thumb|right|Irinjalakuda Municipality Map

Irinjalakuda is a municipal town in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. It is the headquarters of Irinjalakuda Revenue Division, Thrissur Rural Police and Mukundapuram Taluk. After Thrissur, this town has most number of administrative, law-enforcement, and judicial offices in the district. The place is well known for Koodalmanikyam Temple and the Thachudaya Kaimals, who had princely status until 1971. The earliest recorded history of this temples date back to the ninth century of Common Era (CE).

Etymology

The name Irinjalakuda has been derived from "Iru" and "Chaal", meaning two streams. According to another legend, the origin of the name Irinjalakuda came from 'Irinjalikoodal'. 'Koodal' simply means merge, merging of two rivers. So it shows that Irinjalakuda may have gradually developed, from 'Irinjalikoodal', which derived from 'Inangikoodal', which means merge. At present there is no river in Irinjalakuda, only the myth of the river.

Mythological history and legends

According to Hindu mythology, Irinjalakuda was created by sage Parashurama. According to Keralolpatthi, Irinjalakuda was the head of some of the 64 gramas (village governing bodies) established in Kerala. (32 Malayala gramas and Thulu half-grama Manjeswaram in present-day Kerala, and 31 1/2 Thulu gramas in coastal Karnataka.) Irinjalakuda was one of the most prominent among these gramas (village societies). Boundaries of this grama extend up to Aloor in the east and Kakkathuruthi in the west and later extended to Koodapuzha in the east. Like the other gramas, this grama also followed Sankara Smruthi (a modified form of the 'Chathurvarnia' system of society with some Kerala model variations which lay upon caste system based on the 'Manusmruthi').

Another legend suggests that the origin of the name Irinjalakuda were traditionally associated as "Irunnu Salayil Koodai" and "Virinja Alu Kuda". A huge Banyan tree still stands in the centre of the Irinjalakuda, spreading its branches to the sky like an umbrella.

The Thachudaya Kaimal is a spiritual dignitary of Kerala Hindus and the temporal ruler of the Koodalmanikyam Temple and its Estates. The line goes back into antiquity and is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. The Arms of the Kaimal and that of the temple bear the insignia of a coiled conch shell with the words 'Manikkam Keralar'. With the 26th amendment of the Indian constitution in 1971, the Princely order in India was abolished and the Thachudaya Kaimals lost their position in the temple and its estates.

Recorded history

The following text is a translation of the scholarly work titled 'Koodalmanikyam Temple and Kerala Society':

The second record, the Bhaskaranambiranar record, dates back to the 10th century. It is believed to have been written between 950 and 1000 AD. There are nineteen lines in this inscription. It can be assumed that the letters have not faded much compared to the first inscription. In this inscription, the deity of Kudalmanikya is described as 'Thiruvirungadi Kudal Thiruvadi'.

Two similar words irangadi(kkuta) and irangadikudal are found in both the inscriptions respectively. It is only that the epithet Thiru has been added in the second inscription. It is clear from this that the name Iringalakuda came from this old place name and the deity here was described as 'Thiruviringadikudal Thiruvadi' as early as the 10th century.

There are those who argue that it can be understood from this record that it had already become a Brahminical temple in the 10th century AD. There is also a belief that this temple was a Jain center before it became a Brahminical temple. One of the major temples nearby, Trikanamatilakam, was a Jain center.

Some suggest that the Koodalmanikya is an idol of the Jain Tirthankara Bharateshvara in the Digabara form. They believe that the temple became a Brahminical center as part of the Hindu revival in the 8th century. In Manipravala's work 'Kokilasandesa', it is mentioned that women were not allowed to enter the Koodalmanikyam temple. There are those who read in connection with this remark the fact that women are not admitted in Jain temples. Thachudayakaimal, the last ruler of the temple, has refuted this claim.

Place name scholars say that the word Iringa in Iringalakuda refers to the Jain centre. Additionally, V.V.K. asserts that people refer to the two-storeyed Jain temples as 'koodam'. Historians such as Wallat point these facts out.

Later History

In 1762, Maharaja Kingdom of Cochin formed Mukundapuram taluk by adding Mapranam nadu and parts of Nandilathu nadu to Mukundapuram nadu (Muriyanadu). In the last decade of the 18th Century, the last Naduvazhi Nambiar of Mukundapuram nadu (Murija nadu) died and Sakthan Thampuran confiscated all the powers and properties of Mukundapuram Nambiar and Mapranam Nambiar. Sakthan Thampuran divided old Mukundapuram Taluk into six properties: 1) Thazhekkad 2) Areepalam, 3) Mukundapuram (Nadavarambu) 4) Mapranam 5) Palathungal (Nandikkara) 6) Puthukkad for administrative and revenue purposes. Five more properties were added to Mukundapuram Taluk afterward: Kodassery (Chalakudy), Thirumukkulam (Kuzhur), Koratty (Adur), Pathinettarayalam (Edavilangu). and Malayattoor. Tipu Sultan's Army was based at Thazhekkad Property of Mukundapuram Taluk on 24 December 1789 to attack the Nedumkotta which is situated in the middle of Kochi Kingdom and was known as Travancore lines and attacked KonurKottavathil in January 1790.

When new Chalakudy taluk was formed in 2013 by bifurcating Mukundapuram taluk, it lost more than 50% of its territory.

Culture

thumb|[[Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary|alt=]]

thumb|right

Irinjalakuda has a rich cultural history associated with the UNESCO-recognised classical dance form Koodiyattam.

Natanakairali - Research Training and Performing Centre for Traditional Arts, Irinjalakuda, is a prominent institution that imparts training on this ancient art form. Government-aided Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam near Koodalmanikyam temple trains artists in Kathakali. The town also has other institutions that give training on classical dance forms and theatre arts. Walden Pond House is another cultural space in the town where artists and movie makers gather for workshops and movie shoots.

Entertainment

There are a number of good cinema halls in the town. JK Cinemas with two screens (Located in Kizhuthani), Chembakassery Movies with three screens, MAS Movies with two screens and Varna Cinemas with a single screen (Mapranam) are the major theatres in the town. Besides this, the town often hosts various cultural programmes organised by socio-cultural organisations.

Population

Demographics

India census, Irinjalakuda had a population of 28,741. With the amalgamation of Porathissery Panchayath with the municipality, the total population has crossed 50,000. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Irinjalakuda has an average literacy rate of 96% which is much higher than the national average of 74.65%. While male literacy stands at 97.12%, female literacy is 94.56%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Religion

Its St. Thomas Cathedral is the episcopal see of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Irinjalakuda (Chaldean = Syro-Oriental Rite).

Before the arrival of Tipu Sulthan to Mukundapuram Taluk in December 1789 the headquarters of Padruado Archbishops of Cranganore (Kodungallur) of Nazranis (Padruado faction of Syro Malabar Catholic Church) was at Pookkatt (Aripalam). (See Varthamanapusthakam of Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar, Gobernador and ArchaDeacon of late eighteenth century). Sakthan Thampuran brought four Christian families for improving commerce and trade to the place known as ‘Chanthappura’. When they struck gold in this field, more of this community migrated from Kombara chantha and settled in the area and now it became one of the strongholds of this community. Besides Hindu and Christian communities this area consists of Muslims.

Irinjalakuda is the headquarters of the Mukundapuram Taluk and is a Grade-I municipality.

KSRTC bus station is situated behind the Koodalmanikyam temple. KSRTC bus services are available to state capital Trivandrum, Ernakulam/Vyttila Hub, Kottayam, Kollam, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery, Perinthalmanna, Mysore, Bangalore and Coimbatore. Besides, plenty of private buses are available from Irinjalakuda to various places within the district and towns in neighbouring districts. For those travelling from southern parts of the state, Chalakudy is the major roadhead to proceed towards Irinjalakuda. Private buses frequently ply between Chalakudy and Irinjalakuda. For travellers from northern Kerala, buses are available from Thrissur Shakthan Thampuran private bus stand.

Railways

thumb|Irinjalakuda railway station

The nearest railway station is the Irinjalakuda Railway Station which is about 8 km east of the town at Kallettumkara. Irinjalakuda Railway Station is managed by the Southern Railway of Indian Railways. A total of 44 trains, including superfast, express and passenger trains, have stoppage here. Thrissur railway station is the nearest major railhead with stop for all trains, which is just 22 km from Irinjalakuda.

Colleges

  • Christ College, Irinjalakuda
  • Christ College of Engineering, Irinjalakuda
  • Christ College of Physical Education, Irinjalakuda
  • St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda
  • Tharananellur College of Arts and Science, Thanissery
  • Universal College of Engineering, Vallivattom
  • Kerala Language Network subcentre
  • Madhava Knowledge Centre in Mathematics

STATE

  • Don Bosco Higher Secondary School
  • L. F. C. H. S. S., Irinjalakuda
  • S. N. H. S. S., Irinjalakuda
  • National Higher Secondary School
  • St Mary's Higher Secondary School
  • Govt Boys' Higher Secondary School
  • Govt Girls' Higher Secondary School

CBSE

  • Bhavan's Vidya Mandir, Irinjalakuda
  • Santhinikethan Public School, Irinjalakuda

ICSE

  • DON Bosco Central School (ICSE)
  • Christ Vidya Nikethan

Language institute

  • Perfect English Academy

Notable people

Irinjalakuda has been the home of many notable people, including

<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their OWN article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->

<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->

  • Anand (born 1936), writer
  • Edavela Babu (born 1963), actor
  • Dr. R. Bindu, politician and Minister in the Government of Kerala
  • O. Chandrashekar (1935-2021), footballer
  • Innocent (1948-2023), actor, film producer, writer and politician
  • P. Jayachandran (1944-2025), playback singer and actor
  • Madhava of Sangamagrama (c. 1340 – c. 1425), mathematician and astronomer
  • Dr. M. Subhadra Nair (born 1929), gynaecologist, medical teacher and social worker
  • Anupama Parameswaran (born 1996), actress
  • James Pazhayattil (1934–2016) the Syro-Malabar Catholic hierarch, Bishop of Irinjalakuda,
  • Dr. K. Radhakrishnan (born 1949), space scientist
  • Jijoy Rajagopal (born 1976), film and theatre actor and academic
  • K. V. Ramanadhan (1932-2023), children's literature writer
  • K. Rekha (born 1975), short story writer and journalist
  • Meenakshi Thampan (born 1941), politician
  • Tovino Thomas (born 1989), actor and film producer
  • Sidin Vadukut (born 1979) columnist, writer and blogger
  • Govind Vasantha (born 1988), composer, singer, and violinist
  • N. C. Vasanthakokilam (1919–1951), carnatic singer and actress
  • Unnayi Variyar (17th/18th century), poet, writer and dramatist

<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their OWN article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->

<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->

Industries

Irinjalakuda is a centre of agro industries. The town is home to Kerala Solvent Extractions Limited (KSE Limited), which is a prominent cattlefeed manufacturing company in south India. State-owned cattlefeed manufacturing company Kerala Feeds Limited is located at Kallettumkara, around 2&nbsp;km away from Irinjalakuda railway station and 9&nbsp;km away from Irinjalakuda town. Irinjalakuda has several coconut oil manufacturing companies, including KLF and KPL oil mills. The neighbourhood of Irinjalakuda is home to three cashew processing factories, located at Pullur, Muriyad, and Aloor. The town and its neighbouring areas also host a number of bellmetal manufacturing units.

See also

  • Avinissery
  • Kallamkunnu
  • Kodungallur
  • Vallakkunnu

References

  • Irinjalakuda Municipality: Official Website
  • News Portal of Irinjalakuda