'{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Changanasserry | native_name = | native_name_lang = ml | other_name = Changanacherry | settlement_type =Town | image_skyline = Changanassery Landmarks.JPG | image_alt = 250px | image_caption = Top left:Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple, Top right:Anchu Vilaku Lamps, Middle left:Saint Berchmans College, Middle right:Saint Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral, Bottom left:Vandipetta Boat Jetty, Bottom right:Main gate in Nair Service Society Headquarters | nickname = | map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = India Kerala#India | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|9.466667|N|76.55|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[India]] | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala State|Kerala]] | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]] | established_title = <!-- Established --> | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = Municipality | leader_title = Chairman | leader_name = | leader_title1 = Vice Chairman | leader_name1 = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = | population_total = 127,971 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_rank = 16th | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_note = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = Malayalam, English | timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 11 | postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] | postal_code = 686101 | area_code_type = Telephone code | area_code = 0481 | registration_plate = KL 33 | local directory = chry info pages | website = | footnotes = | official_name = }} [[File:Boat transport at Changanassery.JPG|thumb|Waterways]][[File:Changanassery Railway Station Main Building - long view.jpg|thumb|Railway Station]] [[File:Changanassery Boat Jetty.jpg|thumb|Boat Jetty]] [[File:Changanassery KSRTC Bus Station.jpg|thumb|Bus Station in Changanassery]] [[File:Changanassery Road Network.png|thumb|Road network]] '''Changanasserry''' (also known by its former name '''Changanacherry''') is a municipal town in [[Kottayam district]] in the state of [[Kerala]], [[India]]. Changanassery is the gateway to [[Western Ghats]] and [[Kuttanad]]. It is considered as one of the major educational and religious centres of [[Kerala]] with a 100% literate municipality. There are five colleges, eight higher secondary schools, one vocational higher secondary school and ten high schools within the four kilometre radius of the town, which makes Changanassery the educational centre of Kerala. == Geography == Changanassery is located 18&nbsp;km south of [[Kottayam]] on the Main Central road. With a population of about 50,000 in 2001, its population was already 36,000 as early as the 1951 census. The town is situated near the tripoint of Kottayam, [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]] and [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]] districts. It had one of the leading markets in Kerala connecting the main three districts. == History == The first recorded history on the origin of Changanacherry is obtained from the Sangam period literature. According to Sangam era documents, Uthiyan [[Cheralatan|Cheralathan]] (Perum Chorru Udiyan Cheralathan, Athan I, or Udiyanjeral - AD c. 130) is the first recorded Kera (Chera) dynasty - a branch of main Chera dynasty- ruler of the Sangam period in ancient South India. {{sfn|Singh|2008|p=384}}<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=60–61}}</ref> He had his capital at a place called "Kuzhumur" in Kuttanad and expanded the kingdom northward and eastward from his original homeland (meaning izham or illam in Tamil). His lifetime is broadly determined to be between the first and third century AD. His queen was Veliyan Nalini, the daughter of Veliyan Venman. Present-day Changanacherry and Kuttanad was the capital of the Kera (Chera) dynasty at that time until it was burnt down by Karikala Chola changing the name of Kuzhumur to Chutta-nadu (burnt-land) which became Kuttanad. Similarly, "Keralathan" is the Malayalam pronunciation of Tamil "Cheralathan" and the world "[[Keralam]]" may be a derivative version of "Chera-izham" or "Kera-illam" meaning Chera-homeland in Tamil). Keralathan's descendant was [[Senguttavan]] Cheran (Chenguttavan means "brave-hearted" in Malayalam) the towns of Chenganacherri and Chengana is named after him). Sengana-cherri means Sengan's town in old Tamil. After the Chera dynasty defeat, the word cherri took on the concurrent meaning of the land of the defeated and eventually was equated to mean a slum in Chola kingdom. == Governance== The city is governed by the Changanacherry Municipal Council. Sri. Sebastien Mathew is the chairperson of the municipality and the vice chairperson is Smt. Suma Shine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.changanasserymunicipality.in/council|title=Changanacherry Municipality}}</ref> It heads the taluk kachery (office). It also heads the Munsiff's court and the Judicial First class magistrate's court.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ecourts.gov.in/Ecourt4|title=Courts in changanacherry}}</ref> Changanacherry assembly constituency was a part of [[Kottayam (Lok Sabha constituency)]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S11/KL_Dist_PC_AC.pdf |title=Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies |accessdate=2008-10-19 |work=Kerala |publisher=Election Commission of India |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030085443/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S11/KL_Dist_PC_AC.pdf |archivedate=2008-10-30 |df= }}</ref> 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. C. F. Thomas has been representing Changanacherry Constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly for almost the last 4 decades. == Demographics == [[File:Archbishop's House, Changanassery, Kerala.jpg|thumb|Syro-Malabar Catholic Archbishop's house]] {{As of|2011}} India [[census]],.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archivedate=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|accessdate=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> The total population of Changanassery UA/Metropolitan region is 127,987. The male population of which is 61,807 while female population is 66,180. The literacy rate of Changanassery Agglomeration is 97.56% which is higher than National Urban average of 85%. Literacy rate for male and female for Changanassery stood at 98.19% and 96.98% respectively. Total literates in Changanassery UA were 113,597 of which males were 54,901 and remaining 58,696 were females. The child (0-6 age) population of Changanassery UA is around 9.02% of total Changanassery UA population which is lower than National Urban average of 10.93%. Total children in Changanassery Urban region were 11,550 of which males were 5,895 while remaining 5,655 children were females. A large percentage of population from Changanacherry resides abroad in the Gulf, Europe, and America. == Transport == State-run [[Kerala State Road Transport Corporation|KSRTC]] runs bus services to nearby towns. Separate Private Bus Terminii are available for those traveling to Eastern [[High Range]] areas. Also, a combined bus station facility for both private and state buses travelling to Western Changanassery ([[Kuttanad]]), Southern Changanassery ([[Mavelikara]]) and Northern Changanassery ([[Kottayam]]) is available. There is a dedicated [[Kerala State Road Transport Corporation|KSRTC]] bus station in the heart of the town. Govt Water Transport facilities are available to remote places and major towns nearby. [[Changanacherry railway station]] serves Western Changanassery([[Kuttanad]]) and Eastern Changanassery([[Karukachal]]). == Culture == Chanaganacherry is a notable [[Administrative divisions of India|Zone]] in [[Kottayam]] District where people speak pure [[Malayalam]] without a local accent.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} === Centres of worship === This land is famous for unity in diversity. The notable worship centres near to Changanacherry are St. Mary's church, Parel (Parel palli), Ettumanoor Temple, Manarkadu Church, Chakkulathukavu Temple, Mannarshala Temple, Chettikulangara Temple, Mavelikkara, Chengannur Mahadeva Temple and [[Anikkattilammakshethram]] Temple. The [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery]] is the largest [[Catholic]] [[Diocese]] in India, established in 1887, Puthuppally St George Orthodox Church, St Johns Orthodox Valiyappally Vakathanam. The Holy Trinity Church since 1999 is a Christian church that believes and follows the [[Bible]] as the only true foundation to Christian Faith. Christians being the largest group: Christians are 48.03% of the population, Hindus are 46.92%, and Muslims are 4.80%. === Notable people === <!---♦♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦♦---> <!---♦♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦♦---> * [[Raja Raja Varma Koil Thampuran]] * [[Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai]] * [[Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer]] * [[Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran]] * [[A. R. Raja Raja Varma]] * [[Changanassery Parameswaran Pillai]] * [[Kainikkara Kumara Pillai]] * [[Accamma Cherian]] * [[P. K. Narayana Panicker]] * [[L. P. R. Varma]] * [[Thomas Kurialacherry|Mar Thomas Kurialacherry]] * [[James Kalacherry|Mar James Kalassery]] * [[Mathew Kavukattu]] * [[Muttathu Varkey]] * [[Joseph Powathil|Mar. Joseph Powathil]] * [[George Alencherry|Mar George Alencherry]] * [[Alummoodan]] * [[L. A. Ravi Varma|Dr. L.A. Ravi Varma]] * [[Mar Thomas Tharayil]] * [[Anju Bobby George]] * [[Raju Narayana Swamy]] * [[Bheeman Raghu]] * [[Boban Alummoodan]] * [[Geethu Anna Jose]] * [[Parvathy Omanakuttan]] * [[Matthew Pothen Thekaekara]] * [[T. V. Varkey|Prof. T.V. Varkey]] <!---♦♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦♦---> <!---♦♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦♦---> <ref></ref>=== Notable people === <!---♦♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦♦---> <!---♦♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦♦---> * [[Raja Raja Varma Koil Thampuran]] * [[Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai]] * [[Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer]] * [[Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran]] * [[A. R. Raja Raja Varma]] * [[Changanassery Parameswaran Pillai]] * [[Kainikkara Kumara Pillai]] * [[Accamma Cherian]] * [[P. K. Narayana Panicker]] * [[L. P. R. Varma]] * [[Thomas Kurialacherry|Mar Thomas Kurialacherry]] * [[James Kalacherry|Mar James Kalassery]] * [[Mathew Kavukattu]] * [[Muttathu Varkey]] * [[Joseph Powathil|Mar. Joseph Powathil]] * [[George Alencherry|Mar George Alencherry]] * [[Alummoodan]] * [[L. A. Ravi Varma|Dr. L.A. Ravi Varma]] * [[Mar Thomas Tharayil]] * [[Anju Bobby George]] * [[Raju Narayana Swamy]] * [[Bheeman Raghu]] * [[Boban Alummoodan]] * [[Geethu Anna Jose]] * [[Parvathy Omanakuttan]] * [[Matthew Pothen Thekaekara]] * [[T. V. Varkey|Prof. T.V. Varkey]] ♦ Scaria Zacharia <!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦♦---> <!---♦♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦♦---> == External links == {{Commons category}} * [http://www.changanachery.com/ About Changanacherry] * [http://www.archdiocesechanganacherry.org/ Archdiocese of Changanacherry] * [http://www.nsshinducollege.org/ NSS HINDU COLLEGE CHANGANACHERRY] * [http://www.sjcc.co.in St Joseph College of Communication] * [http://www.sbcollege.org/index.php/ St. Berchmans College] * [http://www.changanasserymunicipality.in/ Changanassery Municipality] {| style="centre; margin:150 0 0 0;" |+ | {{Geographic Location |title = '''Nearest Towns and cities connected to Changanacherry''' |Northwest = [[Kavalam]] |North = [[Kottayam]] |Northeast = [[Pampady]] |West = [[Alapuzha]] |Centre = Changanassery |East = [[Kanjirappally]] |Southwest = [[Mavelikara]] |South = [[Thiruvalla]] |Southeast = [[Mallappally]] }} |} {{Kerala}} {{Municipalities of Kerala}} {{Kottayam district}} [[Category:Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2001]] [[Category:All articles containing potentially dated statements]] [[Category:Cities and towns in Kottayam district]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Kottayam district]] [[Category:Changanassery| ]]'