Aluva

Aluva (Malayalam: [aːluʋɐ]; also known by its former name Alwaye) is a municipality in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India.[1] Aluva is situated 14.5 km (9.0 mi) from Kochi along the banks of Periyar River, and is a part of the Kochi metropolitan area.[2] Aluva is a major transportation hub, connecting North Malabar and Central Kerala to Kochi. The Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery, located 11.7 km from Aluva, is an important aviation hub which hosts both domestic and international flights. Aluva is also the northern terminus of the Kochi metro.

Aluva
Alwaye
Municipality
Clockwise from top: Mahadeva Temple; New Bridge; Aluva metro station; Marthandavarma Bridge; Municipal Office; Periyar river; Federal Bank Headquarters; Gandhi Statue
Aluva is located in Kerala
Aluva
Aluva
Location in Kerala, India
Aluva is located in India
Aluva
Aluva
Aluva (India)
Coordinates: 10.1167°N 76.3500°E / 10.1167; 76.3500
Country India
StateKerala
DistrictErnakulam
Established1921
Government
 • ChairmanM.O John
 • MLAAnwar Sadath
Area
 • Total7.18 km2 (2.77 sq mi)
Elevation
8 m (26 ft)
Population
 (2001)
 • Total24,110
 • Density3,358/km2 (8,700/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
6831xx
Telephone code0484
Vehicle registrationKL 41
Sex ratio1000:1050 ♂/♀
Websitewww.aluvamunicipality.in

Aluva, home to the summer residency of the Travancore royal family–the Alwaye Palace-is also famous for the Sivarathri festival celebrated annually at the sandbanks of Periyar.[3] The Advaita Ashrams in Aluva founded in 1913 by Sree Narayana Guru, one of India's greatest social reformers, adds to the cultural significance of the region.[4] Today, despite being a part of the city as well as the Kochi urban agglomeration, Aluva is still only an autonomous municipality with its civic administration conducted by Aluva Municipal Council, primarily because Kochi Corporation has not expanded its limits for over 53 years.

Aluva also serves as the administrative centre of the Aluva taluk. Villages from Mukundapuram, Kanayannur, Kunathunad and North Paravur taluks were combined to form the Aluva Taluk in 1956.The headquarters of the District Police Chief of Ernakulam Rural Police District, Superintending engineer, PWD (Roads) and of the District Educational Officer, Aluva are also located there. It is the northern starting point of Kochi Metro rail's first phase which began its operations in June 2017, as well as the Kochi city bus network. The Metro station is at Bypass, Aluva.

History

Archaeologists have found evidence of settlements in Aluva as far back as 250 BC.[5] The place used to be a continuous area of land spread across Kakkanad and Alangad; historians have recorded that it was so up to AD 1341. The town, by then thickly populated, became a holiday resort and a centre of commerce.[6] Mangalappuzha, a branch of Periyar which bifurcates at Aluva was known to be the nerve centre of trade and commerce in this part of South India. Before Indian independence, Aluva was part of the Kingdom of Travancore and was the official summer residence of the royal family.

The etymology of the name of the town of Aluva has been the subject of speculation for centuries. One of the more accepted version relates to the story of Hindu god Shiva drinking the Kalakootam poison to save the world. It is said that Shiva with the poison 'Alam' in his mouth 'Vaa' was made into a deity which was then rested in a temple in Aluva.[7] The Sivarathri festival for which the town is famous for is celebrated in the honour of Shiva. In the twentieth century, when there was a community of Jews in Cochin, some used to have holiday homes in Aluva on the banks of the River Periyar.[8] It also has a name "gateway to the east"

Politics

Aluva is a constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The Aluva assembly constituency is part of the Chalakudy (Lok Sabha constituency). Anwar Sadath is the MLA of Aluva.[9] It is part of Chalakudy (Lok Sabha constituency). Benny Behanan is the MP in this constituency.

Administratively, Aluva is a municipality.[10] The current municipal council is ruled by Indian National Congress Party, led by M.O. John who was elected in December 2020. Previously it was led by Lissy Abraham (2015–2020) and M.T Jacob (2010–2015)

Travel

Aluva is well connected by air, road and rail from all parts of the country

By Air

Cochin International Airport is 15 km from the town center. Regular domestic and international connections are available from the airport.

By Train

Aluva railway station (IR Code: AWY) is an A graded railway station in Kerala, and is the third busiest railway station in Kochi city after Ernakulam Junction railway station and Ernakulam Town railway station. All passenger, express trains bound to southern Kerala do have a stop in this station. Some leaflets/websites still refer the town's old name (Alwaye).There is also a small railway station near Aluva named Chowara with a 4 km distance from this railway station.

By Metro

Kochi Metro phase 1 starts from Aluva Bypass and currently operates till Pettah. Upon completion of phase 1, it will be further extended to Tripunithura railway station. The project was started in mid of 2013 and commenced its operations in 2017.

The metro system's third phase proposes to extend this line further north from Aluva to the northern suburb Angamaly connecting Cochin International Airport.

By Bus
Rajiv Gandhi bus station

Rajiv Gandhi Central Bus Station is one of the largest private Bus terminals in Kochi and Kerala. Aluva KSRTC bus station is also an important bus station in the central Kerala.[11] Apart from this, daily passenger bus of Karnataka RTC and Tamil Nadu's SETC do connect from places like Mysore, Mangalore, Bangalore, Trichy, Coimbatore, Salem, Palani, Kodaikanal etc.

Privately operated Inter-state bus[12] to Bangalore, Chennai, Mysore, Mumbai etc. do have stops in various points of Aluva.

This bus stand also acts as an important node for Kochi city buses, with intra-city services to various parts like Fort Kochi, Tripunithura, Kakkanad, etc. It is a hub for various private bus companies in the city, like Kochi Wheels.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited also runs a bus service from Aluva metro station to Cochin International Airport named Pavan Doot, using an electric bus.

By Ferry

Aluva is one major stop for National Waterway 3, scheduled to open by August 2010 which connects to Thiruvananthapuram in south and Kottapuram (Thrissur) in north.

Tourism

Tourists would find the Manappuram on the left as a long stretch of sand bank followed by a plain. Sivagiri Ashram has a small temple which worships Sree Narayana Guru. Popular tourist spots include:

  • Sivarathri Manappuram (Sree Mahadeva temple)
  • Aluva Palace
  • Periyar banks
  • Municipal Park
  • St. Dominic Syro-Malabar Church
  • St John the Baptist CSI Church (Estd 1891)
  • Mangalappuzha Major Seminary
  • Kadungalloor Sree Narasimha Swamy temple
  • Thiruvalloor Sree Mahadeva Temple
  • Kunnil sree dharmashastha temple, Kadungalloor
  • Cheerakkada Temple
  • Chempakassery temple
  • Desom Sree Pallippattukavu Bhagavathy Temple
  • Desom Sree Ananthapuram Mahavishnu Temple
  • Desom Sree Dhattha Anjaneya Temple
  • Adwaitha Ashram
  • Sree Krishna Temple
  • St. Mary's Church Chowara, Aluva
  • Parunthuranchi Manappuram Aluva
  • Uliyannoor Sree Mahadeva Temple
  • Pottachira Sree Krishna Temple
  • Thuruthu, a small island in aluva
  • Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly Museum, Chunangamvely
  • Thevarkadu Sree Mahavishnu-Durga Temple, Near Chowwara Ferry, Aluva
  • Thiruvairanikulam Sree Mahadeva Temple
  • Janaseva Shishu Bhavan, Aluva
  • Sree Kurumbakavu Bhagavathi Temple Edathala
  • Pothiyil Sree Narasimha Moorthy -Sreekrishna Swamy Temple
  • Aluva Brahmana Samooham Sree Mahaganapathi Dharmashastha Temple, Manappuram
  • Thachanaampara Sree Mahadeva Temple
  • Edayappuram Panchamoorthi Naga Temple

Culture

The culture scene of Aluva is rich with those who are native of this town and those who have been attracted to it mainly due its proximity to the great river Periyar.

Several popular Malayalam movie songs are dedicated to the river Periyar. Famous poets Changapuzha Krishna Pillai, G. Sankara Kurup and Balachandran Chullikkadu, and critic Kuttipuzha Krishnapilla, and novelist Subash Chandran are from Aluva and lived there. Though not from Aluva area, Vayalar Ramavarma and O.N.V Kurup wrote about Periyar and the town Aluva was an integral part of their paying homage to the most lively river of the state of Kerala, Periyar.

The mimicry comedy revolution that dominated the cultural landscape of Kerala beginning 1980's originated in Aluva by stand-up comedians from that area, though they got larger audience and fans in Kochi and in Malayalam movies later which would make them cultural fixations of Kerala's pop culture. The movie star Dileep is from later part of that era. With Kochi becoming the base for Mollywood, several parts of the city including Aluva has featured in numerous films, like Premam (portraying the erstwhile Aluva town in the 90s and early 2000s), Nizhal etc.

Several newspapers and magazines were published from Aluva during the print era. Continuing with that tradition the first online magazine and blogging platform was also started in Aluva by puzha.com, which continues to exist in the cyberspace.

Notable people

Business

City Water- residential apartment aluva

Federal Bank Head Office, Aluva

Aluva is the home of many business headquarters. Aluva is known for its "Aluva Pukayillatha Aduppu" (smokeless stove) invented by the Alwaye Settlement Church many business headquarters. One of the well established private sector bank in India, The Federal Bank has its headquarters in Aluva.

Colleges and schools

Many educational institutions are located in Aluva.

Colleges
Union Christian College, Aluva
  • Union Christian College, Aluva
  • St.Xaviers College for Women Aluva
  • Bharata Matha College of Commerce and Arts, Aluva
  • MES College Marampally, Aluva
  • Bharata Mata School of Legal Studies Aluva
  • Carmel College of Nursing Nalamile, Aluva
  • Al Ameen College Edathala, Aluva
  • MES M. K. Mackar Pillay College of Advanced Studies Edathala, Aluva
  • KMEA Engineering College Edathala
  • YMCA College Edayappuram, Aluva
  • Queen Mothers College Aluva
  • St Antony's College, Aluva

Schools and other educational institutions
  • Nirmala Higher Secondary School
  • St Mary's High School
  • The Alwaye Settlement Higher Secondary School
  • Vidyadhiraja Vidyabhavan Higher Secondary School
  • School For The Blind Aluva
  • St. Francis Higher Secondary School for Girls
  • Government Girls Higher Secondary School Aluva
  • Joe Mount Public School
  • Al-Ameen International Public School
  • KMJ Public School Nochima, Aluva
  • Jyothi Nivas Senior Secondary School, Aluva -2[13]
  • Jeevass CMI Central School[14]
  • SNDP Higher Secondary School
  • Technical Higher Secondary School, Aluva
  • Christava Mahilalayam Higher Secondary School
  • Govt. Boy's Higher Secondary School
  • Islamic Higher Secondary School
  • Holy Ghost Convent Girls High School
  • St. John The Baptist Csi Emhs School
  • St. Joseph's UP School
  • Sivagiri Vidyaniketan Senior Secondary School
  • Al-Hind Public School
  • Talent Public School
  • Crescent Public School
  • Ideal Public School
  • God's Own Public School

Transportation

Aluva Railway Station
Aluva Railway Station

Aluva Railway Station is a major stop for trains that passes north to south of Kerala. It is the third busiest station in Kochi city, after Ernakulam Junction railway station and Ernakulam Town railway station. The station is important for southern railway because of the number of passengers itself. The commuters and travellers from Idukki district have to use either this station or the Tripunithura railway station for all their train journeys as there is no possible railway in the Idukki topography. There are no trains starting or ending at this station, but there are a lot of trains which stop for considerable duration here.

Aluva Railway Station is situated at the Railway Station Road junction near the KSRTC stand. The KSRTC stand hosts many buses from Ernakulam and a lot of City Low Floor buses, both A/C and non A/C which ensures connectivity to almost all the places in Kerala.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited
Train at Aluva Metro Station

Phase 1 of the Kochi Metro Rail Limited, the pride project of Kerala Government, undertaken by DMRC starts from aside Aluva Flyover. Aluva metro station is the northern terminus of the phase 1 line which was open on 19 June 2017.[15] The construction was started on mid of 2013. Kochi Metro is expected to overcome the traffic problems in Aluva – Edappally - Ernakulam road corridor, which is the second busiest road corridor in Kochi after Kundannoor - Edappally section of NH 66. Kochi metro is expected to raise the civil infrastructure of the city. Development of Kochi metro has raised the commercial value of the land, and has largely catalysed Aluva's assimilation into Kochi city.

Aluva Mahadeva Temple
Aluva Mahadeva Temple

The Mahadeva Temple is situated at a distance of 1 km from the Marthanda Varma bridge in NH-47. Periyar river splits into two near Aluva railway bridge and after the splitting one part is called Mangalappuzha. Aluva Mahadeva Temple is located on the sand bank in between the Mangalppuzha and Periyar river.

The Shivalinga is not enshrined in a Sreekovil it rises out of the sand banks of the Periyar river. This place is called the Aluva Manal Puram (land with sand).

  • Aluva Manapuram
    Aluva Manapuram
  • Municipal Office Aluva
    Municipal Office Aluva
  • Private Bus Terminal Aluva
    Private Bus Terminal Aluva
  • Aluva Palace Entrance
    Aluva Palace Entrance
  • Sree Krishna Temple Aluva
    Sree Krishna Temple Aluva
  • Federal Bank HO Aluva
    Federal Bank HO Aluva
  • UC College Aluva
    UC College Aluva
  • Town Hall Aluva
    Town Hall Aluva
  • Marthanda Varma Bridge Aluva
    Marthanda Varma Bridge Aluva

See also

Location

References
  1. https://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf
  2. "Home | Aluva Municipality". Aluvamunicipality.in. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  3. "Alwaye Palace Aluva – Aluva Palace Kerala". Kerala-tourism.org. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  4. "Biograby by Dr. S. Omana". Sndp.org. 20 September 1928. Archived from the original on 3 September 2000. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  5. "ചരിത്രം | Aluva Municipality". Aluvamunicipality.in. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  6. "Kerala". Ashextourism.com. 13 May 1999. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  7. "ആമുഖം | Aluva Municipality". Aluvamunicipality.in. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  8. Weil, S. 2009 'The Place of Alwaye in Modern Cochin Jewish History', Journal of Modern Jewish Studies 8 (3): 319–335.
  9. "Assembly Constituencies – Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies" (PDF). Kerala. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2008.
  10. "Local Administration – Ernakulam District". NIC Ernakulam (Govt. of India). Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  11. "KSRTC Aluva Depot". KSRTC Aluva Depot Contacts. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  12. "Sona Travels". Private Bus Operator Aluva.
  13. "jyothinivas | Jyothi Nivas Senior Secondary School U.C.College P.O.,Aluva 683 102. District – Ernakulam KERALA Ph: 0484-2609468".
  14. "Jeevass | Jeevass".
  15. Greeshma Sukumaran (17 June 2017). "Kochi Metro inauguration: PM Modi flags off rail service, takes maiden ride with CM Pinarayi Vijayan, 'Metro Man' Sreedharan". International Business Times. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
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