Niranam

Niranam
village
Niranam
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Pathanamthitta
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN number	689621
Vehicle registration	KL-27

Niranam is a village in Central Travancore region in Kerala, India. It was a port in ancient Kerala, on the confluence of the Manimala and Achankovil River. It is almost 8 km from Tiruvalla in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. It can be identified with Nelcynda in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.

History

Niranam is mentioned in the writings of Pliny and Cosmas Indicopleustes as a trade centre. Geologists suggest that the sea retracted from this area due to some major geographical changes.

Saint Thomas the Apostle is believed to have landed here and founded the Christian church. Perhaps the importance of Niranam as a port was the reason for his arrival.

The community were probably Jewish traders who became Christians and later were part of the Syrian Church of Antioch and Edessa.

The Christian community in Niranam is therefore is the oldest in India and among the oldest in the world. Niranam St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral has been the seat of the various Malankara metropolitans.

The great flood of 1341 AD helped to shift the sea westwards from silt filling in the direct sea route from Niranam.

Geography

As a result of the flood of 1341, the soil of nearby areas of Niranam is still sandy and resembles beaches, though not close to the Arabian sea.

Notable natives and residents

• K.P.Yohannan
• K C Mammen Mapillai
• Kochummen Perumal Panangottathu Pallivathukal
• C.P. Mathen

See also

• Pathanamthitta

External links

• St Thomas Art Gallery