Kozhencherry

Kozhencherry ( ml, കോഴഞ്ചേരി) is a census town in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region (South Central Kerala) in Kerala state, India. census, the population was 433,357 people in 92,825 households.

History

Kozhencherry is situated in the central Travancore and in the centre of Pathanamthitta District. It is on the bank of the Holy river Pampa (it descends from Sabarimala) and blessed by hills and green valleys. It is a very beautiful place. The history of Kozhencherry is very closely related to the history of the Central Travancore State. Kozhencherry was one among the five major towns in the earstwhile Travancore. It is model of communal harmony.

Kozhencherry is a very fertile land and cultivating plantations, paddy, tapioca, coconut, rubber, pepper, sugar cane, vegetables, spices etc. From Kozhencherry market goods were marketed to Kochi and Alapuzha through the river Pampa in big boats in olden days. In the year 1869 at the time of the rule of Sree Moolam Thirunal the resident Mr. G.A. Bellard started a public market, later it is called Bellard Public Market. So we can understand that Kozhencherry played an important role in ancient trading itself. Kozhencherry was very closely related to banking and co-operative societies. Malankara Syndicate Bank was one among the pioneers in the Travancore.

On 11 May 1935 Sri. C Keshavan, in a public meeting at Kozhencherry, demanded to open roads and schools to the public and to stop the rule of Divanji and form a democratic rule. It influenced the public to participate in the Freedom Struggle with Mahatma Gandhi. For that he was arrested and put him in to jail. For the memory of this event one momentum on stone is erected in the center of the Kozhencherry Town.

In the field of education, Kozhencherry made available contribution to the central Travancore. In 1910 St. Thomas High School was started. Student of various places came here for their schooling. In 1953 St. Thomas College was started. By considering the importance of the Kozhencherry a District Hospital was started before 112 years ago by the rulers.Kozhencherry Panchayath was formed in 1953. Before the Kozhencherry Village Union was formed on 16-7-1948. The total area of Kozhencherry Panchayath is 861.41 hector. The population of Kozhencherry panchayath was 12701 (Men 6093, Women 6608) in the 1991 senses.

Kozhencherry has its own highlights in sports and games. Volleyball was started in the beginning of 20th century itself. Kozhencherry contributed players even to Indian teams and national levels. The Janatha Sports Club is conducting a All India Volley Ball Tournament. The Horty Cultural Society is holding a flower show every year.

In the field of social organisation Rotary club, Lion's Club, Y's men club, Junior chamber, YMCA, YWCA, Y's Men, Fine Arts Society and many other societies and clubs are working at Kozhencherry. People from Kozhencherry is working all over the world in good positions and helping the economic growth of our country.

Ecology

The famous River Pampa is flows one of the boundaries of Kozhencherry village. There is no big ponds or mangroves in this village.

Geography

The total area of this village includes hill areas, plane lands, semi hill areas and paddy fields

Climate

Administration

Kozhencherry is part of the Pathanamthitta district. Before the formation of the Pathanamthitta district in 1982, Kozhencherry belonged to the Idukki and Kollam district border.

Tourism

The very famous Maramon Convention conducted in this village at the sand bed of pampa river. The statue of C. KESAVAN, famous for Kozhencherry speech during Freedom Fight is very near to Village office. District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) office is in Kozhencherry village near Panchayath stadium. There is no other tourism spot in this village.

Education

* St. Thomas College, Kozhencherry
* St. Mary's Girls High School, Kozhencherry
* St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Kozhencherry
* Marthoma Senior Secondary School, Kozhencherry

Malls

There is only one shopping Mall in kozhencherry.
* Koikaparambil Complex

Sports

Janatha Volleyball Stadium

A private ownership volleyball court yet to be Stadium. Only court.

Babulal's Indoor Badminton Court

A private ownership badminton court.

Kozhencherry Panchayat Stadium

Earlier times, it was stadium but lack of matches now there are public offices. But still matches are going on.

Transport

Kozhencherry is largely dependent on private buses and most long-route Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses. There is a KSRTC bus depot in Kozhencherry adjacent to the private bus stand. Auto rickshaws are also available and are generally hired for short distances (1–3 km) where bus services are lacking. Jeeps are another preferred mode of transport where the terrain is hilly or rugged.

The nearest railway stations are at Thiruvalla and Chengannur which are nearly away.

The proposed Sabarimala International Airport, Cheruvally would be the closest airport upon completion, at from Kozhencherry township.

The nearest extant airports are Cochin International Airport and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, at , respectively.

Hospitals

* Poyanil Hospital
* Mulamoottil Eye Hospital & Research Center
* Muthoot Hospitals Kozhencherry
* District Hospital, Kozhencherry

Notable people

* Mathai George Muthoot - entrepreneur and businessman
* George Alexander Muthoot - entrepreneur and businessman
* M. G. George Muthoot - entrepreneur and businessman

See also

* Kozhencherry East
* Pathanamthitta District

References

{{Pathanamthitta district

Cities and towns in Pathanamthitta district