| Changanassery | |
| Settlement Type: | Municipality[1] |
| Pushpin Map: | India Kerala#India |
| Coordinates: | 9.4667°N 76.55°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kerala |
| Subdivision Name2: | Kottayam |
| Governing Body: | Municipality |
| Leader Title: | Chairman |
| Leader Title1: | Vice Chairman |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Total Km2: | 13.5 |
| Area Metro Km2: | 43.8 |
| Population Total: | 47,485 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Metro: | 127,987 |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Malayalam, English[2] |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Elevation M: | 11 |
| Postal Code Type: | PIN |
| Postal Code: | 686101 |
| Area Code Type: | Telephone code |
| Area Code: | 0481 |
| Registration Plate: | KL 33 |
Changanassery, (Malayalam: ചങ്ങനാശ്ശേരി; in Malayalam pronounced as /t͡ʃɐŋːɐnaːʃeːɾi/) is a municipality[3] in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is located 17km (11miles) south of the district headquarters in Kottayam and about 115km (71miles) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Changanassery has a population of 47,485 people, and a population density of 3517/sqkm.
Changanassery is an important market town, was historically one of the centres of administration and culture in the Central Travancore region. The Changanassery market, established in AD 1805, served as the main trading point in the transport of rice, pepper, dry ginger, and piece goods between the coastal areas in the west and the mountains of the east. The "Anchu Vilakku" lamps were installed by the locals in 1905 near the boat jetty, and continues to serve as a symbol of the religious and ethnic harmony of the region.[4] [5]
The first recorded history on the origin of Changanacherry is obtained from Sangam period literature. According to Sangam era documents, Uthiyan Cheralathan (Perum Chorru Udiyan Cheralathan, Athan I, or Udiyanjeral - AD c. 130) is the first recorded Kera (Chera) dynasty ruler of the Sangam period in ancient South India. [6]
Historically, Changanassery was a major regional centre, serving as a connecting hub. It also hosted one of the most famous markets in Kerala. The town served as the capital of the Thekkumkur kingdom in the 15th century.
From the mid-16th century, Changanassery was annexed into Travancore, and remained a part of it till the formation of the state of Kerala in 1956.
The city is governed by the Changanacherry Municipal Council.Ms Sandhya Manoj is the chairperson of the municipality and the vice chairperson Mr Binu.[7]
It heads the taluk Kachery (office). It also heads the Munsiff's court and the judicial first class magistrate's court.[8] Changanacherry assembly constituency was a part of Kottayam (Lok Sabha constituency).[9] However, after the Delimitation Commission's Report in 2005, in order to retain Mavelikkara Lok Sabha Constituency, Changanacherry segment in Kottayam and the neighbouring constituencies in Alappuzha and Kollam districts were put together under Mavelikkara constituency. Sri. Kodikunnil Suresh represents Mavelikkara constituency in Parliament and Sri. Job Michael represents Changanacherry Constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly now.
Changanassery has a tropical monsoon climate. There is significant rainfall in most months of the year. The short dry season has little effect on the overall climate. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is Am. The temperature here averages 26.3 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is about 2979 mm.
The Indian census collects statistics for both the Changanassery municipality and the Changanassery Urban Agglomeration (including its surrounding panchayat areas). The Changanassery UA includes Changanassery municipality as well as neighbouring panchayats like Paippad, Thrikodithanam and Chethipuzha in Vazhapilly panchayat.
As of the 2011 Indian census Changanassery municipality has a population of 47,485, an 8.2% decline from the 51,967 registered in 2001. Of this, 48.13% are male and 51.86% are female. The total population of the Changanassery UA is 127,987, of which 48.29% are male and 51.71% are female.[10] [11] The percentage of children below the age of 6 was 8.9% in Changanassery and 9.02% in the Changanassery UA. The literacy rate of Changanassery in 2011 was 97.19% (98.01% for males and 96.45% for females), which was higher than the state average of 94% and the national average of 74.04%. The literacy rate of the Changanassery UA in 2011 was 97.56% (98.19% for males and 96.98% for females).
According to the 2011 census, Hindus are the plurality with 48% of the population adhering to the religion. Christians form a significant minority, constituting 35% of the population. Muslims constitute 17% of the population.[12]
The headquarters of the Nair Service Society, an organization created for the social advancement and welfare of the Nair community of Hindus, is located in Perunna. Changanassery is also the center of the Archdiocese of Changanassery, one of the largest dioceses of the Syro-Malabar Catholic church in India. Changanacherry's The Holy Trinity Church is regarded as one of Kerala's first "born-again" churches, having had a major influence on the development of the state's new Christian identity.
There was a Vedic school at Vazhappally Salagramam (Vazhappally Shala) in ancient times during the rule of the Thekkumkur. It was run exclusively for Brahmins. It is the oldest educational institution in Changanassery on record. The Vazhappally Sala was destroyed by army of Ramayyan Dalawa during the Battle of Changanassery between Thekkumkur and Travancore in 1790.[13]
There is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva viz., Kalarickal Manikanda Swami Temple situated in Changanassery. Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple is another ancient temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.