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Muvattupuzha Moovattupuzha
—  town  —
Muvattupuzha Location of Muvattupuzha in Kerala and India
Coordinates	9°58′01″N 76°34′59″E / 9.9670°N 76.5830°E / 9.9670; 76.5830Coordinates: 9°58′01″N 76°34′59″E / 9.9670°N 76.5830°E / 9.9670; 76.5830
Country	India
State	Kerala
District(s)	Ernakulam
Nearest city	Kochi, Kottayam
Municipal Chairman	Mr.U.R BABU
Parliamentary constituency	Idukki
Population • Density	29,246 (2001[update]) • 2,151 /km2 (5,571 /sq mi)
Sex ratio	1023 ♂/♀
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	13.7 km2 (5 sq mi) • 15 metres (49 ft)
Climate Temperature • Summer • Winter	Tropical monsoon (Köppen) •      32.5 °C (90.5 °F) •      20 °C (68 °F)
Codes • Pincode • 686661 • Telephone • +0485 • UN/LOCODE • INKOC • Vehicle • KL-17
Footnotes The town where three rivers merge to form Muvattupuzha river.
Website	www.ekm.kerala.gov.in

Muvattupuzha (Malayalam: മുവാറ്റുപുഴ) is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a junction of three districts namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town. Muvattupuzha is situated 42 km northeast of Kochi city on NH 49 (Cochin-Madurai-Rameshwaram national highway) and lies on the popular Cochin-Munnar hill station tourist route.

Holy Magi Forane Church

History[link]

Muvattupuzha was part of the Vadakkumkoor Kingdom until it was captured by the Travancore Kingdom, now merged into the state of Kerala. Old documents show that the lands of Muvattupuzha belonged to ‘Edappally Swaroopam’, but were later transferred to ‘Manas’ (Brahmin Families).^[1]

According to tradition, St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ who introduced Christianity to India is believed to have visited this region. The St. Mary's Church of Arakuzha has a recorded history of over 1000 years, making it one of the oldest churches in Kerala. It is known for its paintings and sculptures. Muvattupuzha was also known as " Arakuzha Pakuthi"(half of arakuzha)

After Indian Independence, Muvattupuzha, as a village union, came under the control of a council of three members nominated by the Government. V. P. Govindan Nair was the first president of the village union. By 1953, Muvattupuzha was declared a Panchayat. Kunnappillil Varkey Vaidyan was the first president of the elected Panchayat Committee. Muvattupuzha was raised to the status of a Municipality in the year 1958. N. Parameshwaran Nair became the first Municipal Chairman. Muvattupuzha made history as the first Municipality where the Communist Party came to power in a general election.

N. P. Varghese was the first elected M.L.A. from Muvattupuzha Assembly Constituency. Later, K. M. George, founder of Kerala Congress represented Muvattupuzha. The first M.P. of Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency) was George Thomas Kottukapally. Of all the Municipal Chairmen of the town, P. P. Esthose deserves special mention. He was simultaneously an MLA and the Municipal Chairman of Muvattupuzha. He got state-level recognition as the Chairman of Chamber of Chairmen. In its entire history, he is the only Communist member elected to the Parliament from the constituency.

Politics[link]

The place falls under Muvattupuzha assembly constituency, which is part of Idukki (Lok Sabha constituency). It was part of Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency) until 2004.^[2] The municipality is headed by the Municipal Chairman.

Demographics[link]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[3] Muvattupuzha had a population of 29,230. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Muvattupuzha has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 82%. In Muvattupuzha, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.