Thiruvalla

The town spans a geographic area of 27.94 km² (10.79 sq mi) with a population of 52,883 as of 2011, a decline from the 57,800 recorded in the previous census. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. In Thiruvalla, 5% of the population is under 6 years of age. Thiruvalla has a large Non-Resident Indian Community. The town is now battling an aging population above the age of 65. Its GDP per capita is $10,455.

Old tradition tells that the name Thiruvalla comes from the word "Valla Vaay", named after the river Manimala which was known as Vallayār in ancient times. Before roads were developed, Thiruvalla village developed at the mouth of river Vallayar, connected far and near places through waterways, hence known as Valla vāi(vāy in old Malayalam means mouth of river).[4] Later the Thamizh Prefix 'Thiru (means holy /revered) attached to it and became Thiruvalla.

At the time of intermigration to south India it became one of the 64 Brahmin settlements. They correlated the name to "Sree Vallabha" which means Husband of Lakshmi Devi. Sree Vallabha is the presiding deity of the Thiruvalla Temple and argues that shreevallabha Puram (Land of Vallabhan) became Thiruvalla.[4] Thiruvalla as per the Sanskrit work "श्रीवल्लभ क्षेत्र माहात्म्यम्" (ശ്രീവല്ലഭ ക്ഷേത്ര മാഹാത്മ്യം) (śrīvallabha kṣētra māhātmyaṁ) is "श्रीवल्लभपुरम्" (ശ്രീവല്ലഭപുരം)(śrīvallabhapuraṁ). The work is said to be of 10th-century CE.[4]

Thiruvalla lies at an altitude of 9 m above sea level, on the basin of the rivers Pamba and Manimala. Thiruvalla is dotted with several natural canal streams (called "thodu" in Malayalam) like Chanthathodu, Manippuzha, Mullelithodu, and several others. The city area has riverine alluvial soil, and eastern parts have a laterite loam kind of soil classified under "Southern Midlands" agro-ecological zone, while the western suburbs like Niranam have a more sandy type of soil that resembles beaches. (Kuttanad agro-ecological zone)[5] The reason for this is believed to be the older status of Niranam as a port, before reclamation of Kuttanad from sea occurred. The Upper Kuttanad region in Thiruvalla has the "Karappadam" type of soil, which is clay loam in texture, has high organic matter, and is situated in areas about 1–2 m above sea level.[5]

The climate of Thiruvalla is classified as tropical. There is significant rainfall in most months of the year. The short dry season has little effect on the overall climate. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is Am. The temperature here averages 27.3 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is 3298 mm.[6]

At an average temperature of 29.0 °C, April is the hottest month of the year. July has the lowest average temperature of the year. It is 26.4 °C. Between the driest and wettest months, the difference in precipitation is 574 mm. Precipitation is the lowest in January, with an average of 22 mm. With an average of 596 mm, the most precipitation falls in June.[6]

Due to proximity to the equator, Thiruvalla has very little variation in average temperature. During the year, the average temperatures vary by 2.6 °C.[6]

Thiruvalla is best known for its pleasant and welcoming weather. South West Monsoon winds bring heavy showers to Thiruvalla in the months of August for a couple of months. Thiruvalla has a distinctively tropical, yet pleasing climate. The best time to visit this historical town is after the rains as the healthy showers of monsoon leave this place lush green and pristine.[7]

This article is primarily about the history of the settlements in areas of the present city around the temple, known historically as Thiruvalla. For the history of the places in Thiruvalla, also refer History of Niranam, History of Koipuram, History of Kumbanad, History of Kavumbhagom.

Medieval period

Thiruvalla copper plates

The rulers of Thiruvalla now belonged to the Thekkumkoor Dynasty, which had one of its headquarters at Idathil near Kaavil Temple. Idathil (Vempolinadu Edathil Karthavu)[14] was the family name of the Thekkumkoor kings. Today's Paliakara Palace is a branch of Lakshmipuram Palace of Changanacherry, which is a branch of Alikottu Kovilakam of Pazhancherry in Malabar. Similarly, Nedumpuram Palace is a branch of Mavelikkara Palace is an heir to the Kolathiri tradition of Udayamangalam. The Thekkumkoor kings lost their control in the course of time and Vilakkili (വിലക്കിലി) Nampoothiris were rulers in 1752–53 when Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the king of Travancore, seized it in a bloody battle in which the ruler was killed, though some dispute it, saying the surrender was peaceful as the Namboothiris were not naive to challenge the mighty army of Ramayyan, the shrewd and sadistic Dalava (ദളവ)- head of administration and advisor – of Travancore.[4]

The current Chairperson of the Municipality is Cherian Polachirackal and the Vice-Chairman is Sreerenjini S Pillai for 2018–2020.[15]

Thiruvalla's assembly constituency is the part of the newly formed Pathanamthitta (Lok Sabha constituency).[16] Current MLA is Adv. Mathew T Thomas. Current MP Pathanamthitta (Lok Sabha constituency) is Anto Antony.

The city inside the modern municipal limits has an almost equal number of Christians (48.03%) and Hindus (46.92%). Muslims form 4.80% of the population.[17]

Majority of the Christians in Thiruvalla belongs to Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church, Indian Orthodox, Church of God (Full Gospel) in India and India Pentecostal Church of God. The headquarters of the Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church, India Pentecostal Church of God and Sharon Fellowship Church are also in Thiruvalla. It also headquarters Christian Devotional Malayalam channels-Powervision TV and Athmeeya Yathra.

Thiruvalla is home to the Sree Vallabha Temple which is the only one of its kind in the State to have Kathakali performed as a ritual offering every night.[18]

The popular sports in Thiruvalla are football and cricket. The football history of Thiruvalla can be traced back to the legendary footballer from Thiruvalla, Thomas Varghese, called "Tiruvalla Pappan". He represented India in the London Olympics of 1948, and is described as one of the best defenders of 40's – 50's from India.[19] Today, Thiruvalla hosts many district and state-level football and cricket tournaments. There is a stadium in Thiruvalla maintained by the Thiruvalla Municipal Council. This is the venue for most of the tournaments. It is also called "Prithi stadium".[20]

• Shalini, Actress
• Sreeja Chandran, Actress
• Abraham Kovoor, hypnotherapist and rationalist
• Abu Abraham, cartoonist
• Dr. M.M. Thomas, former Governor of Nagaland
• Babu Thiruvalla, movie director and producer
• Baselios MarThoma Didymos I, Malankara Metropolitan and Catholicos of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
• Blessy (Blessy Iype Thomas), movie director
• C. K. Ra, artist
• C.P. Mathen (1890–1960), banker and founder of the Quilon Bank
• Chippy, movie actress
• Col. Jojan Thomas, Indian military officer
• John Abraham, movie director
• K. G. George, movie director
• Kakkanadan, novelist and writer
• Kaveri, movie actress
• K. C. John, Former General President of India Pentecostal Church of God
• Kaviyoor Ponnamma, movie actress
• Litty Lokanath, poet and author[22]
• M. G. Soman, movie actor
• Mathew T. Thomas, Indian politician,
• Meera Jasmine (Jasmine Mary Joseph), movie actress
• Nadiya Moythu, movie actress
• Nayantara (Diana Mariam Kurien, Kodiyattu), movie actress
• Nithin George Joseph, music producer
• Parvathy Jayaram (Ashwathy Kurup), movie actress
• Sajeev John Physicist[23]
• Kaviyoor shivaprasad, movie director
• Vishnu Narayanan Nampoothiri, renowned poet in Malayalam Literature [24]
• Vishnu Govind, Audiographer in Movies,[25][26][27][28][29]
• Vishnu Vinod, Kerala cricketer

• Edathua
• Thakazhy
• Mavelikara
• Chengannur
• Changanassery
• Adoor
• Kozhencherry