: Changanacherry entered into the history books in A.
Changanassery is a city and a municipality in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India. It is located 18 km from Kottayam town. This town is known for the peaceful coexistence of Hindus, Christians and Muslims. It is surrounded by temples, churches and mosques.
It is known as the gateway to High Range(hill resorts) and Kuttanadu (backwaters). It is ideally located between Trivandrum and Kochi. The nearest Beach is only 20 k.m, backwaters 3k.m. and hill resort 40k.m.
The town has an 18th century temple and is the host to the Deepam festival, which is celebrated every winter.
In the past, the town was known as Anchu Vilakkinte Pattanam in local language, meaning Town of five fire lamps, which symbolises unity and point to old business time.
Changansserry was an old business place during the pre-British area. During the renovation of Travancore Changanasserry was the boundary and was called Thekkum koor.
Etymology
The place named Changanacherry entered into the history books in A.D. 90. It has been believed by some people that this name is derived from a place named "Changannattusserry".
It is believed that the name Changanasserry originated from its Market roots. This was a famous trading place were traders from Kuttanad area and high ranges converged. The measurements used for rice in old era were "Changazhi" "Nazhi" and "Uzhi". The name originated from a combination of these three measuring containers.
An interesting story mentions that during the reign of King Udaya Marthanda Varma of Travancore, steps were taken to build a Catholic church by giving out plots for sowing 'Changazhy', 'Nazhy' 'Uri', 'Payattupadu' (various malayalam terms of measuring grains). All these terms put together apparently made up the name of the place to Changanachery.
It was in 980 AD, that the famed Diwan of Travancore Veluthampy Dalava made a market place at Changanacherry, realizing the possibilities of development of this place. That market has grown to today's "Janapath". Towards the memory of the centennial celebrations of the place in 1905, the people installed the " Anchu Vilakku" (Five Lamps) seen near the Boat Jetty. The lamp signifies the 'unity in diversity' of the local ethnic and religious sects - a truly fitting tribute to the ethos of Changanacherry.
Another belief is that the name is derived from three separate words- 'shang', 'natham'. 'sherri'. The story goes that sometime in the past, the ruler of Changanacherry commissioned a church, a temple and a mosque to be built equidistant from his palace so that he would wake up every morning to the call of the conch shell (shang), the chiming of the church bells (natham), and the muzzuein's call (sherry). The church and temple and mosque still stand and the annual chandanakodi festival bears testimony to the religious harmony that prevails in this town.
Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Changanassery had a population of 51,960. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Changanassery has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 86% and female literacy of 85%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Education Center
Changanassery is famous for its many excellent schools and colleges. It is home to one of the most reputed colleges in India, St. Berchmans College. Two other colleges, N.S.S. College and Assumption college are also well known for its academics.
St. Berchmans' High School is the oldest school and is over a hundred years old.
It has modern schools like Sacred Heart EMHS ,Kristu Jyoti EHS, Placid Vidya Vihar and Good Shepherd Public School.
St.Berchmans College
[[http://61.246.232.54/default.aspx St. Berchman's College
, [Changanassery] also known as S B College , is one of the most reputed Colleges in Kerala, India. Established in 1922, the college has grown over the years into one of the leading colleges with thirteen postgraduate and seven research departments. It is run by the Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery, is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam and is recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education.
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has awarded Five Star status toSt.Berchmans College. The NAAC committee which met on 21 May 2006 at its Head Quarters in Bangalore, on the basis of the peer team report reaccredited SB at the A+ level. St Berchmas is the first college in the state to acquire this grade.
The college is recognized as a leading educational institution worldwide[citation needed]. Distinguished academic, religious, political and business leaders are among its alumni{[fact}}. The alumni associations are spread across the Americas, Europe and the Middle East countries.
Festivals
December is a month of celebration for the people in Changanachery.
Parel Church in the name of St. Mary and the festival there on December 8 attracts thousands of pilgrims from all religions.
Every year in December the processions from the Chirappu, chandanakudam and cathedral church merge in the town.
They celebrate Mandala Pooja (Hindus), Christmas (Christians) and Chandanakundam (Muslims) together during this time. People irrespective of their religious affiliations, go from one place of worship to another.
There is a historical basis to the marvelous scene of the Christian, Hindu and Muslim worship places stands together in Changanachery. It is indeed a history of religious harmony.
Archdiocese of Changanasserry
[Archdiocese of Changanacherry]is the largest Catholic Diocese in India. Tha Bishops house is over 200 years old. The diocese is one of the oldest in India. Most of the near doicese like Palai and Kanjirappally were formed from this diocese when the population grew.
The doicese manages many parishes, Hospitals, Colleges and Schools.
Nair Service Society - NSS
Nair Service Society or the NSS as it is popularly known in Kerala has its headquarters in Changanacherry. NSS is a social organization which has made remarkable contributions in the fields of education, medicine and agriculture. It's volunteers spanning about 4000 odd karayogams spread across kerala continue to work towards upliftment of the downtrodden sections society focussed on localized activities across kerala. The Society was started by Mannathu Padmanabhan (Mannam) on 31 October 1914. Mannathu Padmanabhan revived and reshaped the old concept of village societies, the Karayogams, which practically set the tenor of family and village life Mannam fought for social equality, the first phase of being the Vaikom Satyagraha, demanding the public roads near the temple at Vaikom be opened to low caste Hindus. He supported the admission of low caste Hindus into temples was the chairman of the Guruvayur Satyagraha, paving the way for the temple entry proclamation. In 1950 he set up the Hindu Mandalam to draw together Hindus. Rousing them to support the National Movement. He suffered imprisonment for his support. As the first president of Travancore Devaswom Board he revitalised many temples which had almost ceased to function. NSS, started by Mannam continues its social activities based out of Changanacherry.
Interesting Sites in the Vicinity
Changanasserry town includes areas such as Vazhappally, Vattappally, Puzhavathu, Perunnai, Fathimapuram, Parel, Chethipuzha, Kurisumoodu and Cheeranchira.
Kurichy a beautiful place close to Changanachery.
Perumpanachy is a small village near to Changanacherry
Thrikodithanam, a village located on the outskirts of Changanassery Municipality, is famous for its Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple which was built during the reign of the second Chera Empire in circa 800 AD.
External links
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia |
