Sunshades, Uniforms, Upholstery, UPS - Uninterrupted Power Systems, Utility Services.Vacuum Cleaners, Vastu Shastra Consultants, Veterinary Doctor, Veterinary Products, Medicine equipments & Services, Video And Photographers, Video Games, Visa For Foreign Travels, Vocational Guidance Centers, Voltage Stabilizers,Walking Sticks, Wall-papers, Ware House, Washing and Dry-cleaning, Washing Machines, Watches and Clocks, Water Beds, Water Heaters, Water Purifiers, Water Suppliers, Water Tank Suppliers, Water Treatment, Weavers, Weaving Machines, Web Based Services, Web Page Designers, Wedding Cards, Wedding Material Suppliers, Weigh Bridge Services, Weighing Machines, Welding and Cutting, Wheel Balancing Machines, Window Frames, Door Frames - Fabricators, Wine, Liquor and Spirits, Wires and Cables, Wood, Wooden Floorings, Woolen Wear, Writing Boards - White/black/etc.X-ray Clinics,Youth Clubs, Yoga Classes.Accounting Services, Advertising, Advocates / Attorneys / Lawyers, Agricultural Tools,
Equipments and Machinery, Air Conditioning Eqpt., Sales, Repairs, Services and Spares Airline Tickets, Alamarah, Aluminium Products, Ambulance Services, Animal Husbandry, Animation Graphics, Antenna/dish Antenna, Aquaculture and Fish Farming, Aquariums and Aquarium Suppliers, Architects, Valuers, Chartered Engineers and Building Consultants Architectural and Interior Designing Eqpt and Supplies, Architectural Consultants and Landscapers, Arms and Ammunition, Art Clubs, Art Galleries and Studios, Artificial Jewellery, Artificial Plants and Flowers, Artist - Music, Dance and Acting, Astrologers and Palmists, Audio CD / DVD Recording, Audio Eqpt./Public Address and Sound Systems Auditoriums, Auto Consultants and Rto Agents,Auto Finance and Car Finance Automobile Air Conditioning, Automobile Batteries, Automobile Care Products Automobile Components, Parts, Spares and Accessories, Automobile Dlrs - Used Cars Automobile Dlrs. - Indian and Imported, Automobile Repair Shops and Service Stations Automobile Upholstery and Matting, Automobiles - Gas Conversion,Auxiliary Plants Ayurvedic Hospital - Panchkarma Treatments, Ayurvedic, Herbal Drugs and Medicinal Plants.Baby Care Products, Bags - Handbags, Bakeries/Confectioneries/Pastry Shops, Bamboo and Cane Products, Banks, Banks / ATMs, Banks Co-operative, Banquet Halls, Barbers, Bathroom Fittings, Battery Sales and Repairers, Beauty Parlors and Beauticians, Bee Keepers, Bicycles Sales and Repairers, Blood Banks, Books and Stationery, Book Binding Services, Book Shop - Old And Used, Bore well Drilling Eqpt., accessories and Contractors, Boutiques, Brass Products, Bricks, Broadband Services, Brokers and Commission Agents, Builders and Developers, Building Construction Consultants, Building Material Suppliers, Bulk CD Printing And Copying, Bus Reservation, Business Consultants.Cable Tv Operators and Satellite Prods, Calendars, Cards and Diary, Call Center - Training, Camera Sales, Repairs, Car Accessories, Car and Bike Rentals and Leasing, Car Finance, Car Radio and Stereo Systems, Career Counseling, Carpenters, Carpet Dealers, Cashew nuts and Spices, Cast Iron Products, Catering Services, Hiring, Decoration, Cellular Phones Sales, Repairs, Cement, Ceramics, Cereals, Pulses and Grains, Charity Trusts / Voluntary and Welfare Org., Chartered Accountants, Chemical Traders, Chemist and Druggist, Chit Funds, Churches, Cigarettes and Tobacco Products, Cinemas and Theatres, Civil and Structural Engineering Consultants, Cleaners and Sanitizers, Clinics and Hospitals, Clock and Watch, Cloth Merchants, Clubs and Cultural Associations, Co - Operative Housing Societies, Coaching Classes, Coins and Stamps, Coir and Coir Products, Cold Storages, Colleges, Colleges - Arts, Colleges - Engineering and It, Colour Studio, Colour Xerox, Community Halls, Compact Discs, Company Secretaries and Practicing, Compost - Organic Fertilizer, Computer Sales, Repairs and Services, Computer Animation Institute, Computer Consultants, Computer Furniture, Computer Rentals, Computer Software Consultants, Agencies and Services, Computer Training Institutes, Concrete and Concrete Products, Conference Rooms, Construction Company Construction Eqpt. - Rentals, Consultancy Services and Counselors, Consultants - Customs and Excise, Consultants - Education (Indian and Foreign), Consultants - Education Abroad, Consultants - Electrical, Consultants - Fengshui, Consultants - Foreign Trade, Consultants - Immigration, Consultants - Personality Development, Consultants - Public Relations, Consultants - Taxes and Duties, Consumer Complaints Assistance, Consumer Co-operative Societies, Contractors, Cookery Classes, Cooking Stoves, Co-operative Societies, Correspondence Courses, Courier Services, Crockery and Cutlery, Crystal Ware, Curtains and Drapery Material - Suppliers, Cushions, pillows and Mattresses, Customs Clearance Agents, Cutlery and Crockery, Cyber café,Dairies, Dairy Products, Dance and Music Classes, Dance Clubs, Data Entry Operators, Decorators / Mandap ( Function Halls ) Decorators, Dental Clicks, Departmental Stores, Detective and Investigation Agencies, Diagnostic Centers, Dial-a-electrician, Dial-a-Hotel Food, Diesel Fuel Stations, Diesel Generators, Dietitian, Digital Studio, Digital Printing - Large Format, Dining Halls, Direct Marketing, Discount Offers, Dish Antenna, Doctors, Doctors - Veterinary (animals), Dog Breeders and Trainers, Dogs and Pets, Dogs and Pets - Foods, Suppliers, Domestic Help Bureau, Door Frames, Door Mats, Rugs, Stair Carpets, Doors and Windows, Doors, Windows and Gates, Dress Materials, Driving Schools, Dry Cleaning and Dyeing Services, Dry Fruits and Sweets, Duty Paid.Earth Moving Machinery, ECG and X-ray, E-commerce, Edible Oils and Ghee,
Education For Distant Learning, Education Loan/Finance, Educational Aids Suppliers,Educational Institutions, Educational Trusts, Egg, Electric Cables and Wires,
Electric Equipment, Electric Motors, Electricians, Electronic Shop - Repairs,Electronic Weighing Machines, E-mail, Embroidery, Emergency Lights, Energy Conservation Products , Processes, Engineering Consultants and Professionals, Engineering Eqpt. and Materials, English Language Training Institutes, Entertainment Services, Event Management, Exhibition, Exporters, Express Cargo Services, Eye Care Centers,Ganamela, Garden and Lawn Eqpt. and Suppliers, Garden Restaurant, Gardner's, Garments Accessories, Gas Conversion - Vehicles, Gas Suppliers, Gas Stoves and Appliances, Generators, Generators On Hire, Gifts, Toys, Souvenirs and Novelties, Glass, Glassware, Gold covering, Goldsmith, Government Services, Government/Municipal Schools, Government/Municipal Offices Granite - Rough Blocks, Slabs and Tiles, Granite Polishing and Cutting Machinery, Graphic Design Studios and Supplies, Grass Cutting Machines, Green House - Installation, Greeting Cards,Grills, Railings, Guide Services, Guest Houses, Gymnasiums.Labels and Sticker Mfrrs, Labour Contractors, Labour Laws Advisor, Lamp Shades, Land Developers, Laptops, notebook Computers - Sales and Services, Laser Printing, Latex Products, Laundry Service, Leather and Leather Products, Latex Products, Liaison Agents, Libraries - Circulating and Public, Light / Medium Commercial Vehicles, Lighting Systems and Eqpt, Lingerie And Ladies Garments, Liquor, Wine and Spirits, Live Stock Farming Machinery and Eqpt, Livestock Breeding-breeders, Loading and Boarding, Lottery Ticket Agents, Lubricants, Luggage.Hair Dressers and Men's Parlors, Handicrafts, Handlooms, Hardware, Health And Beauty Care, Health Centers, Health Clubs, Helmets, Help line Service, Herbal Products, Hire Purchase, Hobby Centres and Shops, Hollow Bricks, Home Appliances, Home Appliances - Repairs and Service, Home Delivery - Flowers, Home Delivery - Laundry, Home Delivery Food Items, Home stays, Home Loans, Homoeo Doctors, Honey and Jams, Hospital and Clinics, Hospitals, Hotels, Hotels, Guest Houses Home stays and Lodges, Housing Finance,Ice Cream Parlors, Ice Cream Suppliers, Ice Suppliers, Identity Cards, Immigration, Fabricators and Machine Shops, Fabrics, Factory, Family Planning Centers, Fans and Exhaust Fans, Fashion Clothing, Fashion Textile Designers, Fast Food, Fax Services, Fertilizer Chemicals, Financial Consultants, Financing, Leasing and Credit Organizations, Fire and Safety - Training, Fireworks and Crackers, Fish Suppliers, Floor Polishing and Cleaning, Florists, Flour Mills, Flower Nurseries, Food and Food Products, Footwear, Foreign Exchange, Frozen Foods, Fruit and Vegetable Merchants, Furnishings, Furniture Shops.Importers, Insurance Companies/ Agents/ Consultants, Interior Decorators, Designers and Landscapers, Interior Designers and Consultants, Internet Service Providers, Internet cafe, Inverters, Iron and Steel Traders, Iron Works, Irrigation and Sprinkler Systems,Jewelery, Job Consultants, Journalists and Press Reporters, Judo and Karate Classes.Karate Classes, Khadi, Fabrics, garments And Products, Kids wear, Kindergartens/ Nursery Schools, Kitchen Utensils and Appliances, Kitchens - Modular, Knitting Machines and Material.Name Plates, Neon Signs and Plastic Glow Signs, Newspapers and Magazine -Distributes Nightwear, Notary Public, Number Plate Makers/painters, Nurseries - Kindergartens Nurseries - Plants, Nurses Bureau, Nursing Homes, Nylon Tyre Cord,Office and Secretarial Services, Office Eqpt. and Supplies, Office Leasing and Rental, Machine Tools, Magazines and Journalism, Magicians, Marble, Granite and Stone Suppliers Margin Free Shops, Marriage & Family Counselors, Marriage Bureau, Marriage Halls, Massage Parlors, Maternity Homes, Mattress, Pillow Cushions and Cover Makers, Meat Shops/ Dealers, Medical Stores, Medical Colleges, Mega show, Men's Wear and Accessories, Microwave Ovens - Repairs & Services, Mineral Water, Carbonated Drinks Machinery, Mobile Phone Services, Modeling Co-coordinators, Music Shops, Music Training Centers, Mutual Funds.
Opticians, Organic Foods, products and Services, Old Age Homes,Packers and Movers, Painters, Paintings, Paints - Raw Materials, Paper Bags, Paper Napkins, Rolls, Cups and Plates, Parking And Weather Shades, Passenger Cars, Pearls, Personal, Products - Shampoos, Soaps, Hair Oils Etc, Pest Control Services, Pesticides, Insecticides, Fungicides, Pet Shops, Petrol Pumps, Photographers - Functions and Weddings, Pickles, Picnic Spots, Picture Frames, Pipes & Fittings, Plant Machinery and Heavy Eqpt., Plantations. Plastic Crates, containers, Bags and Rolls, Plastic Products, Plumbers, Plywood, Police Stations, Pollution Testing Services, Post Office, Poultry, Precious Stones, Pressure Cookers, Press and Printers, Private Coaching Classes, Promotional Gifts and Souvenirs, Property Developers, Publishers, Pumps - Repairs and Sales, Purses, Bags, Belts, Pvc Pipes, fittings and Sleeving.Radios - Dlrs. , Repair and Service, Railway Tickets, Rainwater Harvesting, Rainwear, Ready Made Garments, Ready Mixed Concrete, Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Promoters, Reception Halls - Open Air, Recording Services, Recreation Centers For Children, Refrigerators, Freezers, Rehabilitation Centres, Reikitherapist, Religious Associations, Religious Book Shops, Publishers, Religious Trusts, Relocation Services, Rentals, Reservations - Airlines, Railways, Resorts, Restaurants - Non - Vegetarian, Restaurants - Vegetarian, Restaurants and Bars, Rice Mills, Rickshaws, Roofing Tiles, Rubber Collection Centers, Rubber Raw Materials, Rubber Seals and Stamps.Sacks - Hdpe and Jute, Safe Deposit Lockers, Sales Promotion, Sand Suppliers, Sanitary ware, Sarees - Retail, School Bags, Schools, Screen Printers, Scriptwriters, Secretarial Services, Security Services and Consultants, Service Apartment, Sewing Machines, Shamiana, Share Brokers and Consultants, Shipping Agents and Ship Chatterers, Shopping Centers / Complexes, Sightseeing Tours, Sign and Display Boards, |