Ponkunnam

Last updated

Ponkunnam
Ponkunnam Town, Kottayam, Kerala, India.jpg
Ponkunnam town
India Kerala location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ponkunnam
Location in Kerala, India
India location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ponkunnam
Ponkunnam (India)
Coordinates: 9°34′N76°45′E / 9.56°N 76.75°E / 9.56; 76.75 Coordinates: 9°34′N76°45′E / 9.56°N 76.75°E / 9.56; 76.75
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
State Kerala
District Kottayam
Government
  BodyChirakadavu Panchayath
Population
 (2012)[ citation needed ]
  Total26,121
Languages
  Official Malayalam, English
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
686506
Telephone code04828
Vehicle registration KL-34
Nearest city Kottayam, Kanjirappally.
Literacy99.8%
Website www.ponkunnamtown.in

Ponkunnam is a census town in Kerala, India, part of Kottayam district under Kanjirappally taluk. Ponkunnam literally means golden mountain (ponn = gold, kunn = mountain). Nearby towns are Kanjirappalli, Manimala and Pala. This part of Kerala is famous for its fertile land and rubber plantations. It is at an altitude of 495 ft (151 m) above mean sea level. The town is at the junction of two major roads in Kerala: NH220 and Main Eastern Highway. The climate is moderate with timely cold breezes and the town is the gateway to the Western Ghats. The town is famous for its volleyball traditions and customs. Almost every year there is an ever-rolling volleyball tournament happening in Ponkunnam Mahatma Gandhi Mini Stadium.

Contents

Overview

Ponkunnam is one of the busiest towns along the NH 220 comprising key administrative institutions of Kanjirappally taluk such as the Kanjirapally Munsif Court, DySP office, and Regional Transport Office. It is a part of Kanjirappally State Legislative constituency and Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency. The town is also home to many educational institutions and healthcare facilities. Part of the Syrian Christian belt, there are many Syrian Christian agrarian families that reside here.

Religious places

Facade of the Holy Family Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Ponkunnam Ponkunnam Holy Family Syro-Malabar Roman Catholic Church.jpg
Façade of the Holy Family Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Ponkunnam
St.Marys Orthodox Church St-marys-syriac-orthodox-church.jpg
St.Marys Orthodox Church

Notable persons

Transport

Road

Ponkunnam lies on the National Highway 183 (Old NH 220) connecting the City of Kottayam and Theni. The NH183 connects Kottayam to the state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the busiest roads passing through Ponkunnam.

The Main Eastern Highway (Punalur- Pathanamthitta- Ponkunnam- Pala- Muvattupuzha) also passes through Ponkunnam. Main Eastern Highway is categorized as State Highway - 08 ( SH-08 ) of Kerala. It is the second-longest State Highway of Kerala covering a distance of 153.6 km (95.4 mi). The districts it passes through are Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam. These highways connect Ponkunnam to Muvattupuzha MC Road (SH-01). The Ponkunnam- Pala- Thodupuzha- Muvattupuzha stretch of Main Eastern Highway was upgraded in 2016 to a width of 15 meters (49 ft). The two-lane highway, which connects Ponkunnam To Muvattupuzha over 60 km (37 mi) within 80 minutes. This makes it easy to access for the people of Highranges, tourists to Thekkady and pilgrims of Sabarimala to reach Muvattupuzha, Angamaly and Kochi. The Highway becomes congested during the months of November and December due to Sabarimala pilgrims.

There is one KSRTC Bus stand and one private bus stand. Daily, there are many buses to Kottayam, Changanassery, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Bangalore and also to the nearest towns: Kanjirappally, Erumely etc. KSRTC operates a chain service to Pala. KSRTC also operates a chain service from Kottayam to Kumily via Ponkunnam.

Railway

The nearest railway stations are Kottayam (33 km) and Changanassery (38 km).

Air

The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, Kochi (94 km).

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanjirappally</span> Town in Kerala, India

Kanjirappally is a taluk and a town in Kottayam district situated about 38 km (24 mi) away from the district capital, in the state of Kerala, India.

Mundakayam, is a town in Kanjirappally Taluk in the Kottayam District of Kerala. It is the doorway to the high ranges of southern Kerala, and is at the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts. The next nearest town, Kanjirappally, is 14 km (8.7 mi) & Erumely is 12 km from Mundakayam. Mundakayam has rubber plantations, and greenery. The Manimala River runs through Mundakayam. It is located 48 km east of the district headquarters at Kottayam and 148 km from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. The name Mundakayam is said to be derived from the Mundi cranes that used to be seen along the Manimala River banks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punalur</span> Municipality in Kerala, India

Punalur is a Municipality in Kollam district of Kerala State in India. It is the headquarter of the Punalur Taluk and Punalur Revenue Division. It's situated in the eastern part of Kollam district of Kerala, on the banks of the Kallada River and foothills of the western ghats. It is about 45 kilometres (28 mi) north-east of Kollam and 68 kilometres (42 mi) north of Thiruvananthapuram.

Koottickal is a town at the base of Western Ghats mountain ranges in the Kottayam district, Kerala. It is 2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level and is situated on the eastern border of Kottayam District, 55 km from Kottayam, and around 5 km away from Mundakayam on the NH 220. There are streams and waterfalls in the surrounding places. The Muthukora Hills are nearby. Urban centres in Kottayam and Ernakulam districts can be viewed from the top of Muthukora Hills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uzhavoor</span> Town in Kerala, India

Uzhavoor is an expanding town in Kottayam district, Kerala in India. It is just 32 km away from the administrative capital Kottayam District. Most of its residents are either wealthy farmers or businessmen. Many of the houses belong to NRIs. The tenth President of India, K. R. Narayanan, was born and brought up in this village. The newly expanded road which connects the city of Pala and other destinations such as Sabarimala to the city of Muvattupuzha passes through Uzhavoor. The town is 177 km from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mallapally</span> Town in Kerala, India

Mallappally is a taluk in Kerala state in India. It is one of the five taluks that make up the Pathanamthitta district. Historically a part of the kingdom of Travancore and Cochin. Called "Land of the BA graduates" due to English education imparted by the CMS College Kottayam in the 19th century, Mallappally is the original home of many Non-resident Indians, and has one of the lowest population growth and highest literacy rates in India. It comes under the Thiruvalla Revenue Division & Thiruvalla Constituency. It is Located 18 km from Thiruvalla railway station and NH 183 in Thiruvalla. Buses leave every five minutes From Thiruvalla to Mallappally and vice versa.

The Main Central Road, better known as MC Road is the arterial State Highway starting from Kesavadasapuram in Trivandrum city and ends at Angamaly, a suburb of Kochi city in Ernakulam District, in the state of Kerala, India. It is designated as State Highway 1 by the Kerala Public Works Department. The highway was built by Raja Kesavadas, Dewan of Travancore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chengannur</span> Municipal Town in Kerala, India

Chengannur is a Municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala State, India. It is located in the extreme eastern part of the Alappuzha district, on the banks of Pamba River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pathanamthitta</span> Town in Kerala, India

Pathanamthitta, is a municipality situated in the Central Travancore region in the state of 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 City Is Thiruvalla,Located At A Distance Of 30 km .Thiruvalla Railway Station Is 30 km via Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Highway.Buses Ply Every 4 Minutes From Thiruvalla To Pathanamthitta & Vice Versa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mallikassery</span> Village in Kerala, India

Mallikassery is a small village near Paika, in Elikulam Panchayat of Kanjirappally Taluk in Kottayam district, in the state of Kerala, India.

Chunkappara is a small town in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state, South India. Chunkappara is situated 26 km (16 mi) east of the town of Thiruvalla, where the nearest railway station is located. Other neighbouring towns include Kanjirapally, Ranny, and Erumely.

Chengalam is a village situated in the east of Kottayam District in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erumely</span> Town in Kerala, India

Erumely, also spelt "Erumeli" is a panchayat in the southeast part of Kottayam district in Kerala state, India. Erumely is situated 49 km east of Kottayam town and 133 km North of capital city Trivandrum. It is situated on the way to Sabarimala and also an important halting place (idathavalam) for the Sabarimala pilgrims. Erumely is famed for its religious harmony and prosperity between Hindus and Muslims which existed from the early periods. It is a place which have strong roots in legends and myths associated with lord Ayyappa. A new airport has been proposed in Erumeli. The village is nourished by Manimala River.

Kodungoor is a town in Kottayam district of Kerala state in India and is popularly known as "Vazhoor". Kodungoor is 25 km from the district headquarters, Kottayam, 28 km from Changanassery, 22 km from Pala,27 km from Ettumanoor,26 km from Mundakayam,26 km from Ranni, 7 km from Ponkunnam,4 km from Pallickathode, 9 km from Pampady and 13 km from Kanjirappally. The Kollam-Theni road passes through the town. SH 13 branches out at Kodungoor junction leading to Pala and Manimala, after the junction a little further KK road also branches out towards Changanassery. Thus Kodungoor town plays a vital role in connecting some major towns in Kottayam through roads averaging at 25 km distances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Main Eastern Highway</span>

The Main Eastern Highway is the lifeline of the high range townships of the Travancore region of Kerala state, India. It is also known as Punalur-Muvattupuzha Highway. Main Eastern Highway is categorized as State Highway - 08 of Kerala. It is the second longest State Highway of Kerala covering a distance of 153.6 km. The districts it passes through are Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam.

Perunad (Ranni-Perunad) is a scenic hilly village in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India.Nearest Railway Station Is Thiruvalla Located At A Distance Of 62 km. It's located on the banks of Pamba River and Kakkadu River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yendayar</span> Town in Kerala, India

Yendayar is a village in Kottayam district, Kerala, India that is totally surrounded by hills. According to local tradition, Mr. J.J. Murphy named the place, which was to be his home until death in 1957, after his mother and the local river. Yendayar is a combination of 'yen' (my) 'thai' (mother) and 'ar' (river). Murphy had come in 1904 to the place which was a thick forest and had no name or people then. He had traveled a long way to reach there. There he established India's first successful rubber plantation. He brought workers from near and far – Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

Koruthodu is a village/town in Kanjirappally Taluk, Kottayam District of Kerala state, India. It is situated on the Highway connecting Mundakayam to Sabarimala temple, Kerala, and is at the border of Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki districts. The nearest town Mundakayam is 13 Kilometers from Koruthodu. The river Azhutha runs through the borders of this village. Nearby locations include Kanamala, Vandanpathal, Mundakkayam and Panakkachira.

Sabarimala Railway is a proposed 111 kilometres (69 mi) railway line from Angamaly to Erumeli, near Sabarimala that had been sanctioned in the year 1998 by Indian Railways. According to a memorandum of understanding signed between the Kerala State and the Ministry of Railways on 27 January 2016, commercially viable railway projects will be identified and handed over to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to be fast-tracked on a 51:49 per cent equity basis. SPV has discussed the extension to Punalur. The currently proposed Sabarimala railway is under PMO - Proactive government and timely implementation (Pragati); will be monitored by the Prime Minister's Office. The proposed railway line will be a great relief to the transportation problems faced by Idukki, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts.Railways have agreed to start the project as soon as Kerala Rail Development Corporation gives the revised estimate for the project.

Parathanam is a Town at the base of Western Ghats mountain ranges in the Kottayam district, Kerala. It is 2,000 feet above sea level and is situated on the eastern border of Kottayam District, 60 km from Kottayam, 12 km away from Poonjar and around 8 km away from Mundakayam on the NH 220.

References