Thampalakkad is a small village in

Kottayam district Kottayam (), is one of 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. Kottayam district comprises six municipal towns: Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala, Erattupetta, Ettumanoor, and Vaikom. It is the only district in Kerala that neither borders ...

, Kerala, which is located around 5 km from

Kanjirappally Kanjirappally is a taluk and a town in Kottayam district situated about away from the district capital, in the state of Kerala, India. Climate Kanjirappally has the highest number of rainy days in Kerala. It receives the highest amount of ...

on the way to Manjakuzhy. It has the same distance from

Ponkunnam Ponkunnam (പൊൻകുന്നം) is a census town in Kerala, India, part of Kottayam district under Kanjirappally taluk. Ponkunnam literally means ''golden mountain'' (''ponn'' = gold, ''kunn'' = mountain). Nearby towns are Kanjirappalli ...

, Manjakuzhy,

Koorali Koorali is a place situated at Kottayam district of Kerala, India. Panamattom, Elamgulam, Thampalakad, Kanjirappally Kanjirappally is a taluk and a town in Kottayam district situated about away from the district capital, in the state of ...

, Anakkal, Kappadu,

Panamattom Panamattom or Panamattam is a large village in Kerala, India, a part of Kottayam district. It is located in Kanjirappally Taluk. Ponkunnam, Kanjirappally and Pala are nearby places of Panamattom. This place is famous for its fertile land and ...

and Vanchimala. Its name is derived from Thamboolam which was used for fixing the idol at the Mahadeva Temple, by the legendary Naranathu Bhranthan.

Demographics

It is inhabited by around 3000 people, mainly small farmers and employees of government departments and private establishments. It is home to the Sri Mahadeva Temple, St. Thomas Church, Mahakalipara Devi Temple, Illathappan Kavu Temple, Penuel Ashram, Emmanuel Ashram, IMS Devotional Center, St. Rita's School, SNDP Yogam Unit, NSS Veda Vyasa School, Govt. LP School, NSS School and the St. Anthony's Church, Manthara. This place bears the Postal code 686506. Prominent places are Thekkumbhagam, Pallikavala, Manthra, Shaapupadi, Panamattom Cross or 4th Mile.

History

Thampalakkad has a land area of which was once the domain of Karisseril family. This family was the rulers of the area with all powers including capital punishment during the time prior to the British rule. All the powers were conferred to Karisseril family by the local kingdom Thekkumkoor, the capital of which was Changanacherry. This family is disintegrated now and Smt. K N Thankamma is the current head of the family. Some other popular families here include Thekkumthottam, Thottuvayil, Naranathu, Vattakkattu (Kunnumpurathu), Kadakkayam, Kathayanatu, Parappallil, Mundakal etc.

Economy

The villagers are predominantly rubber planters and government employees. Crops are mainly confined to rubber as it is every where in

, even though plantations of nutmeg, tapioca, ginger etc. are seen in some parts.

Worship centers and institutions

* Sri Mahadeva Temple * St. Thomas Church * Sri Mahakalipara Devi Temple * Illathappan Kavu Temple * NSS U P School * Govt. LP School * St. Reetha's LP School * Sri Veda Vyasa School * Post Office * Kanjirapally Cooperative Bank

References

Article on Mahadeva Temple, Thampalakad published in Mathrubhumi – India's National daily in Malayalam, on 23 March 2007, Supplementary edition. (http://www.mathrubhumi.com) {{Kottayam district Villages in Kottayam district