Niranam

Niranam is a village in Tiruvalla,Kerala, India. It was a port in ancient Kerala, on the confluence of the Manimala and Pamba River. It is almost 8 km from Tiruvalla SCS Junction in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala, lies to the western part of Tiruvalla, identified as Upper Kuttanad region. It can be identified with Nelcynda in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.

Niranam St. Mary' Church
Thrikka Paleswaram Temple
Pattamukkil Kudumbam at Niranam: Special Entrance to Niranam Church. Tharavad is surrounded from three sides of Niranam Church

Niranam
Village
Niranam Thrikka Paleswaram Temple Saptamathakal Statue
Coordinates: 9°21′N 76°31′E
Country India
StateKerala
DistrictPathanamthitta
Population
 (2011)
 • Total10,770
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Postal Index Number
689621
Vehicle registrationKL-27 (Thiruvalla)

Demographics

Niranam is a large village located in Tiruvalla, with 2837 families residing. The population of Niranam area is 10070, average sex ratio is 1118, higher than the state average of 1084. Niranam has a high literacy rate, 96.01%, higher than the state average of 94%.[1]

History

Niranam is mentioned in the writings of Pliny and Cosmas Indicopleustes as a trade centre. Geologists suggest that the sea retracted from this area due to some major geographical changes.

The community were probably Jewish traders who became Christians and later were part of the Malankara Orthodox Church.[2]

Niranam St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral has been the seat of the various Malankara metropolitans.

The Niranam poets, the "Kannassas" are credited to be pioneers in Malayalam bhakti literature, they authored Bhagavata, Ramayana, and Bharata in Malayalam. They lived in the 14th century CE. The great flood of 1341 AD helped to shift the sea westwards from silt filling in the direct sea route from Niranam.

Transport

Niranam is a quiet place, lying between Kadapra to East and Neerettupuram to North. It can be approached through both the State Highway 12, and State Highway 6. The village lies west to Tiruvalla city centre, about 7 kilometres.

The railway station is about 8 km from Niranam, in Tiruvalla city, adjacent to the Mallappally Road, near Kuttappuzha RSPO.

The Thrikkapaleeshvara Temple

Niranam, being an old settlement of both Brahmanic and Christian people, has a composite culture and historical buildings. This is a very old Shiva temple,This temple, like the Sree Vallabha Temple, also housed a Vedic school system. .The temple is in a very old condition, and measures are taken to renovate it. It is believed to be one of the "108 Shiva Temples" established by Parasurama in Kerala by tradition.

Niranam Church (St Marys Orthodox Cathedral)

It is believed to be one of the oldest churches in Kerala and thus in India as well as among the oldest ones in the world. The architecture shows striking similarities to ancient temple architecture. It is believed to have been established by St. Thomas. It is a very important place for the Christians.Pattamukkil Tharavad at niranam is surrounded from three sides of niranam church. Priests From Pattamukkil families used to stay there and done priesthood and governed niranam church and its properties at the ancient days.

Geography

As a result of the flood of 1341, the soil of nearby areas of Niranam is still sandy and resembles beaches, though not close to the Arabian sea.

Other places in Tiruvalla west

References
  1. "Niranam Village Population - Thiruvalla - Pathanamthitta, Kerala". www.census2011.co.in. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  2. Niranam St Mary's Orthodox Church
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.