KURAKAR STUDY TEAM VISITED KAYAMKULAM -PUTHUPALLY

Kurakar Study team visited 

Kayamkulam -Puthupally

        Kottarakara based Kurakar study team visited Kayamkulam  Puthupally on 8^th June, 2011.  The team also visited Kadeesa Orthodix church, important temples, lakes, Education Institutions and some ancient families. The team included Prof. John Kurakar, Mr. George Jacob, Mr. Sam Kurakar, Prof Molly Kurakar & Mr. Manu Kurakar.

     Kayamkulam, one of the most important towns in the Alapuzha district in Kerala. Kayamkulam town is the headquarters of Kayamkulam municipality. Kayamkulam has a broad historical background connected with the ancient t Kerala history. In past centuries Kayamkulam is an important maritime center in this region. Historically this place has a greater importance. Many immortal remains of Kerala history is still lies here. According to 2001 census Kayamkulam has a population of 65299. In  which 49% of males and 51% of females. Kayamkulam has a literacy rate of 82%. Kayamkulam comes under the Kayamkulam assembly consistency .Kadeesa Orthodox Church is one if ancient and important church in Kayamkulam. MSM College is an important education center in Kayamkulam.

Kayamkulam is a small village on the western coast of India in the state of Kerala. Washed by the waters of the Arabian Sea, the place is almost equidistant from Alleppey and Quilon, both of which connect the Kerala backwaters. The place is connected by rail and road with other cities in the region as well as other parts of the country. The climate of Kayamkulam is pleasant throughout the year. The rainy season starts from June/July and continues till October/November. The temperature never goes too high or low throughout the year. Kayamkulam got its name from the blending of two words: kayam (sap of a spice tree) and kulam (a pond). Kayamkulam was a part of erstwhile Travancore state for a long time and was a prominent center of art and architecture. Many temples and palaces were built during that period.

      The famous temple dedicated to goddess Bhagavathy is about 5 km from Kayamkulam. Situated amidst vast paddy fields, it houses a huge traditional lamp made of granite and accommodating a thousand wicks, which are lit every day. The 18th-century Krishnapuram Palace built during the reign of the Travancore monarch Martand Varma is a double-storied structure that displays typical characteristics of Kerala architecture-gabled roofs, dormer windows, and narrow corridors. It houses one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala called the Gajendra Moksham. It measures 14 feet by 11 feet and is at the western end of the ground floor, a walking distance from the Palace Pool. There is also a museum of antique sculptures, paintings, and bronzes inside the palace. Oachira Temple is the only idol-less temple in whole of Kerala. It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated under the gigantic Ficus tree still there. These trees are the points of worship in this temple apart from the Naga (cobra) idols nearby. One of the many rituals that this place has is the worship of bulls. They are decorated and can be seen in the premises of the temple in the abundance. Kayamkulam is also famous for its backwaters and the lake. The wide opening of the lake into the Arabian Sea offers spectacular sunset view through the web of Chinese fishing nets to the tourists cruising in the houseboats. There are some health resorts in Kayamkulam that specialize in Ayurvedic treatment and oil therapy.
   Alappuzha, the district headquarters, is situated some 50 km off Kayamkulam and connected with rail, road, and boats. The place is famous for the Mullakal Temple, its backwaters, and the annual Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race. Quilon or Kollam is situated around 70 km off Kayamkulam. This place is famous for its backwaters, Ashtamudi Lake, Ayurvedic treatment, and art and craft fair. The one-day annual festival at Bhagavathy Temple includes 1200-year-old rituals like Kuthiyottam and Kettukazcha. These colorful rituals have boys dancing in trance, colossal effigies of horses, decorated chariots and art forms like Padayani and Kolkkali. Oachira festival is celebrated every year at the Oachira Temple. 

                                                                Prof. John Kurakar