| -: Thiruvalla
-Glimpses :- |
The
oldest Municipal Town:
Thiruvalla
is one among the oldest municipal towns in the rural
areas of Kerala . Once Thiruvalla Taluk was considered
as having the maximum number of graduates in India.
This indicates the cultural and educational background
of Thiruvalla . Thiruvalla has given birth to the
renowned artist, Shri. C. K.Ra, who was a product
of Santhi Nikethan and also a student of Nandalal
Bose. The well-known poet, Shri. Vishnu Narayanan
Nampoothiri, also belongs to Thiruvalla .
In the field of medical service, Thiruvalla Medical
Mission Hospital and Pushpagiri Hospital render commendable
services . They also extend service in the Para-medical
field.
Headquarters
of Marthoma Syrian Church:
The
Headquarters of Marthoma Syrian Church of Malabar
is situated in Thiruvalla which has contributed so
much in the field of higher education with a first
grade Arts and Science College and a B.Ed College,
in addition to the large number of buildings where
most of the trading , banking and other institutions
are housed in Thiruvalla township.
Sree
Ramakrishna Ashramam:
Thiruvalla is also blessed with a Sree Ramakrishna
Ashramam at Thukalassery.
Communal harmony: 
Thiruvalla is well known for the communal harmony
prevalent in the area. A large number of churches
co-exist near a large number of temples in Thiruvalla
town. The Paliekara Church was constructed at the
time of Col. Munroe. People from various communities
were invited to Thiruvalla by the then rulers and
they were given all sorts of assistance for setting
up places of worship. On both the sides of the road
in front of the Thiruvalla temple were located several
trading centres, then known as "Chalai".
There is a reference to this place in the epic, "
Unnuneelisandesam". Chalai at that time was a
powerful competitor to the markets of Kollam and Kozhikode.
The
wonderful construction :
Thiruvalla
is also blessed with the wonderful works of constructions
- the Flagpost in the Sree Vallabha Temple with a
height of 5.3 mts. from ground level and 1.5 mts below
ground level constructed from a single rock with a
Garudan composed by "Perumthachan" at the
top.
Thiruvalla
Railway Station :
Thiruvalla Railway Station deserves more facilities
as it is the only Railway Station in Pathanamthitta
District.
Revenue Tower :
The completion of the Revenue Tower is a great achievement
and it provides accommodation for various Government
offices under one roof.
Social Service :
In the field of social service, Tiruvalla
has two Rotary Clubs, one Lions Club and a Junior
Chamber.
Maramon
Convention:
Maramon and Kozhencherry, on the banks of the river
Pampa, 16 kilometers east of Thiruvalla, have for
centuries been recognized as centres of Christian
culture and influence. This village which developed
into a town has the added distinction of being the
venue of a religious gathering known as Maramon Convention,
said to be the largest Christian gathering in Asia.
It is during the month of February on the vast sand-bed
of the river Pampa, below the Kozhencherry Bridge
that the Maramon Convention is held every year. About
a week before the Convention, Christians from the
parishes around Maramon are seen carrying Cadjan leaves
and bamboo poles and other materials for erecting
the convention pandal. The pandal has a seating capacity
of about fifty thousand. All round the pandal there
are temporary sheds and tents. Stalls for the sale
of religious literature, church offices and restaurants
are allowed to operate in the vicinity of the pandal.
The
Maramon Convention is pre-eminently an assembly of
Christians who once a year come here for listening
to the Word of God as read and expounded by leaders
of Christian thought, from all over India as well
as abroad. Preaching and Bible studies occupy the
major part of the conference programme. Along with
the religious reading and discourse, singing of hymns
and praying for the sick and needy are also held.
Aranmula
Uthirittathi:
The river Pampa at Aranmula, is the venue of this
famous snake boat race .The snake boats of an extraordinary
shape with a length of about 100 ft., the rear portion
towering to a height of about 20 ft., and the front
portion tapering gradually.The boat resembles a snake
with its hood raised. The race is held on the last
day of the week-long Onam Festival to commemorate
Lord Krishna's crossing of the river. The participants
cheerfully row up and down the river to the tune of
songs known as vanchipattu.
Vinjana
Kalavedi at Aranmula:
The Vinjana Kalavedi at Aranmula imparts training
in the traditional arts and crafts of Kerala. Kathakali,
classical dance, classical music as well as kalaripayattu
(the martial arts of Kara) are taught here.
Metal mirrors
Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors made
of bell metal.This is a unique art which is not found
any where else in the world .
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