Elavumthitta (also Elavinthitta, Elavanthitta) is a town (located near to the border of Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta district) in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The majority of its inhabitants are from Hindu and Christian backgrounds. The primary crops are rubber, coconut, black pepper and plantain. The terrain is hilly with plenty of paddy fields in between. It is the commercial centre of Mezhuveli and Chenneerkara panchayaths.
Geography and transportation Elavumthitta is located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The town is situated at an elevation of 46 metres (151 feet) above mean sea level, with paddy fields in the surrounding terrain at approximately 30 metres (100 feet).
Elavumthitta is nearly 12 km from the district headquarter Pathanamthitta. Other nearby Towns are, Chengannur (14.5 km), Pandalam (8 km), Kozhencherry (11 km) and Adoor (14 km).
Nearest Railway Station = Chengannur Railway station (15 km) [Other nearby Railway Stations: Cheriyanad Railway Station (19 km), Mavelikara railway Station (25 km), Thrivulla Railway Station (26 km), Kayamkulam junction (34 km).] Nearest Police Station = Elavumthitta Police station. Nearest Airport = Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (107 km), Nedumbassery International Airport (130 km)
Two main roads passes through Elavumthitta. One is Pathanamthitta – Elavumthitta – Chengannur. KSRTC is running chain service through this road. The other road is Adoor – Elavumthitta – Kozhencherry road.
The average height of Elavumthitta is above mean sea level. The low lying water shed paddy fields around Elavumthitta is above mean sea level. There is a peak called Namakuzhy, above mean sea level 2 km. north of Elavumthitta. This peak can be considered as the highest spot in the area. There is a legend about this peak that the pandavas in exile visited this place and stayed here for a short while. There were giant size foot marks imprinted on rocks scattered above the hill believed to be of Bhima the mighty bare hand warrior of Mahabharat epic. And also there was a pit on the rock with perennial source of water; signs reinforcing the local beliefs.
Rivers and water systems
Elavumthitta is situated within the catchment area of two major rivers: the Sacred Pampa and the Achankovil. The Pamba River basin extends over an area of 2,235 square kilometres (863 sq mi), bounded on the east by the Western Ghats and on the west by the Arabian Sea.
The Achankovil River, a 128-kilometre-long west-flowing river, originates in the Western Ghats at Pathanamthitta district at an elevation of 700 metres and joins the Pamba River at Veeyapuram. The abundant rainfall in the region sustains both rivers throughout the year and maintains the region's groundwater levels.
Economy
The primary crops in Elavumthitta include rubber, coconut, black pepper, and plantains. Rubber cultivation was introduced to Kerala by British planters in the late 19th century, with the first plantations established in the Western Ghats highlands of regions including Pathanamthitta. Rubber cultivation expanded rapidly during the early to mid-20th century through government initiatives and technological advancements, transforming the landscape of Kerala's highlands and becoming a major cash crop.
Dairy farming is a significant supplementary economic activity in Elavumthitta. Elavumthitta also hosts a unit of Akay Flavours and Aromatics Pvt. Ltd. at Nallanikunnu, Elavumthitta, a food and agro‑processing exporter of essential oils and oleoresins.
Major townships around Elavumthitta
1. Geographic location. Northwest = Chengannur (14.5 km) North = Thiruvalla (23.9 km), Kozhenchery (11 km), Aranmula (10.5 km) Northeast = Ranni (20.5 km) West = Mavelikkara (25 km) Centre = Elavumthitta East = Pathanamthitta (12 km) Southwest = Pandalam (8 km) South = Adoor (14 km) Southeast = Omalloor (8 km)
2. Cites. Kottayam (50 km) Thiruvananthapuram (100 km) Kochi (111 km) Alapuzha (58 km) Kollam (58 km)
Rainfall Elavumthitta does not have its own rain gauge, but the area is in the close proximity of Pathanamthitta, which is 12 km. away and has a Rain gauge. The rain fall data for the past few years is given below in mm .
year Jan Feb Mar Apr MayJun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2005 20 1 77 358 279 652 670 155 421 220 375 91 2006 27.7 0 148.3 135.6 448.7 452 476 271.3 320.9 480.4 253.7 0 2007 0 10 24.5 313 156.8 632.8 755.2 325.6 444.1 456.2 176.5 8.1 2008 0 65.3 158 198.4 61.5 287 644.1 346.1 368.2 345.9 142.9 40.7 2009 5.5 2 49 115.4 166.8 378 454 227.4 290.2 222.7 299.6 34.9 2010 31 0.7 66.3 210 268.2 502.5 432.5 402.2 259.4 454.9 526.4 89.1 2011 46 74.3 92.5 269.7 175.5 591.2 305.7 286.2 334.2 165.7 132.8 176 2012 9.1 13 84.6 281.5 84.6 179.5 270.6 451.6 138.4 158.9 120.1 26 2013 9 24.4 92 47 154 728.7 608.4 281 310.3 268.4 306.1 18
Sources Agricultural Statistics – (Website Panchayat level statistics-2011; Pathanamthitta District) India Metrological Department
The average annual rainfall is calculated from the above data which comes to 2700 mm
History and culture
Elavumthitta Market celebrated its centenary year in 2009. Muloor S. Padmanabha Panicker, a poet and social reformer and a disciple of Sree Narayana Guru, established the Elavumthitta market in 1909 when he was a member of the Sreemoolam Prajasabha. He named the market as "Sreemoolam Rajagopalavilasam". The Elavumthitta market celebrated its 100th anniversary in September 2009.
Aswathy festival The Aswathy festival is the most significant annual celebration in Elavumthitta, held in the Malayalam month of Meenam. Unlike Onam, which is celebrated throughout Kerala, Aswathy is unique to Elavumthitta and draws local participation in various cultural and commercial activities.
Cattle market
Elavumthitta market popularly known as Elavumthitta Chantha (ഇലവുംതിട്ട ചന്ത) celebrated its 100th year in September 2009. The cattle market is held on the 9th and 22nd of every Malayalam month.
First Sivagiri Pilgrimage The first Sivagiri pilgrimage began on 28 December 1932, from Elavumthitta with five pilgrims, marking the beginning of an annual tradition approved by Sri Narayana Guru in 1928. The Sivagiri pilgrimage was conceived by Guru's disciples including Vallabhasseri Govindan Vaidyar and T. K. Kittan (Kittan Writer). Malayalam reports note that the first pilgrimage from Elavumthitta in 1932 set out from the house of poet Muloor S. Padmanabha Panicker, under the leadership of his son Divakara Panicker.
The five young pilgrims who initiated the first journey were P.K. Divakara Panicker (son of Muloor S. Padmanabha Panicker), P.K. Kesavan, P.V. Raghavan, M.K. Raghavan, and S. Sankunni.
The team was led by Sri.P.K.Divakara Panicker. This was a historical journey that led to the famous Sivagiri pilgrimage conducted every year. The pilgrimage has become an occasion of unity and peace.
Mooloor S. Padmanābha Panicker Muloor S. Padmanabha Panicker (1869–1931) was a renowned poet and social reformer who made significant contributions to Elavumthitta's development through his literary work and advocacy for social reform. He named his residence in Elavumthitta as 'Kerala Varma Soudham' as a mark of respect towards Kerala Varma Valiyakoyi Thampuran who was his close friend. Muloor Smarakam, a memorial dedicated to Padmanabha Panicker built at the location of his residence, is located in Elavumthitta and serves as a cultural and historical landmark. The memorial includes a museum housing an extensive collection of manuscripts, personal belongings, and photographs that showcase his contributions to Malayalam literature and social justice movements.
Libraries in and around Elavumthitta Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Aksharakala Samskarika Kendram Library Menon Smaraka Grandhasala, Nediyakala, Mezhuveli Janatha Library and Reading Room, Muttathukonam
Educational institutions Sreebuddha College of Engineering (now mixed) Salvation Army L P school, Thumpamon North – This is the first School of Elavumthitta, established in the year 1903. It celebrated its Centenary year in 2003. The school is located 1 km away from Elavumthitta market on the way side of Ramanchira road. S N Giri S N D P H S S Chenneerkkara S N D P H S S, Muttathukonam North CMS high School, Kuzhikkala Sree Narayana Guru College of Advanced Studies, Mezhuveli Padmanabhodayam H S S, Mezhuveli Gangadhara Vilasam L P School, Mezhuveli Teachers Training Institute, Mezhuveli Govt. Model L P School, Mezhuveli North U P School, Mezhuveli North S N Govt. L P School, Kooduvettikkal, Karithotta Govt. Of India Women's I T I, Elavumthitta Sarasakavi Mooloor Smaraka U P School, Chandanakkunnu Ambedkar English Medium School, Konganal buildings, near Melathemukku. Mezhuveli Panchayat I T C CMS U P School, Nallanikunnu Kendriya Vidyalaya, Chenneerkara
Temples and Churches in and around Elavumthitta Elavumthitta Bhagavathy Temple Elavumthitta Malanada Ayathil Malanada Mezhuveli Anandabhootheshawaram Temple Aranmula Sree Parthasarathi Temple Omalloor Raktha Kanda Swamy Temple Pandalam Valiya Koickal Sree Dharma Sastha Temple Kulakkada SivaParavathi Temple Christ The King Catholic Church Elavumthitta, Punalur Diocese. Established on 4 November 1936. Kuzhikkala Marthoma Church Manjinikkara Church Bethlehem Marthomma Church India Pentecostal Church of God The Pentecostal Mission St. Paul's CSI Church, Nallanikunnu Malankara Catholic Church Sehion Mar Thoma Church St Thomas Marthoma Church (Pulinthitta Church) Thabor Mar Thoma Church Pullamala Jarusalem Mar Thoma Church Ayathil Ebenezer Marthoma Church Chenneerkara Thachirethu Vettiyil Sree Nagaraja Nagayakshi kavu
Writers / Litterateurs Mooloor S Padmanabha Panicker Kambisseri Karunakaran
Demographics Elavumthitta is flanked by the area of 4 panchayats. Following data is from the book 'Panchayat level Statistics 2006' published by Department of Economics & Statistics Thiruvananthapuram.
Panchayat Households Population Literacy rateChenneerkkara 4834 19538 94.27Mezhuveli 3734 15223 95.62Kulanada 6051 24493 93.58Elanthoor 3809 15425 95.33
Elavumthitta is spread in four Panchayats namely Mezhuveli, Chenneerkkara, Kulanada and Elanthoor. The total households in Elavumthitta is 7,988 and population is 32,399. The literacy of Elavumthitta area is 94.70%.
Dairy farming is common here.
See also Mooloor S.Padmanabha Panicker Abin Varkey MLA, Aranmula Veena George (Ex MLA, Aranmula) Adv.V.K Varghese (Ex. MLA, pathanamthitta) K. C. Rajagopalan (EX. MLA, Aranmula) P. N. Chandrasenan (Ex. MLA, Aranmula) Kambisseri Karunakaran (Chief Editor Janayugam) Prof. Sasikumar (Chairman Sree Buddha Group of Institutions) S.N. Vijayan (former National Vice President Ezhava Mahajana Sabha) Chengannur Pandalam Alapuzha district Chengannur Railway Madambi, a 2008 Malayalam film which was shot here
References
External links
www.facebook.com/elavinthitta
https://pathanamthitta.nic.in/ thehindu.com