Pizhaku

Geography

Pizhaku lies 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Palai and 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Thodupuzha. The area is covered with mountains, plains, trees. The main eastern highway passes through the heart of Pizhaku.

Educational Institutions

There are two schools in Pizhaku:

Attractions

The Pampanal Waterfall at Manathoor is the major attraction of Pizhaku. Vyakula Sanketham, the rubber factory, churches, and temples are other attractions.

Facilities and Development

Compared to other villages in Kerala, Pizhaku is well developed with all basic amenities. Several are described below.

Post Office

The post office of Pizhaku is also located at Ramapuram Kavala Junction with Speed Post Facility. Pincode: 686651

Banks

State Bank of Travancore The State bank of Travancore has a branch at Pizhaku located at Ramapuram Kavala Junction.

Co-Operative Bank (Kadanad Service Co-operative Bank)

In 1979, KSCB (The Kadanad Service Co-operative Bank Ltd. K2) opened its first branch in Manathoor Church Junction,Pizhaku.

Education & Schools

Nirmala Public School (ICSE) at Pizhaku and St. Joseph's School (Kerala State Syllabus) at Manathoor, Pizhaku satisfies the educational needs of this area.

Nursery Schools are there at Ramapuram Kavala and Manathoor.

Accessibility and Transportation

Majority of Roads at Pizhaku is well paved and in Good Condition. The SH 8, Pala-Thodupuzha Highway Passes through the centre of this place. All the 4 main junctions at Pizhaku are accessible through this highway. i.e. Manathoor School Jn., Manathoor Church Jn., Pizhaku Palam Jn., Ramapuram Kavala Jn. Ramapuram-Pizhaku Road Manathoor-Karimkunnam Shortcut Road Pizhaku-Kadanad Road Manathoor-Cherukurinji Road These are the other important roads at Pizhaku.

Pizhaku is blessed with plenty buses services. Plenty of Private buses plying between Pala and Thodupuzha are found within an interval of 10 minutes. Moreover, Thodupuzha-Pala-Kottayam Chain KSRTC buses are available with an interval of 15 minutes. Long trip buses are also available to major destinations in South Kerala and Malabar. Thodupuzha - Thiruvanathapuram buses are available through this route. To northern side Nilambur, Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery, Kozhikode, Thiruvambady, Kasargod, Kannur, Palakkad Thrissur, Aluva-Mala, Wayanad, Idukki, Adimali buses are avilable. Interstate services such as Banglore and Coimbatore are also available. The major bus stops are: Manathoor School Junction (LS FP) Manathoor Church Junction Pizhaku Palam (LS FP) - Fair Stage for Ordinary Buses. Ramapuram Kavala Pizhaku

By Rail: Kottayam is the nearest railway station (45 km) . Ernakulam is also close. (65 km) By Air: Cochin International Airport - 70 km

Medical Care

A Homeo Clinic is available at Pizhaku - Near Manathoor Church. Few Doctors Practice privately at Manathoor-Pizhaku.

Communication & Others

Almost all houses have Landphone connection. This area has good service for BSNL, Idea, Vodafone and Jio. BSNL and Cable TV provides Internet connection. Almost all houses has got electricity connection from KSEB. Many local shops - grocery, stationery, butcher, bakery, studio are available. JaiHind Library is the main public Library at Pizhaku. Volley Ball Courts and Badminton Courts are available at Pizhaku. About 4 hotels are available at Pizhaku.

Demography and Religion

Altogether Pizhaku has a population of 4000. Majority of them are Roman Catholics. Hindus and Christians are living together in religious harmony.

The Pizhaku Thrikkayil temple is very ancient. There was Palace associated with the temple. This is near to Manathoor School Junction. SNDP temple was newly constructed and dedicated to Sri Narayana Guru.

The Roman Catholics have two Parishes - Manathoor and Urumbukavu. Both are under Kadanad Forane (earlier Ramapuram forane) in Palai Diocese. They are Syrian Catholics are many ancient families can be found here.

Before 1910 Pizhaku was under the parish of Kadanad. In 1910 St. Mary's Church Manathoor at Pizhaku is established to help the Catholic migrants in Pizhaku area as it was difficult for them to attend church services at Kadanad church, which was 4 km away. It became an independent Parish in October 1928 and Fr. Thomas Parekunnel was appointed as first parish priest. There are around 2000 faithful from 410 families.

St. John the Baptist Church is situated at Ramapuram Kavala. Though this church is commonly known as Makkalpally (Makkal church), the name of this church is mentioned as ‘Urumbukavu pally’ in the records. Urumbukavu church, which remained as the Kurisupally of Ramapuram Forane church, became a parish church since Feb. 1, 1954 as per the circular No. 112, issued on Jan. 26, 1954 by the Bishop of Pala Mar Sebastian Vayalil. There are around 220 families with 1050 faithful.

Main Centres:

Convents:

Political Map

The Pizhaku Comes under the Pala Legislative Aseembly Constituency and Kottayam Parliamentary Constituency. Kadanad Panchayath has two wards here namely Pizhaku and Manathoor. Pizhaku Borders Kurinji on North, Kadanad-Velyath-Mattathipara on East, Aincombu on South and Ramapuram on west. The Idukki district border is about 4 km.

The Lalam Thodu and Karikila Thodu flows through this land.