puthuppally

Puthuppally is a town in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India, which is situated 8 kms south of Kottayam city. it is encircled by rivers, paddy fields and hills, with a population of over 30,000 people of various caste and creeds. It is surrounded by various Karas (principalities) such as Kadamuri, Erikadu, Pariyaram, Thottakad, Vennimala, Manganam, Eravinallore and Thrukothamangalam. The town is home to many NRI families, most of whom work in the Middle East, some dating as far back as the 1970s. Many people, mostly educated have migrated to other cities of India and abroad over the years.^{[citation needed]}

The town is known for its temple, churches, socio-political and cultural activities.^{[citation needed]}

The most famous of its many churches is the St. George Orthodox Church, of the Malankara Orthodox Church. Built around the seventeenth century,^{[citation needed]} this church is popularly known as Puthuppally Pally, or as Puthuppally Vailiyapally. It is situated on the western and eastern banks of the Kodoor River, about a kilometre away from the main junction of Puthuppally town. The surroundings of church are panoramic with vast paddy fields and hills. A new road linking this church to Paloorpadi, Manganam is open and is a short cut to Kottayam, but not for heavy vehicles. A pilgrim amenity center and a boat jetty for service to Muhamma under Kodoor river beautification project is under planning^{[citation needed]}

Among the many temples in Puthupally is the PuthiyaTrikkovil Shiva temple, which is one of the oldest Shiva temples of South India. Known for celebrating Lord Shiva in the Kirata (Hunter) form, it is one of the few temples that has a Jaladhara Prathista.^{[citation needed]}

Also famous is the Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Perumal temple, which is one of the oldest Rama temples in South India.^{[citation needed]} This temple situated in 4th ward in Puthuppally.