Padanilam
Encyclopedia
Padanilam is a small town located near Nooranad in the Alappuzha district
of Kerala
. The word Padanilam means "land of war" (pada means "war" and nilam means "land").It is located on the banks of river Achankovil
. The Padanilam temple is one of the important centres of worship in Kerala. The place witnessed war between the Kayamkulam
kingdom and the Pandalam
kingdom.
The Nooranad Grama Panchayath office is situated in Padanilam.
Panchayath on the north, Pandalam
& Palamel
on the east, Mavelikkara thamarakulam on the south and Chunakkara
& Thazhakara,Kerala on the west.
, Kayamkulam
, Pathanamthitta
, Konni
, Mavelikkara
, Oachira
, Karunagapally, etc., passing through Padanilam. Padanilam is situated on the Kayamkulam-Kattanam-Vetticaud-Charummood-Padanilam-Edappon-Pandalam-Pathanamthitta bus route.
Parabrahma Temple.The temple has no compound walls and roofs. This is one the few temples in Kerala where a large number of festivals are being conducted.
The temple is one of the idathaavalam of sabarimala
Dharma Sastha temple. There are KSRTC buses from Padanilam to Pamba during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season. The temple has mainly 13 karakal, who conduct the annual Sivarathri Festival. This is the biggest Nandikesha (ox vehicle of Lord Siva) kettulsavam in Kerala
.
Temple Website:http://padanilamparabrahma.org
St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Church is about 150 meters after the Padanilam Market and Padanilam High school. It is an olden church which is founded 100 years before and the founder Mr. Varu Varghese came originally form Kuravilangadu which he belongs to the family of Pakalomattom the one among the 4 families is being baptized by St. Thomas the disciple of Jesus Christ in AD 52 and his tomb is at the St. Thomas Orthodox Church. Two brothers of the family came to Padanilam and one is settled in Padanilam and the other in Nooranad. One of the hierarchy in that family is known as Padanilathu Ashaan (Late Mr. Geevarghese Kochukunju) and the junction north to the Church is known as Ashaan Mukku.
Padanilathu Assaan was a well known person was member of prajamandalam and Dalapathy belonging from the Padanlthu Mappilamar and the junction next to the market is named as Assan Mukku. Assan (Mr. Geevarghese Kochukunju) had passed away on August 5, 1971. In his heriditory Mr. P.K. Varghese (Thomas Sir), Charly V. Padanilam, Ragan Biji Varughese, Regi V. Greenland and Rev. Fr. T.G. Geevarghese Kathanar also belongs to this family.
s (rathams).
The Kettukazhcha is performed as an offering by the devotees to the deity. Artisans of the various villages in the vicinity vie with each other for the most intricately decorated effigies. The biggest structure can be as big as 70– 80 feet (24.4 m) tall. Scholars believe that the tradition of Kettukazhcha has its roots in Buddhism which was prevalent in the Kerala during the 3rd century.
Another feature of the festival of the temple is that the people from different villages bring big chariots or rathams. On these rathams are located idols of various Hindu gods and goddesses and effigies of mythological characters like Bhima, Panchali etc.
Festivals in St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Church:
Festival in Fatima Matha Catholics Church:
The current MP of the area is Kodikkunnil Suresh (INC) and the MLA is R Rajesh (CPM).The LDF
rules the Panchayat. There are 17 wards in the Panchayat. Indian National Congress
, communist Party of India (Marxist)
(CPM), Kerala Congress (M)
,and communist Party (CPI) are major political parties in this area.
Padanilam Parabrahma Temple is located in the heart of Padanilam town.
Alappuzha district
Alappuzha is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala in India. It was formed as Alleppey District on August 17, 1957. The name of the district was officially changed to Alappuzha in 1990. The district is a widely known tourist destination, and is well known for its coir factories. Most of...
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....
. The word Padanilam means "land of war" (pada means "war" and nilam means "land").It is located on the banks of river Achankovil
Achankovil
The Achankovil Aar is a river in Kerala, India, formed towards the southern tip of the peninsula from the streams of the Rishimala River, Pasukidamettu River, and the Ramakkalteri River. This river enriches the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state. It joins with the Pamba River at Veeyapuram,...
. The Padanilam temple is one of the important centres of worship in Kerala. The place witnessed war between the Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
kingdom and the Pandalam
Pandalam
Pandalam is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known far and wide for its legendary connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town...
kingdom.
The Nooranad Grama Panchayath office is situated in Padanilam.
Geography
Padanilam has an average elevation of 4 m (13.1 ft). Padanilam (Nooranad)is bounded by VenmonyVenmony
Venmony is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Venmony is 9 km northwest of Pandalam, 10 km south of Chengannur, and 10 km east of Mavelikkara...
Panchayath on the north, Pandalam
Pandalam
Pandalam is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known far and wide for its legendary connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town...
& Palamel
Palamel
Palamel is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.-Demographics: India census, Palamel had a population of 31916 with 15112 males and 16804 females....
on the east, Mavelikkara thamarakulam on the south and Chunakkara
Chunakkara
Chunakkara is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.-Demographics: India census, Chunakkara had a population of 22436 with 10565 males and 11871 females....
& Thazhakara,Kerala on the west.
How to reach Padanilam
Padanilam is situated on Para-Edapppon-Pandalam road. It is about 17 km away from Kayamkulam Town and about 7 km from Pandalam Town. There are many private and KSRTC buses that run along this route. The buses through Padanilam are plying from the private and KSRTC bus stands of Kayamkulam and Pandalam. There are buses from PandalamPandalam
Pandalam is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known far and wide for its legendary connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town...
, Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
, Pathanamthitta
Pathanamthitta
Pathanamthitta is a large town and a municipality situated in the central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, south India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The city has a population of 38,000...
, Konni
Konni
Konni may refer to:*Konni, Pathanamthitta, a town in Kerala state in India*Konni , a traditional Hausa state in south central Niger*Birni-N'Konni, a town in Niger*Konni Zilliacus , Finnish politician and writerw...
, Mavelikkara
Mavelikkara
Mavelikara is a town in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India, spread over an area of 12.65 km2. It is in the southern part of Alappuzha district on the banks of the Achankovil River. Mavelikara is located 8km east of National Highway. Mavelikara is known as the capital of...
, Oachira
Oachira
Oachira or Ochira is a small town located 32 km away from Kollam city in Kollam district in Kerala, India. It is one of the famous sacred places of Kerala and in India. Oachira is on the border of Kollam and Allappuzha Districts, next to the National Highway 47...
, Karunagapally, etc., passing through Padanilam. Padanilam is situated on the Kayamkulam-Kattanam-Vetticaud-Charummood-Padanilam-Edappon-Pandalam-Pathanamthitta bus route.
Padanilam Parabrahma Temple
Padanilam Parabrahma Temple is one of the major temples in Kerala. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Parabrahma. The temple is very much like the OachiraOachira
Oachira or Ochira is a small town located 32 km away from Kollam city in Kollam district in Kerala, India. It is one of the famous sacred places of Kerala and in India. Oachira is on the border of Kollam and Allappuzha Districts, next to the National Highway 47...
Parabrahma Temple.The temple has no compound walls and roofs. This is one the few temples in Kerala where a large number of festivals are being conducted.
The temple is one of the idathaavalam of sabarimala
Sabarimala
Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in India with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan...
Dharma Sastha temple. There are KSRTC buses from Padanilam to Pamba during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season. The temple has mainly 13 karakal, who conduct the annual Sivarathri Festival. This is the biggest Nandikesha (ox vehicle of Lord Siva) kettulsavam 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....
.
Temple Website:http://padanilamparabrahma.org
History
Padanilam Temple and its surroundings witnessed many historical wars. Once there was a war between the south and the north.During the war,many soldiers of both the sides died in large numbers.They were buried in the chira near the temple.Even from very earlier times, this temple is a blessing for the people in the surrounding areas. Nooranad Padanilam has a history of an intense war. The origin of war was the border conflict between two erstwhile kingdoms, northern& southern. One side consisted of Noorukodi Unnithans & Kadackal Karuppans & the other Vettathasaans & Velladickal Karuppans. The first war is believed to have occurred b/w BC-645 & BC-700, led by Marthandavarma King on one side & Kayamkulam King on the other. The 22 Karakals of Nooranad took side with the 2 kings. The common people started worrying about the devastation of the war & approached the Pazhoor Panamana Thampuran to find a solution to end the war. He tried to intervene but warring parties were not in a position to stop. He made a tent in the Eastern part of the temple and started a fast unto death. But that also did not deter the warring parties. But when he was on the verge of death due to the fast, they fearing the Brahmanasaapam, agreed to stop war. They demarcated the boundary in North-South direction and stopped the war in the name of Parabrahma, the presiding deity of the temple.St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Church is about 150 meters after the Padanilam Market and Padanilam High school. It is an olden church which is founded 100 years before and the founder Mr. Varu Varghese came originally form Kuravilangadu which he belongs to the family of Pakalomattom the one among the 4 families is being baptized by St. Thomas the disciple of Jesus Christ in AD 52 and his tomb is at the St. Thomas Orthodox Church. Two brothers of the family came to Padanilam and one is settled in Padanilam and the other in Nooranad. One of the hierarchy in that family is known as Padanilathu Ashaan (Late Mr. Geevarghese Kochukunju) and the junction north to the Church is known as Ashaan Mukku.
Padanilathu Assaan was a well known person was member of prajamandalam and Dalapathy belonging from the Padanlthu Mappilamar and the junction next to the market is named as Assan Mukku. Assan (Mr. Geevarghese Kochukunju) had passed away on August 5, 1971. In his heriditory Mr. P.K. Varghese (Thomas Sir), Charly V. Padanilam, Ragan Biji Varughese, Regi V. Greenland and Rev. Fr. T.G. Geevarghese Kathanar also belongs to this family.
Padanilam Sivarathri
Sivarathri is the main festival in the temp. Thousands come to temple that day to see the kaavadiyattam for Lord Subrahmanyan in the morning. Kaavady from ll parts of the area come separately and meets at the temple.On that evening,there is a kettulsavam, which is the most spectacular sight of the festival. Kettulsavam from 13 distinct areas of the village come to the temple at around 4 PM. The rituals & programmes end only at midnight. It is a superb grand affair. The Kettukazhcha or Kalakettu ritual is one of the hallmarks of the temple. The tall, colorful effigies of bulls (signifying Nandi, the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva) are pulled on wooden chariotChariot
The chariot is a type of horse carriage used in both peace and war as the chief vehicle of many ancient peoples. Ox carts, proto-chariots, were built by the Proto-Indo-Europeans and also built in Mesopotamia as early as 3000 BC. The original horse chariot was a fast, light, open, two wheeled...
s (rathams).
The Kettukazhcha is performed as an offering by the devotees to the deity. Artisans of the various villages in the vicinity vie with each other for the most intricately decorated effigies. The biggest structure can be as big as 70– 80 feet (24.4 m) tall. Scholars believe that the tradition of Kettukazhcha has its roots in Buddhism which was prevalent in the Kerala during the 3rd century.
Another feature of the festival of the temple is that the people from different villages bring big chariots or rathams. On these rathams are located idols of various Hindu gods and goddesses and effigies of mythological characters like Bhima, Panchali etc.
Other Festivals
Festivals conducted in Padanilam Temple are:- Vrischika Mahotsavam
- Irupathiyettamonam
- Chirappu
- Sapthahayajnam
Festivals in St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Church:
- +St. Thomas Day.
- +Christmas.
- +Passion Week, Easter.
Festival in Fatima Matha Catholics Church:
- Fatima Matha Thirunal .
- St.Josephs Feat
- Christmas
- Passion Week and Easter.
Nearest towns
- KayamkulamKayamkulamKayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
- 17 km - PandalamPandalamPandalam is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known far and wide for its legendary connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town...
- 7 km - CharummooduCharummooduCharummoodu is a place in Mavelikkara taluk of Alappuzha district of Kerala state in India. It is located 12 km from Kayamkulam town in K.P Road....
- 5 km - Edappon - 4 km
- MavelikkaraMavelikkaraMavelikara is a town in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India, spread over an area of 12.65 km2. It is in the southern part of Alappuzha district on the banks of the Achankovil River. Mavelikara is located 8km east of National Highway. Mavelikara is known as the capital of...
- 16 km - Nooranadu - 3 km
- AdoorAdoorAdoor is a town and a municipality near Pandalam in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India, spread over an area of 20.42 km2. The town is located midway between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. It is among one of the three municipalities in Pathanamthitta district.-Etymology:It is...
- 14 km - PathanamthittaPathanamthittaPathanamthitta is a large town and a municipality situated in the central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, south India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The city has a population of 38,000...
- 26 km - ChengannurChengannurChengannur , is a municipal town in Alappuzha district of the state of Kerala in South India. Chengannur is located in the extreme eastern part of Alappuzha district. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on the MC Road. Chengannur is connected to Kollam and Kottayam by NH 220...
- 19 km
Politics
Padanilam is situated in the Parliamentary and Assembly constituency of Mavelikkara.The current MP of the area is Kodikkunnil Suresh (INC) and the MLA is R Rajesh (CPM).The LDF
LDF
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...
rules the Panchayat. There are 17 wards in the Panchayat. Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
, communist Party of India (Marxist)
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
The Communist Party of India is a political party in India. It has a strong presence in the states of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura. As of 2011, CPI is leading the state government in Tripura. It leads the Left Front coalition of leftist parties in various states and the national parliament of...
(CPM), Kerala Congress (M)
Kerala Congress (M)
Kerala Congress is a recognised state level Indian political party in Kerala. It was formed in 1979, through a split from the Kerala Congress. Its leader is K. M. Mani, a former minister of the Government of Kerala. Its chairman was C. F. Thomas...
,and communist Party (CPI) are major political parties in this area.
Other specialities
It is the headquarters of Nooranad. The village is famous for its beautiful agricultural fields like Karingalichaal Puncha and Peruvelichal Puncha. Different varieties of birds can be found in this area. Because of this, Nooranad is known as the Pakshigraamam, meaning "village of birds" And famous SREE BUDDHA Engineering COLLEGE situated in this village.Padanilam Parabrahma Temple is located in the heart of Padanilam town.
Nearby Churches & Temples
- Padanilam Parabrahma Temple,Padanilam Central.
- Vadakkidathukaavu Devi Temple,Kidangayam
- Pallimukkom Devi Temple,Pattoor.
- Kokkaatt Devi Temple,Naduvilemuri.
- Muthukaattukara Devi Temple,Muthukaatukara.
- Earezhathukaavu Devi Temple,Naduvilemuri.
- Amabalathinaal Devi Temple,Edakkunnam.
- Gurunaathankaavu Ardhanaareeswara Temple,Edappon.
- Noorukodi Devi Temple, PalamelPalamelPalamel is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.-Demographics: India census, Palamel had a population of 31916 with 15112 males and 16804 females....
. - Plaakkodu Vaishnava Durga Temple,Powerhouse.
- Sreedharma Shastha temple Palamel-Kidangayam
- +St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Church.
- +St.Fathimamatha Catholic Church, Kidangayam.
See also
- MavelikkaraMavelikkaraMavelikara is a town in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India, spread over an area of 12.65 km2. It is in the southern part of Alappuzha district on the banks of the Achankovil River. Mavelikara is located 8km east of National Highway. Mavelikara is known as the capital of...
- PandalamPandalamPandalam is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known far and wide for its legendary connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town...
- KayamkulamKayamkulamKayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
- SabarimalaSabarimalaSabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in India with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan...
- PambaPambaPamba may refer to:* Pamba * Pamba River* Pamba Auxiliary Vessel* Pamba , genus of grass skipper butterflies* Pamba, 4-aminomethylbenzoic acid , antifibrinolytic agent...
- Culture of KeralaCulture of KeralaThe culture of Kerala is a synthesis of Dravidian and Aryan cultures, developed and mixed for centuries, under influences from other parts of India and abroad. It is defined by its antiquity and the organic continuity sustained by the Malayali people. Modern Kerala society took shape owing to...