Nilakkal

Coordinates: 9°22′49.43″N 76°59′52.6″E / 9.3803972°N 76.997944°E / 9.3803972; 76.997944
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Nilakkal
Pilgrimage centre
Cochin International Airport Limited

Nilakkal, also spelled Nilackal, is an important base camp of

Kerala.[1]
Sabarimala temple is located at a distance of 23 km (14 mi) from Nilakkal.

Etymology

According to some historical records, the name Nilakkal is associated with Nilavaaya, considered to be the presiding deity of old Shasta temple (present Sabarimala) at the forest interiors. While some other records has it that the name Nilakkal came from "Nilakkal thavalam".[2] The place's alternate name Chayal denotes a place sloping towards Pamba river.[3] But in another context, Chayal is referred to someone who is left alone.[4][5]

History

The historical background of Nilakkal was based on its geographical position which date backs to the ancient times. Kerala had age-long trade relations with

Venad
).

Religion

Places of Hindu worship

Sree Mahadeva temple

Main article: Nilakkal Sree Mahadeva Temple
The temple arch gate is an important landmark of the place

The old shrine at Nilakkal is currently administered by

Nandi. Three Poojas are held here daily. Special weekly days are Sunday, Monday and Friday. The Maha Shivaratri held annually is one of the noted festivals of the temple.[9]

Palliyarakkavu Devi temple

It is situated near the Shiva temple.

Ayyappa. Pilgrims make offerings to Devi for welfare and sake. The Irumudi kettu nirakkal (a ritual related to Sabarimala pilgrimage) is performed here by the pilgrims after the Nayattu vili (a narrative song). Three poojas are held every day. Aravana payasam is the main offering to Devi.[10]

Sabarimala

The famous Hindu pilgrim destination,

Sabarimala is only at a distance of 23 km from here. Nilakkal is an unavoidable place during the times of pilgrimages. All the vehicles to Sabarimala passes through Nilakkal which is on the state highway 67
.

Christianity

St. Thomas ecumenical church

Main article:
Nilakkal St.Thomas Ecumenical Church
Nilakkal church

Thiruvithamkode. Even though there is no historical evidence of the missionary work of St. Thomas in Nilakkal, some assumptions of his establishment of a church in this place ore written on old metal plates and other historical writings.[12] Since the old church is in a dilapidated stage, a new church has been constructed in a site not far from it.[12][13]

Catholic titular see

The Nazrani diocese was nominally restored in 1977 as

Titular bishopric
of Chayal (Italian) / Chaialum / Chaialen(sis) (Latin), of the lowest (Episcopal) rank. It is vacant, having had the following incumbents :

The Orthodox diocese of Nilakkal

Nilakkal

Malankara Metropolitan. The first metropolitan of the diocese is H.G.Dr Joshua Mar Nicodimos. This newly formed diocese, comprising Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts, has 39 parishes including almost 2953 families. These parishes are organised into five ecclesiastical districts : Ayroor, Vayalathala, Ranni, Nilakkal and Kanakappaalam. The diocese has its headquarters at Ranni, named St. Thomas aramana, and also engages in charitable activities such as helping the poor and needy in and around the diocese.[15]

Places of interest

Attathodu Tribal Colony: A remote tribal settlement is situated near Nilakkal named Attathodu, on the banks of river

Sabarimala. People here engages in small scale agriculture and relays on the forest products.[16][17]

western ghats
and also it is a tourist spot.

tiger reserves in India
.

Agriculture

spices and forest products like timber and ivory. Later, it was covered by thick forests.[19]

Geography

Photograph of a Spider from the forest interiors

Predominately it is a remote hilly area classified as

Vembanadu Lake
.

Location

Nilakkal lies in the eastern part of Pathanamthitta district and west to Sabarimala near the Western Ghats forests. It is located on the main trunk road leading to Sabarimala temple. Pathanamthitta town is about 42 km (26 mi) and Kottayam about 78 km (48 mi). Chittar (27 km) and Angamoozhy (7 km) are the nearby townships.

Nearby places

  • Angamoozhy
  • Plappally
  • Attathodu
  • Chalakkayam
  • Elavumkal
  • Aryattukavala
  • Rajampara
  • Seethathodu
  • Chittar
  • Thulappally
  • Naranamthodu

Climate

Seasonal rainfall at Nilakkal
Year Southeast monsoon Northwest monsoon
2001 1,200 mm (47 in) 500 mm (20 in)
2002 1,300 mm (51 in) 700 mm (28 in)
2003 1,400 mm (55 in) 500 mm (20 in)
2004 1,500 mm (59 in) 400 mm (16 in)
2005 2,400 mm (94 in) 1,000 mm (39 in)
2006 2,000 mm (79 in) 1,000 mm (39 in)
2007 2,800 mm (110 in) 700 mm (28 in)
2008 1,800 mm (71 in) 500 mm (20 in)
2009 1,500 mm (59 in) 700 mm (28 in)
2010 2,500 mm (98 in) 1,000 mm (39 in)
2011 3,000 mm (120 in) 600 mm (24 in)
2012 1,700 mm (67 in) 400 mm (16 in)

Nilakkal's climate is classified under Köppen climate classification. It is also one of the five upstream rain gauge stations of Pamba river basin which receives a significant rainfall of over 3,000 mm (120 in) during the South-West Monsoon of last few years. But the amount of precipitation is comparatively low during the North-East Monsoon, Pre-Monsoon and Non-Monsoon period, with only 1,000 mm (39 in) of precipitation.[21] The minimum annual rainfall recorded here is 2,391.6 mm (94.16 in) and a maximum of 4,617.1 mm (181.78 in), which is about 30% above the state average.[22]

Sufficient amount of rainfall is received during the months of June, July, August and September. Although

thundershowers
are common here.

Infrastructure

Nilakkal base camp

Nilakkal developed into a main base camp of Sabarimala pilgrimage and achieved huge progress by the initiation of Sabarimala master plan by Travancore Devaswom Board. In 2005, the Government gave 110 hectares (270 acres) of land to Devaswom board to improve the basic infrastructures and parking facilities for pilgrims at Nilakkal. Previously, the land was under the possession of the Government-owned State Farming Corporation since 1982. Before 1982, the area was used for cultivating sugarcane by the co-operative Mannam Sugar Mills, Pandalam. The land occupied from Farming corporation was mostly utilized for improving parking facilities.

At times of Sabarimala pilgrimage, heavy and medium vehicles drops pilgrims at

Pamba and parks at Nilakkal in order to avoid the rush at Pamba. The parking grounds at Nilakkal could accommodate more than 4000 vehicles at one time. The parking has been divided into various sectors for the convenience of pilgrims from various states. Recently, Devaswom board also improved the drinking water and sanitation facilities at the camp. A nadapanthal (shed) is constructed in front of the Mahadeva temple for the pilgrims. The base camp also have a police station, Government primary health centre, KSRTC bus stand and accommodation facilities for the pilgrims.[23]

Health and education

The nearest medical centre to Nilakkal is the Government Primary Health Centre started on 19 January 2014, by Dr.Prasob Enose, which functions throughout the year, benefiting tribal families in Attathodu colony.

Nearby hospitals

Educational institutions

  • Government Tribal H.S.S, Kissumam
  • S.A.V.H.S, Angamoozhy[25]
  • Government Tribal L.P School, Attathodu
  • K.R.P.M Higher Secondary School, Seethathodu
  • Govt. Higher Decondary School, Chittar
  • V. K. N. M Vocational Higher Secondary School, Vayyattupuzha

Transportation

Road

Nilakkal lies on the Mannarakkulanji - Chalakkayam state highway (SH-67). The Adoor - Vandiperiyar highway passes through Plappally, 8 km (5.0 mi) west to Nilakkal. During Sabarimala pilgrimage, state-owned K.S.R.T.C buses provides chain services from Pamba to Nilakkal for the pilgrims.[26][27] Private busses only operates through nearby places like Angamoozhy and Thulappally. Still transportation is comparatively less in the region.

Railway

The nearest railway stations are Chengannur (68 km) and Thiruvalla (73 km).

Airport

Sabarimala pilgrimage. A helipad is constructed at Nilakkal base camp as part of the disaster management and to deal with emergency situations.[28]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nilakkal base camp: facilities will be provided for Sabarimala pilgrims in 110 hectares". keralakaumudi.com. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b "local history of chengannur - Shodhganga" (PDF). p. 172. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  3. ^ "nilackal". www.smcim.org. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b "HISTORY:sabarimala VS sabor mala and nilakkal church about 12th century A.D". archive.is. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ a b "Nilackal Church Of St.Thomas And Chayal Ashram of Mar Sabor Easow". www.angelfire.com.
  6. ^ "Valiyaveettil Family-The Evolution". www.valiyaveetil.org. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  7. ISBN 978-8192128443
    – via Volume 1.
  8. ^ "Communal Violence in Kerala by Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios". paulosmargregorios.in. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  9. ^ "Nilakkal | Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple". sabarimala.tdb.org.in. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Nilakkal Palliyarakkavu Devi Temple". www.sabarimalaaccomodation.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  11. ^ Staff Reporter. "Nilackal ecumenical church a symbol of unity". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  12. ^ a b c "Nilakkal Church | Christian Pilgrim Centres | Kerala | Kerala". www.kerala.me. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  13. ^ "Analogical review on Saint Thomas Cross- The symbol of Nasranis-Interpretation of the Inscriptions". www.nasrani.net. 29 February 2008.
  14. ^ "Titular See of Chayal, India (Syro-Malankar Rite)".
  15. ^ "Diocese of Nilakkal". mosc.in. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  16. ^ "A life of misery in the Nilackal forests". The Hindu. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  17. ^ "Peaceful societies - Malappandaram". cas.uab.edu. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  18. ^ "Labourers to go on with strikes at Nilakkal Sabari estate". Janmabhumi. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  19. ^ "..:: Mar Thoma Church Ottawa Official Website ::." www.ottawamarthoma.ca. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  20. ^ "Topographic maps Sabarimala". topographic-map.com. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  21. ISBN 978-8184249521
    – via Volume 1 of First edition.
  22. ISBN 978-3319186634
    .
  23. ^ "Sabarimala master plan implementation". Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  24. ^ "Athura hospital, Seethathodu, Pathanamthitta". Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  25. ^ "S.A.V.H.S Angamoozhy". in.wowsome.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015.
  26. ^ "ksrtc-pamba-nilakkal-chain-service-bus". www.ksrtcblog.com. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  27. ^ "KeralaSRTC::PAMBA Spl Services". www.keralartc.com. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  28. ^ "Coming soon: A helipad near Lord Ayyappa's abode - Onmanorama". english.manoramaonline.com. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
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