Champakara
Encyclopedia
Champakara is a village in Kottayam
District, 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) away from Kottayam in India
. The State highway from Kottayam to Punaloor passes through the town. The name is derived from the Malayalam word Sampal kara or Sampath kara, which means the land of prosperity.The village of Karukachal
lies within the town.
. The town is home to kalari
and ayurvedic centers.
The people of Champakara are dedicated to worshiping nature, and the forest preserve of Sarpa Kavu
is nearby. Sarppakkav is the temple of sarppams (snakes).
Hindu
s, Christian
s and a small number of Muslim
s live peacefully in the village. The majority of the residents are Hindus.
is the main crop grown. The Champakara bus service, a match factory, the Sreerangom hospital, Metal and wood industries and a pepper factory are the main industries providing employment.
and United Democratic Front
dominated society. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
(RSS) is also very strong here.
Champakara falls under the jurisdiction of the Karukachal
gram panchayat
, which is presently ruled by the LDF, headed by Sulochana madhu as the president. The Nair Service Society and SNDP are very strong here.
temple Champakara, Devi temple Nethalloor, and the Champakara St Joseph Catholic Church the main places of worship. Thrikkarthika, Meenabharani, Sreekrishnajayanthi, and Navarathri
are the main religious occasions.
In Devi temples, during the Thrikkarthika and Meenabharani festivals, the Seva and Anpolivazhipadu is very famous all over the country, because it contains huge number of Para (a vessel used for measurement of paddy) arranged in rows and is the main attraction for pilgrims. The Nethalloor Devi temple holds a festival of lights (deepam) during hrikkarthika. On the day of Kumbhabharani in Champakara temple, pindivillaku made out of plantain
are lit in the evening.
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
District, 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) away from Kottayam in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The State highway from Kottayam to Punaloor passes through the town. The name is derived from the Malayalam word Sampal kara or Sampath kara, which means the land of prosperity.The village of Karukachal
Karukachal
Karukachal is a small village in Kottayam district of Kerala state in India. Karukachal is 20 km from Kottayam town. The nearest railway station is Changanassery which is 15 km away....
lies within the town.
Culture
Champakara is the land of Kalaripayattu, the martial art of KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. The town is home to kalari
Kalari
The word Kalari means battle ground in Tamil and translates as "threshing floor" or "battlefield" in Malayalam. Training for Kalarippayattu, a martial art of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is traditionally done inside the Kalari....
and ayurvedic centers.
The people of Champakara are dedicated to worshiping nature, and the forest preserve of Sarpa Kavu
Sarpa Kavu
Sarpa Kavu is a traditional natural sacred space seen near traditional homes in Kerala state of South India. The site is believed to be inhabited by snakes, and the area usually contains a representation of Naga Raja and other Naga Devatas , where offerings and rites are performed during special...
is nearby. Sarppakkav is the temple of sarppams (snakes).
Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s, Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
s and a small number of Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s live peacefully in the village. The majority of the residents are Hindus.
Arts and music
People in the area show a keen interest in the protection of Indian culture, its arts, and its music. Many people send their children to dance or music teachers.Economy
In ancient times people were focused on agricultural activities. Now rubberRubber
Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
is the main crop grown. The Champakara bus service, a match factory, the Sreerangom hospital, Metal and wood industries and a pepper factory are the main industries providing employment.
Sports
The youths pursue a local called Nadan Panthukali, which they play at the grounds of the Champakara Devi temple. Dittania Arts and Sports Club provides activities.Politics
Politically, it is an LDFLDF
LDF may mean:* Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin* Left Democratic Front , regional political alliance in Maharashtra, India.* Left Democratic Front , regional political alliance in Kerala, India.* NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund...
and United Democratic Front
United Democratic Front (India)
United Democratic Front is an alliance of political parties of Kerala state in India. This alliance is led by the Indian National Congress....
dominated society. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or National Patriotic Organization), also known the Sangh, is a right-wing Hindu nationalist, paramilitary, volunteer, and allegedly militant organization for Hindu males in India...
(RSS) is also very strong here.
Champakara falls under the jurisdiction of the Karukachal
Karukachal
Karukachal is a small village in Kottayam district of Kerala state in India. Karukachal is 20 km from Kottayam town. The nearest railway station is Changanassery which is 15 km away....
gram panchayat
Gram panchayat
Gram panchayats are local self-governments at the village or small town level in India. As of 2002 there were about 265,000 gram panchayats in India. The gram panchayat is the foundation of the Panchayat System. A gram panchayat can be set up in villages with minimum population of 300...
, which is presently ruled by the LDF, headed by Sulochana madhu as the president. The Nair Service Society and SNDP are very strong here.
Temples
Champakara is a land of communal harmony, with the DeviDevi
Devī is the Sanskrit word for Goddess, used mostly in Hinduism, its related masculine term is deva. Devi is synonymous with Shakti, the female aspect of the divine, as conceptualized by the Shakta tradition of Hinduism. She is the female counterpart without whom the male aspect, which represents...
temple Champakara, Devi temple Nethalloor, and the Champakara St Joseph Catholic Church the main places of worship. Thrikkarthika, Meenabharani, Sreekrishnajayanthi, and Navarathri
Navarathri
Navratri, Navaratri, or Navarathri is a Hindu festival of worship of Shakti and dance & festivities. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit, nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped...
are the main religious occasions.
In Devi temples, during the Thrikkarthika and Meenabharani festivals, the Seva and Anpolivazhipadu is very famous all over the country, because it contains huge number of Para (a vessel used for measurement of paddy) arranged in rows and is the main attraction for pilgrims. The Nethalloor Devi temple holds a festival of lights (deepam) during hrikkarthika. On the day of Kumbhabharani in Champakara temple, pindivillaku made out of plantain
Plantain
Plantain is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa. The fruit they produce is generally used for cooking, in contrast to the soft, sweet banana...
are lit in the evening.
Cultural center
Ekathmatha Kendrom is the main cultural center in Champakara. Many cultural activities take place at the facility, including classes for music and dance.Schools
The Government L.P. School Thommachery, the Subhash Memorial U.P. School, the Sarada Vidya Mandirom, and the Rajahamsasramom Vidya Peedom are the major schools. Recently construction started on the Mahathma Gandhi University's BEd coaching center near Sreerangom Hospital.Notable residents
- The late Shri. Gopinatha Kurup from Champakara was famous for Kalari treatments and martial arts.
- The late Shri. Kalanilayam Narayana Kaimal was famous for KathakaliKathakaliKathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
music. - Kadhakali artist Sri. Kalamandalom Vijayakumar recently received an award from Kendra Sangeetha Nadaka Ackademi
- Sri Sureshkumar Champakara M. Phil (vocalist), Sri Rajesh Champakara (violin), Sri Muraleedharan (Mukhar Shangu) are some of the famous people from the classical music field
- The former minister for transport, Prof. K. Narayana Kurup is from Champakara.
- Vazhoor M.L.A. Prof. N. Jayaraj is also from this village.