Kottarakkara
Encyclopedia
Kottarakkara also transliterated as Kottarakara, is a town
and taluk in Kollam District
(formerly known as Quilon), in Kerala
state, India
. The town is close to the Kollam port which has a rich history linked to the early medieval period as well as a reputation for being an important commercial, industrial and trading center. It lies 27 kilometres (16.8 mi) to the east of Kollam
city center and 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) to the west of Punalur city on National Highway 208/220.
Kottakkara, also known in the ancient days of the kings as the Elayadathu Swarupam, was a principality ruled by a branch of the Travancore Royal Family. Its fame is also due to Kathakali
, the famous dance drama which originated initially as Ramanattam
created in the 17th century by Prince Kottarakkara Tampuran and later patronised by the Raja of Kottarakkara in early 19th century absorbing other dance forms of Krishnattam with further innovations. Other historical places of interest include the Ganapathi Temple and the over 700 year old Mar Thomas Church.
Kathakali traced its origin to the ritualistic (tantric) period of the Vedic Age and connected its growth from the popular, folk dance dramas.It was believed that Kathakali was conceived from Krishnanaattam, the dance drama on the life and activities of Lord Krishna created by the Samoothirippadu ( Samoothiri or Swamy Thirumulpad), of Calicut.The reason for that is said as follows: Once Kottarakkara Thampuran the Raja of Kottarakkara who was attracted by the tone of the Krishnanaattam requested the Samoothirippadu for the loan of a troupe of performers on the eve of some festive occasion.Due to internal feuds and political rivalry between them, the Samoothirippadu refused to send the performers and insulted with the remarks: “It is useless to depute the troupe, because Kottarakkara Thespian’s court would be neither able to appreciate nor understand anything of the highly artistic Krishnanaattam and the high standard of the performance”.Here the political rivalry between the two chieftains leads to the art rivalry. So Kottarakkara Thampuran initiated a parallel mode of entertainment, which he called Raamanaattam which was later transformed into Aattakatha, and yet later into Kathakali while Krishnanaattam based on the story of Lord Krishna’s activities, Raamanaattam described the complete story of Lord Raman.Krishnanaattam was written in Sanskrit, “the language of the Gods”. Raamanaattam was in Malayalam, the language of the people. The use of Malayalam, the local language (albeit as a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam, called Manipravalam), has also helped the literature of Kathakali sound more transparent for the average audience. By the end of the seventeenth century, the finished product of Raamanaattam was placed before the world under the title Kathakali.
town with all essential facilities. As a taluk headquarters, it has six panchayats
. It is surrounded by several other towns namely, the Kizhekketheruvu
(2.5km from kottarakara town), Karickom
, Thrikkannamangal
, Nellikunnam, Vendar
, Mylom
, Kalayapuram
, Puthur, Poovattoor
, Valakom
, Kulakada,and many others.
NH 208(Kollam to Thirumangalam)and MC road(Thiruvananthapuram to Chenganassery) is meeting at kottarakkara.
Kottarakkara is linked with Kollam (the district headquarters), both by road and rail, at a distance of 27 km. It is 72 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram
(the capital of Kerala) and 80 km to the south of Kottayam
.
kottarakara is a beautifully landscaped teraine with gift of nature MEENPIDIPARA and VELLARAMKUNNU .
and built his palace here. It was then the capital of the Ilayidathu Swarupam (also spelled Elayadutharai Swarupam), which is testified by the remnants of seven palaces.
In the 17th century, history also records the emergence of an early format of the famous Kathakali
dance drama known as Ramanattam
, which emerged as a result of the rivalry of the kings of the two neighbouring principalities of the Raja of Kottarakkara and that of the Manaveda, Zamorin of Kozhikode (the Raja of Kozikode or Calicut who had developed the Krishnattam (an eighty-day dance drama format). Manaveda refused the request of the Prince of Kottarakkara to send the Krisnattam troupe to Kottakkara with a snide remark that "no connoisseur at Kottarakkara could appreciate Krishnaattam". Prince Tampuran felt insulted and then decided to take it a challenge and invented his own form of the dance form which was called the Ramanattam with the Rama theme developed in the Krishnaattam style. Thus, Kottarakkara town got the distinction of being the first in Kerala from where the famous Indian classical dance form originated when it was the capital of the Elayadathu Swarupam, the principality in central Kerala, which was a branch of the Travanacore royal family. He adopted eight stories into creating into dance drama formats which were known as Ramanattam
, meaning dance related to Rama
(of the Hindu
epic
Ramayana
fame), which were precursors to the Kathakalli which developed in later years with amalgamation with other formats of Krishnattam and early forms of Katahkalii; however only three formats of this creation are performed now as part of Kathakalli. Four more dance drama episodes of Kathakalli plays developed 200 years later, after Ramanattam.
In 1739, the Dutch and allied forces had attacked the Travancore forces who were backed by the British at at Kottarakkara. The Dutch then installed the princess of Elayadathu Swarupam, who had escaped earlier from Kottarakkara to Tekkumkur as the ruler of the state. In return, the princess had gifted to the Dutch a large farm about 15 miles from Kollam and also at Bichnor where they established their “redoubt”. Followed by this victory, on December 30, 1739 the armed forces than attacked the Travancore and won many battles.
However, in the 18th century, the last queen of this dynasty surrendered her kingdom to Marthanda Varma
(her cousin), following which the queen went to Cochin where she sought asylum from the Dutch. The Dutch had provided her a pension of 2 rupees and 5 annas.
After Tipu Sultan
invaded Malabar
, Dharma Raja
the royal family member of North Malabar
settled in Kottarakara. In the mid 19th century, the family line disintegrated.
In 1835, it became part of the administrative unit of Kollam as part of the Travancore state which had two revenue divisions, the Kottayam and the Kollam. In 1949, it became part of the integrated state of Travancore and Cochin. The town Village, Block and Jilla and, of course, the state and central governments.
Kathakali traced its origin to the ritualistic (tantric) period of the Vedic Age and connected its growth from the popular, folk dance dramas.It was believed that Kathakali was conceived from Krishnanaattam, the dance drama on the life and activities of Lord Krishna created by the Samoothirippadu ( Samoothiri or Swamy Thirumulpad), of Calicut.The reason for that is said as follows: Once Kottarakkara Thampuran the Raja of Kottarakkara who was attracted by the tone of the Krishnanaattam requested the Samoothirippadu for the loan of a troupe of performers on the eve of some festive occasion.Due to internal feuds and political rivalry between them, the Samoothirippadu refused to send the performers and insulted with the remarks: “It is useless to depute the troupe, because Kottarakkara Thespian’s court would be neither able to appreciate nor understand anything of the highly artistic Krishnanaattam and the high standard of the performance”.Here the political rivalry between the two chieftains leads to the art rivalry. So Kottarakkara Thampuran initiated a parallel mode of entertainment, which he called Raamanaattam which was later transformed into Aattakatha, and yet later into Kathakali while Krishnanaattam based on the story of Lord Krishna’s activities, Raamanaattam described the complete story of Lord Raman.Krishnanaattam was written in Sanskrit, “the language of the Gods”. Raamanaattam was in Malayalam, the language of the people. The use of Malayalam, the local language (albeit as a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam, called Manipravalam), has also helped the literature of Kathakali sound more transparent for the average audience. By the end of the seventeenth century, the finished product of Raamanaattam was placed before the world under the title Kathakali.
Aisha Potty-MLA of Kottarakara constituency has been representing Kottarakara in Kerala Legislative Assembly as CPI(M) Member for two consecutive terms.
The town contains many notable places of worship, including Sree Maha Ganapthy Temple (in the suburb of Kizhakkekara), dated to the 10th-11th century, shrine of Ganapathy, Mahadeva Temple (in the western suburb of Padinjattinkara), Kottarakkara Goshala and Kulasekharanellor Sree BhadraKali Temple, amongst many other temples.
There are many churches in this area ,and it is a major center for both the Malankara Orthodox Church and the Mar Thoma Church
. The most important churches are Kizhakketheruvu Orthodox Valiyapalli, Kottarakara Mar Thoma Pally, Padinjaretheruvu Orthodox Church, Kottapuram Orthodox Church, and Neeleswaram St. Mary's Orthodox Church. There are also Catholic churches, Pentecostal church's (namely The Pentecostal Church, Church of God
) and a mosque
s near the market in Kottarakkara.
Kottarakkara Sree Manikanteswara Mahadeva
Kottarakkara Sree Manikanteswara Mahadeva Temple
is located near the "Althara", on the northern side. Shiva in the form of a fierce hunter is deified here. Another shrine next to it is a Durga
temple, where the deity installed is known as Pazenadu Bhagavathy. Devi The idol of was carved out from the root of the jack tree by Perumthachan.
colleges
Kottarakkara Railway Station is located on the Kollam-Madurai railway line. The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram. Kottarakkara railway station, which currently connects to Kollam and Punalur. There are four services in this route right now and It is heard that many more services would be inducted in this route since the Punalur-Schengotta ghat section has been closed for Broad Gauge conversion.Once the conversion is over,this will serve as the shortest route from Kollam to Chennai and from Kochi port to Tuticorin port
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
and taluk in Kollam District
Kollam district
-Climate:Kollam's temperature is almost steady throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius. Summer usually runs from March until May; the monsoon begins by June and ends by September. Kollam receives an annual average rainfall of around...
(formerly known as Quilon), in Kerala
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....
state, 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 town is close to the Kollam port which has a rich history linked to the early medieval period as well as a reputation for being an important commercial, industrial and trading center. It lies 27 kilometres (16.8 mi) to the east of Kollam
Kollam
Kollam , often anglicized as ', is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake on the Arabian sea coast and is situated about north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram...
city center and 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) to the west of Punalur city on National Highway 208/220.
Kottakkara, also known in the ancient days of the kings as the Elayadathu Swarupam, was a principality ruled by a branch of the Travancore Royal Family. Its fame is also due to Kathakali
Kathakali
Kathakali 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...
, the famous dance drama which originated initially as Ramanattam
Ramanattam
Ramanattam is a temple art in Kerala, India. It is a dance drama and presents the story of Rama in a series of eight plays and was created under the patronage of Veera Kerala Varma alias Kottarakkara Thampuran...
created in the 17th century by Prince Kottarakkara Tampuran and later patronised by the Raja of Kottarakkara in early 19th century absorbing other dance forms of Krishnattam with further innovations. Other historical places of interest include the Ganapathi Temple and the over 700 year old Mar Thomas Church.
Etymology
Kottarakkara, a compound word made up of the words Kotta, meaning "palace", and kara meaning "land", literally means "land of palaces". The small city which had several palaces was thus named "Kottarakkara."Kathakali traced its origin to the ritualistic (tantric) period of the Vedic Age and connected its growth from the popular, folk dance dramas.It was believed that Kathakali was conceived from Krishnanaattam, the dance drama on the life and activities of Lord Krishna created by the Samoothirippadu ( Samoothiri or Swamy Thirumulpad), of Calicut.The reason for that is said as follows: Once Kottarakkara Thampuran the Raja of Kottarakkara who was attracted by the tone of the Krishnanaattam requested the Samoothirippadu for the loan of a troupe of performers on the eve of some festive occasion.Due to internal feuds and political rivalry between them, the Samoothirippadu refused to send the performers and insulted with the remarks: “It is useless to depute the troupe, because Kottarakkara Thespian’s court would be neither able to appreciate nor understand anything of the highly artistic Krishnanaattam and the high standard of the performance”.Here the political rivalry between the two chieftains leads to the art rivalry. So Kottarakkara Thampuran initiated a parallel mode of entertainment, which he called Raamanaattam which was later transformed into Aattakatha, and yet later into Kathakali while Krishnanaattam based on the story of Lord Krishna’s activities, Raamanaattam described the complete story of Lord Raman.Krishnanaattam was written in Sanskrit, “the language of the Gods”. Raamanaattam was in Malayalam, the language of the people. The use of Malayalam, the local language (albeit as a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam, called Manipravalam), has also helped the literature of Kathakali sound more transparent for the average audience. By the end of the seventeenth century, the finished product of Raamanaattam was placed before the world under the title Kathakali.
Geography
Kottakkara is a small principality close to Kollam. It is now a modern talukTehsil
A Tehsil or Tahsil/Tahasil , also known as Taluk and Mandal, is an administrative division of some country/countries of South Asia....
town with all essential facilities. As a taluk headquarters, it has six panchayats
Panchayati Raj
The panchayat raj is a South Asian political system mainly in India, Pakistan, and Nepal. "Panchayat" literally means assembly of five wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the local community. Traditionally, these assemblies settled disputes between individuals and villages...
. It is surrounded by several other towns namely, the Kizhekketheruvu
Kizhekketheruvu
Kizhekketheruvu,Pallimukku is one of the main junctions of the out skirts of Kottarakkara town.Which is 3 km from kottarakkara on NH 208....
(2.5km from kottarakara town), Karickom
Karickom
Karickom is a village, 3 Km away from Kottarakara taluk in Kollam district , in Kerala state, India....
, Thrikkannamangal
Thrikkannamangal
Thrikkannamangal is a village in the taluk of Kottarakara in the Kollam District of Kerala, India. This town is named so because it was the direction that the Kings of old, standing in their palace, would face in the morning. The city of Kottarakara is named so because it served as a place for the...
, Nellikunnam, Vendar
Vendar
Vendar is a village in Kottarakara taluk, Kollam district, Kerala, India. It has many educational institutions and many temples, including Major Sree Subrahmanya swamy Temple and Katiravan Kunnu Sree Balasubrahmanya Swamy Temple....
, Mylom
Mylom
-Demographics: India census, Mylom had a population of 22425 with 10729 males and 11696 females.It is a beautiful village with good harmony between people,has a good panchayath, mylom is famous for hills and also mylom panchayath have 20 wards where women's empowerment is very strong in this...
, Kalayapuram
Kalayapuram
-Demographics: India census, Kalayapuram had a population of 19510 with 9351 males and 10159 females. Maliekal is the famous christian family in Kalayapurm...
, Puthur, Poovattoor
Poovattoor
Poovattoor is a village located in Kottarakara taluk in the northern part of the Kollam District, Kerala state, India. It is best known as the site of an ancient Bhagavathy temple, Poovattor Devi Temple, sister of Pattazhy Devi Temple.....
, Valakom
Valakom
Valakom is a village, 8 km away from Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam District, Kerala State, India.State Highway pass through valakom.- Educational Institutions :* MSHS VALAKOM* Govt lower primary school valakom* bright public school valakom...
, Kulakada,and many others.
NH 208(Kollam to Thirumangalam)and MC road(Thiruvananthapuram to Chenganassery) is meeting at kottarakkara.
Kottarakkara is linked with Kollam (the district headquarters), both by road and rail, at a distance of 27 km. It is 72 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
(the capital of Kerala) and 80 km to the south of Kottayam
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...
.
kottarakara is a beautifully landscaped teraine with gift of nature MEENPIDIPARA and VELLARAMKUNNU .
History
Historically, the small town was known as the land of palaces of kings in Kerala. Its earliest known palace construction is traced to the 14th century. This is attributed to the dynasty of Ilayidathu (also known as Kunninmel), who established themselves here. During the period 1383–1444, Chera Udaya Marthanda Verma ruled over VenadVenad
Venad Swarupam was one of the three prominent late medieval Hindu feudal kingdoms on Malabar Coast, south India, along with Kingdom of Calicut and Kingdom of Cannanore. In the early 14th century, Venad ruler Ravi Varma Kulasekhara had established a short-lived supremacy over southern India...
and built his palace here. It was then the capital of the Ilayidathu Swarupam (also spelled Elayadutharai Swarupam), which is testified by the remnants of seven palaces.
In the 17th century, history also records the emergence of an early format of the famous Kathakali
Kathakali
Kathakali 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...
dance drama known as Ramanattam
Ramanattam
Ramanattam is a temple art in Kerala, India. It is a dance drama and presents the story of Rama in a series of eight plays and was created under the patronage of Veera Kerala Varma alias Kottarakkara Thampuran...
, which emerged as a result of the rivalry of the kings of the two neighbouring principalities of the Raja of Kottarakkara and that of the Manaveda, Zamorin of Kozhikode (the Raja of Kozikode or Calicut who had developed the Krishnattam (an eighty-day dance drama format). Manaveda refused the request of the Prince of Kottarakkara to send the Krisnattam troupe to Kottakkara with a snide remark that "no connoisseur at Kottarakkara could appreciate Krishnaattam". Prince Tampuran felt insulted and then decided to take it a challenge and invented his own form of the dance form which was called the Ramanattam with the Rama theme developed in the Krishnaattam style. Thus, Kottarakkara town got the distinction of being the first in Kerala from where the famous Indian classical dance form originated when it was the capital of the Elayadathu Swarupam, the principality in central Kerala, which was a branch of the Travanacore royal family. He adopted eight stories into creating into dance drama formats which were known as Ramanattam
Ramanattam
Ramanattam is a temple art in Kerala, India. It is a dance drama and presents the story of Rama in a series of eight plays and was created under the patronage of Veera Kerala Varma alias Kottarakkara Thampuran...
, meaning dance related to Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
(of the 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...
epic
Epic (genre)
An epic is traditionally a genre of poetry, known as epic poetry. However in modern terms, epic is often extended to other art forms, such as novels, plays, films, and video games where the story is centered on heroic characters, and the action takes place on a grand scale, just as in epic poetry...
Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
fame), which were precursors to the Kathakalli which developed in later years with amalgamation with other formats of Krishnattam and early forms of Katahkalii; however only three formats of this creation are performed now as part of Kathakalli. Four more dance drama episodes of Kathakalli plays developed 200 years later, after Ramanattam.
In 1739, the Dutch and allied forces had attacked the Travancore forces who were backed by the British at at Kottarakkara. The Dutch then installed the princess of Elayadathu Swarupam, who had escaped earlier from Kottarakkara to Tekkumkur as the ruler of the state. In return, the princess had gifted to the Dutch a large farm about 15 miles from Kollam and also at Bichnor where they established their “redoubt”. Followed by this victory, on December 30, 1739 the armed forces than attacked the Travancore and won many battles.
However, in the 18th century, the last queen of this dynasty surrendered her kingdom to Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma , was the founder of the Indian Hindu feudal kingdom of Travancore from Venad SwaroopamHe ruled from 1729 till his death in 1758, having succeeded his maternal uncle Dharma Raja.King Marthanda Varma is usually credited as the "founder of Kingdom of Travancore" from...
(her cousin), following which the queen went to Cochin where she sought asylum from the Dutch. The Dutch had provided her a pension of 2 rupees and 5 annas.
After Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan , also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was the son of Hyder Ali, at that time an officer in the Mysorean army, and his second wife, Fatima or Fakhr-un-Nissa...
invaded Malabar
Malabar Coast
The Malabar Coast is a long and narrow coastline on the south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing mountain...
, Dharma Raja
Dharma Raja
Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma was the Maharajah of Travancore from 1758 until his death in 1798. He succeeded his uncle Marthanda Varma, who is credited with the title of "maker of modern Travancore"...
the royal family member of North Malabar
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
settled in Kottarakara. In the mid 19th century, the family line disintegrated.
In 1835, it became part of the administrative unit of Kollam as part of the Travancore state which had two revenue divisions, the Kottayam and the Kollam. In 1949, it became part of the integrated state of Travancore and Cochin. The town Village, Block and Jilla and, of course, the state and central governments.
Politics
Kottarakara Assembly Constituency is part of the Mavelikkara (Lok Sabha constituency). Kottarakkara is an official taluk of India and has administrative authority over 27 villages.Kathakali traced its origin to the ritualistic (tantric) period of the Vedic Age and connected its growth from the popular, folk dance dramas.It was believed that Kathakali was conceived from Krishnanaattam, the dance drama on the life and activities of Lord Krishna created by the Samoothirippadu ( Samoothiri or Swamy Thirumulpad), of Calicut.The reason for that is said as follows: Once Kottarakkara Thampuran the Raja of Kottarakkara who was attracted by the tone of the Krishnanaattam requested the Samoothirippadu for the loan of a troupe of performers on the eve of some festive occasion.Due to internal feuds and political rivalry between them, the Samoothirippadu refused to send the performers and insulted with the remarks: “It is useless to depute the troupe, because Kottarakkara Thespian’s court would be neither able to appreciate nor understand anything of the highly artistic Krishnanaattam and the high standard of the performance”.Here the political rivalry between the two chieftains leads to the art rivalry. So Kottarakkara Thampuran initiated a parallel mode of entertainment, which he called Raamanaattam which was later transformed into Aattakatha, and yet later into Kathakali while Krishnanaattam based on the story of Lord Krishna’s activities, Raamanaattam described the complete story of Lord Raman.Krishnanaattam was written in Sanskrit, “the language of the Gods”. Raamanaattam was in Malayalam, the language of the people. The use of Malayalam, the local language (albeit as a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam, called Manipravalam), has also helped the literature of Kathakali sound more transparent for the average audience. By the end of the seventeenth century, the finished product of Raamanaattam was placed before the world under the title Kathakali.
Aisha Potty-MLA of Kottarakara constituency has been representing Kottarakara in Kerala Legislative Assembly as CPI(M) Member for two consecutive terms.
Landmarks
There are many churches in this area ,and it is a major center for both the Malankara Orthodox Church and the Mar Thoma Church
Mar Thoma Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church also known as the Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It has an entirely different identity when compared with other Churches in India. Most Christian churches around the world are divided into...
. The most important churches are Kizhakketheruvu Orthodox Valiyapalli, Kottarakara Mar Thoma Pally, Padinjaretheruvu Orthodox Church, Kottapuram Orthodox Church, and Neeleswaram St. Mary's Orthodox Church. There are also Catholic churches, Pentecostal church's (namely The Pentecostal Church, Church of God
Church of God
Church of God is a name used by numerous, mostly unrelated Christian denominational bodies, most of which descend from either Pentecostal/Holiness or Adventist traditions.-Pentecostal Movement:*Church of God...
) and a mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
s near the market in Kottarakkara.
Kottarakkara Sree Manikanteswara Mahadeva
Kottarakkara Sree Manikanteswara Mahadeva Temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
is located near the "Althara", on the northern side. Shiva in the form of a fierce hunter is deified here. Another shrine next to it is a Durga
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
temple, where the deity installed is known as Pazenadu Bhagavathy. Devi The idol of was carved out from the root of the jack tree by Perumthachan.
Notable people
- Kottarakkara Thampuran, the King of Kottarakkara in the sixteenth century) was the father of the classical art form of 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...
. - Malayalam novelists Lalithambika Antharjanam, KakkanadanKakkanadanGeorge Varghese Kakkanadan , commonly known as Kakkanadan, was a Malayalam language short story writer and novelist from Kerala state, South India. He is often credited with laying the foundation of modernism in Malayalam literature...
and writer & hypnotist Johnson Eyeroor. - KP Kottarakkara - a film story writer, director, producer and actor.
- Vedabhandu (1901–1995) - Arya SamajArya SamajArya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement founded by Swami Dayananda on 10 April 1875. He was a sannyasi who believed in the infallible authority of the Vedas. Dayananda emphasized the ideals of brahmacharya...
worker and scholar of Hindu Vedas . - Oyur Kochu Govinda Pillai (1916–2008)- master performer of 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...
. - Kottarakara Sreedharan Nair (1922–1986) -actor.
- Murali (actor) (1954–2009).
- R. Balakrishna PillaiR. Balakrishna PillaiR. Balakrishna Pillai is an Indian politician, a former Minister of the state of Kerala in India, who has held portfolios like Transport, Electricity. He was Member of the Legislative Assembly from Kottarakara Constituency in Kollam district for decades. He is the Chairman of Kerala Congress, a...
, Former Minister, MLA, MP and Panchayat President, Chairman of the Kerala Congress (Pillai faction) and First Kerala minister to get convicted for rigorous imprisonment by Supreme court of India for corruption. - Bobby KottarakkaraBobby KottarakkaraBobby Kottarakkara was a Malayalam film actor. He began his acting career on stage. He made his film debut with "Muchcheethukalikkaarante Makal". Bobby soon became a well known actor. He had performed in around 300 roles in a variety of films, some of which are such as Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu,...
- Malayalam actor. - K. B. Ganesh KumarK. B. Ganesh KumarKeezhoote Balakrishna Pillai Ganesh Kumar is an Indian film and TV actor and politician, now serving as Minister for Forests & Environment, Sports and Cinema in the Government of Kerala. He was elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Pathanapuram in Kollam district for the first time in...
-actor and politician - Saikumar - actor
Education Institutions
- St.Marrys Higher Secondary School
- MGM
- St.Gegorious
- Marthoma Girl Higher Secondary School
- Boys Higher Secondary School
- Neduvathoor Higher Secondary School
colleges
- IHRD college of Engineering
- Vijaya nursing college
- St.Gegorious
Transportation
Transportation is mainly dependant on private buses as well as the state run KSRTC buses.It is well connected to the capital city of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram by KSRTC Fast Passenger,super fast,deluxe,a/c buses which ply every 5 minutes.Buses are also plenty to the district headquarters of Kollam and Pathanamthitta and to towns in Tamilnadu like Coimbatore,Tenkasi and Shencotta and Daily trips to Munnar,Banglore,Kummly,Ooty.Kottarakkara Railway Station is located on the Kollam-Madurai railway line. The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram. Kottarakkara railway station, which currently connects to Kollam and Punalur. There are four services in this route right now and It is heard that many more services would be inducted in this route since the Punalur-Schengotta ghat section has been closed for Broad Gauge conversion.Once the conversion is over,this will serve as the shortest route from Kollam to Chennai and from Kochi port to Tuticorin port