Angamaly
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Starting as a panchayat in May 1952, Angamaly was raised to a municipality in April 1978. Situated 33 km north of Ernakulam, Angamaly is the northern gateway to the commercial capital of Kerala.
Angamaly is one of the fastest growing towns in Kerala[citation needed], thanks to the proximity of International Airport, railway station and two major roads passing through. With so many panchayats near by and its population depending on Angamaly is making it a business hub.
Angamaly has a state owned industrial estate at its southern end which has numerous renowned factories. There are many old churches which are centuries old with well defined frescoes and other murals which are also famous for certain historical meetings and decisions that shaped the modern Christianity in the entire India. Has for its credit famous temples, hospitals and educational institutions which are pride to the local population. The new Catholic church built at the heart of the town is regarded as the biggest of its kind in India[citation needed].
Angamaly is well connected by all means of transportation. Kochi International Airport is in the vicinity of Angamaly. In fact, certain portion of Angamaly municipal area has been taken for the development of airport.
Angamaly has a railway station where all major trains stop. There is a proposed railway line from Angamaly to Sabarimala which will connect the high-ranges with the low land, which in turn will improve economy of the entire region. The feasibility study is over and Railways has alloted budget for acquisition of land.
NH 47 passes through Angamaly and it is only less than 17 kilometres from Angamaly to NH 17. One of the major road connecting capital of Kerala, MC Road starts from Angamaly to Thiruvananthapuram via Muvattupuzha,Kottayam.
'Manjaly thodu' which flows through Angamaly was a major waterway in the olden days where spices, rice, bamboo and other agriculture products were sent from Angadikadavu in Angamaly to the old port of Muziris(Kodungalloor). Manjaly thodu is part of the new National Waterways programme. Historians records that a massive flood around the 16th centuary AD made the Angamali river to change the course and there arose a river by the name Chalakudy river. Meanwhile the river in Angamaly became a lesser canal and there by got the name Manjaly thodu.
Kerala State Bamboo Corporation Ltd. has its headquarters at Angamaly.
Kodanad, famous for its Elephant Training Center is 25 kilometres from Angamaly. Elephant ride as well as a mini zoo is available here. Malayatoor, Mahagony thottam, Kalady Adi Sri Sankara Sthambam, temple and Crocodile ghat are all places of interest near Angamaly.
History
The small kingdom north to Desom (Aluva) and south to Koratty Swaroopam was once ruled by a king called K.P.Sasicitation. He had a daughter named Mali. She was married to a brave warrior who came from the North named Anku. King Sasi divided his kingdom into two and give one part to his son-in-law, Anku and the latter part to his daughter, Mali. This was a usual way of transferring of power of a king with no male successors at that time. Both the kingdoms were ruled by Anku and his kingdom was known by the name Ankumali which later turned into Ankamali-Ankamaly-Angamaly-Angamali. Although, recorded history does not exist about the origins of the name Angamaly. Legends and local folklore attribute the name Angamaly to the grounds where battles (Ankam in Malayalam language) were conducted at a myal (attributed as a plain ground). Hence a very old battle ground.
Kalady, the birth place of Adi Sri Sankara is only 6.5 kilometres from here, it is there the famous Sree Sankara college and the Sanskrit University is situated.
Several old coins and other artefacts found from the region tells this area were predominant with Buddhists and Jains in very old time. Malayatoor which is famous Christian devotional centre is very near to Angamaly. It is said that St. Thomas, the Apostlate who was deputed to the region by Jesus Christ came via Angadikadavu in Angamaly using Manjali thodu to come from Kodungaloor port at AD 58. Jesus Christ was also with him. There are evidence for the churches in the locality built as early as AD 409 and AD 822.
Thirunayathodu temple, Krishnaswamy temple, Venguru temple, Kidangooru temple, Kothakulangara temple, Jain's temple, Elavuru temple, Eravikulangara temple, Muzhikulam temple are all in the same region.
Places in and around Angamaly
* Karayamparambu
* Edakkunnu
* Mookkannoor
* Azhakam
* Kothakulangara
* Angadikadavu
* Palli Angadi
* Thurappan Kunnu
* Thurappan Kavala
* Champannoor
* Mallussery
* Moozhikulam
* Cheriya Vappalassery
* Valiya Vappalassery
* Kizhakke Angadi
* Nayathode Kavala
* Akaparambu
* Thekke Kidangoor
* Vadakke Kidangoor
* Peechanickad
* Puliyanam
* Elavoor
* Vattaparambu
* Karukutty
* Kidangoor
* Vengoor
* Manjapra
* L.F Kavala
* Thuravoor
* Aanappara
* Vathakkadu
* Yordanapuram
* Josepuram
* Kariyad