Chengalam South

Chengalam south
village
Chengalam south Location in Kerala, India Chengalam south Chengalam south (India)
Coordinates: 9°35′0″N 76°28′0″E
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Kottayam
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Telephone code	0481
Vehicle registration	KL-5
Nearest city	Kottayam

Chengalam South is a small hamlet located in Thiruvarpu panchayath in Kottayam town of Kerala, India.

History

It is believed that the name Chengalam came from the word chenkulam (Red soiled ponds). Chempakaseri family and Pattathanam family were staying in this place. Pattathanam family is still a well known family in this area. The place was once completely paddy fields. Now so many houses and buildings are in this village. The place is now easier to build big buildings since paddy fields were converted to land. During flood time this village was completely under water. Now the road has been rebuilt and floods are not affecting transportation.

Geography

The Branch of Meenachil River flows through this village. The village consists of two type of terrestrials. The area near Kumarakom is a part of north Kuttanad full of paddy fields. The north area is a hilly area and it os known as Kunnumpuram. The southern area is always threatened by flood. The river goes directly to Vemabanad Lake but it is very narrow in this region. That is the main reason for the floods in this area.

The major occupation in Chenagalam was farming. Rice is the important agricultural product. Farmers follow the traditional two crops per year. But because of the continuous floods farmers are dropping the monsoon crops.

Demographics

The main religions followed by the villagers in Chengalam are Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.

By road, Chengalam is about 8 km on the Kottayam–Kumarakom route. The nearest railway station is Kottayam Railway Station.

Kumarakom (3 km) is a nearby tourist attraction.

Culture

Chengalathu Kavu Devi Temple (Chengalath Kavu) and Madhathil Bhagavathi Temple (ooranma temple of kumaranallor devi temple) are the most famous and major Hindu worship places in the village. Meena Bharani is the mostly celebrated festival in Chengalathu kavu temple and Thrikkarthika is the festival time of Madhathil Bhagavathi Temple. People across all the quarters of society take part in it irrespective of their religion.

St Mary's Knanaya Jacobite Church Chengalam is one of the Christian churches in Chengalam. There are other Christian denomination's churches, too, situated at Chengalam Kunnupuram. St. Thomas Jacobite church is the oldest church in Chengalam. St. Joseph Catholic Church of Vijyapuram diocese is also situated at Chengalam Kunnupuram. Situated Seventh-Day Adventist Church, North Kerala Section of SDA, since 1932. Then other Pentecostal denomination prayer halls also have a place in Chengalam Kunnupuram's area.