The name Irinjalakuda has been derived from "Iru" and "Chaal", meaning two streams. According to another legend, the origin of the name Irinjalakuda came from 'Irinjalikoodal'. 'Koodal' simply means merge, merging of two rivers. So it shows that Irinjalakuda may have gradually developed, from 'Irinjalikoodal', which derived from 'Inangikoodal', which means merge. At present there is no river in Irinjalakuda, only the myth of the river.[3]
Irinjalakuda can be derived from 'iru njyaala koda' ( ഇരുഞാലകൊട) i.e., donation of two worlds, which is what Mahabali is said to have done in the story of the Vaamanaavataaram.
Mythological history and legends
According to Hindu mythology, Irinjalakuda was created by sage Parashurama. According to Keralolpatthi, Irinjalakuda was the head of some of the 64 gramas (village governing bodies) established in Kerala. (32 Malayala gramas and Thulu half-grama Manjeswaram in present-day Kerala, and 31 1/2 Thulu gramas in coastal Karnataka.) Irinjalakuda was one of the most prominent among these gramas (village societies). Boundaries of this grama extend up to Aloor in the east and Kakkathuruthi in the west and later extended to Koodapuzha in the east. Like the other gramas, this grama also followed Sankara Smruthi (a modified form of the 'Chathurvarnia' system of society with some Kerala model variations which lay upon caste system based on the 'Manusmruthi').[3][4][5]
Another legend suggests that the origin of the name Irinjalakuda were traditionally associated as "Irunnu Salayil Koodai" and "Virinja Alu Kuda". A huge Banyan tree still stands in the centre of the Irinjalakuda, spreading its branches to the sky like an umbrella.
The Thachudaya Kaimal is a spiritual dignitary of Kerala Hindus and the temporal ruler of the Koodalmanikyam Temple and its Estates. The line goes back into antiquity and is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. The Arms of the Kaimal and that of the temple bear the insignia of a coiled conch shell with the words 'Manikkam Keralar'.[6] With the 26th amendment of the Indian constitution in 1971, the Princely order in India was abolished and the Thachudaya Kaimals lost their position in the temple and its estates.[1] It is now managed by a Trust managed by the District Collector although a vestige of former power lies in his being the chief trustee of the temple.[1][2]
The Devaswom was allotted land to accommodate institutions such as the Christ College, and for public use to facilitate development activities in the region. Much land that belonged to Koodalmanikyam was subjected to encroachment.[7]
The following text is a translation of the scholarly work titled 'Koodalmanikyam Temple and Kerala Society':
The Iringalakuda temple is centuries old, regardless of the oral stories. The stone inscriptions found inside the temple are proof of this. The inscriptions on two stones lying on the north side of the temple shrine were noticed by the authorities and in nineteen forties they were placed on the western wall of the temple and preserved. The Malayalam script text of these documents was published in the Bulletin of the Ramavarma Institute Volume IX Part 1 and became an authoritative proof of the temple's antiquity. Today there are two inscriptions on the walls of the temple namely Sthanuravi Inscription and Bhaskaranambiranar Inscription. The Sthanuravi inscription was written in the 11th regnal year of Cheraman Perumal. It is estimated to be common year 854. This inscription consists of twelve lines. Many of the letters have faded away as people have stepped on them for a long time
The second record, the Bhaskaranambiranar record, dates back to the 10th century. It is believed to have been written between 950 and 1000 AD. There are nineteen lines in this inscription. It can be assumed that the letters have not faded much compared to the first inscription. In this inscription, the deity of Kudalmanikya is described as 'Thiruvirungadi Kudal Thiruvadi'.
Two similar words irangadi(kkuta) and irangadikudal are found in both the inscriptions respectively. It is only that the epithet Thiru has been added in the second inscription. It is clear from this that the name Iringalakuda came from this old place name and the deity here was described as 'Thiruviringadikudal Thiruvadi' as early as the 10th century.
There are those who argue that it can be understood from this record that it had already become a Brahminical temple in the 10th century AD. There is also a belief that this temple was a Jain center before it became a Brahminical temple. One of the major temples nearby, Trikanamatilakam, was a Jain center.
Some suggest that the Koodalmanikya is an idol of the Jain Tirthankara Bharateshvara in the Digabara form. They believe that the temple became a Brahminical center as part of the Hindu revival in the 8th century. In Manipravala's work 'Kokilasandesa', it is mentioned that women were not allowed to enter the Koodalmanikyam temple. There are those who read in connection with this remark the fact that women are not admitted in Jain temples. Thachudayakaimal, the last ruler of the temple, has refuted this claim.
Place name scholars say that the word Iringa in Iringalakuda refers to the Jain center. Also, V.V.K. said that the two-storied Jain temples are referred to as 'koodam'. Historians such as Wallat point out this.
In 1762, Maharaja Kingdom of Cochin formed Mukundapuram taluk by adding Mapranam nadu and parts of Nandilathu nadu to Mukundapuram nadu (Muriyanadu). In the last decade of the 18th Century, the last Naduvazhi Nambiar of Mukundapuram nadu (Murija nadu) died and Sakthan Thampuran confiscated all the powers and properties of Mukundapuram Nambiar and Mapranam Nambiar. Sakthan Thampuran divided old Mukundapuram Taluk into six properties: 1) Thazhekkad 2) Areepalam, 3) Mukundapuram (Nadavarambu) 4) Mapranam 5) Palathungal (Nandikkara) 6) Puthukkad for administrative and revenue purposes. Five more properties were added to Mukundapuram Taluk afterward: Kodassery (Chalakudy), Thirumukkulam (Kuzhur), Koratty (Adur), Pathinettarayalam (Edavilangu). and Malayattoor. Tipu Sultan's Army was based at Thazhekkad Property of Mukundapuram Taluk on 24 December 1789 to attack the Nedumkotta which is situated in the middle of Kochi Kingdom and was known as Travancore lines and attacked KonurKottavathil in January 1790.
When new Chalakudy taluk was formed in 2013 by bifurcating Mukundapuram taluk, it lost more than 50% of its territory.
Irinjalakuda has a rich cultural history associated with the UNESCO-recognised classical dance form Koodiyattam.
Natanakairali - Research Training and Performing Centre for Traditional Arts, Irinjalakuda, is a prominent institution that imparts training on this ancient art form. Government-aided Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam near Koodalmanikyam temple trains artists in Kathakali. The town also has other institutions that give training on classical dance forms and theatre arts. Walden Pond House is another cultural space in the town where artists and movie makers gather for workshops and movie shoots.
There are a number of good cinema halls in the town. JK Cinemas with two screens (Located in Kizhuthani), Chembakassery Movies with three screens, MAS Movies with two screens and Varna Cinemas with a single screen (Mapranam) are the major theatres in the town. Besides this, the town often hosts various cultural programmes organised by socio-cultural organisations.
Population
Demographics
As of 2011[update] India census,[8] Irinjalakuda had a population of 28,741. With the amalgamation of Porathissery Panchayath with the municipality, the total population has crossed 50,000. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Irinjalakuda has an average literacy rate of 96% which is much higher than the national average of 74.65%. While male literacy stands at 97.12%, female literacy is 94.56%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Before the arrival of Tipu Sulthan to Mukundapuram Taluk in December 1789 the headquarters of Padruado Archbishops of Cranganore (Kodungallur) of Nazranis (Padruado faction of Syro Malabar Catholic Church ) was at Pookkatt (Aripalam). (See Varthamanapusthakam of Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar, Gobernador and ArchaDeacon of late eighteenth century). Sakthan Thampuran brought four Christian families for improving commerce and trade to the place known as ‘Chanthappura’. When they struck gold in this field, more of this community migrated from Kombara chantha and settled in the area and now it became one of the strongholds of this community. Besides Hindu and Christian communities this area consists of Muslims.[3][4] Karukulangara Narasimhaswamy Temple, Irinjalakuda, north west side, about 1.5km from the Irinjalakuda municipal bus stand, a famous and oldest temple of Irinjalakuda
Governance
Irinjalakuda Court Complex
Irinjalakuda is governed by Irinjalakuda Municipality. The municipality was formed on 8 February 1936 with an area of 11.24 square kilometres. K.I. Varunny was the first municipal chairman and the municipality was divided into 22 electoral wards. Now, the Municipality has 41 wards.[9] Irinjalakuda is the headquarters of the Mukundapuram Taluk and is a Grade-I municipality.[5]Irinjalakuda Revenue Division was formed in May 2018. It is headed by a Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO). The office is situated in the Mini Civil Station Annexe building. The revenue division comprises Mukundapuram, Chalakudy and Kodungallur taluks.
As the second-most important administrative town in the district, Irinjalakuda houses a large number of government offices, most of them situated at the mini civil station and its annex buildings near Porathissery.
Irinjalakuda Courts & Judicial Offices
Additional District and Sessions Court/ Motor Accident Claims Tribunal
Family Court
Fast Track Special Court (POCSO cases)
Principal Sub Court/Principal Assistant Sessions Court/Commercial Court -I
Additional Sub Court/Additional Assistant Sessions Court/Commercial Court- II
Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-1
Principal Munsif Court/Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-3
Additional Munsif Court/Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-2
Taluk Legal Services Committee
Mediation Sub Centre
Office of the Additional Public Prosecutor cum Government Pleader
A new judicial complex is under construction near the civil station to house all judicial offices in the town.
Irinjalakuda has a special sub jail, which is functioning near the civil station complex. A land tribunal to provide land deeds and to dispose of land transfer disputes is functioning at the civil station. The tribunal started functioning in 2019.
KSEB Transmission Division & 110KV substation (being upgraded to 220KV)
Excise Circle and Range offices
Postal Division office
Head Post Office and State Speedpost Centre
Water Authority PH Division
State GST Tax Payers' Division Deputy Commissioner office and SGST Circle office
State GST Audit Division Deputy Commissioner office
Factories and Boilers division office
Central Excise and Central GST Range office
PWD Roads Subdivision
PWD Buildings Subdivision
PWD Special Buildings Section
State Lottery Sub-office
Land Tribunal office
Koodal Manikyam Devaswam Board office
Sub Registrar's office
Cashew Workers Welfare Board Inspector office
Headload Workers Welfare Board office
Mukundapuram Sub Treasury
Dairy Development office
Labour office
Sub Regional Transport office
KSRTC Operating Centre
Taluk Statistical office
Taluk Industries office
Taluk Welfare Office
Assistant Registrar (General) & Assistant Director (Audit) of Cooperative Societies
Assistant Director of Agriculture
Agmark Laboratory
Parasite Breeding Station
Employees State Insurance Corporation
Taluk Supply Office
Minor Irrigation Sub Division
BSNL Sub Division
Legal Metrology
Employment Exchange
Irinjalakuda Block office
Irinjalakuda, Manavalassery, Porathissery, Madayikkonam Village offices
Veterinary Poly Clinic
Sub-district Water Quality Testing Laboratory
Government Textbook Depot
Food Safety Circle office
Besides, most nationalised banks, new generation private banks, and old private-sector banks have branches in Irininjalakuda. Both South Indian Bank and Federal Bank have their regional offices here.
Police offices
Thrissur Rural Police headquarters, Irinjalakuda
Thrissur Rural Police headquarters
Superintendent of Police office
Additional SP office
DYSP Crime Branch office
DYSP Special Branch Office
DYSP Crime Records Bureau
Irinjalakuda DYSP office
Irinjalakuda Police Station
Subdivisional Police Training Centre
Thrissur Rural Vanitha Police Station
Thrissur Rural Cyber Crime Police Station
Thrissur Rural Command and Control Centre
Thrissur Rural Dog Squad
Thrissur Rural District Forensic Science Laboratory
Thrissur Rural Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)
Thrissur Rural HOPE
Thrissur Rural Police office started functioning at Irinjalakuda on 14 May 2023. It was inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Transportation
Road
Irinjalakuda is located on State Highway 22 (Kerala), which links to major national highways NH 47, which is located around 16km from the town, and NH 66, which is located around 9km away, in the State. Two major roads State Highway 22 (Kerala) (Kodungallur-Shornur) Road and State Highway 61 (Kerala) (Potta-Moonupeedika) criss-crosses Irinjalakuda town. Besides, several MDRs (Major District Roads) connect the town with villages in the interior parts of the western and eastern sides of the town. These include Irinjalakuda-Kattoor road, Irinjalakuda-Porathissery Road, Mapranam-Nandhikkara road and Mapranam Karalam road.[10]
KSRTC bus station is situated behind the Koodalmanikyam temple. KSRTC bus services are available to state capital Trivandrum, Ernakulam/Vyttila Hub, Kottayam, Kollam, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Munnar, Mananthavady, Perikkallur, Sulthan Bathery, Perinthalmanna, Pala, Mysore, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Tiruchy, Thanjavur and Velankanni. Besides, plenty of private buses are available from Irinjalakuda to various places within the district and towns in neighbouring districts. For those travelling from southern parts of the state, Chalakudy is the major roadhead to proceed towards Irinjalakuda. Private buses frequently ply between Chalakudy and Irinjalakuda. For travellers from northern Kerala, buses are available from Thrissur Shakthan Thampuran private bus stand.
Railways
Irinjalakuda railway station
The nearest railway station is the Irinjalakuda Railway Station which is about 8km east of the town at Kallettumkara. Irinjalakuda Railway Station is managed by the Southern Railway of Indian Railways. A total of 39 trains, including superfast, express and passenger trains, have stoppage here. Thrissur railway station is the nearest major railhead with stop for all trains, which is just 22km from Irinjalakuda.[10]
Irinjalakuda Sorting (Railway Mail Services) also functions at Kallettumkara in the premises of post office. There are daily trains available from Irinjalakuda to Chennai, Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Vijayawada, Nagpur, Pune, Tirupati/Renigunta, Warangal and Salem.
Irinjalakuda has several hospitals and health clinics. Most important among them are Government General Hospital (Tana), Irinjalakuda Cooperative Hospital (Nadavaramba), Lal Memorial Hospital (Mapranam), Sacred Heart Mission Hospital (Pullur), Government Ayurveda Hospital (AKP Junction) and Marina Hospital (Tana). Another prominent healthcare facility is the National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (NIPMR) at Kallettumakara.
Between the 14th and 16th Century, it was a center of learning. Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics which was believed to be founded here, made major contributions in Algebra, Arithmetic, Astronomy, Calculus, Geometry, Infinite Series, and Linguistics. St. Joseph’s College, Irinjalakuda is the only institution in Kerala offering government aided B.Sc. Biotechnology course.[11]
Unnayi Variyar (17th/18th century), poet, writer and dramatist
Industries
Irinjalakuda is a centre of agro industries. The town is home to Kerala Solvent Extractions Limited (KSE Limited), which is a prominent cattlefeed manufacturing company in south India. State-owned cattlefeed manufacturing company Kerala Feeds Limited is located at Kallettumkara, around 2km away from Irinjalakuda railway station and 9km away from Irinjalakuda town. Irinjalakuda has several coconut oil manufacturing companies, including KLF and KPL oil mills. The neighbourhood of Irinjalakuda is home to three cashew processing factories, located at Pullur, Muriyad, and Aloor. The town and its neighbouring areas also host a number of bellmetal manufacturing units.
The Kingdom of Cochin, also known as the Kingdom of Kochi or later as Cochin State, named after its capital in the city of Kochi (Cochin), was an Indian Hindu kingdom in the central part of present-day Kerala state. It commenced at the early part of the 12th century and continued to rule until its accession to the Dominion of India in 1949.
Perumbavoor is a place located at the bank of Periyar in Ernakulam District in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a part of the Kochi metropolitan area. It lies in the northeastern tip of the Greater Cochin area and is also the headquarters of Kunnathunad Taluk. Perumbavoor is famed in the state for wood industries and small-scale industries. Ernakulam lies 30 km southwest of Perumbavoor. The town lies between Angamaly and Muvattupuzha on the Main Central Road (MC), which connects Thiruvananthapuram to Angamaly through the old Travancore part of Kerala.
Kodakara is a town in the Thrissur district of Kerala state in South India. It is located next to the national highway, 20 km (12 mi) south of Thrissur town,3km to the south of Puthukkad town and about 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Chalakudy. Administratively, Kodakara is part of Kodakara Panchayat, Chalakudy taluk and Irinjalakuda revenue division. Kodakara Panchayat is part of Chalakudy assembly constituency and Chalakudy.
North Paravur. formerly known as Paravur or Paravoor or Parur, is a municipality and suburb in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a northern suburb of the city of Kochi and is situated around 20 km from the city centre. It is also the first place in India to use electronic voting machine during the by-elections in 1982.
Koodalmanikyam Temple is a Hindu temple in Irinjalakuda Municipality, Thrissur district, Kerala, India. The temple comprises a main structure, a walled compound with citadels, and four ponds around the main structure one of which is within the walls. Koodalmanikyam Temple is the only ancient temple in India dedicated to the worship of Bharata, the second brother of Rama, however the idol is that of god Vishnu. "Sangameshwara" is another name associated with the deity at Koodalmanikyam. The temple is one of four in Kerala that form a set called "nalambalam", each temple dedicated to one of the four brothers in the epic Ramayana: Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
Thrissur, anglicised as Trichur, is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated in the central region of the state. Spanning an area of about 3,032 km2 (1,171 sq mi), the district is home to over 9% of Kerala's population.
Avittathur is a village in Mukundapuram taluk, Thrissur district in the state of Kerala, India. It was one of the 64 original Brahmin settlement in the Kerala state. It is famous for an ancient shiva temple, where 4 very old inscriptions have been discovered. According to legend, the temple was consecrated by sage agastya and the name of the village was originally agastyaputtur but it seems to be just the Sanskritization of the word. Legendary Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam maestro Nātyāchārya Vidūshakaratnam Padma Shri Māni Mādhava Chākyār used to perform here for decades.
Aloor is a panchayat in the Chalakudy-Mukundapuram taluk in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. It is located near the towns of Irinjalakuda and Chalakudi. Since 1901, the name "Aloor" has been simplified to "Alur" by the Cochin State and Central Government departments.
Perambra is a small town located in the Thrissur district of Kerala, South India. It is located on National Highway (NH) 544, 23 km south of the city of Thrissur and about 7 km north of Chalakudy.
Karoor is a village in Kodakara Panchayath in Thrissur district of Kerala, India. Karoor is located 30 km from the city of Thrissur and 12 km from Irinjalakuda Town and 8 km from Chalakudy Town and 8 km from Mala, Kerala Town.
Potta is a tiny village 30 miles north of Kochi, also known as Cochin. It comes under the municipality of Chalakudy in the Thrissur district in the state of Kerala, India. Potta was the temple land under the Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam Temple. In the past, the crops needed for the temple were cultivated at Potta. The Pambambot temple is very famous, other two temples in Potta are the Parakottilinkal Bhagavathi Temple and the Mathilthkavu Bhagavathi Temple. Cherupushpam Shrine, a Christian church, is famous. There are educational institutions like Panampilly Memorial Government College, Vyasa Vidyaniketan Central School, Kuriakos Chavara UP School and Dhanya Mission Hospital.
State Highway 61 is a State Highway in Kerala, India that starts in Potta and ends in Moonupeedika. This highway is 21 km long. It connects National Highway 66 to National Highway 544 which are two main national highways in Kerala. Irinjalakuda town is situated on this road which is the headquarters of Irinjalakuda Revenue Division and Mukundapuram Taluk. Irinjalakuda railway station is also located along this road
Mukundapuram Taluk is a taluk (tehsil) in Irinjalakuda Revenue Division of Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala. In 1762 this taluk was formed by Cochin King. When new Chalakudy taluk was formed in 2013 it lost majority of its territory. At present the headquarters of the taluk is Irinjalakuda. and It comprises 29 villages.
Amballur
Anandapuram
Avittathur
Chengallur
Edathirinji
Irinjalakkuda
Kaduppassery
Kallur
Karalam
Karumathra
Kattur
Kottanellur
Madayikonam
Manavalassery
Muriyad
Nellayi
Nenmanikkara
Padiyur
Parappukkara
Poomangalam
Porathissery
Pullur
Puthenchira
Thekkumkara
Thoravu
Thottippal
Thrikkur
Vadakkumkara
Vallivattam
Velukkara
Vellangallur is a grama panchayath situated in Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala.
Chaipankuzhy is a village in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. It is located 16 km from Chalakudy town and 10 km from Athirapilli waterfall. It is in Mukundapuram Taluk, which is in the Chalakudy block.
Aripalam is a village situated in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. Nearest towns are Irinjalakuda and Kodungallore. Main highlight of the village is it is a place between two main roads they are Thrissur - Kodungallur SH22 and Panvel - Edappally Road to connecting NH17 - NH47.
Thrissur District has four types of administrative hierarchies:
Chalakudy taluk comes under Irinjalakuda Revenue Division of Thrissur district in Kerala, India. It is one of the 77 taluks of Kerala. Chalakudy taluk was formed in the year 2013 by the UDF Government, led by Oommen Chandy. 31 villages from the former subdistrict of Mukundapuram taluk form the new subdistrict.
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