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Ernakulam
—  city  —
Ernakulam Location of Ernakulam in Kerala and India
Coordinates	9°59′N 76°17′E / 9.98°N 76.28°E / 9.98; 76.28Coordinates: 9°59′N 76°17′E / 9.98°N 76.28°E / 9.98; 76.28
Country	India
State	Kerala
District(s)	Ernakulam
Nearest city	Kochi
Parliamentary constituency	Ernakulam
Civic agency	Corporation and district Headquarters
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 4 metres (13 ft)
Codes • Telephone • +0484 • Vehicle • KL-43
Website	www.ernakulam.gov.in

Ernakulam (Malayalam: എറണാകുളം, Eṟṇākulaṁ) refers to the eastern one of the twin cities ^{[1] [2]} Ernakulam - Kochi in Kerala, India. The city is the most urban part of Kochi and has lent its name to the Ernakulam district. Ernakulam is called the commercial capital of the state of Kerala. ^[3] The Kerala High Court, the Office of the Corporation of Cochin and the Cochin Stock Exchange are situated here.

The name 'Ernakulam' is derived from the name of a very famous temple of Lord Shiva called the Ernakulathappan Temple. It is also said that the word Ernakulam was drawn from Malayalam words 'Ere naal Kulam', which mean 'Pond for a long time'. It is also said that the name Ernakulam is a long modified form of "Eraivanar Kulam" (Eraivan = God, in Tamil, and Kulam = Pond). It is also said that the temple pond is called 'Rishingakkulam', and the name 'Ernakulam' is the corrupted form of that word.

Geography[link]

Ernakulam is located at 9°59′N 76°17′E / 9.98°N 76.28°E / 9.98; 76.28.^[4] It has an average elevation of 4 m (13 ft).

Politics[link]

Ernakulam assembly constituency is part of Ernakulam (Lok Sabha constituency).^[5]

Entertainment[link]

There are over twenty cinema halls that screen movies in Malayalam, Tamil, English and Hindi. A film festival, known as the Cochin International Film Festival (CIFF), was held in the city in 2004 and 2005.

Local Transport[link]

Ernakulam is well served by private/government buses, autorickshaws and ferries. Ernakulam has a number of jetties where passengers can embark and disembark from ferries. Travelling via ferries is cheaper and faster than travelling by buses and/or autos. The main jetty is called the Ernakulam jetty from where one can board a ferry to Vypin, Fort Kochi and Willingdon Island. Ernakulam jetty is close to the Central bus station, Ernakulam railway stations and located close to the town's main shopping area situated on MG Road.^[6]

Media[link]

Print[link]

Major Malayalam newspapers published in Kochi include Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi, Janmabhoomi, Madhyamam, Deshabhimani, Deepika, Kerala Kaumudi, Thejus and Veekshanam.

Popular English newspapers include The Hindu, The New Indian Express and The Pioneer. A number of evening papers are also published from the city.^[7]

Newspapers in other regional languages like Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu are also sold in large numbers.

Being the seat of the Cochin Stock Exchange, a number of financial publications are also published in the city. These include The Economic Times, Business Line, The Business Standard and The Financial Express.

Prominent magazines and religious publications like the Sathyadeepam, The Week and Vanitha are also published from the city.

Television[link]

Television stations in Ernakulam include Ernakulam Cable Television, Asianet Cable Vision, SITI channel, Indiavision, Jeevan TV, Kairali TV, Manorama News, Asianet News . Satellite television services are available through Doordarshan Direct Plus, Dish TV Sun Direct and Tata Sky. The Multisystem operators in Ernakulam are Asianet, Kerala Vision, Siti Cable, DEN networks.

Radio[link]

All India Radio has two FM stations in the city, operating at 102.3  MHz and 107.5 MHz. Private FM radio stations are Club FM 94.3, Radio Mango 91.9 which plays music 24 hours a day, and 93.5 S FM. Private satellite radios such as WorldSpace, are also available.

Telephone[link]

Telephony services are provided by various players like Airtel, Idea cellular, Vodafone, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom and the government owned BSNL.

Landmarks in Ernakulam City[link]

*CHURCHES

St. Thomas Catholic Church, Pulluvazhy. This church situated beside MC Road, 5 Km from Perumbavoor Another Church is St Mary's Patriarchal Cathedral, a large patriarchal Cathedral in Tagore Nagar. Main attractions : St Antony's Chapel , Sr Rani Maria Museum,

• Temples

Ernakulathapan temple(Shiva), Hanuman Temple, Muruga Temple. Located near Ernakulam South Railway Station (2 KM). Valanjambalam Devi Temple (0.5 km from Ernakulam South Railway Station), Ravipuram Srikrishna Swamy Temple(1 km from Ernakulam South Railway Station)

• Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) Cochin University of Science and Technology
• Subhash Park, Boat Jetty Junction
• Children's Park, Boat Jetty Junction
• Maharajas College ground with Synthetic Athletic track
• Jawahar Lal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor
• Rajeev Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kadavathara
• Major Roads - M. G. Road,Broadway and Marine drive walkway,Banerjee Road, Shanmugham Road, Sahodaran Ayyappan Road, Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road
• Movie Theatre complex - Shenoys and Little Shenoys Movie Theatre, Kavitha, Saritha-Savitha-Sangeetha Multiplex,Padma ,Sreedhar, Kanoos,Cinemax multiplex at Oberon,Q Cinemas at Gold Souk Grande
• Shopping - Jayalakshmi Silks,Parthas,Kalyan Silks,Chennai Silks,Seematti Silks,Oberon Shopping Mall,Bhima Jewellers,Alappat Jewellers,Francis Alukkas,Joy Alukkas Jewellers,Josco Jewellers,Giri Pai Jewellers,Genesis Decor International,Govind Furnishings,Vanitha Jewellers,Bhimsen Zaveri Jewellers,Little Kingdom, GCDA Complex,Penta Menaka,Gold Souke Vytilla,Abad Nucleus Mall,Bay Pride Mall.
• Restaurants and outlets - Tandoor (Woodland Junction),BTH Group of hotels, Woodlands,Woods Manor, Bimbis ,KR Bakers,Coffee Day,Aaryas,Pizza Hut,Ceylon Bakers,AmbiSwamis,Ananth Bhavan,Sree krishna Inn,Dwaraka,Domino pizza,Gokulam park, Indian coffee house(near the ernakulam jetty)
• Vendurthy Bridge,Southern Naval Command ,
• Hotels- Taj Malabar (5 Star), Taj Residency(1-5 Star), Le-Meridien(5 Star),Holiday inn(5 Star),Ramada(5 Star),The dream(5 Star),Brunton Boatyard(5 Star),Old Lighthouse Bristow Hotel,Casino Hotel(5 Star),Trident (5 Star), Dwaraka (Pure Vegetarian, near South Railway Station, 1 km) Gokulam Park, International Hotel, Woodlands, BTH Sarovaram, ABAD Plaza, Renaissance, Hotel Excellency(2 star)
• Cochin Shipyard
• Bolgatty Palace
• Goshree Bridge
• Hospitals- Co-Operative Medical College and Hospital (Kalamassery affiliated to CUSAT), Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (Edapallly),Medical Trust,Cochin Hospital,Lakshmi Hospitals,PVS Hospital,Lourdes,Lissy,Lakeshore,Medical Center, MAJ, Govt. District Hospital, PVS Hospital(Kaloor)
• Colleges- Cochin University Of Science And Technology(CUSAT),Maharajas College,St.Teresas Women's College, Rajagiri,Govt. Law College,St.Alberts College,Sacred Heart College
• Schools - Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan - Kochi Kendra(7 schools), Rajagiri Group of Schools (Kalamasserry), Sree Narayana Higher Secondary School (Thrikkanarvattom), Chinmaya Vidyalaya (Vaduthala), Choice, TocH, Vidyodaya (Thevakkal), Kendriya Vidyalaya
• Film, TV and Studio Complexes -Lal Media, Cochin Kalabhavan ( Kalabhavan Road), Navodaya Studio complex, Asianet News, Jeevan TV, Cochin Channel, FM-96 Radio Mango
• Print Media- Mathrubhumi,Malayala Manorama,Veekshanam,Deshabimani, Madhyamam,

Ernakulam skyline.

See also[link]

• Ernakulam (Lok Sabha constituency)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ernakulam

• Ernakulam District website
• Ernakulam is India’s first smoke-free tourist spot

Al Hashimiyya الهاشمية
Al Hashimiyya Location in Jordan
Coordinates: 32°21′51″N 35°39′35″E / 32.36417°N 35.65972°E / 32.36417; 35.65972
Country	Jordan
Governorate	Ajloun Governorate
Area[1]
• Total	2.41 sq mi (6.25 km2)
Elevation[2]	1,650-2,200 ft (500-670 m)
Population [3]
• Total	6,515
• Density	2,700/sq mi (1,042/km2)
Time zone	UTC + 2

Coordinates: 32°21′51″N 35°39′35″E / 32.36417°N 35.65972°E / 32.36417; 35.65972

Al Hashimiyya ( /ˌælhæʃˈmiːə/; Arabic: الهاشمية‎ al-Hāshimīyah) is a village in the Ajloun Governorate of north-western Jordan. The village is located 7 km northwest of Ajloun, 22 km south of Irbid and 108 km north of Amman. It is near Ajloun Castle and Tell Mar Elias. The largest tribes are Bani 'Ata (بني عطا) , Qwaqnah (قواقنة) , Gharaibeh (غرايبة), Rababah (ربابعة), Za'areer (زعارير), Abu Sini (ابو صيني) and Haddad (حداد). Hashimiyya is one of the three villages that are part of the Ash Shefa Municipality (بلدية الشفا) along with Halawah (حلاوة) and Al Wahadinah (الوهادنه).

Geography & Climate[link]

Hashimiyya is located in the mountainous area that surrounds Ajloun. The town is situated on a ridge that leads eastward down to the floor of the Jordan Valley. The northern and eastern sides of Hashimiyya are bordered by small pockets of forest (Ras Al Khlail and Valley of the Wolves respectively). The climate is Mediterranean-like and similar to the nearby Ajloun Forest Reserve. Hashimiyya lies within the range of the Fertile Crescent making alluvial cultivation possible. Snow and rain are common in the winter months between December and February.

History[link]

The region around Hashimiyya has been settled since the Bronze Age, as evidenced by archeological excavations in nearby Pella and Abila. The Roman era saw increased settlement and population growth in the region as the Decapolis cities prospered. Though there is little archeological evidence of an ancient town on the site of modern Hashimiyya, the town does contain an ancient olive grove known locally as Al Maisor (الميسر). Furthermore, the village's ancient name, Farah (فارة), may be derived from Viera, a Roman town located in the area.^[4] Evidence from pottery found in the area indicates that there was a settlement on the site of modern Hashimiyya during Mamluk/Ayyubid period.^[5]

During the Byzantine era the area around Hashimiyya was highly Christianized. Today, ruins from Byzantine churches are strewn throughout the Ajloun Governorate, most notably at Tell Mar Elias. Though Hashimiyya itself does not contain any churches the Haddad family of Christians still lives in the town.

Oil Lamp from Mamluk/Ayyubid period found in Hashimiyya

Jordan's 1967 war had a dramatic impact on the population of Hashimiyya. Before the war the town's population was so small that the oldest mosque, The Great Hashimiyya Mosque, wasn't built until 1949 by Hajj Ahmed Abusini. Most of the village's population lived in the western end, with Al-Maisor marking the village's eastern boundary. However, in the aftermath of the war many families from the Jordan Valley chose to move further inside Jordan's border. By 2000 6 more mosques were constructed to accommodate the population swell. Al-Maisor was now within the village's limits and houses reached more than a kilometer further east. Because of this population influx the more established western part of the village became a downtown with shops, bakeries, butchers and blacksmiths. The municipal building grew to contain a health center and later a dentist's office opened nearby. When paved roads came in the 1970s buses between Hashimiyya and Ajloun soon followed, making travel easy between Hashimiyya and Amman.

The development of the town was witnessed by a member of the royal family who visited the town in the 1980s. He was so impressed by the town that he reportedly said that it could no longer be called Farah (meaning musk) and changed the name to Hashimiyya (meaning Hashemite, the name of Jordan's ruling dynasty).

Economy[link]

Al Hashimiyya's economy relies on agriculture including: wheat, pomegranates, figs, fava beans, olives and vegetables. There are also a number of goat herders. Most people work in agriculture but also work in the Army or education to supplement their income. Many people have more than one job. People in Hashimiyya work in different places but many work in Amman, the capitol city. In Hashimiyya there are four kinds of shops. The first type is supermarkets. Supermarkets have sweets, chips, oil etc. The second kind is restaurants. Restaurants have sandwiches, hummus and some snacks. The third type is electrical markets. They have computers, TV and electrical machines. The last kind is internet cafés where you can surf the net.

Education[link]

Al-Maiser

Hashimiyya witnessed many developments in teaching that happened in synchronization with the establishing of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The development appeared in village's first basic and secondary schools. There are five schools in Hashimiyya, a primary/basic (k-6) and secondary (7-12) school for boys, a basic and secondary school for girls and a small coed basic school (k-4). Hashimiyya School for Boys was established in 1925 and many of the students who studied there are now teachers, doctors and politicians. The first girls school was created in 1960.^[6] All students study general science, math, Arabic, English, religion (Islam), geography, physical education and vocational training from 1st to 12th. Starting in 9th grade students study Earth science, physics and chemistry. After 10th grade they study general culture instead of history. The final two years of school (11-12) are called Tawjihi.

Local Sites[link]

• 

  The Al Muhajareen Mosque (مسجد مهاجرين)

• 

  The Al Shafa'ie Mosque (مسجد الشافعي)

• 

  The Al Gudsiyyah Mosque (مسجد القا دسية)

• 

  The Harun al-Rashid Mosque (مسجد هارون الرشيد)

• 

  The Great Hashimiyya Mosque (مسجد الهاشمية كبير)

• 

  The trees in this valley have been removed to allow olive cultivation.

• 

  Many trees like this can be found in Al Maiser.

• 

  View from Ras Al Khalail.

• 

  Ras Al Khalail is shaped to look like the map of Jordan.

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Al Hashimiyya

• Boys Secondary School Website
• Satellite Images of Hashimiyya

Arabic Links:

• An account of Hashimiyya's history from a local writer
• An article about Hashimiyya published in the Al-Rai newspaper

References[link]