Ramapuram is a
town
A town is a type of a human settlement, generally larger than a village but smaller than a city.
The criteria for distinguishing a town vary globally, often depending on factors such as population size, economic character, administrative stat ...
in the
Kottayam district
Kottayam () is one of List of districts of Kerala, 14 districts in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kerala. Kottayam district comprises six municipal towns: Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala, Kerala, Pala, Erattupetta, Ettu ...
of the Indian state of
Kerala
Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
.
Etymology
The word "Ramapuram" means "the abode of
Lord Rama
Rama (; , , ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-centric Hindu traditions, he is considered the Supreme Being. Also considered as the ideal man (''maryāda'' ...
", the village's chief deity. Ramapuram is unique in the sense that it houses the temple of Rama as well as his three brothers in a radius of just 3.5 km.
Lakshmana
Lakshmana (, ), also known as Laxmana, Lakhan, Saumitra, and Ramanuja, is the younger brother of Rama in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. He is considered as an incarnation of Shesha, the lord of serpents. Lakshmana was married to Urmila, and i ...
at Koodappulam,
Bharata at Amanakara and
Shatrughna
''Shatrughna'' (, ), also known as Ripudaman, is the younger brother of Rama, and King of Mathura, Madhupura and Vidisha, in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. He is considered as an incarnation of the Sudarshana Chakra of god Vishnu, and was married ...
at Methiri. Because of this, the village is a Hindu Pilgrimage center too. Devotees mostly visit the temples in
Karkadakam, the month of 'Ramayana'.
Temples
Sree Rama Temple is situated here at Ramapuram in Kottayam district. The nearby village Koodappulam is known for its Sri Lakshmana swami temple. Ancient ten Nair taravads of Kerala-Mutikat, Parakkat, Pariyath, Arakkal, Kappamadathil, Pathirakkattil, Kaanattu Kannampalakkal etc. are in Koodappulam.
Also the Ancient five Ezhava Taravds of Kerala - (ThazhatheEdappattu - Edappttu - KizhakkeEdappttu), Menamparambil, Kariythumpara, Kuzhivelil, Karathankal, etc. are in Ramapuram.
Churches
The centuries-old
twin churches of Ramapuram are two of the oldest churches in Kerala. The complex consists of a smaller church dedicated to
St. Augustine
Augustine of Hippo ( , ; ; 13 November 354 – 28 August 430) was a theologian and philosopher of Berber origin and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa. His writings deeply influenced the development of Western philosop ...
and a larger one dedicated to the
Blessed Virgin
Mary was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Saint Joseph, Joseph and the mother of Jesus. She is an important figure of Christianity, venerated under titles of Mary, mother of Jesus, various titles such as Perpetual virginity ...
. The church dedicated to St. Augustine dates to 1450 while the one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin was erected in 1864. The structures represent an architectural style from the early colonial period, with the Persian facade influencing the overall Portuguese style. The Roman columns and the veranda are also rare features from the period. The new church building which has three levels is surrounded by 9 steeples. Greek, Portuguese and German architectural styles are used for the facade of the church. It was consecrated by Major Archbishop of Syro Malabar Catholic Church Cardinal Mar George Alencherry on January 13 2019. Now the Ramapuram church, under the Palai Diocese is the Biggest Catholic Church in Asia and India as well as Biggest 'Syro Malabar Catholic' Church in the World.
Schools
The house of the poet Sri Ramapuratthu Varrier has been converted to an Upper Primary School, known as ''Ramapuratthu Varrier Memorial Upper Primary School''. There are also many schools run by the church such as St.Augustine's higher secondary school for boys,
Sacred Heart
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus () is one of the most widely practised and well-known Catholic devotions, wherein the heart of Jesus Christ is viewed as a symbol of "God's boundless and passionate love for mankind". This devotion to Christ is p ...
high school for girls and St.Joseph's U.P School for boys and girls in Vellilappilly. Chavara CMI International is an ICSE school at Ramapuram. Alphonsa English Medium school, a lower primary school, is also situated in Ramapuram . The
Mar Augusthinose College, an arts, science and business college is also situated in Ramapuram. The college is affiliated with
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.
Economy
Ramapuram is now a well developed growing town. Known for its natural environment, the village has acres of rubber plantation. The Panchayath ground of Ramapuram was one of the locations for the film 'Kabadi Kabadi'(starring Kalabhavan Mani and Rambha).
Article from ''The Hindu'' on the controversy over preserving Ramapuram's churches
/ref>
Visiting Ramapuram
Ramapuram is located 12 km from Pala
Pala may refer to:
Places
Chad
*Pala, Chad, the capital of the region of Mayo-Kebbi Ouest
Estonia
* Pala, Kose Parish, village in Kose Parish, Harju County
* Pala, Kuusalu Parish, village in Kuusalu Parish, Harju County
* Pala, Järva County, ...
town on the main road to Koothattukulam
Koothattukulam is a municipalityhttps://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is located south of the district collectorate in Thrikkakara and about north of the state capital ...
and 17 km from Thodupuzha
Thodupuzha () is a municipality and taluk in the Idukki district of Kerala, India. It is located west of the district headquarters in Painavu and about north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Thodupu ...
, situated between the hills of the Western Ghats. It can only be reached by road. No other transport is presently available or planned.
Scenic Sites Near Ramapuram
* Kurinji Koomban – Located 5 km from Ramapuram, it is a circular hill with abundant caves. Nearby this hill are the Vellamneekipara waterfalls. There is motorable road to the foothills, where one may hike to the falls.
* Kuruvankunnu – Located 5 km from Ramapuram, it is situated to the east of Kurinji Koomban. Water is available even in summer. Visitors must be wary of avalanches.
* Mayiladimpara – Located in Nedumala, there are two huge rocks on this 4–5-acre site.
* Parunthanmala – It has the highest point in the region (called Koozhamala) located 4 km west of Ramapuram through several rubber plantations.
* Fathimagiri – This is lower in height
* Pampanal Waterfalls – It's a waterfall situated at Manathoor, Pizhaku. It's a three stepped waterfall. It is 8km east of Ramapuram. Ramapuram – Manathoor (Pizhaku) – Karimkunnam Shortcut Road – Pampanal waterfalls.
Cultural Information
Ramapurathu Warrier, (1703–1753) the author of Kuchela Vritham Vanchippattu, adorned the courts of Maharaja Marthanda Varma, the maker of the former State of Travancore and his successor Kartika Tirunal Rama Varmawa. Kuchela Vritham Vanchippattu is the most famous boat-song in the language. Composed entirely in the Dravidian meter 'natonnata,' it is a popular classic which retells the story of Kuchela, an old classmate of Sri Krishna, going to Dwaraka to pay homage to him. In the poem, the poet specifically refers to King Marthanda Varma and also describes the circumstances under which he came to write the poem.
The author, social reformer and political reformer Lalithambika Antharjanam, whose novel 'Agnisakshi'(1980) won the Kerala Sahitya Academy award, lived in Ramapuram.
In Oct. 2005, Malayalam writer Krishnan Parappally was chosen for the annual literary award instituted by the Malayalam magazine ''Jwala'', published in Mumbai
Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...
. The award was conferred on him for his biography of philosopher and literary critic Sukumar Azhikode
Koloth Thattarath Sukumaran, popularly known as Sukumar Azhikode (26 May 1926 – 24 January 2012) was an Indian academic, orator, critic and writer of Malayalam literature
Malayalam, the lingua franca of the Indian state of Kerala and the ...
. Parappally, born in Ramapuram in 1921, has 19 anthologies of poems to his credit and is based in Mumbai.
New generation Malayalam Poet Santhosh Pala hails from Kurinji of Ramapuram village (now resides in United States). His poetry has been well received by poetry lovers, receiving the Ankanam award, FOKANA award and many other awards for his poetry works. His first collection of Poems "Communist Pacha” was published in 2011. He also published a second book, in 2018, called “Kattuveeshunnidam”. His poems are published by mainstream publishers in Kerala.
Sports
Ramapuram has produced many sportsmen who has represented it in various district, state and national events. It is known for volleyball which used to be a passion for the natives. It has a number of public stadiums which are active during evenings and weekends. One of these is Panchayat Stadium which is used for football and cricket by the local people and has been the venue of many local tournaments. It also has a volleyball court and basketball and a bigger stadium in the campus of St. Augustines High School, Ramapauram.
Notable people
* Shakuntala Baliarsingh
Shakuntala Baliarsingh (born 25 February 1948) is an Indian Odia language writer and translator.
Life
Baliarsingh was born in 1948 in Ramapuram, Kottayam, India. She studied at Utkal University.
Baliarsingh has published over 30 books, in ...
(born 1948) Odia language writer and translator
References
External links
{{commons category, Ramapuram, Kottayam
Article about Ramapuram's Twin Churches
Churches on the Demolition Line: Ramapuram's Twin Churches
Cities and towns in Kottayam district