]Cave pictures, probably by Neolithic people, are found in Pandavanpara, located in the North east side of Neyyattinkara towards Karakonam route. This famous cave will come under Perumkadavila panchayath. The name of this portion of land, before Marthanda Varma became the ruler of Travancore, was 'Thenganad'.
The megaliths recently unearthed at Vizhinjam shows a splendorous display of craftsmanship that was prevalent in the region from the Middle Eras. Studies are going on to ascertain the ancient history of this region. Some of the historic relics of NTA are:
Pandavan Para (believed to be having 5,000-year-old human inscriptions) Vizhinjam Cave Temple (constructed by the rulers of the Ay kingdom) Anantha Victoria Marthandan Canal (constructed during the British rule) Neyyattinkara's first library Njanapradayini
Times of Travancore Dynasty
Sree Krishna Swami Temple in the town-centre stands as a rare example of merger between legend and reality. According to the legend it was here the Travancore king Marthanda Varma once hid inside the hollow trunk of a Jackfruit tree to escape from his enemies during his war against the Ettuveetil Pillamar (The Nair-Feudal Lords of the Eight Houses). The King prayed to Lord Krishna for helping him as he was being surrounded by the enemies. At that time, a mysterious child asked the King to hide himself inside the hollow trunk of a large jack tree standing there. The jack tree popularly known as 'Ammachiplavu' (Translating to "Grandmother Jackfruit Tree") since then, could still be seen preserved in the Shri Krishna Swamy Temple located in the heart of the town. This temple was built by Marthanda Varma in the year 1755, as a thanksgiving to the Lord Krishna, who helped him to win the ordeal.
Independence struggle
Neyyattinkara is the birthplace of renowned revolutionaries like Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai, Athazhamangalam VeeraRaghavan who fought for Indian independence and against the dictatorial rule of Travancore Diwans. Neyyattinkara is the land of many uprisings against British rule in India. The brutal crackdown by British military resulted in death of many freedom fighters including Veeraraghavan. A monument reminding the new generations of these struggles could be seen in the heart of the town, in front of the Town Police Station. The Father of Nation of India, Mahatma Gandhi, had spent a day at Madhavi Mandiram (name of a house) in Neyyattinkara.
Wards in Neyyattinkara Municipal Area
Neyyattinkara Municipal Area is divided into 44 wards. The respective ward numbers assigned by the Municipality are given in brackets. For official matters ward numbers are generally mentioned in Roman numerals. The wards are: (1). Aralummoodu, (2) Puthanambalam, (3) Moonnukallinmoodu, (4) Koottappana, (5) Pallivilakam, (6) Punnakkadu, (7) Kalathuvila, (8) Vadakodu, (9) Muttakkadu, (10) Elavanikkara, (11) Mampazhakkara, (12) Mullaravila, (13) Perumpazhuthoor, (14) Alampotta, (15) Plavila, (16) Thozhukkal, (17) Vazhuthoor (includes Christ Nagar, Mythry Nagar and Keerthi Nagar), (18) Kollavamvila, (19) Thavaravila, (20) kulathamal, (21) Chaikottukonam, (22) Maruthathoor, (23) Irumbil (includes Arakkunnu and Stuart Nagar), (24) Fort (includes Vadakkey-kotta & Police Quarters), (25) Vlangamuri, (26) Krishnapuram, (27) Rameswaram, (28) Narayanapuram, (29) Amaravila, (30) Pullamala, (31) Pirayummoodu, (32) Olathanni, (33) Chundavila, (34) Athazhamangalam, (35) Kavalakulam, (36) Panagattukari, (37) Nilamel, (38) Manaloor, (39) Ooruttukala, (40) Alummoodu, (41) Town, (42) Brahmamkodu, (43) Athiyannoor, (44) Vazhimukku
These 44 wards are under the surveillance of Neyyattinkara Municipality (a local self-government or LSG). In each ward there is a Ward Councillor democratically elected for a period of 5 years. These Councillors represent the people in the ward concerned. In most of the wards there are Kudumbasree units of Kudumbashree Mission (Kerala) initiated for the development of womenfolk especially unemployed housewives.
Community-building organizations in Municipal Area
In most of the wards in Neyyattinkara Municipal Area there are Residents' associations registered under "The Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955" working for the welfare of the public. A few residents' associations in the Municipal Area were joined together and formed Federation of Residents' Associations, Neyyattinkara (FRAN) to move as a social unit so as to get all the welfare measures from the Local Self Government (viz. Municipality) and the State Government. Major Residents’ Associations in Municipal Area are:
Christ Nagar Residents’ Association (CNRA), Christ Nagar The Christ Nagar Residents’ Association (CNRA) is a non-profit society in the Christ Nagar Residential Area of Neyyattinkara town. The association was founded in 2000 by the residents of Christ Nagar and membership is restricted to those who live within the neighbourhood. The association's original aims are outlined in its memorandum of association. The association has close ties with the Indian National Congress party, with many CNRA members having worked for the party. Christ Nagar Residential Area contains major landmarks such as Town Church (BFM)-NTA, CSI Town Church-NTA, Arakkunnu Checkpost and Prayer Gardens (Ministry of Jesus)-NTA in Vazhuthoor Ward; Bathel Church (Arakkunnu), and extends to Irumbil Ward. Christ Nagar is the largest commuter town or bedroom suburb of Neyyattinkara town. In God We Trust is the tagline of CNRA. Mythry Nagar Residents’ Association (MNRA), Mythry Nagar [in Vazhuthoor Ward] Vazhuthoor Residents’ Association (VRA), Vazhuthoor [in Vazhuthoor Ward] Koottapana Residents’ Association (KRA), Koottapana Swaruma Residents’ Association (SRA), Pallivilakom/Vadakodu Kanichankode Residents’ Association (KRA), Kanichankodu (Govt. Hospital to Railway Station road) Swadeshi Residents’ Association (SRA), Kanichankodu Vadakkey Kotta Residents’ Association (VKRA), Vadakkey Kotta (Sreekrishana Swami Temple to Police Quarters road including Kandal and Kondodi area) Convent Road Residents’ Association (CRRA), Convent Road (Alummoodu) Nilamel Residents’ Association (NRA), Nilamel Krishna Nagar Residents’ Association (KNRA), Krishna Nagar (West side of Swadeshabhimani Municipal Park, Neyyattinkara) Amman Nagar Residents’ Association (ANRA), Amman Koil, near Neyyattinkara Bus-stand Oruma Residents’ Association (ORA), Pathankallu Palakadavu Residents’ Association (PKRA), Palakadavu Viswabharathy Road Residents’ Association (VRRA), Viswabharathy Road Neyyattinkara Town Residents' Association (NTRA), NTA Town (Town Hall side) Swadeshabhimani Residents' Association (SRA), NTA Town (South of Sreekrishna Swami Temple, Court and Kannipuram area) Gandhi Nagar Residents’ Association (GNRA), South of NTA KSRTC Bus Terminal Mahatma Residents’ Association (MRA), West of NTA KSRTC Bus Terminal
In April 2010, Vazhuthoor Ward set as a model in food security through the Swabhimanam Self-Sufficiency programme spearheaded by Adv. Vinod Sen (Indian National Congress party), the then ward Councillor of Vazhuthoor Ward. As an incentive in appreciation for the efforts put in by the local bodies in taking government's health care projects to the grassroots, Neyyattinkara Municipality got Arogyakeralam award 2012–13. Now Adv. L. S Sheela (Indian National Congress party), who is the vice-chairperson and finance and standing committee chairperson of Neyyattinkara Municipality is the ward councilor of Christ Nagar, Mythry Nagar, Keerthi Nagar, New Street and Vazhuthoor residential areas that come under Vazhuthoor Ward.
Christian Fellowship Christmas Parade, 2015
From the heart of NTA town, the L-shaped parade route travelled [on Christmas Day (2015-12-25) at 4 p.m] south of the town (Viswabharathy road) to west of the town (T B Junction) and gathered in the east of the town: Govt. Boys’ Higher Secondary School, NTA for United Christmas Celebrations, 2015 (Convention). The parade and convention were organized by The Christian Fellowship, NTA: a united Christian body comprising Latin Catholic Diocese of NTA, 65 CSI Churches in NTA town, Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Malankara Christian Church, Lutheran, and Evangelical Church of India. A number of CSI Churches including CSI Muttakkad, CSI Melariyodu, CSI Kurumbal, St. Paul's CSI( Pottayil, Irumbil), Lali Memorial CSI – Punnakkadu, CSI Irumbil, CSI Koovodu, CSI Thozhukkal, CSI Perumpazhuthoor, CSI Cathedral NTA, Sharon CSI Plavilamoola, CSI Malanchani, CSI Mayapuri, CSI NTA, CSI Central NTA, CSI Kalathuvila, Bethel CSI Chittacodu, and Lutheran churches such as St. Peter's Lutheran: Karavakkuzhi, and Bethel Lutheran Church: Vazhuthoor participated in the parade by marching bands, complete with a parade of floats, festivities and familiar Christmas characters. Santa Claus participated in the parade with his magnificently decorated sleigh with huge gift sack on top of a float. Most of the streets in the town were partially closed between 3 pm to 5 pm. The United Christmas Celebrations were inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Vincent Samual – bishop of Latin Catholic Diocese of NTA. Dr. Shashi Tharoor, the current MP and Rev. Dr. Mani Puthiyidam: Changanassery Athiroopatha Vikari General addressed the gathering. Rev. Pavithrasingh: president of Christian Fellowship presided over the function. The convention started at 5 pm and went on till 12 midnight. The convention was an organized effort of General Convener of Christian Fellowship: J Jose Franklin, Secretary: K Raveendran, Clergy Convener: Rev. T R Satyaraj and president: Rev. L T Pavithrasingh, and other members of the Fellowship: Dr. T Jegin Raj (Velliyavila Sidha Ayurvea Hospital), V Yesudas, Jayakumar, Joyi, Danam, Velukkutty, Sam Jayakumar, Jomi Francis, Susheelan and B B Sanal. The NTA Municipality Chairman S S Jayakumar, Vice-chairperson Adv. L S Sheela and leader of opposition Ansalan felicitated the function. The function was serenaded by local choirs of CSI Town Church, Christ Nagar, NTA. Students of St. Theresa's Convent Girls' Higher Secondary School, NTA, Dr. G R Public School, NTA, Rugmini College of Nursing, Vellarada and children of various church members conducted various Christmas programs in the convention. The convention was closed after a drama Vazhthapetta (beatified) Devasahayam Pillai conducted by Trivandrum Rangakala. During the 10 days’ festival time in NTA town, the roads in the town were illuminated in different colours and the buildings and trees along the Railway Overbridge » KSRTC Stand, TB Junction » Govt. Hospital Junction and Ooruttukala » Allummoodu stretch were lit up. The illuminations were sponsored by NTA Municipal Council and The Christian Fellowship, NTA. There were sparkling illuminations and Christmas characters overlooking the Neyyar River at Amaravila CSI Church compound, NTA CSI Church compound, Thozhukkal CSI Church compound, in and around NTA town and Thirupuram: the outskirts of NTA town.
Onam Fest & Illuminations (Neyyar Mela), 2015