Chunkappara

Etymology

It is believed Chunkappara had a forest path and there was a check post erected here to collect taxes. The tax collectors used to sit beneath a huge rock, which is how the name Chunkappara developed ("Chunkam" means "tax" and "Para" means "rock"). Elderly people say that the place will one day become Kanakappara ("Golden Rock"). Even though there is speculation of ancient artefacts like "neelakoduveli", they are said to be a mystery even after centuries of speculation.

Economy

Chunkappara is a developing town of the Kottangal Panchayat in Mallapally Thaluk. Development has come at a faster place as there are many Gulf returnees and successful businessmen in the area.

Schools

One of the oldest schools is St. George High School, Kottangal. It keeps academic standards up to 10. C.M.S. L.P. School is another old educational institution in Kottangal Panchayat. There is also an English middle school called Christu Raja English Medium School, which is run by the Malankara Catholic Church.Little Flower Church Kulathur owned by St.Joseph U.P School was upgraded as High School in the year 1983, by the K.Karunakaran´s Ministry, (Shri.T.M.Jacob was the Education Minister in that time and Shri. K.O. Joseph Kumpiluvelil was the prominent person whose great help to get the upgrading process for the school).

Alapra village

Alapra is a village 2 km far from Chunkappara. It is surrounded by several hills (Vattukunnam Hill, Vechukkunnu Hill, and Vanchikappra hill). Ponthanpuzha Forest touching throughout a side of Alapra. The forest area is around 7000 acres. A biggest rock hill can be seen from far. It is called Oottupara. It has been declared by Chief Minister V.S. Achudananthan as Eco Tourism Package. Alapra including a small town called Melel Kavala. Alapra is a beautiful place and agricultural area. Alapara is only a small junction 500 m from Chunkappara. There is a famous Christian pilgrimage called Kurishumala located 3000 m above sea level located near to Chunkappara.

Nearby villages

Nearby villages include Kottangal, Perumpetty, Alapra, Manimala, Ponthanpuzha, Ranni, Erumeli, Vaipur, Ezhumatoor, and Chalapally. Chunkappara is in the middle of a hilly region, with springs flowing throughout. The place is believed to have been located in the midst of Ponthanpuzha forest centuries ago.

Demographics

It is the only independent place where people have access without discrimination regarding caste, creed, colour, religion, age or sex.

History

It is believed Chunkappara had a forest path and there was a check post erected here to collect taxes. The tax collectors used to sit beneath a huge rock, which is how the name Chunkappara developed ("Chunkam" means "tax" and "Para" means "rock"). Elderly people say that the place will one day become Kanakappara ("Golden Rock"). Chunkappara is a developing town of the Kottangal Panchayat, Mallapally Thaluk. Development has come at a faster pace as there are many Gulf returnees and successful businessmen in the area. Orakkanpara is a beautiful waterfall in Chunkappara.The old actor Vavachan lives in Chunkappara.

Schools

One of the oldest schools is St. George High School, Kottangal. It keeps academic standards. C.M.S. L.P. School is another old educational institution in Kottangal Panchayat. There is also an English middle school called Christu Raja English Medium School, which is run by the Malankara Catholic Church.

Kulathurmoozhy Bridge

Kulathurmoozhy Bridge across the Manimala River is a factor to connect Kottayam District and Pathanamthitta District in this area.

Transport

The main roads passing through Chunkappara are chunkappara-mallapally road, Chunkappara–Erumely road, Chunkappara–Manimala road, chunkappara-Perumpetty-Ranni road.

Distance between Chunkappara and nearby towns:

Chunkappara is well connected by private and KSRTC buses. Thiruvalla, Mallapally, Ponkunnam, Pathanamthitta, and Chengannur KSRTC depots operates services from Chunkappara. Chunkappara bus stand is in the centre of Chunkappara town. It is the largest bus stand in Mallappally Taluk. KSRTC operates Chunkappara-Mallapally-Thiruvalla chain service from Chunkappara.

Hospitals

1.Shareena Medical Centre, Ponthanpuzha road, Chunkappara

2.Anugraha Hospital, Ponthenpuzha Road, Chunkkapara

3.Government Hospital, Thundiapara Junction, Kadikavu Road, Chunkappara

3.Government Homeo Hospital, Perumpetty Road, Chunkappara

Places for worship

The famous Kottangal devi temple is just 2.5 km from Chunkappara town. The temple is famous for Padayani Maholsavam,where people from many parts of the state gathers, it is the festival which involves many art forms and many traditional beliefs. There are lot of churches in Chunkappara. Little flower church, St.George Malankara church, Marthoma church, Alaprakadu church and Kottangal church. Chunkappara Juma masjid lies opposite to Chunkappara bus stand. Kottangal Jumah Masjid, also known as Vettukallummuri Jumah Masjid is just 2 km far from Chunkappara town Perumpetty Mahadeva temple is just 2 km from Chunkappara. Alapra Jumah Masjid also known as Urumbath Palli is also 2 km distant from Chunkappara. People in Chunkappara never discriminates each other in the name of religion. They will be together in every festivals held. They tries to bring unity in every things they do.

Education institutions

1. St.George HS
2. CMS LPS
3. Alaprakkad govt Lps
4. Kottangal govt Lps
5. Al Hind public school
6. St.Joseph Hs, Kulathoor
7. Assisi Center, For mentally retarded Children .
8. Christu Raja English Medium School

Communication

BSNL set up a telephone exchange at Chunkappara in 1995. All major mobile operators including BSNL, Idea, Vodafone, Airtel, Tata docomo, Virgin, and Reliance have sufficient network in Chunkapara. BSNL started internet service at Chunkapara in 2000. Now broadband is available all over town. Now Chunkappara is communicationally developed town.

Business Enterprises

Amity Rocks Pvt Ltd is a quarry company 1.5 km distant from Chunkappara which deals with rock and rock products all over Kerala and it is one of South India's largest Quarry Company. Established in 2006 and has widely expanded all over kerala during this short period. Amity Rocks provides many job opportunities to the people in Chunkappara and neighbourhood. Unemployment became to nil after the entry of Amity Rocks to Chunkappara town.It is also said that Amity is doing harm to the environment by breaking the beautiful rocks and hills in Chunkappara.

Other Business in Chunkappara - Goodwill Enterprises (White Mart Showroom), Vazhakkalayil Jewellers, Chinnu's Electricals and Sanitary, Kottemannil Stores, Kottemannil Textiles, Sajan Bakery, Alain Bakery, Fathima Sweets, Alfair Stores, Hanna Mobiles, Maria Electricals, National Electricals, Al Ameen Fruits Corner, Fresh Corner Vegetable Stall, Premier Electronics, Eenam Electronics, Makkah Centre, Alshifa Shopping Centre, Sona Jewellers, Murikkananickal Jewellers, Soji Studio, Ottaplackal Agencies, Sahara Agencies, Super Men's wear, Rawther textiles, Lavender Textiles, National Textiles, Asha Textiles, Channel Communications, Panamthottam Agencies, Plathottam Agencies, CK Fisheries, CKK Fisheries, Mobile Zone and many other stores are there in chunkappara. Chunkappara is a place where heavy sale happens everyday. All the business in Chunkappara is a success.

Places to visit

Orakkanpara is a beautiful waterfall in Chunkappara. Nagappara is historical place in Chunkappara inside a dense forest. There is a beautiful water fall in Nagappara and lot of forest springs are flowing through Nagappara. Nagappara is just 2 km from Chunkappara. Oottupara is another important tourist spot in Chunkappara. From Oottupara we can see beautiful sunset. It is just 2.5 km from Chunkappara