Kanchiyar
Kanchiyar is a village located in Idukki taluk of Idukki district Kerala, India. The place has a vast cardamon and pepper plantations. Anchuruli, one of the famous tourist spots in idukki is located in Kanchiyar panchayath. The main settlements in Kanchiyar are Kozhimala, Swaraj, Labbakkada, Thoppipala, Mattappally and Kakkattukada.[1]
Kanchiyar | |
|---|---|
Tourist spot/village | |
 Idukki reservoir from Anjuruli near Kanchiyar | |
  Kanchiyar Location of Kanchiyar in Kerala  Kanchiyar Kanchiyar (India) | |
| Coordinates: 9°41′45″N 76°59′47″E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Idukki |
| Named for | Anjuruli tourist spot |
| Government | |
| • Type | Panchayath |
| • Body | Kanchiyar Grama Panchayath |
| Area | |
| • Total | 64.65 km2 (24.96 sq mi) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 21,023 |
| • Density | 325/km2 (840/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 685511 |
| Telephone code | 04868 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-37, KL-06 |
| Nearest city | Kattappana |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Idukki |
| Literacy | 92% |
| Climate | cool pleasant (Köppen) |
| Website | Isgkerala.in |
Administration
Kanchiyar panchayath, which was recently raised to village level is divided into 16 wards for administrative convenience. The Kanchiyar village office is at Lebbakkada.
Wards
| Wards in Kanchiyar village | |
|---|---|
| Kovilmala | Pampadikuzhi |
| Thoppippala | Lebbakkada |
| Pezhumkandam | Puthukkadu |
| Mattukkatta (east) | Nariyampara |
| Kanchiyar | Anchuruly |
| Vengaloorkkada | Swarnavilasam |
| Meppara | Kalthotty |
| Kodalippara | Murikkattukudy |
Demographics
There are almost 400 families of different cast and religion. As of 2001 census data, Kanchiyar village has population of about 21023 in which 10404 are women and 10619 are men. The village has a literacy of about 92%.Recently, Kanchiyar was upgraded from panchayath level to Village. Later it was part of the Ayyappancoil village.[2]
Religion
Majority of people are Hindus and Christians. They maintain healthy relations and mutual co-operation. The Clarist Convent started its career in 1957 in the land donated by Shri Mathai Kalappurackal. The L.S.T. Convent began its missionary work on 7 January 1996. The Snehashram for destitute, under the guardianship of Rev. Fr. Francis OFM is at Nariyampara, the board of this parish.[3]
Important pilgrim centers
- St.Mary's church, Kanchiyar-Pallikavala
- Holy cross church, Nariyampara
- India Pentecostal Church of God,Kanchiyar
- Assemblies of God in India, Kanchiyar
- The Pentecostal Mission,Kanchiyar
- Holy family church, Kalthotty
- Lourde Matha church, Meppara
- Subramaniya Swami temple, Pezhumkandom
- Puthiyakavu Devi temple, Nariyampara
- Ayyappa-Mahavishnu-Devi temple, Nariyampara
- Sree Mahavishnu temple, Meppara
- Sree Dharmasastha temple, Thoppippala
- Sree Krishna Swami temple, Mattappally
- Muthiyamma Uma Maheshwara temple, Kanchiyar
Culture
Kanchiyar panchayath is inhabited by the tribal community Mannan. The Mannan community has unique culture and rituals. They have a kingdom at Kozhimala (Kovilmala) near Swaraj with an elected tribal king. This community is the only tribal community in Kerala that has a king, and one of the only two such tribes in India. The current king here is Raman Raja Mannan who was elected in March 2012. He was elected after the death of the previous king, Aryan Raja Mannan.
Education
The Following are the Institution on which we feel proud of St. Mary's L.P. and U.P. Schools which were started in 1959and 1977 respectively, the Clarist Convent, Mar Mathew Kavukattu Memorial Nursery run by the Clarist Convent, Marian Nursery School run by the Parish, J.P.M. Junior and B. Ed College which was started in 2005 by the C.S.T. fathers.
Educational institutions
- Lourde Matha L.P. School, Lebbakkada
- Govt. L.P. School, Kanchiyar
- St.Mary's L.P School, Kanchiyar
- St.Mary's U.P school, Kanchiyar
- Mannam Memorial High School, Nariyampara
- Government Tribal H.S.S, Murikkattukudi
- Zion Public School, Swaraj
- S.N English Medium School, Thoppipala
- J.P.M College of Arts and Science, Lebbakkada
Transportation
Kanchiyar is well connected with both state highways and local rural roads. Kattappana-Kuttikkanam state highway passes through Kanchiyar. Plenty of private busses and state-owned busses operates here.
References
- "Kanchiyar grama panchayath official website". lsgkerala.in.
- "Kanchiyar panchayath - general information". lsgkerala.in.
- "Kanchiyar village". www.keralatourism.org.