Kadapra facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kadapra
Village
Parumala Church
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Pathanamthitta
Subdistrict	Thiruvalla
Area
• Total	14.74 km2 (5.69 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	23,502
Languages
• Official	Malayalam English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registration	KL-27 (Thiruvalla)

Kadapra (Malayalam: കടപ്ര) is a village in the Thiruvalla area of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India. It shares a river border with Nedumpuram village to its north, along the Manimala River. To its west, it has a land border with Niranam village.

Kadapra also shares river borders with parts of Alappuzha district. The Manimala River forms a border with Thalavady to the northwest. The Pamba River splits into three parts near the east of the village. One part flows northwest and joins the Manimala River, forming a border with Thiruvanvandoor to the northeast. The other two parts create the island of Parumala. The outer split of the Pamba River forms a border with Pandanad, Ennakkad, and Mannar to the southeast. After merging, these river parts flow west, bordering Kurattissery to the south and Veeyapuram to the southwest.

The village covers an area of about 14.74 square kilometers (3,642 acres). According to the 2011 census, Kadapra has a total population of 23,502 people. This includes 10,810 males and 12,692 females. The average sex ratio here is 1174 females for every 1000 males, which is higher than Kerala's state average of 1084. The village also has a high literacy rate of 96.94 percent.

The State Highway 6 is the main road through the village. It enters Kadapra from Nedumpuram via the Pulikeezhu bridge over the Manimala River. The highway then runs north to south and leaves the village through the Parumala bridge over the Pamba River, heading towards Mannar. Buses from the state transport corporation and private buses travel on this road. They connect Thiruvalla with Kayamkulam through Mavelikkara. The Eramallikkara bridge directly links Kadapra with Thiruvanvandoor. The Illimala bridge connects the island of Parumala directly with Pandanad.

Important Places in Kadapra

Travancore Sugars and Chemicals Limited

River Pampa near Thulissala koyikkal

The Travancore Sugars and Chemicals Limited (TSCL) is a company owned by the state government. It started in 1937 with its main office and factory in Valanjavattom. The company began making products in 1948. Back then, it had three parts: a sugar factory, a distillery (for making spirits), and a blending-bottling section. The company was first owned by M/s Parry & Co.

The Government of Kerala took over the company in 1974. The sugar factory closed in 1998. This happened because there wasn't enough sugarcane available. Sugarcane used to be grown a lot in the village when the company first started.

Today, the company only makes Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). This is sold through the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC), which is also owned by the Government of Kerala. The company also produces and sells other spirits like rectified spirit and Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA). These are used by places like medical colleges, hospitals, research centers, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC).

St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church, Parumala

Azhippura as seen in April 2012

In 1872, a religious leader named Joseph Mar Dionysius started a seminary in the island of Parumala. A seminary is a school to train students for the Malankara church. The leader and his students lived in an old building called Azhipura, which is still preserved today. There was also a church on the land, built by the Arikupurathu family.

Mar Dionysius invited another religious leader, Geevarghese Mar Gregorios, to Parumala. He gave him the title of Ramban, which means a monk-priest. Geevarghese later became the Metropolitan of Malankara. After the owner of the land, Mathen Karnavar, passed away, Geevarghese took over the old church and land. He worked hard to make the church better. After his death, the church declared him a saint. Because of this, the Parumala church became a very important place for pilgrims in Kerala. At the end of the last century, the church was made much bigger and newer to welcome the many pilgrims. The famous architect Charles Correa designed the current church at Parumala.

Parumala Valiya Panayannarkavu Devi Temple

Kizhakkenada of the temple

The Parumala Valiya Panayannarkavu Devi Temple is a very old Hindu temple. It is dedicated to Sri Badrakali and Lord Shiva. The temple is located on the banks of the Pampa River in Parumala. This temple is one of the three most important Bhadrakali temples in Kerala. The other two are Thirumandhamkunnu Temple in Malabar and Kodungallur Temple in Cochin.

The temple is famous for its collection of mural paintings. These murals are known for their detailed lines and beautiful color combinations. It's hard to know exactly how old these paintings are. However, it is believed they were created in two stages. The paintings around the main shrine were done earlier. The paintings on the square inner shrine were completed later. People believe the temple murals were finished during the time of the last king of the Odanad Royal House. During this period, the Vaishnava customs and pure worship became more colorful and ceremonial.

Thomathukadavu and Thomas the Apostle

According to local stories, Thomas the Apostle arrived in Niranam around AD 52. He came through an old waterway called Kottachal and landed at Thomathukadavu. This place is now in the northwestern part of Kadapra village. Through his teachings and amazing deeds, he helped many high-class hindus become Christians. He baptized them at Nerkadavu, which is next to the Niranam Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church. The first Christians in Niranam came from four families: Pattamukku, Thayyil, Maankki, and Madathilan.

Kadapra Village Overview

Thiruvalla subdistrict map with Kadapra village shown in pale yellow.
Note: Map from the Department of Mining and Geology, Government of Kerala

At the Grama Panchayat level, Kadapra is divided into 15 wards. Here are the wards listed by their number:

Here are the India Post offices within the village and their Postal Index Number (PIN code):

Places to Visit

Churches

Temples

Schools

Hospitals

Colleges