Irinjalakuda

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', that derived from 'Inangikoodal', means merge. At present there is no river in Irinjalakuda, only the myth of 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.

According to Hindu mythology, Irinjalakuda was created by sage Parasurama. According to Keralolpatthi, out of the 64 gramas (villages) established in Kerala (Out of these 32 Malayala Gramas & half Thulu grama viz. Manjeswaram are in the present Kerala and 31 1/2 Thulu gramas in the coastal Karnataka.), Irinjalakuda was the head of some of them. Irinjalakuda was one of the most prominent among these Gramas (village societies). Boundaries of this grama extends 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". There is a huge Banyan tree still standing in the centre of the Irinjalakuda spreading the 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]

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 Proverties viz. 1) Thazhekkad 2) Areepalam, 3) Mukundapuram (Nadavarambu) 4) Mapranam 5) Palathungal (Nandikkara) 6) Pudukkad for administrative and revenue purposes. Five more proverties were added to Mukundapuram Taluk afterwards: Kodassery (Chalakudy), Thirumukkulam (Kuzhur)), Koratty (Adur), Pathinettarayalam (Edavilangu) and Malayattur. Tipu Sultan's Army was based at Thazhekkad Proverty 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 artistes on 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 and MAS Movies with two screens are the major theatres in the town. Besides this, the town often hosts various cultural programmes organised by socio-cultural organisations.

The famous actor Innocent was born here. Innocent is an Indian film actor best known for his work in Malayalam films who later went on to become Member of Parliament for Chalakudy (Lok Sabha constituency).

A prominent Kerala mathematician-astronomer Madhava (Mādhava) who founded the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics was from (Irinjalappilly, Aloor) Sangamagrama (Saṅgamagrāma), a town in medieval Kerala believed to be the town of Irinjalakuda. Nagapattinam Chandrashekhara Vasanthakokilam a carnatic singer and actress, was born as Kamakshi in Irinjalakkuda, Cochin State of British India, the present Kerala

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary

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 at Mini Civil Station Annexe building. The revenue division comprises the taluks of Mukundapuram, Chalakudy and Kodungallur. There is a court complex inside the Civil Station that houses Sub Court, Additional Sub Court, Munsif Courts and Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT)/ Additional District and Sessions Court. Irinjalakuda also has a Family Court. A special fast track court to try POCSO cases and crimes against women was inaugurated here on January 4, 2021. A new judicial complex is under construction near the civil station to house all judicial offices in the town. Irinjalakuda judicial first class magistrate court is functioning at old court complex in Kacheri Valappu.

Irinjalakuda has a special sub jail, which is function ing 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.

At present the chairperson of the municipality is Smt Sonia Giri. The MLA of the Irinjalakuda legislative constituency is Prof. K.U Arunan. Irinjalakuda assembly constituency was a part of Mukundapuram (Lok Sabha constituency) till 2009 Lonappan Nambadan was the last Loksabha MP of Mukundapuram. From 2009, Irinjalakuda is now a part of Thrissur (Lok Sabha constituency). The MP of Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency is T..TPrathapan.

Irinjalakuda Municipal Office

Other prominent government offices in Irinjalakuda include District Education Office, Rural District Treasury, KSEB Circle office, Excise Circle office, Postal Division office, Water Authority PH Division, GST assistant commissioner's office, Factories and Boilers office, etc.

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.

As part of shifting the Thrissur Rural police headquarters to Irinjalakuda, a command and control centre, rural district women police station and police dog squad have been set up in Irinjalakuda. Thrissur Rural Cyber Police Station is also functioning from Irinjalakuda.

Irinjalakuda Co-operative Hospital

Irinjalakuda has several hospitals and health clinics, including Ayurvedha, Eyecare are situated in the heart of Irinjalakuda.

Christ College

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.

Arts & Science Colleges

• Christ College
• St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda

STATE

• Don Bosco Higher Secondary School
• L. F. C. H. S. S., Irinjalakuda
• S. N. H. S. S., Irinjalakuda

CBSE

• Bhavan's Vidya Mandir, Irinjalakuda

Irinjalakuda has been the home of many notable people, including

• Innocent
• Tovino Thomas
• Madhava of Sangamagrama (Sangamagrama believed to include parts of Irinjalakuda)
• Unnayi Warrier
• K. Radhakrishnan
• P. Jayachandran
• Idavela Babu
• Anupama Parameswaran
• Anand
• Dr. James Pazhayatil
• K V Ramanathan Master (Children's story writer)

• Vallakkunnu

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Irinjalakuda.

• Irinjalakuda Municipality : Official Website
• News Portal of Irinjalakuda