Ramapuram, Kottayam

This article is about a village in Kottayam district in Kerala. For other uses, see Rampur.
Ramapuram
രാമപുരം
Town
Ramapuram
Ramapuram

Location in Kerala, India

Coordinates: 9°47′47″N 76°39′36″E / 9.7963542°N 76.6600227°E / 9.7963542; 76.6600227Coordinates: 9°47′47″N 76°39′36″E / 9.7963542°N 76.6600227°E / 9.7963542; 76.6600227
Country  India
State Kerala
District Kottayam
Government
  Type Panchayath
  Body Ramapuram grama panchayath
Area
  Total 54.54 km2 (21.06 sq mi)
Population
  Total 28,708
  Density 530/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Languages
  Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 686576
Telephone code 04822
Vehicle registration KL-67, KL-35
Literacy 95%
Website http://lsgkerala.in/ramapurampanchayat/

Ramapuram (Malayalam: രാമപുരം) is a town in the Kottayam district of the Indian state of Kerala.

Etymology

The word "Ramapuram" means "the abode of Lord Rama", the village's chief deity. Ramapuram is unique in the sense that it houses the temple of Rama as well as his three brothers in a radius of just 3.5 km.: Lakshmana at Koodappulam, Bharata at Amanakara and Shatrughna at Methiri. Because of this, the village is a Hindu Pilgrimage center too. Devotees mostly visit the temples in the month of 'Ramayana'.

Temples

The nearby village Koodappulam is known for its Sri Lakshmana swami temple. Ancient ten Nair taravads of Kerala-Mutikat, Parakkat, Pariyath, Arakkal, Kappamadathil, Pathirakkattil, Kaanattu Kannampalakkal etc. are in Koodappulam. Also the Ancient five Ezhava Taravds of kerala -[ThazhatheEdappattu-Edappttu-KizhakkeEdappttu],Menamparambil,Kariythumpara,kuzhivelil,karathankal,etc..are in ramapuram.

Churches

The centuries-old twin churches of Ramapuram are two of the oldest churches in Kerala. The complex consists of a smaller church dedicated to St. Augustine and a larger one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. The church dedicated to St. Augustine dates to 1450 while the one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin was erected in 1864. The structures represent an architectural style from the early colonial period, with the Persian façade influencing the overall Portuguese style. The Roman columns and the veranda are also rare features from the period.

Schools

The house of the poet Sri Ramapuratthu Varrier has been converted to an Upper Primary School, known as Ramapuratthu Varrier Memorial Upper Primary School. There are also many schools run by the church such as St.Augustine's higher secondary school for boys, Sacred Heart high school for girls and St.Joseph's U.P School for boys and girls in Vellilappilly. Alphonsa English Medium school, a prestigious lower primary school, is also situated in Ramapuram . All these educational institutions are known to have imparted quality education to many. The Mar Augusthinose College , a renowned and reputed college, run by the Palai Diocese is also situated in Ramapuram. The College which is affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, has bagged numerous awards and ranks at the university level. One of Ramapuram's best known residents is Blessed Father Augustine Thevarparambil (Kunjachan) who is known as the 'Apostle of Harijans'.

Economy

Ramapuram is now a well developed growing town. Known for its natural beauty, the village has acres of Rubber plantation. The Panchayath ground of Ramapuram was one of the locations for the film 'Kabadi Kabadi'(starring Kalabhavan Mani and Rambha).[1]

Visiting Ramapuram

Ramapuram is located 12 km from Pala town on the main road to Koothattukulam, situated between the hills of the Western Ghats. It can only be reached by road. No other transport is presently available or planned.

Scenic Sites Near Ramapuram

Cultural Information

Ramapurathu Warrier, (1703-1753) the author of Kuchela Vritham Vanchippattu, adorned the courts of Maharaja Marthanda Varma, the maker of the former State of Travancore and his successor Kartika Tirunal Rama Varmawa. Kuchela Vritham Vanchippattu is the most famous boat-song in the language. Composed entirely in the Dravidian meter 'natonnata,' it is a popular classic which retells the story of Kuchela, an old classmate of Sri Krishna, going to Dwaraka to pay homage to him. In the poem, the poet specifically refers to King Marthanda Varma and also describes the circumstances under which he came to write the poem.

The popular author, social reformer and political reformer Lalithambika Antharjanam, whose novel 'Agnisakshi'(1980) won the Kerala Sahitya Academy award, lived in Ramapuram.

In Oct. 2005, Malayalam writer Krishnan Parappally was chosen for the annual literary award instituted by the Malayalam magazine Jwala, published in Mumbai. The award was conferred on him for his biography of philosopher and literary critic Sukumar Azhikode. Parappally, born in Ramapuram in 1921, has 19 anthologies of poems to his credit and is based in Mumbai. New generation Malayalam Poet Santhosh Pala hails from Kurinji of Ramapuram village (now resides in United States) got the Ankanam award and many other awards for his poetry works. His first collection of Poems "Communist Pacha" is well received by poetry lovers.

Sports

Ramapuram has quite a good sports legacy.It has produced many famous sportsmen who has represented it in various district,state and national events. It is famous for volleyball which used to be a passion for the natives. It has a number of public stadiums which are active during evenings and weekends. One among the post popular among them are the Panchayat Stadium which is used for football and cricket by the local people and has been the venue of many local tournaments. It also has a volleyball court and basketball and a bigger stadium in the campus of St. Augustines High School, Ramapauram.

References

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