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Changanassery is an important market town, was historically one of the centres of administration and culture in the Central Travancore region. The Changanassery market, established in AD 1805, served as the main trading point in the transport of rice, pepper, dry ginger, and piece goods between the coastal areas in the west and the mountains of the east. The "Anchu Vilakku" lamps were installed by the locals in 1905 near the boat jetty, and continues to serve as a symbol of the religious and ethnic harmony of the region. Changanassery is also famous for SB College, one of the oldest and prestigious institutions established by Catholic Church in 1922 and for providing higher education to Travancore Region in Kerala in beginning of 20 th Century. The College Tower of SB College, with Christ The King on top of it, continues to stand as symbol for wisdom and education in Kerala.
Thus, the Anchuvilaku, Changanassery Market and College Tower of SB College stand as landmarks in both Changanassery and Kottayam
Etymology
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History
The first recorded history on the origin of Changanacherry is obtained from Sangam period literature. According to Sangam era documents, Uthiyan Cheralathan (Perum Chorru Udiyan Cheralathan, Athan I, or Udiyanjeral - AD c. 130) is the first recorded Kera Chera dynasty ruler of the Sangam period in ancient South India.
Historically, Changanassery was a major regional centre, serving as a connecting hub. It also hosted one of the most famous markets in Kerala. The town served as the capital of the Thekkumkur kingdom in the 15th century.
From the mid-16th century, Changanassery was annexed into Travancore, and remained a part of it till the formation of the state of Kerala in 1956.
Administration
The city is governed by the Changanacherry Municipal Council.Ms Beena Joby is the chairperson of the municipality and the vice chairperson Mr Mathews George.
It heads the taluk Kachery (office). It also heads the Munsiff's court and the judicial first class magistrate's court.
Changanacherry assembly constituency was a part of Kottayam (Lok Sabha constituency). However, after the Delimitation Commission's Report in 2005, in order to retain Mavelikkara Lok Sabha Constituency, Changanacherry segment in Kottayam and the neighbouring constituencies in Alappuzha and Kollam districts were put together under Mavelikkara constituency. Sri. Kodikunnil Suresh represents Mavelikkara constituency in Parliament and Sri. Job Michael represents Changanacherry Constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly now.
Geography and climate
Changanassery has a tropical monsoon climate. There is significant rainfall in most months of the year. The short dry season has little effect on the overall climate. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is Am. The temperature here averages 26.3 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is about 2979 mm.
The Indian census collects statistics for both the Changanassery municipality and the Changanassery Urban Agglomeration (including its surrounding panchayat areas). The Changanassery UA includes Changanassery municipality as well as neighbouring panchayats like Paippad, Thrikodithanam and Chethipuzha in Vazhapilly panchayat.
As of the 2011 Indian census Changanassery municipality has a population of 47,485, an 8.2% decline from the 51,967 registered in 2001. Of this, 48.13% are male and 51.86% are female. The total population of the Changanassery UA is 127,987, of which 48.29% are male and 51.71% are female. The percentage of children below the age of 6 was 8.9% in Changanassery and 9.02% in the Changanassery UA. The literacy rate of Changanassery in 2011 was 97.19% (98.01% for males and 96.45% for females), which was higher than the state average of 94% and the national average of 74.04%. The literacy rate of the Changanassery UA in 2011 was 97.56% (98.19% for males and 96.98% for females).
According to the 2011 census, Hindus are the plurality with 48% of the population adhering to the religion. Christians form a significant minority, constituting 35% of the population. Muslims constitute 17% of the population.
The headquarters of the Nair Service Society, an organization created for the social advancement and welfare of the Nair community of Hindus, is located in Perunna. Changanassery is also the center of the Archdiocese of Changanassery, one of the largest dioceses of the Syro-Malabar Catholic church in India. Changanacherry's The Holy Trinity Church is regarded as one of Kerala's first "born-again" churches, having had a major influence on the development of the state's new Christian identity.
Education
There was a Vedic school at Vazhappally Salagramam (Vazhappally Shala) in ancient times during the rule of the Thekkumkur. It was run exclusively for Brahmins. It is the oldest educational institution in Changanassery on record. The Vazhappally Sala was destroyed by army of Ramayyan Dalawa during the Battle of Changanassery between Thekkumkur and Travancore in 1790.
SB HS School, ChanganasserrySt Berchmans Higher Secondary School, Changanassery (1891); One of the oldest residential high schools in Kerala, (then known as) St Berchmans English High School was established by Fr Charles Lavigne and clergy of Catholic Church in 1891. Even though made for Seminarians, the school, soon, was made for public. In 1998 the High School was promoted to Higher Secondary School providing both primary and secondary education. Cardinals such as Antony Padiyara and George Alencherry, Archbishops such as Mar Joseph Powathil and Mar Joseph Perumthottam and so on are the most alumni of the school. The school is one of first institutions of education in Kottayam
SB College, ChanganasserrySt. Berchmans College, Changanassery (19 June 1922); One of the top ten oldest and prestigious colleges in Kerala, St Berchmans College was initially started in a building (now it is a museum) near to St. Mary's Parel Church in 1922 by Venerable Thomas Kurialacherry on the cornerstone laid by Fr Charles Lavigne with the help of Catholic Church and Travancore Royal Family. It was a junior college affiliated to Madras University. In 1927, graduate courses were started. Travancore University was founded on 1 November 1937 to which the college was then affiliated. Postgraduate courses were started in 1957. Now it is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam. St. Berchmans College situated in Changanacherry, Kottayam District, Kerala, is an independent instructive (Autonomous) organization associated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. This establishment was established in 1922 and is perceived under the UGC Act, 1956. In the fifth pattern of accreditation in 2022, the school was evaluated at A+ by the NAAC. It was positioned 54 in All India Ranking by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2022 in the class of College. The college is famous for its Victorian Architecture, especially The College Tower and its alumni such as Prem Nazir, Oommen Chandy, Mar Thomas Tharayil and so on. SB College was one of the major education hubs in the 20th Century in Kerala.
NSS Hindu College, Changanassery (June 1949); The college was started in the rooms provided at the N.S.S. High School and it was shifted to a new building subsequently in 1955. NSS Hindu College, Changanassery, one of the biggest and most seasoned establishments of advanced education in Kerala. Set up in 1947, it is licensed from UGC, NAAC and it is associated to Mahatma Gandhi University. NSS, Changanassery offers 30 courses across 5 streams specifically Vocational, Arts, Hotel Management, Science, Commerce and Banking and across 8 degrees like BA, BSc, B.Com, MA, MSc. Hostel office isn't accessible for its understudies.
Assumption College, Changanasserry (1950); This college dedicated for Women. Assumption College, affiliated to University of Kerala in 1949, is at present affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Included under section 2(f) and 12 B of the UGC Act, the College was accredited by the NAAC in the year 2000.
Religion
There is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva viz., Kalarickal Manikanda Swami Temple situated in Changanassery. Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple is another ancient temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One of the first archeparchy established prior to Syro Malabar Church was Syro Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Changanassery with Archbishop House in Aramanapady. The Changanasserry Archeparchy with Ernakulam Archeparchy constitute the major provinces of Syro Malabar Catholic Church. St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral Church also known as (Changanasserry Valiyapally) is one of the oldest churches in Kerala. The church is famous for its Dravidian Architecture and Makaram Thirunnal dedicated to Saint Sebastian. Changanassery, thus, became the cradle of Syrian Christians in Travancore Region. Puthurpally Juma Masjid is a famous mosque in Changanassery noted for its iconic Chandanakoodam Perunnal.Changanassery is famous for being one of the few places in Kerala having religious harmony and peace.
Clockwise, top to bottom: St. Berchmans College; The Anchuviḷakku; Iḷamkavu Devi Temple; The boat jetty; NSS Hindu College
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