Kizhakkekallada

East Kallada is bounded by Kallada River in the west and north and Ashtamudi backwater in the south.

It is believed that the old port 'Nelkynda' mentioned by Periplus of the Erythraean Sea is Kallada or its nearby place.[2] Periplus describes:

... Nelcynda is distant from Muziris by river and sea about five hundred stadia, and is of another Kingdom, the Pandian. This place also is situated on a river, about one hundred and twenty stadia from the sea.. [3]

East Kallada is also a part of Travancore history. In 1730 Unni Keralavarma of Desinganadu invaded East Kallada, that was part of Venad at that time. Marthanda Varma immediately attacked Desinganad and added East Kallada to Venad. Thus He started the expansion of Travancore and later invaded lot of small countries from north.[4]

It is believed that centuries ago this village was a flourishing center of a Buddhist culture. The customs and architecture of old temples in this area support the fact that they could possibly have been buddhist vihars in their initial days.[5] Eduppukuthira ( Huge chariots associated with the festival of Sree durga devi temple ) itself has got strong association with buddhist customs and practices.The strong presence of Ezhava community in this area is a strong evidence supporting the existence of buddhism.[5] A Buddha statue which is 3 feet long and made of marble was excavated more by accident in 1978 from near the Siva temple Sinkarapalli(The "palli" suffix, which was common usage in Pali, the language of Theravada Buddhism). Later in 1984 the same statue was placed at Siva temple, Koduvila. But unfortunately it had been stolen.[5]

As of 2001 India census, Kizhakkekallada had a population of 22,046 with 10,607 males and 11,439 females.[1] The density of population was 1670 persons per square kilo meter. The sex ratio (the number of females per 1000 males) was 1078 during the census year of 2001.Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%.

Chittumala Sree Durga Devi temple[6] is the most important place of worship in this area among Hindus. The temple situated at Chittumala hilltop, and is devoted to Sree Durga Devi.Chittumala Ultsavam(in Malayalam), a festival associated with this temple is known for its huge chariots which is carried by devotees up to the temple at the hill top.

Other temples are Sree Mahadevar Temple Koduvila, Sree Krishna temple Marthandapuram, Sree Mahavishnu temple Marthandapuram and Sree Mahavishnu temple Veranoor. The incomplete inscription in the veranoor temple in Tamil and Vatteluttu is identified and mentioned by the Archaeological Survey of India.[7]

The local Christian church is St. Francis Xavier Church(Roman Catholic-Latin rite), Koduvila, which is one of the ancient latin catholic churches in Kollam And St. Antony's Church, Thekkemury, which is blessed with the HOLY RELIC of St. Antony and other most important churches are St. Alphonsa Chappel,Sinkarappally, St. Elijah Orthodox church,Koduvila, St. Mary's Orthodox church ( pilgrim centre ) West Kallada (Kallada Valiya pally). St. George Orthodox church East Kallada, St Marys Orthodox Church Chittumala.

The schools in the area include:

• C.V.K.M Higher Secondary School, Chittumala (Govt. Aided)
• KPSPM Vocational Higher Secondary School, Nilamel (Govt. Aided)
• MM Higher Secondary School, Uppodu (Govt. Aided)
• MCEM Higher Secondary School, Mathilakom
• ST.Joseph International School, Chittumala (CBSE).
• PMNM Upper Primary School, Nilamel (Govt. Aided)
• Govt. Lower Primary School, Market Jn.
• Govt. Lower Primary School(Rural), Koduvila
• Bishop Jerome Memorial English Medium School, Near St. Antonys Church, Thekke Muri
• St. Francis Upper Primary School,Koduvila, which was established in 1870.
• N.C.M.L.P.S,Muttom (Govt.aided)

• Primary Health Centre, Chothiram, Chittumala
• Govt. Ayurvedic Dispensary, Parayil Mukku, Chittumala East
• Aykara Ayurvedic Hospital and Pharmaceuticals, Nilamel
• Govt Veterinary Hospital, Market Jn.
• Upahara Matha Hospital,Koduvila

• Olympian Suresh Babu(1953–2011)
• D Vinayachandran (Poet)
• Kallada Sasi (Poet)

• Kallada