'{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Changanassery | native_name = | native_name_lang = ml | other_name = Changanacherry | settlement_type = Town | image_skyline = Changanassery Landmarks.JPG | image_alt = | 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 = 13.5 | population_total = 47,485 | 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 | 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]] '''Changanassery''', {{IPA-ml|t̠͡ʃɐŋːɐn̺ɐːʃːeːɾi|IPA}}, (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 the [[Western Ghats]] and [[Kuttanad]]. It is one of the major educational and religious centres of [[Kerala]], with nearly 100% literacy. There are five colleges, eight higher secondary schools, one vocational higher secondary school and ten high schools within a four-kilometre radius of the town. Changanacherry Pin Code is 686101. Pin Code is also known as Zip Code or Postal Code. Changanacherry is located in district Kottayam, Kerala, INDIA. == Geography == Changanassery is located 18&nbsp;km south of [[Kottayam]] on the Main Central road. With a population of 127,987 as of 2011,<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> 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. It is located in between the low level paddy fields of [[Kuttanad]] and the sloppy midlands of the eastern parts of the [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]] and [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]] districts.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} == History == The first recorded history on the origin of Changanacherry is obtained from 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 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 (''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 are 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.{{citations needed|date=May 2021}} == Governance== The city is governed by the Changanacherry Municipal Council. Sri. Saajan Francis is the chairperson of the municipality and the vice chairperson is Smt. Ambika Vijayan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.changanasserymunicipality.in/council|title=Changanacherry Municipality|access-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301092848/http://www.changanasserymunicipality.in/council|archive-date=1 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</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|access-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301011430/http://ecourts.gov.in/Ecourt4|archive-date=1 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</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 |access-date=2008-10-19 |work=Kerala |publisher=Election Commission of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030085443/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S11/KL_Dist_PC_AC.pdf |archive-date=2008-10-30 }}</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 [[Mavelikara (Lok Sabha constituency)|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 four decades. == Demographics == [[File:Archbishop's House, Changanassery, Kerala.jpg|thumb|Syro-Malabar Catholic Archbishop's house]] As of the 2011 India [[census]] Changanassery municipality has a population of 47,485;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/india/kerala/|title=Kerala (India): Districts, Cities and Towns - Population Statistics, Charts and Map|website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> the total population of Changanassery UA/Metropolitan region is 127,987. The male population was 61,807, while the female population was 66,180. The literacy rate of Changanassery Agglomeration is 97.56%, which is higher than the national urban average of 85%. The literacy rates 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 the remaining 58,696 were females. The child population (age 0–6) of Changanassery UA is around 9.02% of the total Changanassery UA population, which is lower than the national urban average of 10.93%. The total number of children in Changanassery urban region was 11,550, of which 5,895 were males while the remaining 5,655 children were females. == 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.<ref>Shungoonny Menon - A HISTORY OF TRAVANCORE - First edition: 1878, New edition: 1983, Page 130, 131 - {{ISBN|8170200407|8120601696}}</ref> # L.P. School, Perunna (1880); started by Kainikara Govinda Pillai # St. Joseph's School, Changanassery (January 16, 1888) : It had been the long cherished dream of Blessed Chavara to open a school for the education of girls at Changanassery. St Joseph’s Girls Higher Secondary School, a realization of this blessed priest’s dream, is situated at the heart of Changanassery town known for its religious tolerance, and rich cultural heritage # St. Mary's L.P. School, Changanassery (October 15, 1888) # Government English High School, Puzhavathu (1889); Later this school become Government High School - Changanassery # St. Berchman's High School, Changanassery (February 3, 1891); Poet Ulloor S. Parameshwara Iyer, Kainikkara brothers, Mar Antony Padiyara and Mar Joseph Powathil studied in this school. # [[St. Berchmans College]], Changanassery (June 19, 1922); The college was initially started in a building (now it is a museum) near to St. Mary's Parel Church. It was a junior college affiliated to Madras University. In 1927, graduate courses were started. Travencore University was founded on November 1, 1937 to which the college was then affiliated. Postgraduate courses were started in 1957. St. Berchmans College situated in Changanacherry , Kottayam District, Kerala, is an independent instructive organization associated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. This establishment was established in 1922 and is perceived under the UGC Act, 1956. In the fourth pattern of accreditation in 2017-2022, the school was evaluated at A by the NAAC. It was positioned 79 in All India Ranking by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2020 in the class of College. # [[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. # [[NSS Training College, Changanacherry]] # N.S.S Homeo College, Kurichy # St. Joseph College of Communication, Kurisummood # Kristu Jyothi College, Chethipuzha # Biswas, Institute of management studies Thegana, changanacherry == Transport == The state-run [[Kerala State Road Transport Corporation]] (KSRTC) runs bus services to nearby towns. Separate private bus terminals 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 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]]). [[Cochin International Airport]] is the nearest airport, which is 106&nbsp;km away from [[Changanacherry]]. {| class="wikitable" border="1" |- ! colspan="4"| Ferry Services from / to Changanacherry |- ! Source ! Departure ! Destination ! Route |-style="background: #2988BC; color: white" | rowspan="5"| Changanacherry | 07:45 | Lisieux (near Kavalam) | Kidangara-Michael Church-Krishnapuram-Kavalam |-style="background: #2988BC; color: white" | 09:15 | Alappuzha | Kidangara-Michael Church-Krishnapuram-Kavalam-Lisieux-Rajapuram-C Block-Kuppapuram-Soman Jetty |-style="background: #2988BC; color: white" | 12:30 | Aramana | Kidangara-Michael Church-Krishnapuram-Kavalam |-style="background: #2988BC; color: white" | 16:45 | Alappuzha | Kidangara-Michael Church-Krishnapuram-Kavalam-Lisieux-Rajapuram-C Block-Kuppapuram-Soman Jetty |-style="background: #2988BC; color: white" | 20:00 | Rajapuram | Kidangara-Michael Church-Krishnapuram-Kavalam-Lisieux |-style="background: #ED8C72; color: white" | Rajapuram | 05:45 | rowspan="5"| Changanacherry | Lisieux-Kavalam-Krishnapuram-Michael Church-Kidangara |-style="background: #ED8C72; color: white" | Aramana | 06:45 | Kidangara-Michael Church-Krishnapuram-Kavalam |-style="background: #ED8C72; color: white" | Lisieux (near Kavalam) | 09:15 | Kavalam-Krishnapuram-Michael Church-Kidangara |-style="background: #ED8C72; color: white" | Aramana | 14:45 | Kidangara-Michael Church-Krishnapuram-Kavalam |-style="background: #ED8C72; color: white" | Lisieux (near Kavalam) | 16:15 | Kavalam-Krishnapuram-Michael Church-Kidangara |} == Centres of worship == Notable worship centres in Changanacherry are Perunnai Sree Subramaniya Swamy Temple, [[Anandasramam, Changanacherry|Anandasramam]], St. Mary's church (Parel palli), Valiapally (Metropolitan Church), India Pentecostal Church of God [IPC], Assemblies of God Church [Pentecostal church], Kavil Bhagavathi Temple, The Holy Trinity Church, Puthoorpalli Muslim Juma-ath and [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery]] == 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 ♦♦♦♦---> {{columns-list|colwidth=22em| * [[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]] * [[Aditya Varma Manikandan]] * [[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]] * [[C.F Thomas]] * [[Roshan Mathew]] }} <!---♦♦♦♦ 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 ♦♦♦♦---> ==See also== *[[Thottackad]] == References == {{Reflist}} == 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] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120504174513/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:Changanassery| ]] [[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:History of Changanassery]] [[Category:Kingdom of Thekkumkur]] [[Category:Culture of Kerala]] [[Category:Former capital cities in India]] [[Category:Historical Indian regions]]'