Nilakkal
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| Nilakkal നിലയ്ക്കൽ நிலக்கல் |
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| Lord Shiva statute upon temple arch gate
Lord Shiva statute upon temple arch gate
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 Nilakkal
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| Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Pathanamthitta |
| Government | |
| • Body | Seethathodu grama panchayath |
| Population | |
| • Total | unknown |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 689662 |
| Area code(s) | +91 - 04735 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-62, KL-03 |
| Coastline | 0 kilometres (0 mi) |
| Nearest cities | Chittar, Angamoozhy |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Pathanamthitta |
| Assembly constituency | Konni |
| Climate | Tropical monsoon |
| Nearest Airport | Cochin International Airport Limited |
Nilakkal (Malayalam: നിലയ്ക്കൽ) is a remote village located in the Goodrical forest range of Ranni forest division in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala State.The place comes under the Seethathodu panchayath of Ranni taluk.Famous Hindu piligrim centre, Sabarimala is located 23 kilometers North-East to Nilakkal and also the place is a Sabarimala Idathavalam.In ancient times, there was a trade route passed through Nilackal connecting Kerala and Pandiya kingdom.St.Thomas ecumenical church here is considered to be the first ecumenical church in the world.According to history, St.Thomas an apostle of Jesus visited the place and established the church back in A.D 54.However, still there are no evidences to prove that the church was actually founded by St.Thomas.
Contents
Geography & Location
Nilakkal is predominantly a rural hilly area.The place is surrounded by Dense reserve forest's and Rubber plantation's.Population is comparatively less here.It's a high altitudinal region rich in flora and fauna.The holly river, Pamba flows near to Nilakkal.
Nilakkal is located on the Mannarakulanji-Chalakkayam highway connecting Pathanamthitta with Sabarimala.Sabarigiri, the second largest Hydroelectric project in Kerala is situated few Kilometres away from here.
Sree Mahadeva temple
The old temple at Nilakkal administrated by Travancore devaswom board, attracts lots of pilgrims.During Sabarimala pilgrimage, lots of devotee's visit's the temple and probably on these days Nilakkal is crowded by devotee's.Its located just 1 km from the main highway.The Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.The deity here is believed to be in two moods fierce “Ugramoorthy” and auspicious “Mangala Pradayakan”. It is also believed that Lord Siva is showering blessings to his son Lord Ayyappa to fight against all evil spirit while throwing all anger to the evils.There is also a Devi temple (Palliyarakkavu devi kshetram) near to Shiva temple. There is only three Prathishtas here, Lord Parameshwaran, Lord Kannimoola Ganapathi and Nandi.There are 3 Poojas here on every day. Special weekly days are Sunday, Monday and Friday.
Nilakkal Base Camp
Nilakkal had an important role in the Sabarimala master plan, an initiative by Travancore devaswom board.Government hand overed 110 hectares of land to Devaswom board in 2005 to improve the basic infrastructures and parking facilities at Nilakkal.Previously the land was under the possession of the Government-owned State Farming Corporation since 1982.Before 1982 the area was used for cultivating sugarcane by the co-operative Mannam Sugar Mills, Pandalam.The land was mostly utilized for Parking facilities.
At times of Sabarimala season, Heavy and medium vehicles drops piligrims at Pamba and parks at Nilakkal in order to avoid the rush at Pamba.The parking ground's at Nilakkal could accommodate more than 4000 vehicles.The parking has been divided into various blocks too. Devaswom board also improved the drinking water and toilet facilities recently at the base camp. A Nadapanthal was constructed in front of the Mahadeva temple for the pilgrims.Nilakkal changed into an important Edathavalam during the last few years.[1]
St.Thomas Ecumenical Church
Saint Thomas who was an apostle of Jesus Christ established Seven and Half Churches in India and was called as Seven and Half Churches or Ezharappallikal. One of these churches is the St.Thomas Ecumenical Church at Nilackal. This church is an example of the unity of the Christian churches and also of the communal harmony. The church trust proved that unity among the churches can be maintained and at the same time give respect to the sentiments of the faiths of other religions. The main message which the church provides is of love, peace and fraternity.The church was constructed in the year AD 54. This church has the importance that it is the first Ecumenical church in the world and is has been dedicated by all the denominations as an example of heritage by St. Thomas. The Nilackal church is located in the interior part of the Sabarimala hills, while all the other churches built by St. Thomas are near to the coastal areas. Even though there is no historical evidence of the missionary work of St.Thomas in Nilackal, some assumptions of St. Thomas’s establishment of a church in this place is written in old metal plates and other historian writings. Since the old church is in a dilapidated stage, a new church has been constructed in a site not far from it.
Nilakkal Movement
The curtain rose on March 29, with the discovery of a cross on the Kerala Farming Corporation's (KFC) private land, just 200 m from the Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple. Next day, singing hymns, Father Mathew Anthiyakulam, chief priest of the nearby Pambav Valley church, and two jeep-loads of his followers gathered round the spot where the cross was found. Immediately they erected a thatched shed and daily prayers were started. To the Catholics it was clear that this was the spot where a church-built centuries ago by St Thomas - once existed.
Meanwhile, the Hindus grouped with the Vishal Hindu Sammelan to fight the Catholic demand for a church. At the same time, the crusade for the church was given a thrust by the formation of the Nilakkal Action Council under the auspices of the All Kerala Catholic Congress, led by rubber tycoon M.D. Joseph.
And on May 19, when Karunakaran's government finally granted one hectare of land for a church at Nilakkal, a shocked Hindu community led by the Sammelan called for demonstrations to stop the Government from allowing the controversial church to be built.Fearing further trouble from the RSS which is holding its annual camp at Trivandrum, the Government passed prohibitory orders. In spite of that, the RSS took a route march through the city shouting pro-Hindu slogans.
Over 1,000 RSS people were arrested, although they were later released. In the Nilakkal area there was a heavy police presence. Said a police officer: "Anything can happen. But for us, the RSS volunteers in the temple would have demolished the temporary thatched church.Later, a perfect place was founded near Angamoozhy to build the church and thus the problems were solved.Conflicts between Hindu's and Christians too came to an end by the replacement of church.[2]
Attathodu tribal colony
A remote tribal settlement is situated near to Nilakkal named Attathodu. Majority of tribes here belongs to Malapandaram tribal community. They suffer a lot from poverty, unemployment, exploitations, inequalities and other diseases which are common in tribal settlements.Many families live in deplorable and poor conditions.They don't even have proper shelters or proper education.But the useful governmental schemes and programmes to promote the tribal communities helps these people in a helpful manner.
There are above 300 tribal families settled in Attathodu.The government L.P school which got started in 2015 here provides the basic education to the Aadhivaasi children.Recently due to efforts of J B Koshy, chairperson of Kerala State Human Rights Commission, Fund for Mid day meal was allotted which is a boon to the 46 aadhivasi children studying here.People here engages in small scale agriculture and hunting.
Agriculture
Most people depends upon agricultural sector. Rubber is the most important crop cultivated. The geographical settings of the region is suitable for rubber cultivation.Pepper, Tapioca, etc are also cultivated in small scale .The land available for cultivation around Nilakkal is comparatively less hence most parts are covered by dense reserve forest.
Climate
Climatic conditions varies according to different seasons.Although, a tropical climate is experienced normally. The place receives sufficient amount of rainfall during the months of June, July, August and September. Humidity increases during the months March and April.The best weather is normally From October to February.Winter is experienced during the months of December, January and February. Since Nilakkal and its surrounding's are in the middle of thick forest's, thundershowers are common here.
Health
The nearest medical center to Nilakkal is the Government primary health center started on January 19, 2014 by Dr.Prasob enose in Lord Ayyappa's poonkavanam benefiting 350 tribal families in Attathodu colony.
Educational institutions
Nearby schools:
- Government Tribal L.P school Attathodu
- Mountzion U.P.S Angamoozhy[3]
- S.A.V.H.S Angamoozhy[4]
- Cherupushpam Eng. Medium School Angamoozhy
- K.R.P.M H.S.S Seethathodu[5]
- Govt. H. S. S., Chittar
- Govt. Model L. P. S., Chittar
- V. K. N. M. V. H. S. S, Vayyattupuzha
- Holy Family Public School, Chittar
- Komala Vilasm School, Padayanippara
- Little Angels English Medium School Chittar
- Royal Parallel College, Chittar
- Santhi Niketan Parallel College, Chittar
- Ideal Parallel College, Chittar
Nearby Colleges:
- SNDP College, Chittar
Transportation facilities
During Sabarimala pilgrimage, state-owned K.S.R.T.C buses provides chain services from Pamba to Nilakkal at fair charges for the devotee's.Private buses only operates through nearby places like Angamoozhy and Thulappally.However, transportation is comparatively less in Nilakkal region.
How to reach
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- From Pathanamthitta - Pathanamthitta - Mannarakulanji - Vadasserikkara - Perunad - Laha - Plappally - Nilakkal
- From Kottayam - Ponkunnam - Kanjirappally - Erumely - Mukkoottuthara - Pambavalley - Naranamthodu - Elavumkal - Nilakkal
- From Vandiperiyar - Kozhikkanam - Gavi - Kakki - Moozhiyar - Angamoozhy - Plappally - Nilakkal
Nearby places
- Angamoozhy
- Plappally
- Attathodu
- Chalakkayam
- Elavumkal
- Rajampara
- Seethathodu
- Chittar
- Thulappally
- Naranamthodu
References
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External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nilakkal. |
