Oyoor
Encyclopedia
Oyoor is a small township of Velinalloor
village in the Kottarakara Taluk
, Kollam District
of Kerala
, India. It is situated on the banks of the Ithikkara River
. It is surrounded by several small satellite villages: Ugramkunnu in the south, Chenkulam in the west, Mylode in the north and Karingannoor
in the east.
. A Federal Bank
branch and a State Bank of Travancore
Branch (both with ATMs) are the principal financial institutions. Recently, two cinema halls, one with DTS capability, have been added to the community.
season. Both the widest and the narrowest parts of the river may be found near Oyoor, as there is a spot where the water has to flow between two huge rocks. The rocks are named "Unnikkannan Paras", a reference to Lord Krishna. The width between the rocks is only two feet. In summer, when the flow is at its ebb, one can cross the river by jumping. Once the river passes between the rocks , it widens to approximately two furlongs. During summer seasons the water recedes to one side of the river and exposes a large part of the bed covered with white, fine sand. It is here that the "Manali Kachhavadam", an annual flea market
of household necessities and other domestic products, takes place. The SreeRama Temple is located on northern bank of the river but, due to a bend in the river, appears to be on the west, looking to the east. A road along a sandy bank passing the temple leads to the northernmost part of Trivandrum district: Pakalkuri
, which is home to the nearest government high school
. Students from Oyoor have to ferry across the Ithikkara river, in front of the temple (see the picure below , taken in 2006 , a view from the bridge connecting Kollam and Trivandrum Dist, the bridge was constructed in 1961-63 , foundation stone laid by Sri Pattom Thanupillai, the then chief minister of Kerala The white spot in center of the picture is the temple.)
. The famous Sri Ramaswamy kshetram (temple), dating back more than 1,000 years, is located in Velinalloor. It is believed that His Highness Marthanda Varma
of Travancore was the last king who supported and maintained the temple. Velinalloor has its own significance in the epics. It is believed that Ugramkunnu is the place where Sugerevan
lived (Sugreevan Kunnu-Ugramkunnu) and that Valiyan Kunnu is the place where Bali lived (Baliyan Kunnu-Valiyan Kunnu). There is some evidence that Jadayu Para in Chadayamangalam
is the place where Ravanan cut Jadayu's
wings. Peykavu is a Kavu
100 meters away from the Sree Keezhuttu Devi
Temple. Its distinct feature is that no idol of any Lord is installed inside the Kavu. Devotees believe in the presence of Lord Shiva and he is called "Appooppan" (Grandfather). The rituals are performed by the male devotees who visit here, without the presence of Brahmin
priests. Women are not allowed inside the Kavu. The most important offering to the Appooppan is "Pey-Oottu" or serving the lord with food, especially bananas. Keezhuttu Devi Temple was recently renovated by the public. It is one of the special temple where both Durga and Bhadrakali resides in the same Nalambalam. Among the nearby attractions are the Velinalloor Sri Ramaswamy Temple, the Mathiyodu Madan
Kavu and the Kaithakkal Devi Temple. Kottarakara Ganapathi
Temple is easily accessible.
artist who trained Kathakali under the great Sri.Chennithala Kochu Pillai Panicker and Sri.Kurichi Kunjan Panicker and winner of the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Award for 1989.
The Sri Ramavilasam Kathakali school, under Sri Vasukutty, a former Kalamandalam
Principal Sri. Gangadharan ( Kathakali music), is located nearby in Veliyanallur. Kalabharathi Kathakali school is also close by at Pakalkuri
. Award winning Kadhakali performers namely Kalamandalam Ratheesan and Kalamandalam Ramachandran hails form this village. Kalamandalam Ratheeshan is well famous for his 'Nalan' and Kalamandalam Ramachandran for his female characters especially the 'Kurathi'.
In Ugramkunnu there is a government school near the Sri Ramaswamy Temple, originally founded 55 years ago by Sri Krishna Pillai (the Panchayat
President) as a private school.
Velinalloor
Velinalloor is a village in Kollam district in the state of Kerala, India.-Demographics: India census, Velinalloor had a population of 27065 with 13041 males and 14024 females....
village in the Kottarakara Taluk
Tehsil
A Tehsil or Tahsil/Tahasil , also known as Taluk and Mandal, is an administrative division of some country/countries of South Asia....
, 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...
of 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....
, India. It is situated on the banks of the Ithikkara River
Ithikkara River
Ithikkara River is a 56 km long river in Kerala, India. It originates in Kulathhoopuzha hills in the western ghats flows through Kollam District, finally emptying into Paravur Kayal....
. It is surrounded by several small satellite villages: Ugramkunnu in the south, Chenkulam in the west, Mylode in the north and Karingannoor
Karingannoor
Karingannoor is a small township of Velinalloor village in the Kottarakara Taluk , Kollam District of Kerala, India. It is surrounded by several small place: Puthuserry , Atoorkonam , Thannimoodu, Alumoodu, 504, Puthanvila and Ezhamkutty....
in the east.
Public Facilities
The main centers of public activity in Oyoor consist of a market, a bus station, a primary health center, lower and upper primary schools , a village administrative office , a post office, a temple, Mosques and Christian churches.A social service club '(occ)' centralizing in oyoor. The Government aided upper primary school was established over 75 years ago by Shri T. Abraham and T. Benjamin sons of Shri (Idupadical) Tharian Koruthu. A primary health center (established in 1956 by Dr A .R .Menon, who was then the Health Minister of Kerala state) is situated at Chunkathra. The place derives it name from an old Forest Office where chunkom (taxes) were collected during the RajBritish Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
. A Federal Bank
Federal Bank
Federal Bank Limited is a major Indian commercial bank in the private sector, headquartered at Aluva, Kochi, Kerala. As of March 31 2011 it has 743 branches spread across 24 states in India and 803 ATMs around the country.-History:In the year 1931, Travancore Federal Bank was inaugurated at...
branch and a State Bank of Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
Branch (both with ATMs) are the principal financial institutions. Recently, two cinema halls, one with DTS capability, have been added to the community.
The Ithikkara River
The Ithikkara River flows south of Ugramkunnu. Prior to public works improvements in 1975, the river used to become swollen and flood during the monsoonMonsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
season. Both the widest and the narrowest parts of the river may be found near Oyoor, as there is a spot where the water has to flow between two huge rocks. The rocks are named "Unnikkannan Paras", a reference to Lord Krishna. The width between the rocks is only two feet. In summer, when the flow is at its ebb, one can cross the river by jumping. Once the river passes between the rocks , it widens to approximately two furlongs. During summer seasons the water recedes to one side of the river and exposes a large part of the bed covered with white, fine sand. It is here that the "Manali Kachhavadam", an annual flea market
Flea market
A flea market or swap meet is a type of bazaar where inexpensive or secondhand goods are sold or bartered. It may be indoors, such as in a warehouse or school gymnasium; or it may be outdoors, such as in a field or under a tent...
of household necessities and other domestic products, takes place. The SreeRama Temple is located on northern bank of the river but, due to a bend in the river, appears to be on the west, looking to the east. A road along a sandy bank passing the temple leads to the northernmost part of Trivandrum district: Pakalkuri
Pakalkuri
Pakalkuri is a charming village situated in the northernmost part of Thiruvananthapuram District in Kerala, India. It is on the banks of the river Ithikkara and well-known for its serene beauty and landscape...
, which is home to the nearest government high school
Education in India
Education in India is provided by the public sector as well as the private sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Child education is compulsory. The Nalanda University was the oldest university-system of education in the world...
. Students from Oyoor have to ferry across the Ithikkara river, in front of the temple (see the picure below , taken in 2006 , a view from the bridge connecting Kollam and Trivandrum Dist, the bridge was constructed in 1961-63 , foundation stone laid by Sri Pattom Thanupillai, the then chief minister of Kerala The white spot in center of the picture is the temple.)
Local temples and history
The SreeRama Temple is also the site of the "Kaala Vayal" cattle auction/show, a part of the annual "Rohini Nakshathram Ulsavam" (festival) at Velinalloor. This festival has been the subject of a documentary on Jeevan TVJeevan TV
Jeevan TV is a 24 hour Malayalam television channel, with its headquarters at Palarivattom, Kochi, India. It uses the slogan "The complete family channel". Further it is a semi news channel. It is promoted by Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur. Andrews Thazhath, Metropolitan Arch Bishop...
. The famous Sri Ramaswamy kshetram (temple), dating back more than 1,000 years, is located in Velinalloor. It is believed that His Highness 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...
of Travancore was the last king who supported and maintained the temple. Velinalloor has its own significance in the epics. It is believed that Ugramkunnu is the place where Sugerevan
Sugriva
In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Sugriva , also spelled Sugreeva or Sugreev, was the younger brother of Bali, whom he succeeded as ruler of the vanara or monkey kingdom Kishkindha. Ruma was his wife. He was the son of Surya, the Hindu deity of the sun...
lived (Sugreevan Kunnu-Ugramkunnu) and that Valiyan Kunnu is the place where Bali lived (Baliyan Kunnu-Valiyan Kunnu). There is some evidence that Jadayu Para in Chadayamangalam
Chadayamangalam
Chadayamangalam is a village in Kollam district in the state of Kerala, India. The place has mythological importance as having connections to the stories in the Hindu epic of Ramayana. The place is believed to have derived its current name from its old name of Jatayumangalam...
is the place where Ravanan cut Jadayu's
Jatayu (Ramayana)
In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Jatayu is the son of Aruṇa and nephew of Garuda. A demi-god who has the form of a vulture, he was an old friend of Dasharatha . He tries to rescue Sita from Ravana when Ravana is on his way to Lanka after kidnapping Sita...
wings. Peykavu is a Kavu
Kavu
Kavu is the traditional name given for sacred groves across the Malabar Coast in Kerala, South India. Kavus are notable for Theyyam, the centuries old ritual dance....
100 meters away from the Sree Keezhuttu Devi
Devi
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. Its distinct feature is that no idol of any Lord is installed inside the Kavu. Devotees believe in the presence of Lord Shiva and he is called "Appooppan" (Grandfather). The rituals are performed by the male devotees who visit here, without the presence of Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
priests. Women are not allowed inside the Kavu. The most important offering to the Appooppan is "Pey-Oottu" or serving the lord with food, especially bananas. Keezhuttu Devi Temple was recently renovated by the public. It is one of the special temple where both Durga and Bhadrakali resides in the same Nalambalam. Among the nearby attractions are the Velinalloor Sri Ramaswamy Temple, the Mathiyodu Madan
Sudalai Madan
Sudalai Madan or Madan, is a regional Tamil male deity who is popular in South India, particularly Tamil Nadu. He is considered to be the son of Shiva and Parvati...
Kavu and the Kaithakkal Devi Temple. Kottarakara Ganapathi
Ganesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
Temple is easily accessible.
Other people and places of interest
Oyoor resident Kochu Govinda Pillai (1916–2008) was a great KathakaliKathakali
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...
artist who trained Kathakali under the great Sri.Chennithala Kochu Pillai Panicker and Sri.Kurichi Kunjan Panicker and winner of the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
Award for 1989.
The Sri Ramavilasam Kathakali school, under Sri Vasukutty, a former Kalamandalam
Kerala Kalamandalam
Kerala Kalamandalam , lately renamed as Kalamandalam Deemed University of Art and Culture, is a major centre for learning Indian performing arts, especially those that developed in the southern state of India, with the special emphasis on Kerala. It is situated in the village of Cheruthuruthy in...
Principal Sri. Gangadharan ( Kathakali music), is located nearby in Veliyanallur. Kalabharathi Kathakali school is also close by at Pakalkuri
Pakalkuri
Pakalkuri is a charming village situated in the northernmost part of Thiruvananthapuram District in Kerala, India. It is on the banks of the river Ithikkara and well-known for its serene beauty and landscape...
. Award winning Kadhakali performers namely Kalamandalam Ratheesan and Kalamandalam Ramachandran hails form this village. Kalamandalam Ratheeshan is well famous for his 'Nalan' and Kalamandalam Ramachandran for his female characters especially the 'Kurathi'.
In Ugramkunnu there is a government school near the Sri Ramaswamy Temple, originally founded 55 years ago by Sri Krishna Pillai (the Panchayat
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...
President) as a private school.