Angamaly

Angamaly is a town and a municipality in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala, India. It is a rapidly growing town that lies at the intersection of Main central road(MC Road) and National Highway 47. MC Road Start from the heart of angamaly. Also a Municipality and a Legislative Assembly constituency in Ernakulam district.

Overview

Starting as a Panchayat in May 1952, Angamaly was raised to a municipality in April 1978. Situated 33 km north of Ernakulam, Angamaly is the northern gateway to the commercial capital of Kerala.

Angamaly is one of the fastest growing towns in Kerala , thanks for the proximity of International Airport, railway station and two major roads passing through. With so many Panchayats near by and its population depending on Angamaly is making it a business hub.

Angamaly has a state owned industrial estate at its southern end which has numerous renowned factories. There are many old churches which are centuries old with well defined frescoes and other murals which are also famous for certain historical meetings and decisions that shaped the modern Christianity in the entire India. Has for its credit famous hospitals, temples and educational institutions which are pride to the local population. The new Catholic church built at the heart of the town is regarded as the biggest of its kind in India .

Angamaly is well connected by all means of transportation. Kochi International Airport is in the vicinity of Angamaly. In fact, certain portion of Angamaly municipal area has been taken for the development of airport.

Angamaly has a railway station where all major trains has stoppage. There is a proposed railway line from Angamaly to Sabarimala which will connect the high-ranges with the low land, which in turn will improve economy of the entire region. The feasibility study is over and Railways has alloted budget for acquisition of land.

NH 47 passes through Angamaly and it is only less than 17 kilometers from Angamaly to NH 17. One of the major road connecting capital of Kerala, M.C. Road starts from Angamaly.

'Manjaly thodu' which flows through Angamaly was a major waterway in the olden days where spices, rice, bamboo and other agriculture products were sent from Angadikadavu in Angamaly to the old port of Muziris(Kodungalloor). Manjaly thodu is part of the new National Waterways programme.

Kerala State Bamboo Corporation Ltd. has its headquarters at Angamaly.

Kodanad, famous for its Elephant Training Center is 25 kilometers from Angamaly. Elephant ride as well as a mini zoo is available here. Malayatoor, Mahagony thottam, Kalady Adi sri Sankara Sthambam, temple and Crocodile ghat are all places of interest near Angamaly.

History

Although recorded history does not exist about the origins of Angamaly, legends and local folklore attribute the name Angamaly to the grounds where battles (Ankam in Malayalam language) were conducted at a myal (attributed as a plain ground). Hence a very old battle ground.

Several old coins and other artefacts found from the region tells this area were predominant with Buddhists and Jains in very old time. Malayatoor which is famous Christian devotional centre is very near to Angamaly. It is said that St. Thomas, the Apostlate who was deputed to the region by Jesus Christ came via Angadikadavu in Angamaly using Manjali thodu to come from Kodungaloor port at AD 58. There are evidence for the churches in the locality built as early as AD 409 and AD 822.

Kalady, the birth place of Adi Sri Sankara is only 7 kilometers from here, it is there the Sanskrit University situates.

Thirunayathodu temple, Krishnaswamy temple, Venguru temple, Kidangooru temple, Kothakulangara temple, Jain's temple, Elavuru temple, Muzhikulam temple are all in the same region.

Places in and around Angamaly

Karayamparambu
Mookkannoor
Azhakam
Mangalapuram Sree Subrahmany Swamy Temple
Kothakulangara
Angadikadavu
Palli Angadi
Thurappan Kunnu
Thurappan Kavala
Champannoor
Mallussery
Moozhikulam
Cheriya Vappalassery
Valiya Vappalassery
Kizhakke Angadi
Nayathode Kavala
Akaparambu
Thekke Kidangoor
Vadakke Kidangoor
Peechanickad
Elavoor
Vattaparambu
Karukutti
Kidangoor
Vengoor

Pecularity of places around Angamaly

Angamaly is surrounded by 18 and 1/2 places which ends with 'serry', which were said to be the Viharams of Buddhists or Thiyyars who inhabited this region in the olden times,

1. Nedumbasserry
2. Aduvasserry
3. Palapprasserry
4. Kapprasserry
5. Kodusserry
6. Mallusserry
7. Padappasserry
8. Kurumasserry
9. Kannamkuzhysserry
10. Poovathusserry
11. Kunnappillysserry
12. Thuruthisserry
13. Puduvasserry
14. Kunnisserry
15. Poykattusserry
16. Karippasserry
17. Palisserry
18. Parambusserry
18.5 Vappalasserry (the half)

Angamali is enriched with cultural and devotional centers. Majority of the population are Christians (Major denominations are Roman Catholic and Jacobite Syrians . A small branch of Chalakkudy river flows through Angamali which is leading to Maanjaali. Once upon a time this was considered to be a major trade centre. The name itself is "Angadikadavu". Another major fact about Angamali is that it is the nearest town to the Cochin International Airport. Metro City Kochi is 34 km and Cultural City Trissur is 45 km from this town.

Transport

By air: Closest airport is 3 km south, Cochin International Airport (COK) in Nedumbassery.
By rail: Angamaly for Kalady (AFK) Station
By road: Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) provides bus services through their Angamaly Sub-Depot
By water: Manjaly thodu is developing as one sub-route of proposed National Waterway

Geography

Angamaly is located at . It has an average elevation of 31 metres (104 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Angamaly had a population of 33,424. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Angamaly has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 50% of the males and 50% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.