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Chengara | |
---|---|
Village | |
Coordinates: 9°15′10″N76°50′52″E / 9.25278°N 76.84778°E | |
Country | India |
State | Kerala |
District | Pathanamthitta |
Government | |
• Panchayat Member | Joyce Abraham |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
PIN | 689664 |
Telephone code | 0468 |
Vehicle registration | KL-83 |
Nearest city | Konni, Pathanamthitta |
Literacy | 99% |
Lok Sabha constituency | Pathanamthitta |
Chengara is a small village situated in the Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, India. It is known for its natural environment, hills and climate,[ citation needed ] and is found to have the cleanest air, in terms of concentration of dust particles.[ when? ][ citation needed ] Chengara is surrounded on three sides by Harrisons Malayalam Limited, a rubber plantation company.
Chengara is approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) from the district headquarters, 110 km (68 mi) from Kochi, and just over 100 km (62 mi) from Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. The nearest towns to Chengara are Konni and Pathanamthitta, at about 6 and 10 km (3.7 and 6.2 mi) away respectively. Konni medical college [1] is 3 km (1.9 mi) from the village.
The village has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: a humid summer, monsoon, and a moderate winter. The warmest month is April. The village often experiences heavy thundershowers in May, during which humidity remains high. The monsoon season is from June to August with most of the heavy rainfall in June and July, June being the wettest month of the year.[ citation needed ]
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Chengara has a population of just above 1,500.[ citation needed ] The literacy rate of the village is 99%.[ citation needed ]
G.C.S.L.P. school[ expand acronym ] is the only school in Chengara. The school is owned by the Chengara Service Co-operative Society Ltd. It covers a standard of I-V. The nearest higher secondary school is St. George Vocational Higher Secondary School in Attachackal. Students from Chengara also go to schools in nearby towns, such as Pathanamthitta and Kozhencherry. Those who study technical courses attend the technical institutes around Pathanamthitta.[ citation needed ]
The economy of Chengara is primarily based in agriculture. Rubber plantations are a major source of income for the local population. Chengara is among the largest rubber-producing places in Kerala, due to its hilly terrain, high humidity and rainfall. Other major crops are cocoa, coconut, tapioca and pepper. Chengara has a large number of non-residents.[ citation needed ]
The major political parties in Chengara are the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI [M]). K. U. Jenish Kumar (CPI [M]) is the present[ when? ]M.L.A. of Konni which includes Chengara. Anto Antony is the present MP of Pathanamthitta constituency, which includes Chengara.[ citation needed ].Chengara belongs to Konni gram panchayat (village council). The present panchayat member of Chengara is N. N. Rajappan of INC.[ citation needed ] Chengara Surendran MP (Communist Party of India)[ expand acronym ] is also a native of Chengara. [2] Chengara Surendran (born 31 January 1968) was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represented the Adoor constituency of Kerala and is a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI). [3]
Traditionally Chengara is a stronghold of INC.[ citation needed ] Kerala congress also has presence in the village. Abraham Vazhayil (District Secretary Kerala Congress (M), Chairman, UDF Konni Constituency) is also a native of Chengara. Though Chengara has a long tradition of politics, there has been no conflict among the different political parties.[ citation needed ]
The people of Chengara belong to various religions, the major ones being Christianity and Hinduism. Churches in the village includes Bethel Marthoma Church, St George Orthodox Church Chengara (a.k.a. Chengara Pally, est. 1979), [4] St Patrick's Malankara Catholic Church, and Bethel Brethren Assembly and Pentecost Church (IPC). The Hindu temple in the village is Chengara Shiva Parvati Temple.
Bethel Marthoma Church organizes an annual Chengara Convention in January every year. Bethel Marthoma Church, Chengara belongs to the Ranni-Nilackal Diocese of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church.
St. George Orthodox Church, Chengara [5] (Chengara [6] Pally or ചെങ്ങറ പള്ളി ) is an ancient church located in Chengara, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India. The Church Is Also Known as “ Chengara Pally. It is the headquarters of the Thumpamon Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
The Feast of St. George, whom the church is named after and the patron saint of the church, is celebrated by St George Orthodox Church every year from May 1–5.
Cricket is the most popular sport in the village. A cricket tournament is held annually during the mid-summer vacation. Other popular sports are football, volleyball and badminton.[ citation needed ]
Orakuzhi is a small waterfall located at the Kizhakkupuram border of the village. This place is a common hangout for youths.
Meemooti Thodu is another waterfall in Chengara, which is dangerous due to its high fall over rock. The possibility of damming the stream was explored but deemed unfeasible.
Harrisons Malayalam Rubber Plantation covers a significant part of Chengara, stretching over3,000 acres (1,200 ha). It is crossed with many unpaved service roads suitable for bullock or trucks.
Chemmani Rubber Plantation covers 300 acres (120 ha) in Chengara.
Mobile services from many providers are available in the village. The major service providers are BSNL, Airtel, Idea, Vodafone and Jio.[ citation needed ] The village has a cable network which provides Malayalam channels and major channels in other languages.[ citation needed ]
Both Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private buses connect the Chengara with the nearby towns.
The Attachakal–Malayalapuzha road and Attachakal–Kumblampoika road pass through Chengara. From Konni this is the easiest route to places such as Vadaserikara and Ranni. The route can be used as Sabarimala route.
Chengara Junction is on the Attachakal–Chengara–Kumblampoika road, which connects the villages of Attachakkal, Chengara, Puthukulam and Kumplampoika. It originates at Attachakal junction and ends at Kumplampoika, and covers a total distance of 13.4 km (8.3 mi)
The nearest railway station is Chengannur, 34 km (21 mi) away, and Thiruvalla which is around 41 km (25 mi) away. The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 100 km (62 mi) from Chengara. The Cochin International Airport is around 124 km (77 mi) from Chengara.
Various institutions in Chengara are:
The village is frequently mentioned in the media due to a land struggle, popularly known as "Chengara Samaram", which took place on a rubber plantation 3 km (1.9 mi) outside the village. Led by Laha Gopalan, the Sadu Jana Vimochana Samara Vedi (SJVSV) agitation began with hundreds of Vedi workers encroaching upon the Kumbazha Estate of Harrison Malayalam Limited on 4 August 2007, demanding 5 acres (2.0 ha) of land for farming and ₹ 50,000 towards initial farming expenses to each landless family among them. They pitched tents on the occupied land and started tapping the rubber trees at the estate for their livelihood. The Vedi leader claimed that 490 acres (200 ha) of land at Chengara were under SJVSV occupation. [7]
During the agitation, notable persons including Medha Patkar, Arundhati Roy, Govindacharaya, and V. M. Sudheeran visited and extended solidarity with local families. However, the struggle created a negative image of Chengara. The previous LDF[ expand acronym ] government had identified 831.03 acres (336.31 ha) of land in 10 districts for distribution among the 1,495 eligible landless people as part of the Chengara Package. Of the 1,495 families identified, 38 families belong to the Scheduled Tribes category and 1,227 to the Scheduled Castes. However, many people declined to occupy the land allotted to them, finding it unsuitable for habitation and farming. Vedi leader Laha Gopalan had categorically stated that there was no question of vacating the land until all the landless families at Chengara were allotted land suitable for farming and habitation. Some families have constructed permanent dwellings in the encroached land and started cultivation there. The Vedi too have set up a library and school on the occupied land. [8] [ needs update ]
Pathanamthitta District, is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. The district headquarters is in the town of Pathanamthitta. There are four municipalities in Pathanamthitta: Adoor, Pandalam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvalla.
Mavelikara is a municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. It is located 43 km (26.7 mi) south of the district headquarters in Alappuzha and about 95 km (59.0 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Mavelikara has a population of 26,421 people, and a population density of 2,088/km2 (5,410/sq mi).
Karukachal is a fast-growing town in Changanassery Taluk in Kottayam district of Kerala state in India. The name "Karukachal" was coined from the words "Karuka"(Karukapullu in Malayalam) which is a type of grass which grew in plenty and "chal" meaning a small body of flowing water. Karukachal in Changanacherry-Vazhoor Road which is almost a century old.The next nearest town, Chanaganasserry, is 14 km & Kottayam is 20 km from Karukachal.
Pathanamthitta, is a municipality situated in the Southern Kerala, India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The town has a population of 37,538. The Hindu pilgrim centre Sabarimala is situated in the Pathanamthitta district; as the main transport hub to Sabarimala, the town is known as the 'Pilgrim Capital of Kerala'. Pathanamthitta District, the thirteenth revenue district of the State of Kerala, was formed with effect from 1 November 1982, with headquarters at Pathanamthitta. Forest covers more than half of the total area of the District. Pathanamthitta District ranks the 7th in area in the State. The district has its borders with Allepey, Kottayam, Kollam and Idukki districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Nearest town is Thiruvalla, located at a distance of 30 km. Thiruvalla railway station is 30 km via Thiruvalla-Kumbazha highway.
Thalavoor is a village located in the district of Kollam in the Kerala state of India. It is 77 km to the north of the State Capital, Thiruvananthapuram, and 28 km to the east of District Capital, Kollam. Thalavoor village is bordered by Pattazhy village to the north, Pidavoor village to the north-east, Vilakkudy village to the south-east, Melila village to the south and Mylom village to the west. Thalavoor is a part of Pathanapuram Block Panchayat
Punnavely is a village in Thiruvalla Constituency situated on the border of Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts of Kerala, India. Punnavely is a typical Central Tranvancore village with rubber tree plantations, paddy fields, pepper and other spices and lot of NRIs.
Omallur is a small town in Kerala, about 3.5 km south of Pathanamthitta District headquarters. Omallur is famous for Vayal Vanibham, which is an annual farming fair held in the month of Meenam (October). People from both within and outside the town participate in the fair.
Koodal is the second largest town in Konni Taluk at Pathanamthitta District, located in Kerala state, India.Koodal Situates On Main Eastern Highway.
Thumpamon is a village in Pandalam, a part of Adoor thaluk in Kerala, India. One of the greatest attractions of this village is the Achenkovil River, which is known for its natural sceneries along the riverbank. The village relies on non-resident Indian and crops like rubber, coconut, paddy and pepper. The most common crop in the village is rubber. Because of non-resident Indians, this is one of the wealthiest villages in Kerala. Thumpamon is divided into two regions, Thumpamon North and Thumpamon South, by the Achenkovil River.
Pazhaya Suriyani Pally a.k.a. Old Syrian Church, Chengannur is an ancient Syrian Christian church of Kerala. It is governed by a joint commission of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Mar Thoma Syrian Church. It is considered as one among the oldest still standing church buildings in Kerala and across India, that predates several centuries before the arrival of European Christianity in India. It is located at Chengannur, a major town along the MC Road, about 117 km north of the Kerala state capital Thiruvananthapuram and about 98 km south of Kochi. According to the verdict by the Madras High Court the governance of the church is conducted by both denominations who appoint trustees for the maintenance of the building.
Chenneerkara is a village in Pathanamthitta district in the state of Kerala, India. The majority of its inhabitants are from Hindu and Christian backgrounds. The primary crops are rubber, coconut, black pepper, and plantain. Chenneerkara is 10 km from Pathanamthitta and 7.5 km from Pandalam.
Kalanjoor is a village located in Pathanamthitta district state of Kerala, India. The place is 22 km away from district headquarters. As a part of Konni Assembly constituency and Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency. Kalanjoor is also a panchayath where share the border of Kollam and Pathanamthitta district as the part of Parakode Block Panchayat.
Peringanadu is a small village in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India. It is known by the presence of Peringanadu Trichenda Mangalam Mahadeva Temple.
Vallicode-Kottayam is a village in Pathanamthitta district in the state of Kerala, India. Vallicode-Kottayam village is a part of Konni Taluk, District of Kerala State, India.
Bethel Marthoma Church is a Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church located at Chengara, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India. Bethel Marthoma Church belongs to the Ranni Nilackal Diocese of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. It is the biggest church in Chengara in terms of membership. Like all other Malankara Churches, St James liturgy is used in Bethel Marthoma Church for worship.
Angamoozhy is a village in Pathanamthitta district in the Indian state of Kerala. Angamoozhy is located near the Kakkad power station and the Sabarimala temple. Geographically Angamoozhy is High-range area.
Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos aka Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni was an administrator, orator and an advocate of Orthodox and the Catholicate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India. He served as Metropolitan of Thumpamon Diocese from 1930 to 1951.
The Chengara struggle refers to an ongoing controversy about land near the Chengara village in the Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, India.
Most of the schools and colleges in Pathanamthitta district are in Pandalam Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla, Ranni, Adoor and Pathanamthitta.
Thumpamon Diocese is one of the 32 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The diocese was created after the Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876. H.G. Abraham Mar Seraphim is the Metropolitan of the diocese. The head office is located in St. Basil Aramana, Pathanamthitta. The diocese was named Thumpamon Diocese, opted from "Thumpamon pally" where St.Gregorious of Parumala had lived his ministerial life and had been in the administration of Thumpamon diocese.