KUNNAMKULAM
Kunnamkulam is a municipality in Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is an old commercial town and is famous for its printing and book binding industry. Kunnamkulam is 22 km from Thrissur.
Kunnamkulam is the major business center, north of Trichur in Kerala. The small town in Thrissur district have a business history of more than 300 years. The Arabians, Greeks, and Persians left their footprints on this land years ago.
The ancient name of Kunnamkulam was Kunnamkulangara. In the order of Kochi Kings dated AD 1763, written that “in Kunnamkulangara previous year about 108 shops caught fire and this year again 11 shop rooms have caught fire. In order to prevent further fire mishaps all shop owners of Kunnamkulangara town are directed to replace their roof with tiles immediately.”
History
AD 1819 report of Lt. Ward
Lt. Ward was engaged in Madras Survey. After visiting Kunnamkulam for his survey he wrote that “Kunnamkulam is a well developed Christian town with churches and situated on a hill top. Kunnamkulam is the capital of Thalapilly taluk under Kochin Rajas. There are about 400 houses and two third of them owned by Christians. The town is protected by bamboo fence with two gates on either side. It is a very clean town and found a lot of rich people there. The town is very crowded. They manufacture every thing except clothes here. Kunnamkulam is the best market place north of Kochi. The Chaliyan or Cherlayam owned by Ayinikkal Nambidi and Kakkad owned by Kakkad Karanavar lie adjacent to Kunnamkulam. Roma Syrian Christians lived near Cherlayam. Pazhanji (Piurrunney) lies north to Kunnamkulam. Pazhanji is a center of Syrian Christians. Pazhanji is well known for Betel nuts.
Invasion of Tippu Sultan - AD 1740
When Tippu Sultan invaded Guruvayur and adjacent areas, a large number of refugees came to Kunnamkulam lead by Rev. Father Pulikkottil Joseph Kathanar, Vicar of Arthatt Church. They participated in the development of Kunnamkulam town in all means. The people of Kunnamkulam defended Tippu Sultan’s attack with all their might. Tippu Sultan set on fire the Arthatt church.
Archeology
In 1948 Mr. B.K.Tapper who is an archeologist found old “Nannangadies” from a temple compound at Porkulam near Kunnamkulam. In the Nannangadies he found ruins of human bodies, decorated pearls, iron tools and earthen pots which are very similar to that found at Thakshasila which is aged more than 2400 years. There are plenty of Kudakkalls, Thoppikkal, Kallaras and Caves found in the nearby areas like Arikanniyoor, Chermanangad(Chiramanangad), Iyyal, Kattakampal,Vattamavu Guha(Korattikkara),Korattikkara Kodamarakunnu for watching beautiful sunset and Kandanissery aged more than 2000 years.
Religious Centers
Kunnamkulam has a good mix of people of different religions. There are about 18 Temples, 14 Churches
and 2 Mosques within a radius of 5 km of Kunnamkulam town. Majority of the population are Syrian Christians. Muslims form a small minority in town. In Kunnamkulam all sections of Christian community have their own churches.
Around 5 km away from Kunnamkulam town lies at the heart of the place Anaikkal the most famous religious Hindu temple named Cheeramkulangara Bhagavathi Temple. This temple is famous for its ‘Pooram’ (festival) which is organised every year during February. The festival is famous for the number of elephants which is dressed with ‘nettipattam’ (ornaments on the forehead) and arranged in a line for the procession. The number of elephants varies each year and at present it consists of around 80 elephants which is a beautiful sight. Many foreigners come down to see this festival which is one of the best in the Thrissur District after Trichur Pooram. All the people at Anaikkal respect and believe in the ‘Devi’ (Goddess) who is very powerful and grants everyone’s wishes.
Also Two Juma Musjid’s is situated right center of the town. About 55 Muslim families live near town. Majority of people are Hindus then comes Christians. Kunnamkulam is one of the peaceful and secular places in Kerala where there sre less social problems compared to other places.
Chowanur near Kunnamkulam is a centre for many temples: Kalleyi and Panthallur temples being the famous.
Famous Mullayum Parambu (Hindu temple) Pooram Festival (normally falls on jan-to march. every year) .Lot of elephants and colorful fireworks are its important attractions. Its location is near to Chalissery ,Korattikkara and Ottapilavu
Tourism:
Chowannur Guha on the Kunnamkulam - Wadkancherry road is a stopover frequented by tourists.
The paddy fields of Chowannur are a spectacle of motorbike races every year and is a real spectacle to watch. These village sports are sponsored by local companies and the prize money and the entire event is frequented by local youth in large numbers.
Narimada Kunna is a popular hill near at chowannur and is frequented by newly married couples. It has been a shooting site for a popular movie.
Kalleyi and Panthallur Poorams are majestic attractions and are temple festivals similar in lines of Trichur pooram. Both happen in the month of January and February and are frequented by foreign tourists. The anecdote of the place and event is that these tourists never miss the date and time of the pooram and are present each year, without fail. (Indian calendar days vary and are not in sync with the English - Gregorian Calendar)
Korattikkara(nearly 7km from kunnamkulam towards calicut direction) kodamara-kunnu ( between korattikkara and chalissery)it is frequented among locals for watching the beautiful sunset and for relaxation.
Vattamavu Guha (near to korattikkara)
Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[2] Kunnamkulam had a population of 51,585. Males constitute 47% of the population and females 53%. Kunnamkulam has an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 83%. In Kunnamkulam, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
