Cherthala
Cherthala | |
|---|---|
 Cherthala | |
  Cherthala Location in Kerala, India  Cherthala Cherthala (India) | |
| Coordinates: 9°41′13″N 76°20′10″E / 9.68694°N 76.33611°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Alappuzha |
| Government | |
| • MLA | P. Prasad |
| Area | |
• Total | 16.18 km2 (6.25 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2 m (6.6 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 45,827 |
| • Rank | 11 (Cherthala Urban Agglomeration) |
| • Density | 2,832/km2 (7,336/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 688524 (town) |
| Telephone code | 0478 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-32 or KL-04 |
| Sex ratio | 1030 ♂/♀ |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Alappuzha |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Cherthala |
Cherthala is a growing suburb and satellite town of Kochi, located in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. Due to its strategic location along National Highway 66 and its proximity to the Kochi metropolitan region (approximately 30 km away), Cherthala has emerged as an important residential and commercial hub supporting the urban sprawl of Kochi. The town is well-connected by road and rail, making it a key transit point for commuters between Kochi and Alappuzha.
As per the 2011 Indian census, Cherthala has a population of 45,821 people, and a population density of 2,727/km2 (7,060/sq mi).
Etymology
[edit]According to local legend, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, the Kerala Hindu saint, while travelling through Cherthala, found an idol of the Devi with its head immersed in a muddy pond. The swami understood the divinity of the idol, took it out of the mud, cleaned it and consecrated it in a temple near the pond. Thus the place is believed to have gotten its name as cher meaning "mud" and thala meaning "head" in Malayalam. The deity of the temple has the name Cherthala Karthiyayani.[2]
History
[edit]Cherthala has a rich and diverse history dating back to ancient times, closely tied to its role as a major center of trade and commerce in the region.
During the medieval period, it was an important hub for the spice trade, with merchants from across India and abroad trading spices, textiles, and other commodities. Its proximity to the backwaters and Arabian Sea made it ideal for such activities.[3]
In the 18th century, following the 1762 treaty between Travancore and Cochin, Cherthala came under the Kingdom of Travancore and remained a vital trade center. The economy and culture flourished, with various institutions established.[4] It served as a strategic center during conflicts such as the Travancore-Dutch War (1757–1758), when Dutch outposts in Alleppey were key targets.[5] The region experienced political instability in the early 20th century, culminating in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising of 1946, a communist-led revolt against Travancore rule that spread from Cherthala to Ambalapuzha.[6]
After the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, Cherthala became part of Kerala.[7] Today, it is a thriving municipality with a diverse economy and rich cultural heritage.[8]
Climate
[edit]| Climate data for Cherthala, Kerala | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31.8 (89.2) |
32.0 (89.6) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.7 (90.9) |
29.4 (84.9) |
28.8 (83.8) |
28.8 (83.8) |
29.3 (84.7) |
29.3 (84.7) |
29.9 (85.8) |
30.5 (86.9) |
31.3 (88.3) |
30.5 (86.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22.4 (72.3) |
23.4 (74.1) |
24.8 (76.6) |
25.5 (77.9) |
25.1 (77.2) |
23.8 (74.8) |
23.2 (73.8) |
23.5 (74.3) |
23.6 (74.5) |
23.7 (74.7) |
23.7 (74.7) |
22.7 (72.9) |
23.8 (74.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 25 (1.0) |
39 (1.5) |
56 (2.2) |
145 (5.7) |
351 (13.8) |
705 (27.8) |
621 (24.4) |
392 (15.4) |
297 (11.7) |
317 (12.5) |
199 (7.8) |
53 (2.1) |
3,200 (125.9) |
| Source: Climate-Data.org[9] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]According to 2011 census report, Cherthala Municipality had population of 45,827 of which 22,192 are males while 23,635 are females.
The population of children aged 0-6 is 3988 which is 8.70% of total population of Cherthala (M). In Cherthala Municipality, the female sex ratio is 1065 against state average of 1084. Moreover, the child sex ratio in Cherthala is around 911 compared to Kerala state average of 964. The literacy rate of Cherthala city is 97.02% higher than the state average of 94.00%. In Cherthala, male literacy is around 98.58% while the female literacy rate is 95.59%.[10]
Educational organizations
[edit]Colleges
[edit]Engineering
[edit]- College of Engineering, Cherthala, managed by IHRD, Government of Kerala
- KVM College of Engineering & Information Technology Cherthala
General
[edit]- N.S.S. College, Cherthala
- St. Michael's College, Cherthala
- Sree Narayana College, Cherthala
- Sanskrit University Kalady,Regional Centre, Thuravoor.
School
[edit]- Bishop Moore Vidyapith, Cherthala
- Holy Family Higher Secondary School, Cherthala
- St. Ann's Public School, Cherthala
- KE Carmel Central School, Cherthala
Industries
[edit]Coir Industry
[edit]Cherthala has a rich tradition in coir production, owing to its proximity to coconut groves. The coir industry involves processing the husk of coconuts to create versatile products like mats, rugs, ropes, and geotextiles. Coir is the traditional and most widespread industrial produce in Cherthala. The coir industry is run under both the private and cooperative sectors. Politically well-organised coir workers and the availability of raw coir fibre are the primary resources of the coir industry in Cherthala. The big export houses have mechanised their plants with automated coir looms. They weave tons of coir carpets, door mats and jute items every month for exports. Carpets and mats are displayed in the showrooms along NH 66.
Tourism and Hospitality
[edit]Cherthala's scenic backwaters, lush landscapes, and historical sites have made it a popular tourist destination. The tourism and hospitality industry in Cherthala encompasses hotels, resorts, homestays, and related services.
Seafood Industries
[edit]
The coastal inland area of Cherthala is closely interlocked with the Kerala backwaters and Vembanad lake. This eco-system is utilized for large-scale Prawn and Shrimp farming as an alternative in the low-lying paddy fields. Secondly the Cochin fishing harbour and port is just 15 km away from Aroor. The abundance of marine wealth and logistical advantages has helped the seafood export to grow especially around Aroor, Chandiroor, Ezhupunna, Thuravoor, Arookutty. Shrimp, Squid, Cuttle fish and other fin fishes are some of the raw marine wealth processed and exported. There are many marine food processing units in these places which provide employment to large number of people. The raw seafood catch is also purchased by large seafood export firms from all parts of Kerala, South Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu etc., processed and preserved in cold storages and then trans-shipped through Cochin port.
Rubber and Rubber Products
[edit]Cherthala's proximity to rubber plantations has led to the growth of rubber-related industries. Manufacturing rubber products such as tires, footwear, and industrial goods is a notable segment of the local industrial landscape.
Industrial area
[edit]The industrial areas at Aroor and Maithara have many small and medium scale industrial units. The Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation Limited has a control and instrumentation division running in Aroor.[11]
Landmarks
[edit]Cherthala Town Municipality has 35 wards.[12] The town is well known after the Karthyayani Devi temple, located in the center of the town. Two more sub-temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu are also located on the northern side of the main temple. A sub-temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, also known as Kaavudayan and another dedicated to Kshethrapalakan believed to be Devi's temple caretaker are located on the southern corner of the main temple. Thousands of devotees coming from different 'karas' (localities) of Cherthala participate in the Padayani, vela thullal and pooram pattu, the main rituals conducted during the temple festival. A large pond exists in front of the Taluk office that belongs to the Karthyayani Devi temple. One can see many roosters flocking around the temple premises. These roosters are the offerings of the devotees, an ancient custom followed in many devi temples of Kerala. The temple is administered by Travancore Devaswom Board.
Another temple in Cherthala town is the Muttathu Thirumala Devaswam temple. Lord Narasimha presiding in the form of Saligrama and Sree Venkatachalapathy Moorthy with bhoo devi and sree devi are the deities of this temple. The temple conducts its annual festival either ahead of the Karthyayani Devi's festival or soon after that. The Pallivetta is a procession where it is believed that Goddess is going for the divine hunting. The annual festival lasts for eight days.
Also refer, Places of worship in Cherthala
Notable people
[edit]Activism and religion
[edit]- Karunakara Guru – founder of Santhigiri Ashram
- P. Parameswaran – director, Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram
- Palackal Thoma Malpan – founder of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate
- Mgr. Joseph C. Panjikaran – founder of the Medical Sisters of St. Joseph
Arts and culture
[edit]- Irayimman Thampi – Carnatic musician as well as a music composer from Kerala
- Vayalar Ramavarma – Malayalam poet and film lyricist
- Jagannatha Varma – Kathakali artist, actor in Malayalam film and serial
- Thiruvizha Sivanandan – renowned Karnatic violinist and teacher
- Rajeev Alunkal – Film lyricist, poet, orator And chairman Kumaranasan Smarakam, Govt of Kerala
Business
[edit]- S. D. Shibulal – chief executive officer and managing director of Infosys
- PS Karthikeyan – former secretary, S.N. Trust, former director of SNDP Yogam, former member of the Legislative Assembly – Aroor, chief editor of Dinamani daily
Entertainment
[edit]- Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma – film lyricist
- Rajan P. Dev – Malayalam film actor and drama/theater personality
- S. L. Puram Sadanandan – Malayalam playwright and film scriptwriter
- Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan – writer and film critic
- Joy J. Kaimaparamban – English and Malayalam author
- Jomon T. John – Indian cinematographer
- Sijoy Varghese – actor, ad film director
- Radhika – Malayalam cine actress
- Syam Pushkaran – Malayalam scriptwriter
Politics
[edit]- A. K. Antony – thrice chief minister of Kerala in UDF Ministry, Indian Defence Minister
- Vayalar Ravi – former home minister of Kerala in UDF Ministry, Union Cabinet Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs
- K. R. Gouri Amma – first revenue minister of Kerala State, first woman minister of Kerala state.
- P. J. Thomas, Polayil – chief secretary, Kerala
- C. K. Chandrappan – communist leader
- P. Thilothaman – former minister for food and civil supplies, Kerala State
Science and technology
[edit]- Itty Achuthan – major contributor of ethno-medical information for the compilation of Hortus Malabaricus
- Gopinath Kartha — crystallographer born in Cherthala
- S. Somanath – aerospace engineer and currently serving as chief of ISRO
References
[edit]- ^ https://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ Namboothiri Websites Calicut (3 October 2003). "Vilwamangalam Swaamiyaar". Namboothiri.com. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ District Gazetteer of Alappuzha. Government of Kerala. 1975. pp. 45–67.
- ^ District Gazetteer of Alappuzha. Government of Kerala. 1975. pp. 120–145.
- ^ Koshy, M. O. (1989). The Dutch Power in Kerala, 1729–1758. New Delhi: Mittal Publications. pp. 57–88.
- ^ Jeffrey, Robin (1992). Politics, Women and Well-Being: How Kerala Became a Model. Macmillan India. pp. 78–92.
- ^ District Gazetteer of Alappuzha. Government of Kerala. 1975. pp. 12–15.
- ^ "History – Cherthala Municipality". Cherthala Municipality. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ "CLIMATE: CHERTALA", Climate-Data.org. Web: [1].
- ^ Cherthala Municipality City Population Census 2011-2021 | Kerala
- ^ Keltron Controls Archived 2010-06-19 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ http://www.cherthalamunicipality.in Archived 2 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine Cherthala Municipality
External links
[edit]
- Cherthala Municipality Archived 2 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine
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