Cherthala

Last updated

Cherthala
Municipality [1]
Cherthala Devi temple 1.jpg
Cherthala
India Kerala location map.svg
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Cherthala
Location in Kerala, India
India location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Cherthala
Cherthala (India)
Coordinates: 9°41′13″N76°20′10″E / 9.68694°N 76.33611°E / 9.68694; 76.33611
Country India
State Kerala
District Alappuzha
Government
 •  MLA P. Prasad
Area
 • Total
16.18 km2 (6.25 sq mi)
Elevation
2 m (6.6 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
45,827
 • Rank11 (Cherthala Urban Agglomeration)
 • Density2,832/km2 (7,336/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
688524 (town)
Telephone code0478
Vehicle registration KL-32 or KL-04
Sex ratio 1030 ♂/♀
Lok Sabha constituencyAlappuzha
Vidhan Sabha constituency Cherthala

Cherthala is a suburb and satellite town located in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India, along National Highway 66.

Contents

As per the 2011 Indian census, Cherthala has a population of 45,821 people, and a population density of 2,727/km2 (7,060/sq mi).

Etymology

According to local legend, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, the Kerala Hindu saint, while travelling through Cherthala, found an idol of the Devi with its head immersed in a muddy pond. The Swami understood the divinity of the idol, took it out of the mud, cleaned it and consecrated it in a temple near the pond. Thus the place is believed to have gotten its name as cher meaning "mud" and thala meaning "head" in Malayalam. The deity of the temple has the name Cherthala Karthiyayani. [2]

History

During the medieval period Cherthala was an important hub for the spice trade, with merchants from across India and abroad trading spices, textiles, and other commodities. Its proximity to the backwaters and Arabian Sea made it ideal for such activities. [3]

In the 18th century, following the 1762 treaty between Travancore and Cochin, Cherthala came under the Kingdom of Travancore and remained a vital trade center. The economy and culture flourished, with various institutions established. [4] It served as a strategic center during conflicts such as the Travancore-Dutch War (1757–1758), when Dutch outposts in Alleppey were key targets. [5] The region experienced political instability in the early 20th century, culminating in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising of 1946, a communist-led revolt against Travancore rule that spread from Cherthala to Ambalapuzha. [6]

After the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, Cherthala became part of Kerala. [7] Today, it is a thriving municipality with a diverse economy and rich cultural heritage. [8]

Climate

Climate data for Cherthala, Kerala
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)31.8
(89.2)		32.0
(89.6)		32.6
(90.7)		32.7
(90.9)		29.4
(84.9)		28.8
(83.8)		28.8
(83.8)		29.3
(84.7)		29.3
(84.7)		29.9
(85.8)		30.5
(86.9)		31.3
(88.3)		30.5
(86.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)22.4
(72.3)		23.4
(74.1)		24.8
(76.6)		25.5
(77.9)		25.1
(77.2)		23.8
(74.8)		23.2
(73.8)		23.5
(74.3)		23.6
(74.5)		23.7
(74.7)		23.7
(74.7)		22.7
(72.9)		23.8
(74.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches)25
(1.0)		39
(1.5)		56
(2.2)		145
(5.7)		351
(13.8)		705
(27.8)		621
(24.4)		392
(15.4)		297
(11.7)		317
(12.5)		199
(7.8)		53
(2.1)		3,200
(125.9)
Source: Climate-Data.org [9]

Demographics

According to 2011 census report, Cherthala Municipality had population of 45,827 of which 22,192 are males while 23,635 are females.

The population of children aged 0–6 is 3988 which is 8.70% of total population of Cherthala (M). In Cherthala Municipality, the female sex ratio is 1065 against state average of 1084. Moreover, the child sex ratio in Cherthala is around 911 compared to Kerala state average of 964. The literacy rate of Cherthala city is 97.02% which is higher than the state average of 96.2%. [10] In Cherthala, male literacy is around 98.58% while the female literacy rate is 95.59%. [11]

Industries

Educational organizations

Colleges

Engineering

General

School

Landmarks

Cherthala Town Municipality has 35 wards. [12] The town is the site of the Karthyayani Devi temple, located in the center of the town.

Cherthala Back waters at 1960s Chertala 1960.jpg
Cherthala Back waters at 1960s

Notable people

Activism and religion

Arts and culture

Business

Entertainment

Politics

Science and technology

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  2. ↑ Namboothiri Websites Calicut (3 October 2003). "Vilwamangalam Swaamiyaar". Namboothiri.com. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  3. ↑ District Gazetteer of Alappuzha. Government of Kerala. 1975. pp. 45–67.
  4. ↑ District Gazetteer of Alappuzha. Government of Kerala. 1975. pp. 120–145.
  5. ↑ Koshy, M. O. (1989). The Dutch Power in Kerala, 1729–1758. New Delhi: Mittal Publications. pp. 57–88.
  6. ↑ Jeffrey, Robin (1992). Politics, Women and Well-Being: How Kerala Became a Model. Macmillan India. pp. 78–92.
  7. ↑ District Gazetteer of Alappuzha. Government of Kerala. 1975. pp. 12–15.
  8. ↑ "History – Cherthala Municipality". Cherthala Municipality. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "CLIMATE: CHERTALA", Climate-Data.org. Web: .
  10. ↑ "At 96.2%, Kerala tops literacy rate chart; Andhra Pradesh worst performer at 66.4%". The Times of India. 8 September 2020. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  11. ↑ Cherthala Municipality City Population Census 2011-2021 | Kerala
  12. ↑ http://www.cherthalamunicipality.in Archived 2 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine Cherthala Municipality
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