Kanchiyar

Kanchiyar
കാഞ്ചിയാർ
காஞ்சியார்
Tourist spot/village

Idukki reservoir from Anjuruli near Kanchiyar
Kanchiyar
Kanchiyar

Location of Kanchiyar in Kerala

Coordinates: 9°41′45″N 76°59′47″E / 9.69583°N 76.99639°E / 9.69583; 76.99639Coordinates: 9°41′45″N 76°59′47″E / 9.69583°N 76.99639°E / 9.69583; 76.99639
Country  India
State Kerala
District Idukki
Named for Anjuruli tourist spot
Government
  Type Panchayath
  Body Kanchiyar Grama Panchayath
Area
  Total 64.65 km2 (24.96 sq mi)
Population (2001)
  Total 21,023
  Density 325/km2 (840/sq mi)
Languages
  Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 685511
Telephone code 04868
Vehicle registration KL-37, KL-06
Nearest city Kattappana
Lok Sabha constituency Idukki
Literacy 92%
Climate cool pleasant (Köppen)
Website Isgkerala.in

Kanchiyar (Malayalam:കാഞ്ചിയാർ) is a village located in idukki taluk of Idukki district Kerala, India. The place has a vast cardamon and pepper plantations. Anchuruli, one of the famous tourist spots in idukki is located in Kanchiyar panchayath. The main settlements in Kanchiyar are Kozhimala, Swaraj, Labbakkada, Thoppipala, Mattappally and Kakkattukada.[1]

Administration

Kanchiyar panchayath, which was recently raised to village level is divided into 16 wards for administrative convenience. The Kanchiyar village office is at Lebbakkada.

Wards

  • Kovilmala
  • Pampadikuzhi
  • Thoppippala
  • Lebbakkada
  • Pezhumkandam
  • Puthukkadu
  • Mattukkatta (east)
  • Nariyampara

  • Kanchiyar
  • Anchuruly
  • Vengaloorkkada
  • Swarnavilasam
  • Meppara
  • Kalthotty
  • Kodalippara
  • Murikkattukudy

Demographics

There are 315 families with 1590 members divided into 18 prayer groups. The parishioners are mostly farmers. There are many distinguished, eminent personalities, who have proved their mettle in the overall development of the parish. As per the census of 2001, Kanchiyar village has population of about 21023 in which 10404 are women and 10619 are men. The village has a literacy of about 92%.Recently, Kanchiyar was upgraded from panchayath level to Village. Later it was part of the Ayyappancoil village.[2]

Religion

Majority of people are Hindus and Christians.They maintain healthy relations and mutual co-operation.The Clarist Convent started its career in 1957 in the land donated by Shri Mathai Kalappurackal.The L.S.T. Convent began its missionary work on January 7, 1996. The Snehashram for destitute, under the guardianship of Rev. Fr. Francis OFM is at Nariyampara, the board of this parish.[3]

Important pilgrim center's

  • St.Mary's church, Pallikavala
  • Holy cross church, Nariyampara
  • Holy family church, Kalthotty
  • Lourde Matha church, Meppara
  • Subramaniya swami temple, Pezhumkandom
  • Puthiyakavu Devi temple, Nariyampara
  • Ayyappa-Mahavishnu-Devi temple, Nariyampara
  • Sree Mahavishnu temple, Meppara
  • Sree dharmasastha temple, Thoppippala
  • Sree Krishna swami temple, Mattappally
  • Muthiyamma Uma Maheshwara temple, Kanchiyar

Culture

Kanchiyar panchayath is inhabited by the tribal community Mannan. The Mannan community has unique culture and rituals. They have a kingdom at Kozhimala (Kovilmala) near Swaraj with an elected tribal king. This community is the only tribal community in Kerala that has a king, and one of the only two such tribes in India. The current king here is Raman Raja Mannan who was elected in March 2012. He was elected after the death of the previous king, Aryan Raja Mannan.

Education

The Following are the Institution on which we feel proud of St. Mary's L.P. and U.P. Schools which were started in 1959and 1977 respectively, the Clarist Convent, Mar Mathew Kavukattu Memorial Nursery run by the Clarist Convent, Marian Nursery School run by the Parish, J.P.M. Junior and B. Ed College which was started in 2005 by the C.S.T. fathers.

Educational institutions

  • St.Mary's L.P and U.P school, Kanchiyar
  • Mannam memorial high school, Nariyampara
  • Government Tribal H.S.S, Murikkattukudi
  • Zion public school, Swaraj
  • S.N English medium school, Thoppipala
  • J.P.M college of arts and science, Labbakkada

Tourism

Anjuruli tunnel
Anjuruli tunnel opening at Erattayar

Kanchiyar is a Panoramic, serene place in Kanchiyar Panchayath, of Ayyappancoil Village, near Kattappana in Idukki Taluk of Idukki district, of the State of Kerala, which is very near to the famous tourist centre, Anchuruli (Idukki reservoir). Kanchiyar St. Mary’s Church belongs to the diocese of Kanjirappally. All the public disregarding caste and creed throng to this church for worship on festive occasions. The church is 67 km from Kanjirappally.

Anjuruli is a tourist spot located 3 km from Kanchiyar village, on the Kottayam-Kattapana route in Idukki District. It is about 5 km from Labbakkandom settlement of the Periyar Lake, and is a catchment area of Idukki Arch Dam, providing a bewitching and awesome view of nature. Anjuruli is famous for the waterfall which can be reached with the help of the local people. This gushing water that comes from Erattayar River is stored here for the Idukki hydro-electric project. Anjuruli is a picturesque picnic spot with a splendid view of semi-evergreen forest, grassland and hilly areas of the Western Ghats. Anchuruli is also an ideal place for fishing. A 4.75 km tunnel passes through the mountain, connecting Erattayar and Anchuruli. Water passes through this tunnel and drains into the lake. The adventurous ones can walk into the tunnel during summer although it is dangerous. Pullumedu is another place worth visiting.

The best time for visit Anjuruli is after the rainy season. Trekking is possible with the prior permission from the Divisional forest Office at Kanchiyar. The common sites in Anchuruli are Edapalayam, Para Valavu, Nellippara, Kozhikkannam and Chakkuppara. Nellikkampetty is a nearby tourist spot.

Anjuruli can be approached by bus from Kattapana to Kanchiyar. From Kanchiyar, a trek through the forest road leads to Anjuruli. Kanchiyar is on the Kattappana-Kottayam route, around 9 km from Kattappana. Taxis are available from Kanchiyar to Anchuruli. The nearest railway station is at Kottayam.[4]

Transportation

Kanchiyar is well connected with both state highways and local rural roads. Kattappana-Kuttikkanam state highway passes through Kanchiyar. Plenty of private busses and state-owned busses operates here.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.