Karavaloor

Karavaloor Karavalur
village
Karavaloor Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates: 8°59′0″N 76°55′30″E / 8.98333°N 76.92500°ECoordinates: 8°59′0″N 76°55′30″E / 8.98333°N 76.92500°E
Founded by	Chera dynasty
Named for	Chera dynasty
Government
• Type	Panchayat
• Body	Gram panchayat
Population (2001)
• Total	23,709
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	691333
Telephone code	0475
Vehicle registration	KL-25
Nearest city	Punalur
Lok Sabha constituency	Kollam
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Punalur

Karavaloor is a village situated in Kollam district in Kerala. Karavaloor is about 65 km from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram ^[1] Karavalur Panchayathu is about 5 km from Punalur on the Punalur-Anchal i.e. Punalur-Thiruvananthapuram road.

History & Etymology

Karavaloor can also be written as Karavalur. There is a history or myth behind the name Karavalur, which is centered on the Goddess of Karavaloor, Shri Peedika Bhagavathy appearing to her devotee with a Karaval ( കരവാള്‍ , meaning - Sword in Dravidian Etymology ) and uru ( meaning - village in Proto-Dravidian language ) when the devotee calls for her protection. Located at the Southern tip of the ancient first dynasty Chera Empire, Karavaloor developed trade links with Kollam port and traded in spices and herbs as was common in the Chera Empire.^[2]

Nature, Flora and Fauna

The scenic beauty of the area is quite noteworthy. The place is filled with Natural rubber , Banana , Jackfruit, Black pepper, Guava, Syzygium samarangense to name a few with an abundance of Paddy fields and natural streams . Karavaloor is surrounded by beautiful places like Poikayil, Ayanicodu, Venchempu, and Mathra, where the Panchayath administrative office as well as the village office is located. The post office of Karavalur is located at the heart of Karavalur jn, which is apart from Mathra Post office.

Demographics

Various ancient Proto-Australoid tribes like the Kuravar, Pulayar and Paraiyar make up the native ancestral population of Karavaloor. However trade with the broader world have resulted in a wide ethnic admixture of societies and peoples such as the Saint Thomas Christians, Ezhava, Nair, Mappila who co-exist in harmony.

As per census, Karavaloor had a population of 23,709 with 11,334 males and 12,376 females.^[1]

Churches

Native Animism, Tribal Religions, Christianity, Hinduism , and Islam are practiced. Karavaloor features the "Karavaloor Peedika Bhagavathy Goddess Temple". There are also a number of Churches such as Karavaloor Bethel Marthoma Church containing more than 600 active members, Kereeth Marthoma Church, St Benedict Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, St George Orthodox Church, Nithyasahaya Matha Church.

The Pentecost churches include Assemblies of God church, Church of God and many Independent Pentecostal churches.

Economy

The economy of Karavaloor thrives from the supply of natural rubber, localised banking and remittances of its migrant workers.

Education

Karavaloor village has two high schools namely, Karavaloor ( AMMHS),and Carmel Central School was established under the patronage of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church. Venchempu higher secondary school(NGPMHS) is the latter high school.Apart from the stated, there is a, Kerala government-run lower primary school at Karavaloor. Private Schools include, the Oxford Central school and Carmel Central School.

Politics

Karavaloor is part of Punalur constituency and is home to many of state ministers and leaders. Sri Ani .J. Babu (CPI(M)) is the Karavaloor Panchayathu President currently.

Transportation

• Punalur KSRTC Bus Station (5 km)
• Kollam KSRTC Bus Station(Quilon) (40 km)
• Punalur Railway Station (6 km)
• Kollam Railway Station (38 km)
• Trivandrum International Airport (75 km)

References

1. "Census of India : Villages with population 5000 & above". Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
2. "HISTORY OF KERALA: Chera Dynasty". historygvdevkerala.blogspot.ae. Retrieved 2016-03-25.