Pala, Kerala
Pala | |
|---|---|
| [mapframe not available on SimWiki] Interactive map of Pala | |
| Coordinates: 9°42′47″N 76°41′00″E / 9.71306°N 76.68333°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Kottayam |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body | Pala Municipality |
| • Municipal Chairperson | Maya Rahul |
| • Member of the Legislative Assembly of Kerala (MLA) | Mani C. Kappan |
| Area | |
• Total | 16.06 km2 (6.20 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 31 m (102 ft) |
| Population (2011)[2] | |
• Total | 22,056 |
| • Density | 1,373/km2 (3,557/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 686573, 686574, 686575 |
| Telephone code | +9148 22 |
| Vehicle registration | KL 35, KL 67 |
| Nearest city | Kottayam |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Pala |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Kottayam |
Pala (IPA: [paːlaː]) is a municipality[3] in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India.[4][5] It is located 28 km (17.4 mi) north of the district headquarters in Kottayam and about 167 km (103.8 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Pala also serves as the headquarters of Meenachil Taluk.[6] As per the 2011 Indian census, Pala has a population of 22,056, and a population density of 1,373/km2 (3,560/sq mi).
Pala is on the banks of the Meenachil River and is a major hub of Syrian Christian culture in Kerala.[7]
Demographics
As of 2001[update] Indian census,[8] Pala had a population of 22,640. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pala has an average literacy rate of 98%, higher than the national average of 73%: male literacy is 98.5%, and female literacy is 97.8%, still much higher than the state average. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Christians make up 65.09% of the population, Hindus 34.19%, Muslims 0.1%, other religions 0.05% and 0.15% not stated.
Politics
Pala is generally a stronghold of the United Democratic Front and the Kerala Congress (Mani). K.M. Mani represented the Pala constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 1965 to 2019, making him the longest-serving legislator in Kerala. After the death of K.M. Mani, the Left Front won the by-election held in September 2019 for the first time in history. This victory was achieved by Mani C. Kappan of the NCP.[9]
Pala is a municipality since its formal inauguration on December 1, 1949.[10] The current municipal chairperson of Pala municipality is LDF-backed Independent Maya Rahul.[11] She replaced UDF-backed Independent Diya Binu Pulikkakandam after an LDF-backed no-confidence motion was passed with support of 17 councillors.[12]
Pala falls under the Kottayam Lok Sabha constituency and Pala Assembly constituency. It is represented by Mani C Kappan in the Legislative Assembly and by K. Francis George in the Lok Sabha.
| Ward | Ward Name | Councilor Name | Party | Alliance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Paramalakunnu | Adv. Betty Shaju Thuruthel | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 002 | Mundupalam | Shaju Thuruthen | KC(M) | ||
| 003 | Market | Josin Bino | Left Independent | ||
| 004 | Kizhathadiyoor | Sonia Chitted | KC(M) | UDF | |
| 005 | Plathanam | Georgekutty Cheruvallil | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 006 | Kanattupara | Sebastian J. Panaikkal | INC | UDF | |
| 007 | Pulimalakunnu | Jiji Baiju Kollamparambil | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 008 | Kaveekunnu | Riya Chiramkuzhy | INC | UDF | |
| 009 | Kochidappadi | Siji Tony Thottathil | KEC | ||
| 010 | Moonnani | Biju Varikkani | KEC | ||
| 011 | Monastri | Ruby Anto Padinjarekere | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 012 | Chethimattom | Tony Thaiparambil | INC | UDF | |
| 013 | Murikkumpuzha | Biju Pulikkakandam | Independent | Others | |
| 014 | Parippil Kunnu | Adv. Binu Pulikkakandam | Independent | ||
| 015 | Palapurayidom | Diya Binu Pulikkakandam | Independent | ||
| 016 | Kannadiyurumbu | Tomin Vattamala | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 017 | 12th Mile | Sanil Raghavan | KC(M) | ||
| 018 | Mukkalikunnu | Lisikutty Mathew Kandathiparambil | INC | UDF | |
| 019 | Pala | Maya Rahul | Independent | Others (later joined LDF) | |
| 020 | Lalam | Biji Jojo Kudakachira | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 021 | Vellappadu | Leena Sunny Purayidom | KC(M) | ||
| 022 | Arunapuram | Rajitha Prakash | INC | UDF | |
| 023 | College Ward | Princy Sunny | DCK | ||
| 024 | Kottaramattom | Biju Mathews | INC | ||
| 025 | Nelliyani | Biju Palupadavil | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 026 | Puthenpallikunnu | Roy Francis | CPI(M) |
Sports
The Municipal Stadium is the centre of sports in Pala.[13]
The 61st Kerala State Schools Athletics Championships was held at the stadium in 2017.[14] At least 2500 students from 100 schools attended the sports meet.[15] The 63rd Kerala State Athletics Championship was also held at the stadium in the month of October, 2019.[16]
See also
- Bharananganam
- Kattappana
- Thodupuzha
- Erattupetta
- Cherpunkal
- List of people from Pala
- Places of worship in Pala
- Meenachil
- Meenachil River
- Pala (State Assembly constituency)
- Ullanadu
References
- ↑ "Grama Panchayaths" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2018.
- ↑ "Kerala (India): Districts, Cities and Towns - Population Statistics, Charts and Map".
- ↑ "Grama Panchayaths" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2018.
- ↑ "Pala PS | Kottayam District, Government of Kerala | India". Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Pala". maps.apple.com. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Revenue Portal". landrevenue.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ↑ "Pala- A Rurban Town in Kerala | CEPT - Portfolio". Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
- ↑ "Mani C. Kappan sworn in as MLA". The Hindu.
- ↑ "പാലാ നഗരസഭയ്ക്ക് 76 വയസ്; മട്ടന്നൂർ പോലെ പാലായിലും വേറിട്ട തിരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പ്". പാലാ നഗരസഭയ്ക്ക് 76 വയസ്; മട്ടന്നൂർ പോലെ പാലായിലും വേറിട്ട തിരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പ് (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ↑ "Maya Rahul elected chairperson of Pala municipality in Keralam as LDF and Congress rebels join hands". The Hindu.
- ↑ "Six months of UDF rule in Kerala's Pala municipality ends with ouster of chairperson Diya Binu". The Hindu. 21 July 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ "Municipal Stadium". Pala Municipality.
- ↑ "State School sports meet to begin tomorrow; Rally carrying torch reaches Pala".
- ↑ "Stage set for Kerala schools athletics meet but field wide open". Times Of India. 20 October 2017.
- ↑ "Kerala state junior athletics: Young stars get chance to make big".
External links
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- Pala, Kerala
- Cities and towns in Kottayam district
- Tourist attractions in Kottayam district