Krishnapuram, Alappuzha district

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Krishnapuram
village
Gajendramoksham High Resolution.jpg
Gajendra Moksham mural at Krishnapuram palace
Coordinates: 9°9′0″N76°30′0″E / 9.15000°N 76.50000°E / 9.15000; 76.50000 Coordinates: 9°9′0″N76°30′0″E / 9.15000°N 76.50000°E / 9.15000; 76.50000
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
State Kerala
District Alappuzha
Population
 (2001)
  Total25,927
Languages
  Official Malayalam, English
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
Krishnapuram palace Krishnapuram palace2.jpg
Krishnapuram palace

Krishnapuram is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. [1]

Contents

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Krishnapuram had a population of 25927 with 12305 males and 13622 females. [1]

Krishnapuram Palace

The Krishnapuram Palace is a tourist attraction, just 400 m from NH-47 located between Kayamkulam town and Oachira. [2] The palace is maintained by the Archaeological Department and contains exhibits that belonged to the Palace and its former occupant, the Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma. It is also famous for a large pond within the palace. It is said that an underground escape route runs from the bottom of the pond as a possible escape route from enemies. The Gajendra Moksham, mural painting in the palace is the largest in Kerala. The two-edged Kayamkulam Vaal (sword) is also on display here. The palace also houses, in its courtyard, one of the four statues of Buddha in Alappuzha District. Manivelikadavu 9.5 km from Kayamkulam Pipe Junction is also close by. [3]

Krishnapuram Palace is one of the finest and rarest examples of a typical Keralite style of architecture - complete with gabled roofs, narrow corridors and dormer windows. Residence of the rulers of Kayamkulam kingdom (Oodanadu Raja Vamsham), the age of the palace is unknown. Renovated some time in the 18th century, the palace is today a protected monument under the Archaeology department. Recently it has again been renovated according to the scientific techniques prescribed for the protection of heritage buildings. Today the palace is an archaeological museum, and the most fascinating exhibit here is the 49 sq.m Gajendra Moksham, the largest single band of mural painting so far discovered in Kerala. Gajendra Moksham means the salvation (Moksha) of the elephant king (Gajendra). The theme of the mural is mythological and depicts an elephant saluting Lord Vishnu in devotion while the other gods, goddesses and saints look on. It is said that Lord Vishnu was the family deity of the Kayamkulam rajas. This mural was placed at the pond-side entrance to the palace to enable the rajas to worship the deity after their ablutions.

The famous Kayamkulam Val (sword) is also on display here. Both its edges are sharpened so it is more dangerous than other martial weapons and requires handling by skilled warriors. It is believed that it was used by the Kayamkulam raja and was a favourite of his. Other attractions here include the beautifully landscaped garden in the palace compound where you have a variety of flora typical of Kerala, and a newly erected Buddha mandapam, where a recently recovered statue of the Buddha is housed. Other collections at the museum include rare antique bronze sculptures and paintings. Krishnapuram Palace - Getting there: Krishnapuram Palace - Nearest railway station: Kayamkulam about 6 km; Nearest airports: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 103 km; Cochin International Airport, about 132 km.

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Alappuzha district District in Kerala, India

Alappuzha district, is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. It was formed as Alleppey district on 17 August 1957, the name of the district being changed to Alappuzha in 1990, and is the smallest district of Kerala. Alleppey town, the district headquarters, was renamed Alappuzha in 2012, even though the anglicised name is still commonly used to describe the town as well as the district.

Mavelikkara Town in Kerala, India

Mavelikkara is a taluk and municipality in the Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. Located in the southern part of the district on the banks of the Achankovil River.

Odanad was a feudal state in late medieval Kerala. It was established in the 11th century, and disestablished in 1746 when it became part of Travancore after Venad King Marthanda Varma's northern expedition. The last king of Odanad was King Kotha Varma. At the time of its dissolution, it was composed of the present-day taluks of Mavelikkara, Karthikapally, Chenganur in the Alappuzha district and Karunagapally in the Kollam district. In the 15th century, the capital of Odanad was moved from Kandiyoor-Muttom, Mavelikkara to Eruva and Krishnapuram, near Kayamkulam, which led to the state being called Kayamkulam. After this shift, Kayamkulam became the commercial centre of Odanad, while Mavelikkara remained its cultural centre. Odanad was controlled by Nair lords, among whom the ruler of Kayamkulam and Edeserill unnithan was the most prominent.

Kayamkulam Town in Kerala, India

Kayamkulam is a town and municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, second biggest town in Alappuzha district. It is located on the western coast of India, and was an ancient maritime trading center. One of the largest thermal power plants in Kerala, the Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Plant run by the NTPC, is situated at Haripad. Kayamkulam is part of the Karthikappally tehsil. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby.

Oachira Temple

Oachira Temple is an ancient temple located in Oachira in Kollam district in the South Indian state of Kerala. According to the Puranas, this temple is one of the famous sacred places of Kerala and India. Oachira is on the border of Kollam and Allappuzha districts, next to the National Highway 66. This temple is known "DakshinaKashi"(SouthaKashi).This very ancient pilgrimage center is centered on the ParaBrahma temple, and covers thirty-six acres of land.

Mannar is a census town in Chengannur Taluk in Alappuzha District of Kerala state, India, on State Highway 6. It is also known as the Bell Metal Town.

Padanilam is a town located in Onattukara region of Alappuzha district, Kerala. The word Padanilam means "land of battles". It is located on the banks of river Achankovil. The Padanilam temple is one of the important centres of worship in Kerala. Nooranad is named as the Nandikesha Paithruka Gramam by the Government of Kerala due to its importance in kettukala construction, which is an icon of Onattukara region.

Thiruvangad Sree Ramaswami Temple

Thiruvangad Sree Ramaswami temple is an important temple located in the east part of Thalassery. The temple is generally known as the Brass Pagoda from the copper sheeting of its roof. A part of the temple was damaged by Tipu Sultan's troops in the 18th century, but the temple itself is believed to have been saved from destruction. It was one of the outposts of the Thalassery fort in the eighteenth century. In its precincts, were held many conferences between the officials of the East India Company and local leaders, at which political treaties and agreements were signed. The temple contains some interesting sculptures and lithic records. The annual festival of the temple commences on Vishu day in Medam (April–May) and lasts for seven days.

Oachira Town in Kerala, India

Oachira or Ochira is an ancient temple town located 32 km away from Kollam city in Karunagappally taluk, Kollam district in Kerala, India.

Kappil is a small village in Alappuzha district of Kerala state, India.

Karunagappally is a municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. It is 24 km north of Kollam and 60 km (37 mi) south of Alappuzha. Karunagappally taluk consists of Alappad, Ochira, Adinad, Karunagappally, Thazhava, Pavumba, Thodiyoor, Kallalibhagom, Thevalakkara, Chavara, Neendakara, Clappana, Kulasekharapuram, Thekkumbhagam, Ayanivelikulangara, Panmana, Ponmana and Vadakumthala. The taluk is bound on the north by Kayamkulam, on the east by Kunnathur taluk, on the south by Kollam and on the west by the Arabian Sea. It is one of the fastest developing towns in Kerala and is part of Kollam metropolitan area.

Sarpa Kavu Traditional natural sacred spaces in South India

Sarpa Kavu or Naga Banna is a traditional natural sacred space seen near traditional homes in Kerala state of South India and in the region of Tulunad. The site is believed to be inhabited by snakes, and the area usually contains a representation of Naga Raja and other Naga Devatas, where offerings and rites are performed during special ceremonies. This is a Hindu ritual performed by the Nagavanshi Kshatriya sects like the Bunts and Nairs, and all castes hold the Sarpa Kavu in reverence, with access forbidden to the area unless for due ceremonies.

Anandavalleeshwaram Sri Mahadevar Temple

Anandavalleeswaram Sri Mahadevar Temple in Kollam city is one of the ancient Hindu temples in Kerala, India. Lord Siva and Goddess Anandavally are the main deities of the temple. According to folklore, sage Parashurama has installed the idol of Lord Shiva. The temple is a part of the 108 famous Shiva temples in Kerala. It is located at Anandavalleeswaram, a major neighborhood of Kollam city, that comes to the west side of Kollam Collectorate.

Chingoli is an urbanised village which lies in Karthikappally Thaluk, near Haripad town in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. It is an amalgamation of both modern city life style and traditional values of Kerala.This Village has ATM facilities, Rickshaw facilities, Ayurveda Hospitals, Dental Hospitals, Mini Supermarkets etc.

Pallippad is a village near Haripad in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. The name Pallippad is believed to be derived from Buddhist terminology.The famous River Achankovil Aar passes by Pallippad before it reaches Veeyapuram. The village has abundant water resources, small lakes, and water paths that connect to Alappuzha.

Kayamkulam vaal

Kayamkulam vaal is a double-edged sword that was used by the rulers and soldiers of Nair aristocracy, in the Kayamkulam princely state of India. An example is on display at the Krishnapuram Palace Museum in Kayamkulam.

Krishnapuram Palace Palace in South kerala

The Krishnapuram Palace is a palace and museum located in Kayamkulam near Alappuzha in Alappuzha district, Kerala in southwestern India. It was built in the 18th century by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the Travancore kingdom. It is built in the architectural style of Kerala with gabled roof, narrow corridor and dormer windows, near the Krishnaswamy Temple at Krishnapuram.

Vethalan Kavu Mahadeva Temple Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Vethalan Kavu Mahadeva Temple is located at Krishnapuram near Kayamkulam in Alappuzha District, Kerala. It is one of the rarest temples in the world where Lord Siva is worshiped as Vethala. It is about 3 km East of famous Oachira Parabrahma temple.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Thalassery

The Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is the foremost temple of Gowda Saraswatha Brahmins in and around Thalassery.

Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple is an ancient Shiva temple situated in Kandiyoor near Mavelikkara on the banks of Achankovil river. Kandiyoor was once the capital of the Odanadu kingdom. The temple and region are related to the history of ancient Buddhism in Kerala. Mattom Sree Mahadeva Temple also known as is 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) west of Mavelikara town north of State Highway 6. It is spread across an area of 7.5 acres (3.0 ha).

References

  1. 1 2 "Census of India:Villages with population 5000 & above". Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  2. Lonely Planet Things to do in Southern Kerala by Lonely Planet travellers.
  3. Department of Archeology Website Archived January 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine