Ernakulam District
Encyclopedia : E : ER : ERN : Ernakulam District
- For the town with the same name, see Ernakulam.
| Ernakulam | |
|
Location of Ernakulam | |
| Headquarters | Kakkanad |
| States and territories of India>State | Kerala |
| List of Indian districts>Abbreviation | |
| '''Collector | APM Mohammed Hanish |
| Area | 2,407 km² |
| Population (2001) | 3,105,798 |
| Density | 1,017/km² |
| '''website | |
Contents
Statistics
- Area : 2407 km²
- Population (as per 2001 census) : 3,105,798
- Language: Malayalam, the official language of Kerala. English is widely used in business circles.
- Religion: chiefly Hindu, with significant Christian and Muslim minorities. Kochi has also a small population of Jains, Jews, and Sikhs.
- Average rainfall (yearly) : 3432 mm
- Temperature : between 23 and 32 °C
Geography
The District which has an area of 895 km² can be divided geographically into highland, midland and coastal area. The altitude of the highland is about 300 m. The borders of the district are the Arabian Sea in the west, Thrissur District in the north, Idukki District in the east, and Alappuzha and Kottayam districts in the south. The Periyar River, kerala's second longest, flows through all the taluks except Muvattupuzha. The Muvattupuzha River and a branch of Chalakkudy River also flow through the district. The district has a moderate climate, and mostly falls within the Malabar Coast moist forests ecoregion, while the highlands are part of the South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests ecoregion. Many types of sands, soil and also rocks which are geological importance is abundant here.History
From ancient times Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kingdom of Cochin and left their impressions in the town. The word Ernakulam was drawn from a Tamil word Erayanarkulam means abode of Lord Shiva.
Ernakulam District was formed on April 1, 1958, from the taluks of Aluva, Kunnathunadu, Kochi, Kanayannur, and Paravoor, which were formerly part of Thrissur District. Initially the district headquarters was at Ernakulam, which gave the district its name; the headquarters was later shifted to Kakkanad. When Idukki District was formed on January 26, 1977, Thodupuzha taluk was joined with Idukki and Muvattupuzha taluk separated with to form Kothamangalam taluk.
The present Ernakulam District includes Paravur, Aluva, Kochi, Kanayannoor, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Kothamangalam taluks which come under Fort Kochi and Muvattupuzha revenue subdivision.
Ernakulam is the second-most advanced district in Kerala. It is 47.56% urbanised. [link]
Places of interest
- Bolgatty Island: has a palace built by the Dutch in 1744, and a golf course.
- Marine Drive: Enjoy a scenic view of the sea and the Cochin Port Trust. Shopping can be done at the GCDA shopping center. Two spectacular bridges have also been built along the shore. Boat rides are available.
- Willington Island : Formed from the sand deposited when Cochin Port was deepened, Willington Island has a naval base, a railway terminus, a port, and customs offices.
- Chinese Fishing Nets (Cheena Vala): can be seen at Fort Cochin.
- Parikshith Museum: Museum with memories of 19th century.
- Dutch Palace : Made in 1568 by the Portuguese. Later re-structured by the Dutch.
- Hill Palace Museum : at Tripunithura. Paintings, Epigraphy, furnitures of the royal family etc are displayed.
- Kodanadu: Elephant training centre is located here.
- Kerala Historical Museum : Located at Edappally, on the Aluva-Ernakulam road.
- Chendamangalam, a village that is the location of the Paliam palace, Vypeenakotta Seminary, and is also remarkable for having a Hindu Temple, Synagogue, Church, and Mosque, all within one kilometer of each other.
- Bhoothathankettu: A scenic dam site with boating facilities is situated in a vast virgin forest.
Pilgrimage centres
- St Francis Church: First church constructed by the Portuguese in India. Located at Fort Cochin.
- Roman Catholic Church: Has beautiful paintings. Located near the St Francis Church.
- St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica: Head of Syro-Malabar Eastern Catholic Church, with communion with Roman Catholic Church in Vatican.
- St. George Church Edappally , very famous for blessings
- St. Marys Church, Nagapuzha,Vazhakulam via Muvattupuzha
- Holy Magi Church, Piravom
- Jewish Synagogue: Made in 1568 at Mattancherry. Chinese ceramics and old testament are attractions here.
- Sree Sankaracharya Ashram: Located at Kaladi, 30 km away from Cochin.
- Malayattoor: Church constructed in memory of the visit of St Thomas. Every year thousands of believers visit here, mainly during the Easter season.
- Chottanikkara Bhagawati Temple: Enshrines Bhagawati - the mother Goddess, one of the most popular deities in Kerala. The town of Chotanikkara is located near the city of Ernakulam. Enroute is the Poornatrayesa Temple at Tripunittura.
- Poornatrayesa Temple: Located at Thrippunithara.
- The Lakshmana Perumaal Temple: Located at Tirumoozhikkalam near Alwaye and Kaaladi.
- Iriangol Bhawagati Temple: Located at Perumbavoor near Alwaye.
- Kannamkulangara Vishnu Temple: Located at Parur near Alwaye.
- Kottuvallikkavu Bhagwati Temple: Located at Kottuvally near Alwaye.
- Mahadevar Temple: Located at Ernakulam.
- Mar Thoma Cheria Pally:Located at Kothamangalam.
- Edapally Ganapathy Temple: Located in Edapally near Ernakulam.
- Marattil Kottaram Bhagawathi Temple: Located at Maradu near Tripunithura.
- Mookambika Temple: Located at Paravur near Cochin.
- '''Mukkannur Kuttala Temple: Located at Kothakulangara North near Karukutty (Angamali).
- Onakkoor Bhagawati Temple: Located at Onakkur (Piravom).
- Pandara Parambu Shiva Temple: Located at Ernakulam (Mulavukkadu).
- Pandavathu Shiva Temple: Located at Maradu near Tripunithura.
- Pariyaram Vishnu Temple:Located at Aikernad near Tripunithura.
- Perumankavu Bhagawati Temple: Located at Arakkuzha near Alwaye.
- Tirumala Temple: Located at Ernakulam.
- Tirumaradi Durga Temple: Located at Piravom near Ernakulam.
- Thrikariyur Shiva Temple: Located at Thrikkariyoor(Kothamangalam)near Ernakulam.
- Thrikkara Temple: Located at Thrikkara near Alwaye and Kochi.
- Kallil Jain Temple: 13 km away from Perumbavoor. Very old. One of the few Jain temples in Kerala
- Mulanthuruthy Mar Thoman Church: Established between 1110 and 1125.
External links
Picture gallery
| State of Kerala | History | Economy | Geography | Flora and Fauna | Culture | Arts | Tourism |
|---|---|
| Capital | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Districts | Alappuzha • Ernakulam • Idukki • Kannur • Kasaragod • Kollam • Kottayam • Kozhikode • Malappuram • Palakkad • Pathanamthitta • Thiruvananthapuram • Thrissur • Wayanad |
| Major cities | Kochi • Kollam • Kozhikode • Thiruvananthapuram • Thrissur |
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