Pala, Kerala

Pala (also written as Palai) is a town and a municipality in Kerala, India. It is located 28 km east of the district capital Kottayam and is situated 173 km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is situated on the banks of the Meenachil river. It spans over an area of 74.09 square kilometres (28.61 sq mi) and is the headquarters of the Meenachil Taluk and the Pala Revenue Division.

Pala
Town
Pala Kurishupalli
Pala
Pala
Coordinates: 9.71278°N 76.68353°E / 9.71278; 76.68353
CountryIndia
StateKerala
DistrictKottayam
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyPala Municipality
 • Municipal ChairpersonMrs. Mary Dominic
 • Member of the Legislative Assembly of Kerala (MLA)Mani C. Kappan
Area
 • Total57.09 km2 (22.04 sq mi)
Elevation
31 m (102 ft)
Population
 (2012)
 • Total22,640[1][2]
 • Density1,375/km2 (3,560/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
686574, 686575
Telephone code+9148 22
Vehicle registrationKL 35
Nearest cityKottayam
Vidhan Sabha constituencyPala
Lok Sabha constituencyKottayam
Official websiteOfficial site

Pala is located 5 km west of Bharananganam, an important Syro-Malabar Catholic pilgrimage center which holds the tomb of Saint Alphonsa. It is one of the main gateways to the southern high ranges of the Western Ghats. Pala connects to the high ranges through Thodupuzha and Kanjirappally taluks.

Demographics

Pala is one of the main Christian cultural centers in Kerala. Population of Pala is predominantly Saint Thomas Christians (Syrian Catholics) who trace their origins to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. As of 2001 India census,[3] Pala had a population of 22,640. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pala has an average literacy rate of 98%, higher than the national average of 73%: male literacy is 98.5%, and female literacy is 97.8%, still much higher than the state average. In Pala, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Christians make up 65.09% of the population, Hindus 34.19%, Muslims 0%, Jain 0.01%, other religions 0.05% and 0.15% not stated.

Education

Pala has a lot of educational institutions which makes the place a heaven for education. The newly started Indian Institute of Information Technology is just 7 km from the town. The well known St. Thomas College and Alphonsa College are situated here. Government Polytechnic College is another major educational institute located in the town. St. Joseph's College of Engineering and Technology is also situated very close to the town of Pala. Many Government-run schools, CBSE, ICSE, and other private institutes contribute to the education and culture of the region.

Cuisine of Pala

Pork is an important dish of Pala. Every household reared pigs as a part of their agricultural activity. Pork Curry and Tapioca is the staple food of the region. Tapioca is cooked as fresh as well as in dried form.Panniyum Unakkukappayum is a famous dish in the region.[4] Appams, kallappams, or vellayappams are rice flour pancakes which have soft, thick white spongy centres and crisp, lace-like edges.[5]

Beef ularthiathu is a beef dish cooked with a variety of Indian spices. Other dishes include Piralan (chicken stir-fries), Meat Thoran (dry curry with shredded coconut), sardine and duck curries, and Meen molee (spicy stewed fish).[5]

Places to Visit
  • Illikkal Kallu
  • Vagamon
  • St.Thomas Cathedral, Pala
  • Kadappattoor Mahadeva Temple
  • St. Alphonsa Shrine Church & Pilgrim Center, Bharananganam
  • Mar Sleeva Forane Church, Cherpunkal
  • Nadukani View Point, Kayyoor
  • Kavalipuzha Beach, Kidangoor

Transportation

See also

References
  1. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/towns/ker_towns.pdf
  2. "About Pala". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  3. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4itHUQ98H8
  5. Marks, Gil (2010), Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, John Wiley and sons
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