Angamaly

Importance

It is one of the fastest growing towns in Kerala, thanks to the proximity of the international airport, railway station and two major roads passing through. Angamaly serves as an entry point for various places of interest in central Kerala, which include Kalady, Malayattoor etc. With many villages surrounding it, it has become a major commercial hub.

Angamaly is well connected by all means of transport. Kochi International Airport is in the vicinity of Angamaly. It is a matter of pride for the people of the Angamaly as certain regions in its jurisdiction are part of this project.

Angamaly railway station, where all major trains stop, serves as a major connectivity point for people from the eastern side of the district to the rest of the country. There is a proposed railway line from Angamaly to Sabarimala, which will connect the high-ranges with the low land. Work is in snail's pace due to various regional and political issues.

National Highway 47 connecting Kanyakumari to Salem passes through Angamaly. The NH 17 which connects Kochi and Mumbai is 20 kilometers from Angamaly. Main Central Road (M.C. Road) connecting Central Kerala to Kerala capital serves as an important road connecting many towns in the eastern side of the state.

'Manjaly thodu' which flows through Angamaly was a major waterway and Angadikadavu near the old church was an important trade centre in the olden days where spices, rice, bamboo and other agriculture and hill products were sent to the old port of Muziris. Manjaly thodu is part of the new National Waterways programme and is getting developed.

Angamali is enriched with cultural and devotional centers. 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. The new Catholic church built at the heart of the town is regarded as the biggest of its kind in India. Vembiliyam Mahadev temple, Paddupusha Bhagavathi temple, Thirunayathodu temple, Krishnaswamy temple, Venguru temple, Kidangooru temple, Kothakulangara temple, Jain temple, Elavuru temple, Muzhikulam temple are all famous Hindu pilgrim centres near to Angamaly. There are famous hospitals, and educational institutions which are pride to the local population.

Angamaly has a state-owned industrial estate at its southern end which has numerous renowned factories. Kerala State Bamboo Corporation Ltd. has its headquarters at Angamaly. There are several small-scale cracker manufacturing units in the surrounding areas.

History

Although recorded history does not exist about the origins of 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.

Another legend is that the word Ankamaly is derived from Akamaly I.e.inland port area.

Several old coins and other artefacts found from the region tells this area was predominant with Buddhists and Jains in very old time. The 18 and a 1/2 viharas around Angamaly is a proof for this. 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. There are evidence for the churches in the locality built as early as AD 409 and AD 822. It was the headquarters of Mar Abraham, Assyrian-Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Angamaly and Hind in the sixteenth century.

Kalady, the birthplace of Adi Sri Sankara is only 7 kilometers from here, it is there the Sanskrit University situates.

Historians records that a massive flood around the 16th century AD made the Angamaly river to change the course forced itself to flow through Aluva area. Now the river is called Chalakudy river and is the fifth longest river in Kerala. Meanwhile, the river in Angamaly became a lesser canal and there by got the name Manjaly thodu.

Angamaly Police firing

The Angamaly Firing was an incident that took place in Angamaly, Kerala, on 13 June 1959, when police opened fire on protesters who had been demonstrating against Kerala's communist government. Seven people were killed resulting in the intensification of Vimochana Samaram, a protest against the then communist led government.

Places of interest

In popular culture

Angamaly_Diaries - Tells the story of local people and their life at Angamaly.

Industries

Transformers And Electricals Kerala Ltd.(TELK) is Located in Angamaly, producing and setting up High Voltage equipment in the region. Started off as a technical and financial collaboration between Govt. of Kerala and Hitachi of Japan, now it is a JV between Govt. of Kerala and NTPC Limited, TELK manufactures Extra High Voltage Power Transformers (up to 315 MVA, 420 kV) and other equipment (CT, PT, Bushings) up to 420 kV class. The industrial estate is located in Angamaly South.

Kerala State Bamboo Corporation
National Paints Factory S.Angamaly
Kancor Ingredients Limited S.Angamaly
KAMCO Trillers and Parts, Athani
Kochin KAGAZ paper Mill, Karukutti
TOLINS Tyres Mattoor
Kinfra Industries park, Koratty
Moolans Group - Vijay Food Products
Mothers Rice Mill
Peters Rice Mills
ORMA Marbile group
SEEMAS Textile Group

Adlux Convention Centre Angamaly

Politics

Angamaly assembly constituency is part of Chalakudy (Lok Sabha constituency).

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Angamaly had a population of 33,465. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Angamaly has an average literacy rate of 88.15%, higher than the national average of 74.04%; 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.religion-christianity-71.89%, hinduism-27.03%, islam-0.83%.

Schools

Colleges

Government/Public Offices

Villages and Suburbs