North Paravur

Overview

The coastal highway NH-66 Panvel-Kanyakumari (NH-17 Kochi – Mumbai) passes through this historic and forgotten town. The National Waterway – 3 Kollam – Kottapuram passes through the west end of the taluk.

The name Paravur is derived from Parayur. This is one of the 64 villages created by Parashurama. This town had been an old trading post, has a Jewish synagogue and had a thriving Jewish community before their conversion to Syrian Christians in the first century and their resettlement in Israel after its establishment. Cochin Jews lived in the towns of Kochi and North Paravur.

The various denominations of modern Saint Thomas Christians ascribe their unwritten tradition to the end of the 2nd century and believe that Thomas landed at Maliankara village in Paravur Taluk in AD 52. In AD 52 (St. Thomas) founded the churches popularly known as Ezharappallikal(seven and half churches). Two of such churches are at Parur (Kottakkaavu) and Kodungallur.

History

Paravur derived its name from ancient name parayur, which literally means the place of paravar, an ancient tribe. Paravar were the major inhabitants of the coastal areas of Kerala especially near the ancient capital mohodayapuram of chera dynasty. Descriptions about paravar can be found in sangha literature. Paravur was under the administration of Paravur king. Vypin was also in Parur. Paravur king joined with Kochi country, but later Parur transferred to the Travancore area (1864) as part of an agreement. The taluk was divided into Paravur and Alangad. Alangad comprised most parts of present-day Aluva taluk. Muziris in Pattanam was the centre of Indian spice trade for many centuries, and was known to the Yavanas (Greeks) as well as Romans, Jews, Arabs, and Chinese since ancient times. At that period Paravur area included Puthenchira, Mala area of Mukundapuram (tehsil) taluk. Kochi rose to significance as a trading centre after the port at Muziris destroyed by massive flooding of the river Periyar in 1341. It was told till that time the Periyar River had a width of Cherai to Munambam. The mud and sand literally destroyed this natural port and the whole City along with its wealth went below the mud and sand.

Chendamangalam a historical place is also in Paravur. Chendamangalam was the place of Paliath Achans who was the ministers of Kochi kings. Now There is a palace of paliath family in Chendamangalam. Chavara monastery is in Koonammavu. North Paravur municipality is one among the former municipalities in Ernakulam District. Today it is a populated residential town in Ernakulam district due to its historical importance. Gothuruth an island in Parur is the birthplace of Chavittunatakam. Parayipetta panthirikulam folkstory believed to be happened in this area.

Economy

Paravur was once famous in the district for its traditional industries like coir, handlooms and agriculture. Now it's changing to a major residential suburb of Cochin where people looking jobs in city. The Eloor-Edayar industrial belt is in Paravur Taluk.

Geography

Paravur is located at 10.14° N 76.7° E[1]. It has an average elevation of 10 metres (32 feet). The town is situated at north end of Ernakulam district and bordering with Thrissur district. The towns in Thrissur district like Kodungallore, Mala, Chalakudy and the towns Kalamassery, Aluva, Angamaly, Vypin island are located near to this town. The Paravur Taluk lies in the flat delta region of the Periyar river and cut by several canals, which have resulted in the formation of many islands. The Kodungalloor Kayal (backwaters) and Varappuzha Kayal (backwaters) are in this taluk.

Educational Organizations

Temples, Churches and Mosques

Festivals

Places of interest in Taluk

Civic administration

North Paravur is the headquarters of Paravur Taluk and Paravur, Kalamassery State Assembly constituencies. North Paravur and Eloor are Municipalities in Paravur Taluk. The Grama Panchayats in Paravur Taluk are Alengad, Chendamangalam, Chittatukara, Ezhikkara, Kadungalloor, Karumalore, Kottuvally, Kunnukara, Puthanvelikkara, Vadakkekara and Varappuzha. The Block Panchayats are Paravur and Alengad. Paravur, Kalamassery Assembly constituencies belong to Ernakulam (Lok Sabha constituency)constituency. V.D Satheesan is the M.L.A of Paravur from 2001. North Paravur is the seat of Ernakulam Additional District court. Other courts are Munsif, Magistrate. There is Sales Tax, Supplies, Sub Treasury offices in Paravur. Paravur civil station is located in Kacheri compound. In India electronic Voting Machines ("EVM")were first used in 1982 in the by-election to North Paravur Assembly Constituency of Kerala for a limited number of polling stations (50 polling stations). Alengad block is situated at Kottapuram.

Police stations in the Taluk area Paravur Circle: Paravur Station, Varapuzha Stations Vadakkekara Circle: Vadakkekara Station, Puthenvelikkara Station Eloor area: Binanipuram Station,Eloor Station Alengad Station Fire Service: Paravur Fire Station, FACT Eloor

Transport

KL-42 is the RTO code for Paravur Taluk, Vypin and North Paravur. Paravur JRTO is situated at Perumpadanna. There is a KSRTC Subdepot, Private Limited Stop bus stand and a Private bus stand in the town conducting services to all important places of Kerala. There is frequent bus services to Ernakulam, Malabar from here. There is also night services from & towards Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Hilly areas of Kasaragod, Kannur and Wayanad operated by private buses. The nearest railway station is Aluva 16 km away. The Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is about 20 km away from the town. There is frequent boats and ferry services in the nearby rivers and lagoons.

Roads

Every year boat races are organised in different parts of Paravur and major one is North Paravur water race. Paravur is famous for tug of wars. Volleyball is a popular game in Paravur. There is a municipal stadium in Paravur and FACT ground in Eloor. There are plans to build a swimming pond in taluk. There is a municipal park in Pullamkulam, near to Peruvaram which is well maintained.

Media in Paravur Taluk

All Major Malayalam newspapers have bureaux in Paravur Taluk. Paravur press club is situated at alinchuvad N.Paravur. Local television stations in Paravur includes Paravur Cable Vision(Perumbadana), Asianet Cable Vision(Press club), Elgi Vision Kunnukara, City Channel(Perumbadana), Muziris Today (Kerala Vision)Perumbadana, Channel7 Manjummel.

Localities in Paravur

These are the localities or wards in Paravur Municipality. Perumpadanna, Kedamangalam, Nanthiattukunnam, Peruvaram, Vazhikulangara, Kizhkepram, Vedimara, Pullamkulam, Vaniyakkad, Nandikulangara, Paravoothara, Pallamthuruth, Mattumal, Kurunthotiparamb, Poosaripady, Thoniyakav. Town:KMK Jn|Potten street, Mookambi, Municipal, Kacheripady|Court, Chendamangalam Jn, Thekkenaluvazhi, Market, Kannankulangara, Pvt. Busstand

Nearby towns

Kodungallur (11 km North), Aluva (16 km East South), Kalamassery (16 km East South), Angamaly (20 km North East), Kakkanad (23 km South), Irinjalakuda (27 km North East), Chalakudy (30 km North East), Perumbavoor (31 km East).