Gothuruth
Encyclopedia
Gothuruth is a village in the state of Kerala
, India
. It is located in the Ernakulam
district (North Paravoor Taluk). Kochi
city is situated approximately 24kms away from this place. North Paravoor Town is just 4km away. Kochi International Airport is nearly 24km away from this island. It is located north
of Kochi
city.
. Gothuruth, though an island is connected to the national highway, NH-17 and is very close to it. The island is connected to the mainland by two main bridges, the Gothuruth-Moothakunnam
bridge and the Gothuruth-Vadakkumpuram bridge.
is the main religion, accounting for 97% of the total population and the rest are hindus. The village has got two churches and two convents, St. Joseph's Convent and Vimalalayam Convent.
. Majority of the population are highly literate and strictly religious, hence the very large number of priests from this village.
This place was ruled by one and only Christian royal family in India,called Villarvattom,which means the rulers of the land protected by a bow(villu) shaped river(aaru).Villarvattam was a vassal kingdom under Kochi,at the time of Raja Thoma Villarvattam.This area was ceded to the Kindgom of Kochi,as the Villarvattam family did not have male children,and the female who inherited the thorn was married to Paliam royal family.13 Nasrani families under the leadership of Outha Kalathil paid a huge amount of money to Kochi rulers and retained their rights on the land.The original christian families in the island include ancient families of Kalathil, Pullayil, Parakkal, Arakkal, Kallarakkal, Pynadath, Manakkil,Pulikkathara, Puthezhath, Konath, Maliakkal, Packulath etc.Still the christians in Gothuruth likes to be called and known in their family names,and are very protective of their own unique culture and heritage.
is common bird in this island and others include ravens, pigeons, sparrows and cuckoos. The island has also got a lot of animals like cows, goats etc and the name 'Gothuruth' derives from the Malayalam word for a cow.
Kerala
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....
, 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...
. It is located in the Ernakulam
Ernakulam
Ernakulam refers to the downtown area or the western part of the mainland of Kochi city in Kerala, India. The city is the most urban part of Kochi and has lent its name to the Ernakulam district. Ernakulam is called the commercial capital of the state of Kerala and is a main nerve of business in...
district (North Paravoor Taluk). Kochi
Kochi
-Places:* Kochi, a city in the state of Kerala, India, formerly known as Cochin* Kingdom of Cochin, a former feudal city-state on Malabar Coast, India** Fort Kochi, one of the three main urban components which constitute the present day city of Kochi, Kerala, India...
city is situated approximately 24kms away from this place. North Paravoor Town is just 4km away. Kochi International Airport is nearly 24km away from this island. It is located north
of Kochi
Kochi
-Places:* Kochi, a city in the state of Kerala, India, formerly known as Cochin* Kingdom of Cochin, a former feudal city-state on Malabar Coast, India** Fort Kochi, one of the three main urban components which constitute the present day city of Kochi, Kerala, India...
city.
Geography
It is an island situated in the Periyar riverPeriyar River
Periyar is the longest river in the state of Kerala, India, with a length of 244 km. The Periyar is known as the lifeline of Kerala; it is one of the few perennial rivers in the region and provides drinking water for several major towns...
. Gothuruth, though an island is connected to the national highway, NH-17 and is very close to it. The island is connected to the mainland by two main bridges, the Gothuruth-Moothakunnam
Moothakunnam
Moothakunnam is a small village in the Paravur Taluk, Ernakulam district of Kerala, south India. Colloquially Moothakunnam centre is known as Ambalalapadam. Here people from all communities live peacefully.-Location:...
bridge and the Gothuruth-Vadakkumpuram bridge.
Religions
ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
is the main religion, accounting for 97% of the total population and the rest are hindus. The village has got two churches and two convents, St. Joseph's Convent and Vimalalayam Convent.
History
Scientific studies states that this island was created due to a flood in the early 14th century.Culture
This is the birthplace of the traditional art form of Chavittu NadakamChavittu Nadakam
Chavittu Nadakam is a highly colorful Christian classical art form originated in Gothuruth village, Kerala state in India. It is noted for its attractive make-up of characters, their elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the rhythmic playback...
. Majority of the population are highly literate and strictly religious, hence the very large number of priests from this village.
This place was ruled by one and only Christian royal family in India,called Villarvattom,which means the rulers of the land protected by a bow(villu) shaped river(aaru).Villarvattam was a vassal kingdom under Kochi,at the time of Raja Thoma Villarvattam.This area was ceded to the Kindgom of Kochi,as the Villarvattam family did not have male children,and the female who inherited the thorn was married to Paliam royal family.13 Nasrani families under the leadership of Outha Kalathil paid a huge amount of money to Kochi rulers and retained their rights on the land.The original christian families in the island include ancient families of Kalathil, Pullayil, Parakkal, Arakkal, Kallarakkal, Pynadath, Manakkil,Pulikkathara, Puthezhath, Konath, Maliakkal, Packulath etc.Still the christians in Gothuruth likes to be called and known in their family names,and are very protective of their own unique culture and heritage.
Flora and Fauna
This island has got one of the highest densities of coconut trees. Fishing is abundant in this serene village. The island also boasts a wide range of other birds and animals. The kingfisherKingfisher
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
is common bird in this island and others include ravens, pigeons, sparrows and cuckoos. The island has also got a lot of animals like cows, goats etc and the name 'Gothuruth' derives from the Malayalam word for a cow.
Main attractions
It hosts a boat race every year and the winners are awarded trophies. Recently, the Gothuruth Carnival 2011 took place with much celebrations. It has got two big churches, St.Sebastian's Church and Holy Cross Church, under Roman Catholic Diocese of Kottapuram. Gothuruth is a very quiet and scenic place with very friendly people. The river bank is dotted with numerous traditional Chinese fishing netsCities
- ErnakulamErnakulamErnakulam refers to the downtown area or the western part of the mainland of Kochi city in Kerala, India. The city is the most urban part of Kochi and has lent its name to the Ernakulam district. Ernakulam is called the commercial capital of the state of Kerala and is a main nerve of business in...
(27 km South) - ThrissurThrissurThis article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
(51 km North East) - Alapuzha (92 km South)
- KottayamKottayamKottayam 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...
(104 km South East) - PalakkadPalakkadPalakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...
(120 km North East) - KozhikodeKozhikodeKozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
(176 km North)
Towns
- KodungallurKodungallurKodungallur is a municipality in Thrissur District, in the state of Kerala, India on the Malabar Coast. Kodungallur is located about 29 km northwest of Kochi city and 38 km Southwest of Thrissur, on National Highway 17 . Muziris the ancient seaport at the mouth of the Periyar River was...
(12 km North) - MalaMala, KeralaMala is the name of a small town in Thrissur district of Kerala, south India. K. Karunakaran, the former Chief Minister of Kerala, represented Mala constituency from 1965 to 1995. The famous Malayalam film actor Mala Aravindan is also a native of Mala. There is a Jewish synagogue at Mala town ). ...
(17 km North) - AluvaAluvaAluva , is a suburb of the city of Kochi, situated north of the city center and a municipality in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. Aluva is also a major industrial center of the state....
(18 km East) - AngamalyAngamalyAngamaly is a satellite town of the city of Kochi, situated north of the city center and a municipality in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. It is one of the entry points or gateways to Ernakulam district from northern Kerala...
(20 km North East) - IrinjalakudaIrinjalakudaIrinjalakuda is a municipal town situated in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. It is famous for the sprawling Koodalmanikyam Temple that has Bharata as the main deity and the St Thomas Cathedral in the heart of the City...
(21 km North East) - PerumbavoorPerumbavoorPerumbavoor is a suburban region of Kochi city and a municipality in Ernakulam District in the Indian state of Kerala. It lies in the North Eastern tip of the Greater Cochin area and is also the headquarters of Kunnathunad Taluk. It is a Main Satellite Centres of Kochi City. Perumbavoor is famed...
(25 km East) - ChalakudyChalakudyChalakudy is a municipal town situated on the banks of Chalakudy River in Thrissur District of the Kerala State in India. It is the base camp for travellers to Athirappilly and Vazhachal Falls...
(27 km North East) - KothamangalamKothamangalamKothamangalam is a town located in eastern part of Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala situated 45 km north east of Kochi City. It is located around 14 km north east to the town of Muvattupuzha. The town is situated in the foothills of the Western Ghats mountain ranges. It...
(32 km East) - Moovattupuzha(51 km South East)
- Guruvayoor (54 km North)
- PiravomPiravomPiravom is a town situated in Muvattupuzha Taluk of Ernakulam district in Kerala state, south India. It is 33 km South East of Cochin city & 42 km north of Kottayam town. Piravom is famous for historic Hindu temples and Syrian Christian churches. The town lies 22 km from the Taluka...
(50 km South East)