Mundankavu Explained

Mundancavu
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:India Kerala#India
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates:9.3317°N 76.6054°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Kerala
Subdivision Type2:Region
Subdivision Name2:South India
Subdivision Type3:District
Subdivision Name3:Alappuzha
Government Type:Municipality
Governing Body:Chengannur Muncipality Ward 1
Leader Party:BJP
Leader Name:Rohit Kumar
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Total:1500
Population As Of:2001
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:English, Malayalam, Hindi
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:689121
Area Code Type:Landline code
Area Code:0479
Registration Plate:KL-30
Blank1 Name Sec1:Nearest city
Blank1 Info Sec1:Chengannur
Blank2 Name Sec1:Lok Sabha constituency
Blank3 Name Sec1:Assembly constituency
Blank3 Info Sec1:Chengannur

Mundankavu is a village situated 2km (01miles) from Chengannur town centre in Alappuzha district, Kerala, India. It lies on the banks of the river Pampa. It is known as Vadakekkara which is situated on the northern banks of River Pampa. Mundancavu(Mundankavu) ward is part of Chengannur Municipal town.

Historic and Notable landmarks

Historic importance

Historically, Chengannur village was ruled by "Vanjipuzha Chiefs". The "Vanjipuzha Principality" Palace situated near the river Pamba was located here before it was demolished. The Vanjipuzha chief are descendants of early rulers of chengannur "Vanchipura Thampurans" .The palace had close architectural similarities to that of Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple. They were Kshatriyas of Nair origin. Venad queens, some of the Kupaka women from the Ay family of Kizhperur settled here to be married by the Madampi of Vanjipuzha in the reign of .[1] Velu Thampi Dalawa before escaping to Mannadi was sheltered by Vanjipuzha Madhom in Adoor. Vanjipuzha Chief has a relevant position in the history of Travancore and they had the right to sit along with the Maharaja of Travancore. They were appointed protectors of the temples at Vaikom and [Chengannur_Mahadeva_Temple].[2]

Major Institutions

Culture and Religion

Mundancavu is in the banks of Pamba which influenced the culture of this area. There are two "Chundan Vallam" (Snake boats) participating in Aranmula Boat Race hails from Mundancavu- Mundancavu Palliyodam and Kodiyattukara Palliyodam. Padayani is a traditional temple artform performed as part of the festival in the Vadasserikkavu Devi Temple.Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple is an ancient Vishnu Temple which is one of the 108 Divya Desam.

The Chengannur Suriyani Church, built by the Vanjipuzha Chiefs, is famous for its unique architecture is near Mundancavu. The Church is shared by both the Marthoma and Orthodox Christians. There is a 33.5 feet tall cross said to have been carved from a single stone is a minor attraction.

Transport

Mundancavu is well-connected by road and rail. State Highway 1 (SH1), popularly known as the MC Road, passes through the heart of this place and connects to state capital, Thiruvananthapuram and Angamaly in Eranakulam District. The Chengannur - Kottayam stretch of the MC Road is also part of the NH 183 which stretches between Kollam and Theni.

Road

Mundancavu is located in MC Road and ordinary buses stops at the junction. Long distance bus stops are available at Chengannur Town which is 2 Km south from Mundancavu. Some of the Major destinations from Chengannur are Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Mukambika, Kanyakumari, Coimbatore, Palani, Kannur and Wayanad

Rail

Chengannur Railway Station (station code: CNGR), is an important railway station between Kollam and Kottayam. It is a major railway station in the Thiruvananthapuram railway division of the Southern Railway Zone (India). This is 2 km from Mundankavu

Notes and References

  1. Travancore Archaeological Series, Vol.IV, P.66
  2. http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/22817/12/12_chapter3.pdf