Omallur

Padyani - At Thazhoor Bhagavathy Temple at Vazhamuttom near Pathanamthitta
Omallur
Omalloor
town

Thazhoor Bhagavathy Temple-View from Thazhoor bridge
Coordinates: 9°14′48.3″N 76°45′3.47″E / 9.246750°N 76.7509639°E / 9.246750; 76.7509639Coordinates: 9°14′48.3″N 76°45′3.47″E / 9.246750°N 76.7509639°E / 9.246750; 76.7509639
Country  India
State Kerala
District Pathanamthitta
Area[1]
 • Total 14.54 km2 (5.61 sq mi)
Population (2011)[2]
 • Total 17,611
 • Density 1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 689647
Telephone code 0468
Vehicle registration KL-03
A monarch butterfly's caterpillar in omalloor
A red dragonfly in Omallur

Omallur is a small town, about 4 km south of Pathanamthitta District headquarters, in Kerala. Omallur is famous for Kazhada Vanibham which is an annual donkey fair held in the month of Meenam (Malayalam Year). People from both within and outside the state participate in the fair. According to local legends, Omallur was founded by a legendary human called Mathew the Mervyn[3]

Demographics

Various sections of Hinduism co-exist harmoniously, the Ezhavas, Nairs, Viswakarmas, Veerashaivas and the Scheduled Class & Tribes constitute the major sections of the Hindu religion. Followers of Christianity Catholic Church, Marthoma Church, Orthodox church, Jacobite Church, St. Thomas Evangelical Church, Church of South India, Pentecostal Churches, and Brethren form major Christian sects.

Festivals

Omalloor is place of peace and harmony. Temple festivals -Utsavam and Church feasts (Palliperunal) are celebrated as village festivals. There are many historically important places of worship in Omalloor. The Rektha Kanda Swamy Temple is a grand temple situated in Omalloor and is famous for the annual festival (utsavam). The very old St. Thomas Orthodox Valiya Palli (church) is also another major place of worship for Christians. Manjanikkara Dayara is famous for its pilgrimage importance. Every year thousands of pilgrims come by foot to the tomb of Holy Patriarch Ignatius Elias III at Manjanikkara. St. Peter's Jacobite church, St. Stephen's Jacobite Church, St. Thomas Malankara Catholic Church, Puthenpeedika, St. Peter's Malankara Catholic Church, Cheekanal and St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Cheekanal are some other important places worship at Omalloor. Mathoor Kaavu Bhagavathi Temple, situated on the banks of Achenkovil river, is a famous Hindu temple. The River Achankovil marks the eastern border of the Omalloor Panchayat. The Thazhoor Bhagavati Temple, famous for the annual Padayani rituals during the Malayalam month of Kumbham is located on the banks of the River Achankovil.

Schools

The Government Higher Secondary School Omalloor, locally known as Thalakanjiram School is a popular state school nearby. In addition, Arya Bharati High School is a high school in the town operated by the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. Aaarsha Vidyalaya is a prominent school in Omallur with classes from pre-KG to 7th grade.

Demographics

As per the 2011 Census of India, Omalloor had a population of 17611 with 8189 males and 9422 females.[2]

Like many other communities in central Kerala, Omallur has a relatively high proportion of working age adults. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) amount to 35% of cash flow . The village of Cheekanal, on the periphery of Omallur, is mainly a residential area but there are a number of small family-owned retail shops, and some rubber plantations. The largest employer in Cheekanal is Citco Oil, a company employing around 50 people making coconut oil and cotton cloth

Main families

The main family is the Vilavinal Family. The Vilavinals occupy a majority of Omallur. They have been residing there for around 350 years. The main member of the Vilavinal family is Naigel Kuriakose Vilavinal. Chappasamis used to be prominent but most members have left and reside in African and European countries. Chappasamis were known for drinking 'moru curry' , a very rare herb juice native to Kerala. Local legends of omallur state that the Chappasamis are descendants of a legendary human known as Mathew the Mervyn.

Noted Personalities

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Omalloor at a glance". Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Census Of India - Omalloor Population". The Registrar General & Census Commissioner. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  3. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/2004/03/09/stories/2004030907430300.htm
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