?Pala Kerala • India
Pala
Coordinates: 9°42′N 76°42′E / 9.7, 76.7
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	15.93 km² (6 sq mi) • 56.7 m (186 ft)
District(s)	Kottayam
Population • Density	22,640 (2001) • app. 1,375/km² (Expression error: Unrecognised word "app"/sq mi)
Municipal Chairperson	Betty Shaju
Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle	• 686 575 • +9148 22 • KL 35

Coordinates: 9°42′N 76°42′E / 9.7, 76.7 Pala (also known as Palai (Malayalam : പാലാ), is a municipal town in the eastern hilly areas of Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated on the banks of the Meenachil River and is the headquarters of the Meenachil Taluk and the Pala Revenue Division. It is the main gateway to the southern high ranges. Located at 9.7125°N, 76.6950°E. Pala is 56.7 meters above MSL. Nearby towns are Ponkunnam, Erattupetta, Thodupuzha, Ramapuram,Ettumanoor and Kottayam. Pala is on the Muvattupuzha-Punalur SH8 eastern state highway. , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links India_Kerala_locator_map. ... Image File history File links Locator_Dot. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... Location of Mirzapur and the 82. ... The geography of India is diverse, with landscape ranging from snow-capped mountain ranges to deserts, plains, rainforests, hills, and plateaus. ... Elevation histogram of the surface of the Earth – approximately 71% of the Earths surface is covered with water. ... The divisions of a district. ... , For the town with the same name, see Kottayam. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... 2001 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of the Volunteer The United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations Events January January 1 - A black monolith measuring approximately nine feet tall appears in Seattles Magnuson Park, placed by an anonymous... A Postal Index Number or PIN or Pincode is the post office numbering or post code system used by the Indian Postal Service (similar to the ZIP Code in the United States). ... For the past decade or so, telecommunication activities have gained momentum in India. ... Licence plates on the back of a taxi in Kolkata. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Malayalam (മലയാളം ) is the language spoken predominantly in the state of Kerala, in southern India. ... A municipality or general-purpose district (compare with: special-purpose district) is an administrative local area generally composed of a clearly defined territory and commonly referring to a city, town, or village government. ... Ronda, Spain Main street in Bastrop, Texas, United States, a small town A town is a community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands, although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan areas. ... , For the town with the same name, see Kottayam. ... India is a federal republic comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... The Meenachil River is the only river that flows through the heart of the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. ... Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. ... The acronym MSL may mean My sweet Love Major Soccer League Major Series Lacrosse Malaysian Sign Language Malaysian Super League Mean sea level Mars Science Laboratory Master Subsidy Lock in mobile phones Mbcgame Starleague Master of Studies in Law degree Maximum Segment Lifetime (TCP/IP networking) Mean Sea Level Medical... Ponkunnam is a town in eatern high-ranges of Kerala,India,part of Kottayam District. ... Erattupetta is a town in Kottayam District of Kerala state, south India. ... Thodupuzha (in malayalam: തൊടുപുഴ) is a town and a municipality in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. ... Ramapuram may refer to: Cities and towns in India Ramapuram, Tamil Nadu Ramapuram, Andhra Pradesh towns in Kerala Ramapuram, Kottayam Ramapuram, Malappuram others Ramapuram (family), a notable family in Kerala Category: ... Ettumanoor is a major town in Kottayam District of Kerala state, south India. ... , For the district with the same name, see Kottayam district. ... , Muvattupuzha (Malayalam:മൂവാറ്റുപുഴ ) is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. ... Punalur is a town in the Indian state of Kerala. ...

History

There are various versions regarding the origin of the place name. According to one, Pala gets its name from Palazhi (Ksheera Sagara), the mythological ocean of milk from which nectar was churned out. Another view is that the name was derived from Palathu Chettiyar families, the prominent early settlers of the region.

Pala was ruled by Meenachil Karthas (Hindu Local Chieftains) for a long time. The first royal Kartha families were known as Njavakattu Karthas.

Pala has the largest propotion of Chrisitans in Kerala.

Early settlements

Early settlements in the region date back to 1000 AD. Christian settlers came to the area very early, probably at the invitation of the local rulers.The first four Christian families were THARAYIL (tharayil mappila) KOOTTUMKAL (brother of Tharayil Mappila) ERAKONNI & VAYALAKOMBIL .They engaged mainly in agriculture and trade. It is believed that Pala market was established around 1736 on the banks of Meenachil River by Christian settlers on the land allotted by the rulers Meenachil Karthas.Today it is the land of Latex ( Rubber Pal) and the name Pala is relevant even today. Europe in 1000 The year 1000 of the Gregorian Calendar was the last year of the 10th century as well as the last year of the first millennium. ... “AD” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ...

Religious places

Pala Diocese

The Syrian Christians of Pala owe their faith to St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ who came down to Kerala. Though the diocese is only half a century old (July 25, 1950), some of the Churches trace its origin to the earlier centuries.

Pope Pius XII by the Bull “Quo Ecclesiarim” issued on July 25, 1950, bifurcated the Diocese of Changanacherry, and out of the territory covered by the Foranes of Palai, Muttuchira, Kuravilangad, Anakkallu (including the present Forane of Aruvithura) and Ramapuram erected the Diocese of Palai as suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam.

On August 22, 1956 when the Holy See by the Apostolic Constitution “Regnum Coelorum” raised the Diocese of Changanacherry to the status of an Archdiocese and constituted the new Ecclesiastical Province of Changanacherry, the Diocese of Palai became one of its suffragans.

Pala diocese comprises of Meenachil Taluk, and a few villages of Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam districts. Pala had contacts with other continents from time immemorial. In 1663, an Armenian is said to have influenced the construction of the Lalam (old ) church. Before Pala church was built in 1002, Aruvithura used to be the Parish. It is believed that St. Thomas traveled through the then navigable Meenachil river and reached Aruvithura and Cherpunkal.

Pala also has many ancient temples and churches that are considered as pilgrim centers by the devotees. Temple of Hephaestus, an Doric Greek temple in Athens with the original entrance facing east, 449 BC (western face depicted) For other uses, see Temple (disambiguation). ... For the architectural structure, see Church (building). ...

Temples

There are 11 temples in Pala Municipality. Among them Lalam Mahadeva Temple is the most famous temple and is called Dakshina Kasi (Kasi of South). Lalam Mahadeva Temple is situated at the heart of Pala town on the bank of Lalam river. It is believed that this is the oldest temple in Meenachil Taluk and was once the only temple in the 58 Karas or Villages of Meenachil Taluk. Thiruvathira festival in Dhanu (December - January) is the main festival of this temple. Ambalppurathukavu Bhagavthy Temple is situated near to Lalam temple. Kizhathadiyoor Puthiyakavu Devi Temple, Chembittambalam Kizhathadiyoor Thrukkayil Mahadeva Temple, Murikkumpuzha Devi Temple, Idayattu Bala Ganapathy Temple, Narasimha Swami Temple, Vellappattu Sree Vana Durga Bhagavathy Temple (the only temple in Kottayam district where Jeevatha ezhunnallathu is performed), Thattarakathu Bhagavathy Temple, Ooraasala Subrahmanya Swami Temple and Anakkulangara Bhagavathy Temple are the other temples situated within the boundaries of Pala Municipality.

Kadappattor Mahadeva Temple which is situated on the bank of Meenachil river is the most famous Hindu temple in this region. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Kadappattoor temple every year, on their way to Sabarimala. Cheruthil Valuthu (big among small) Puliyannoor Mahadeva temple is also a famous temple near to Pala. Both these temples are located in Mutholi Panchayath. Meenachil vadakke kavu is a famous Bhadrakaaly temple near Pala. "Mandalakala pooja (41days)" is very famous with Kalamezhuthu& Kalam karikkal. Meenachil Dharmasastha Temple, Idayattu Bala Ganapathy Temple, Poovarany Mahadeva Temple, Valavoor Mahadeva Temple, Idanadu Bhagavathy Temple, Anthinadu Mahadeva Temple, Vezhanganam Mahadeva Temple, Bharanaganam Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Alanadu Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Ponad Bhagavathy Temple and Sree Kurumbakkavu Devi Temple are the other important temples of this region.

Churches

Kurishupalli, a shrine located at the centre of the Pala town, acts as the landmark of the town. St. Thomas Cathedral, Pala and St. Mary's Church, Lalam are two of the main Christian churches in Pala. An Armenian might have played an important role in the establishment of the Lalam Church in 1663. Eastern Orthodox shrine Buddhist shrine just outside Wat Phnom. ... In Palai, the important Church is the St Thomas Cathedral. ... Year 1663 (MDCLXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ...

A famous pilgrim centre nearby is the Alphonsa Church at Bharananganam, where the mortal remains of Blessed Alphonsa of India are kept. Adjacent to it is St. Mary's Church of Bharananganam which was founded in 1004. St. George's Church, Aruvithura, near Erattupetta, is also a famous pilgrim centre. Another Christian pilgrim centre near Pala is the St. Augustine's Church at Ramapuram, where the mortal remains of the Blessed Augustine Kunjachan are kept. Monastry of Mutholy is founded by Blessed Chavara kuriakose Elias. Bharananganam is a famous pilgrimage center in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, south India. ... Blessed Alphonsa Muttathupadathu was born on August 19, 1910 in Kudamaloor rural village near Kottayam (Kerala, India) to Joseph and Mary Muttathupadathu. ... Events December: End of the Samanid dynasty in Bokhara. ... St. ...

Trade links

Pala had trade links with far-off places such as TamilNadu, and even foreign countries in the Middle East. A jungle route to Gudalloor, in Tamil Nadu, through the dense forests in the High Ranges, is believed to have brought a significant number of Vellalas and Chettiars during the Middle Ages. During early 1900s Pala became famous for its spice market. A particular brand of pepper called "Pala Pepper" was quoted in the London market in the early 1900s. Once rubber took a firm root in Central Kerala, Pala became a rubber market. Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into vellalar. ... The Chettiars also Chetty, Chetti, Setty, Chitty, Shetty and Shettigar is a title, commonly used by people of South Indian origin in India and abroad. ... // Public flight demonstration of an airplane by Alberto Santos-Dumont in Paris, November 12, 1906. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ...

Pala dominated the banking and financial scene of Kerala for over three decades (1927-60) through Palai Central Bank, which was the largest business enterprise of Kerala and the 17th largest scheduled commercial bank in India, when it was liquidated in 1960 by the Reserve Bank of India. Palai Central Bank was a commercial bank that functioned with its headquarters in Kerala, South India during the middle of last century. ...

A road linking Athirampuzha to Erattupetta through Pala was established in 1868. Pala was linked to Thodupuzha by road in 1893. Motor vehicles appeared in Pala around the 1920s. Athirampuzha is a small town in Kottayam district of Kerala state, South India. ... Erattupetta is a town in Kottayam District of Kerala state, south India. ... Year 1868 (MDCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Thodupuzha (in malayalam: തൊടുപുഴ) is a town and a municipality in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. ... Year 1893 (MDCCCXCIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The 1920s is a decade that is sometimes referred to as the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties, usually applied to America. ...

Pala became a Municipality in 1949.

Meenachil River

The Meenachil River flows through the taluks of Meenachil, Vaikom and Kottayam . It is formed by several streams originating from the Western Ghats in Idukki district. At Erattupeetta, Poonjar River also joins it, takes a sharp turn and flows towards the west. At Kondur, it is joined by the Chittar and at Lalam it receives the Payuapparathodu and flows in a south- west direction till it reaches Kottayam . Here, it branches into several streams before emptying into the Vembanad Lake. The important town in the basin are Pala, Poonjar, Ettumanoor and Kottayam

Closest cities, towns and villages

Kochi may refer to: Kochi, India, a city in the state of Kerala, India, formerly known as Cochin. ... For the district with the same name, see Thrissur district. ... , For the district with the same name, see Kottayam district. ... Thodupuzha (in malayalam: തൊടുപുഴ) is a town and a municipality in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. ... Ettumanoor is a major town in Kottayam District of Kerala state, south India. ... Ponkunnam is a town in eatern high-ranges of Kerala,India,part of Kottayam District. ... Kanjirappally is a taluka and town in Kottayam district, in the state of Kerala, India. ... Ranni is a Taluk in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerela, in India, approximately 66 kilometres from the pilgrimage centre Sabarimala. ... , Manimala is an area in the Kottayam district of Kerala in India. ... Erattupetta is a town in Kottayam District of Kerala state, south India. ... Moovattupuzha is Muvattupuzha. ... , Thiruvalla ( previously spelled Tiruvalla) or തിരുവല്ല as it is spelled in malayalam, is a city and a Taluk located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South-West India. ... , Changanassery is a city and a municipality in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India. ... Kattappana is a small beautiful town located in Kerala state India. ... , For the town with the same name, see Kottayam. ... Bharananganam is a famous pilgrimage center in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, south India. ... Poonjar is a small town on the Punniar river (sacred river) an arm of the Meenachil river at Kottayam district of the Kerala state of India, the name being borrowed from the name of the river Punniar on which it is located. ... Paika Kottayam district,Kerala,India is a small town 8 km away from Palai on Pala-Ponkunnam road of Muvattupuzha - Punalur state highway. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Kidangoor is a beautiful village in Kottayam district. ... Ramapuram may refer to: Cities and towns in India Ramapuram, Tamil Nadu Ramapuram, Andhra Pradesh towns in Kerala Ramapuram, Kottayam Ramapuram, Malappuram others Ramapuram (family), a notable family in Kerala Category: ... Binomial name (Nees) T. Anderson Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) is a shrub that used to grow abundantly in the shola grasslands (the origin of Water) of Western Ghats in South India above 1800 metres. ... Kadaplamattom is a small village near Palai, Kottayam District, Kerala, India. ... Panthathala is a small village close to Palai in the Kottayam district of Kerala state in India. ... Sanal Edamaruku President of Rationalist International and Indian Rationalist Association. ...

Culture & People

Though the population is diverse, Pala is considered as an important hub of Roman Catholics in India. Pala is en-route the tourist resort at Vagamon. The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

Varthamana Pusthakam (1778), written by Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar, on a travel to Rome, is the first travelogue in Malayalam.

Meenachil taluk, of which Pala is teh headquarters has produced people with notable contribution in many fields:

Politics

• K. R. Narayanan, President of India (1997-2002), Vice-President of India (1992-97).
• P K Vasudevan Nair, Chief Minister of Kerala (1978-79), Minister of Kerala State and Member of Parliament.
• K M Chandy [1], State Governor (1982-89), President of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee.
• K M Mani, Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly (1965 onwards) and Minister of Kerala State (different terms during 1977-2006).
• M M Jacob [2], Deputy Chairman of Rajaya Sabha (1986-87), Union Minister (1987-93), State Governor of Meghalaya (1995-2007).
• R V Thomas [3], President (Speaker) of Travancore State Legislative Assembly (1947-49).
• J Thomas Kayalackakom [4], Member of Sree Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore State (1922-31).
• Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai [5], General Secretary of NSS (1967 onwards) and Indian High-Commissioner to Singapore.
• George Thomas Kottukapally [6], Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (1957-62), U.N Delegate.
• Cherian J Kappen [7], Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (1962-67).
• Dr P J Thomas [8][9], Member of Madras Legislative Council, 1937-42 and Member of Indian Parliament - Rajya Sabha 1957-62.
• M J Varkey (Vakkachen) Mattathil [10], Member of Indian Parliament - Rajya Sabha (1998-2004).

Kocheril Raman Narayanan (Malayalam: കോച്ചേരില്‍ രാമന്‍ നാരായണന്‍; 4 February 1921 — 9 November 2005), also known as K. R. Narayanan, was the tenth President of the Republic of India. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Karinkozhakkal Mani Mani was born as the son of Thomas Mani and Alyamma in 1933 at Marangattupalli, near Palai. ...

Literature

• Mahakavi Kattakayam Cherian Mappila (1859-1936: author of Sri Yesu Vijayam)
• Mahakavi Pala Narayanan Nair
• Mahakavi Pravithanam P M Devasia
• Lalithambika Antharjanam
• B. Sandhya IPS, writer and police officer.
• Vettoor Raman Nair
• Paul Zacharia

Kattakayam Cherian Mappila (1859-1936)[1] was the first Christian poet of Kerala. ... B. Sandhya is a female police officer in Kerala, India. ...

Sports

• Wilson Cherian, Swimmer - Arjuna award winner.
• T.J. Jacob, Swimmer - Indian Team at Asian Games.
• Mathew Joseph, Swimmer - Indian Team at Asian Games.
• Sumi Cyriac, Swimmer - National Champion.
• Sony Cyriac, swimmer - Indian Team
• Mani C Kappen, Volley Ball - Indian Team Player.
• M D Valsamma, Athletics - Asian Gold Medalist.
• Sunny Thomas - National Coach in Riffle Shooting.
• S. Pazhaniya Pillai - Indian Athletic Team Manager.

INTER NATIONAL GYM Inter National Gym is the most important part of the palai sports Manathoor Devasia Valsamma (born 29 October 1960), was an Indian athlete. ...

Management & Administration

• Kris Gopalakrishnan, CEO, Infosys Technologies Ltd.
• M. S. Joseph, bureaucrat.
• K.J. Mathew, bureaucrat.
• V J Kurian, bureaucrat.
• Tom Jose, bureaucrat.

Kris Gopalakrishnan is an Indian industrialist, software engineer and one of the 7 founders of Infosys Technologies, a global consulting and IT services company based in India. ... Infosys Technologies Limited (NASDAQ: INFY) (incorporated in 1992, in operation since 1981) is an India based global IT Services, IT Solutions and Technology Servicesminor. ...

Movies

• Bhadran, movie director
• Miss Kumari, late Malayalam actress
• Mani C Kappen, movie producer
• Rimi Tomy, Cine Play back singer

Bhadran is a village in the Indian state of Gujarat. ...

Television

• Gayathri, television talkshow host
• Baby Rekha Mathews, newsreader
• Anne, television anchor

The Gayatri Mantra is the Universal Prayer enshrined in the Vedas, the most ancient scriptures of man. ... Anna can refer to a variety of things. ...

Science

• K.L. Sebastian, winner of S.S. Bhatnagar Prize in Chemistry.
• Dr. A.M.Michael, Director, Agricultural Institute of India

Education

Colleges in Pala are affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Educational institutes here are hubs of sports excellence. Famous international volleyball player Jimmy George was an alumnus of St. Thomas College. Olympian Shiny Wilson is an alumnus of Alphonsa College. Many institutions are run under the management of the Diocese of Pala The Mahatma Gandhi University was established on October 2nd 1983 by the Government of Kerala through an Act of the Legislative Assembly. ... For the ball used in this sport, see Volleyball (ball). ... Jimmy George (March 8, 1955 - November 30, 1987) is a legendary volley ball player from Kerala, India. ... The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... Shiny Abraham (now Wilson) (b. ... The Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Palai is a Syro-Malabar Church diocese in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. ...

St. ...

Demographics

As of 2001 India census^[1], Pala had a population of 22,640. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pala has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 86%. In Pala, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. 2001 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of the Volunteer The United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations Events January January 1 - A black monolith measuring approximately nine feet tall appears in Seattles Magnuson Park, placed by an anonymous... Image:1870 census Lindauer Weber 01. ...

Records and Achievements

Meenachil Taluk, of which Pala town is the headquarters, has the unique distinction of holding innumerable records. It is amazing that a rather remote Taluk located in the hilly inland could achieve so much.

World Records:

1. The Christian parish that is home to the largest number of priests in the world – Kozhuvanal Parish, Pala Diocese [11] (101 priests).
2. Promoter of one of the world’s ten best Resort Hotels selected by the world’s leading travel magazine – Dominic Joseph Kuruvinakkunnel (Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom of Casino CGH Earth Group of Hotels [12]).

National Records:

1. India’s only dalit President – K R Narayanan (1997).
2. First Indian to become Economic Advisor to Government of India – Dr P J Thomas [13][14] (1942).
3. India’s first and only Taluk to produce one President/Vice-President, two State Governors, one State Chief Minister and one Ambassador – K R Narayanan, K M Chandy [15], M M Jacob [16], P K Vasudevan Nair & Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai [17].
4. Longest term as Finance Minister of a State in India – K M Mani (7 years).
5. Longest term as State Governor in India – M M Jacob [18] (12 years).
6. Highest number of Bishops from a Diocese in India – Pala Diocese [19].
7. The first travelogue in an Indian language – “Varthamana Pusthakam” by Paremmakkal Thomma Kathanar [20] (18th century).
8. Author of the first encyclopaedia in an Indian language – Mathew M Kuzhively [21].
9. First head of a Homoeo Medical Dept. of a State in India – Dr K Z George [22] (1973).
10. First Bank to open a branch in India’s capital New Delhi – Palai Central Bank (1932).
11. Maker of India’s largest selling medicinal toilet soap – C R Kesavan Vaidyan (Chandrika Soap)[23].

State Records: Kocheril Raman Narayanan, usually known just as K. R. Narayanan (b. ... Kocheril Raman Narayanan, usually known just as K. R. Narayanan (b. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Karinkozhakkal Mani Mani was born as the son of Thomas Mani and Alyamma in 1933 at Marangattupalli, near Palai. ... Palai Central Bank was a commercial bank that functioned with its headquarters in Kerala, South India during the middle of last century. ...

1. First and only President/Vice-President from Kerala – K R Narayanan (1997/1992).
2. First Speaker of the State since Independence – R V Thomas [24] (1948).
3. Longest continuous term as MLA of the State – K M Mani (1965 onwards)
4. One of the first two from the State to be beatified by Catholic church – Sr Alphonsa [25] (1986).
5. Promoter of the institution that was the largest in the State for over three decades – Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom - Palai Central Bank (1927-60)].
6. First and foremost sports promoter of the State – Col. G V Raja [26].
7. First company promoter of the State to make a public issue of shares of a plantation company – J Thomas Kayalackakom - Mysore Plantations Ltd (1943) [27].
8. First person to run a Star Hotel in the State – Dominic Joseph Kuruvinakkunnel - Malabar Hotel, Cochin (1962) [28].
9. First Liquor Baron of the State – Joseph Michael Manarkattu (1980s) [29].
10. First Stock Broker’s Firm in the State – Kayalackakom Company (1946) [30].
11. First person from the State to dominate the multi-crore Forward Trade (Satta Bazar) in spices – M O Devasia Mattathil (1970s) [31].
12. First lady athlete of Kerala to win Asian Games gold medal – M D Valsamma (1982)
13. One of the first two women IPS officers from the State – B Sandhya IPS (1994) [32].
14. First MBA degree holder of Kerala – K M George Kayalackakom - New York University [33] (1948).
15. First Christian Mahakavi and Editor of one of the oldest literary magazines in Malayalam – Kattakayam Cheriyan Mappillai - Sreeyesu Vijayam (1926) & Vijgnana Rathnakaram (1915) [34].
16. First person to introduce the ‘Vanchippaattu’ branch of Malayalam poetry – Ramapurathu Warrior - Kuchelavritham (18th century) [35].
17. First editor of a Malayalam Newspaper – Nidheerickal Mani Kathanar - Nasrani Deepika [36] (1887).
18. First bridge constructed by private individuals - Puzhakkara Bridge - 50ft*16ft (Constructed in 1998 by P.A Kuriakose and brothers John and Joseph, Puzhakkara family).[Page10, 15th June 1998 Malayala Manorama Daily, Bussiness Deepika 15-21, 1999].

Kocheril Raman Narayanan, usually known just as K. R. Narayanan (b. ... Karinkozhakkal Mani Mani was born as the son of Thomas Mani and Alyamma in 1933 at Marangattupalli, near Palai. ... Palai Central Bank was a commercial bank that functioned with its headquarters in Kerala, South India during the middle of last century. ... Manathoor Devasia Valsamma (born 29 October 1960), was an Indian athlete. ...

See also

• Meenachil
• Meenachil River

Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. ... The Meenachil River is the only river that flows through the heart of the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. ...

References