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Palai Pala
—  town  —
Palai
Coordinates: 9°42′N 76°42′E / 9.7°N 76.70°E / 9.7; 76.70Coordinates: 9°42′N 76°42′E / 9.7°N 76.70°E / 9.7; 76.70
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Kottayam
Government
• Municipal Chairperson	Kuriakose Padavan
Area
• Total	15.93 km2 (6.15 sq mi)
Elevation	56.7 m (186.0 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	22,640[1]
• Density	1,375/km2 (3,560/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	686 575
Telephone code	9148 22
Vehicle registration	KL 35
Nearest city	Kottayam, Muvattupuzha

Pala (Malayalam: പാലാ, also written as Palai), is a municipal town 27 km east of Kottayam in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 15.93 km². Pala has the largest proportion of Saint Thomas Christian community in Kerala. It is situated 173 km North from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, on the banks of the Meenachil River and is the headquarters of the Meenachil Taluk and the Pala Revenue Division. It is the one of the main gateways to the southern high ranges of Western Ghats.

Etymology[link]

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.

History[link]

Pala was part of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore, and was ruled by the "Travancore Rajas" for a long time. The local chieftains were "Meenachil Karthas". The first royal Kartha families were known as Njavakattu Karthas. They had a title called "Damodara Simhar" and they were rulers of a small kingdom called "Meenachil" which is today's Palai (Kottayam district).

There are also many other attributes which make them distinct from the normal Nair folks. "Simhar" family deity (Bhavai instead of Bhadrakali) and family name was Mevada (Mewar). They also used to have very colorful funeral processions. They were pure vegetarians though they had no sacred threads (poonul), and they followed "Marumakkathayam."

They ruled Meenachil taluk and were instrumental in promoting the Christian settlement in this place. Later they were defeated by the Travancore army of Dharma Raja (successor of Marthanda Varma) and their kingdom was annexed to Travancore (the ruling king committed suicide). All their male folks including boys were slaughtered. However, the ladies were spared. Also, the Travancore king gave them pension. The family had a successor only after a very long gap due to this genocide by the Travancore forces.

Early settlements[link]

Rubber Trees in a Plantation

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 five Christian families are considered to be Tharayil (Tharayil Mappila),Vazhayil(Kizhakkedathu and the present Manthadiyil) Koottumkal (brother of Tharayil Mappila) Erakonni (Kottarathil, Kuthivalachel) & Vayalakombil. They were 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 Meenachil Karthas, who were the local rulers.

Geography and climate[link]

Located at 9°42′N 76°42′E / 9.7°N 76.7°E / 9.7; 76.7, Pala is 56.7 meters above MSL. Nearby towns are Kottayam, Ponkunnam, Erattupetta, Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha. Pala is on the Main Eastern Highway (Muvattupuzha - Pathanamthitta- Punalur Road / SH - 08). The state highway 'SH-32' (Ettumanoor to Poonjar) also passes through Pala.^[2][3]

Religious places[link]

Pala Diocese[link]

The Syrian Christians of Pala owe their faith to St Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, who came down to Kerala in 52 AD. Though Pala Diocese is only half a century old (July 25, 1950), some of its churches trace their origin to earlier centuries.^[4]

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 (including the present Kothanalloor Forone), Kuravilangad, Anakkallu (Bharananganam-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 Meenachil Taluk, and a few villages of Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam districts. The diocesan territory has the second largest concentration of Catholics in Asia (second only to the Philippines).

Pala had contacts with other continents from time immemorial. In 1663, the Lalam Old Church (St Mary's Church) was constructed. Before Pala Church (now a cathedral) was built in A.D. 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 has many other ancient churches that are considered as pilgrim centers.

Temples[link]

There are 11 temples in Pala Municipality. Among them Lalam Mahadeva Temple is among the most famous 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.

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.

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,Kochidappady Sree Shanmugha swami Temple are the other temples situated within the boundaries of Pala Municipality.

Cheruthil Valuthu (big among small) Puliyannoor Mahadeva temple is also a famous temple near to Pala. It was constructed by Chonaru Chettair of Chathamplackal family now known as Nalonnil. 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[link]

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.

A famous pilgrim centre nearby is the Alphonsa Church at Bharananganam, where the mortal remains of St. 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. Monastery of Mutholy was founded by Blessed Chavara Kuriakose Elias.

Though Pala has remained very conservative in faith and beliefs, due to the large influence of education and media which promoted free thinking and freedom of choice, it has also welcomed and promoted a number of Reformed Evangelical and Pentecostal churches, namely Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Malankara Christian Church, Indian Pentecostal Church of God, Assemblies of God, etc.

Trade links[link]

Pepper - the King of Spices - on a Pepper Vine

Pala had trade links Tamil Nadu, and even 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.

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 in the early 1900s. The first bus service was started in 1908 by a public company by name Meenachil Motor Association which was the 3rd registered company in Travancore.

Pala became a Municipality in 1949.

Meenachil River[link]

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 towns in the basin are Pala, Poonjar, Ettumanoor and Kottayam.

Palai Central Bank[link]

Pala dominated the banking and financial scene of Kerala for over three decades (1927–60) through Palai Central Bank. Started in 1927 by Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom, it grew up to become the largest business enterprise of Kerala, and the 17th largest among the 94 scheduled commercial banks in India. The daring initiatives of this small-town-bank included the opening of a branch in India's new capital New Delhi in 1932, the first Bank to open a branch in the newly built city. During the 3-decade period of its dominant presence, the Bank played a major role in the growth of Pala town too, including using its influence to bring the Municipality, Catholic Diocese, St Thomas College and other institutions to Pala, beating the claims of some of the other bigger and older towns nearby.

The Bank was liquidated in 1960 on the orders of Kerala High Court in response to a petition made by the Reserve Bank of India(RBI). In the published history of RBI^[5] a 27-page appendix (Appendix C: The Palai Central Bank) extensively covers the history of the Bank. In it Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru is quoted as saying that RBI made a "mistake" in closing down the Palai Central Bank.

Healthcare, hospitals[link]

• Govt. Hospital, Pala
• Marian medical center, Arunapuram
• Cherupushpam Trust Hospital, Pala
• Carmel Hospital, Pala

Closest cities, towns and villages[link]

Neighbouring cities & towns

Destinations from Pala Muvattupuzha Thodupuzha Moolamattam Vaikom Vagamon    Palai    East Kottayam Ponkunnam Erattupetta

Culture and people[link]

Though the population is diverse, Pala is considered as an important hub of Roman Catholic Syrian Christians in India. The Palaites have enjoyed a reputation of being hard workers, as many from Meenachil Taluk migrated to the high ranges and the Malabar region of Kerala, turning forest land into farms. In those days they worked hard during the day and spent the evenings having toddy. That was the custom then. But nowadays as alcoholism has spread, it has little link with hard work.

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

Politics[link]

Head of State[link]

• K. R. Narayanan, President of India (1997–2002), Vice-President of India (1992–97).

Governor/Minister/Legislator[link]

[In chronological order]

• M J Varkey (Vakkachen) Mattathil,^[6] Member of Indian Parliament - Rajya Sabha (1998–2004).
• N M Joseph, Minister of Forests, Kerala State (1987–91)
• M M Jacob,^[7] Deputy Chairman of Rajaya Sabha (1986–87), Union Minister (1987–93), State Governor of Meghalaya (1995–2007).
• Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai,^[8] General Secretary of NSS (1967 onwards) and Indian High-Commissioner to Singapore (1992 onwards).
• K M Chandy,^[9] 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 - incumbent).
• T A Thomman, Minister of Home, Kerala State (1964–65)
• Cherian J Kappen,^[10] Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (1962–67).
• George Thomas Kottukapally,^[11] Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (1957–62), U.N. Delegate.
• R V Thomas,^[12] President (Speaker) of Travancore State Legislative Assembly (1947–49).
• Dr P J Thomas,^[13][14] Member of Madras Legislative Council, 1937–42 and Member of Indian Parliament - Rajya Sabha 1957-62.
• J Thomas Kayalackakom,^[15] Member of Sree Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore State (1922–31).

Social Activist[link]

• Fr. Abel Periapuram, Founder of Kalabhavan.
• James Cherian Maruthukunnel, District Governor, Lions Clubs International (1988–89).

Literature & Education[link]

• Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar: Author of "Varthamana Pusthakam", the first travalogue in an Indian language.
• Ramapurathu Warrier - Poet (Kuchelavritham).
• Mahakavi Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai (1859–1936) - Author of Sri Yesu Vijayam (1926) & Editor of Vijnaana Rathnaakaram (1913)
• Mathew M Kuzhively, Encyclopedia editor
• Mahakavi Pala Narayanan Nair, poet, teacher, most celebrated work 'keralam valarunnu'
• Mahakavi Pravithanam P M Devasia, poet
• Chevalier K. C. Chacko Kadankavil, Pro Vice Chancellor
• Lalithambika Antharjanam, novelist
• B. Sandhya IPS, writer and police officer.
• Vettoor Raman Nair, writer
• Paul Zacharia, writer & columnist
• Ezhacherry Ramachandran, poet
• Bishop Sebastian Vayalil, Founder of St. Thomas College
• A.T.Devassia, former Vice Chancellor
• Cyriac Thomas, former Vice Chancellor

• Bishop Joseph Pallikaparambil, Founder of St. Joseph's Engineering College
• George Kallivayalil - Columnist and Journalist

Sports[link]

• Col. G.V. Raja - Foremost Sports Promoter.
• 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.

Management & Administration[link]

• V.V.Joseph, IAS bureaucrat
• R Ramachandran Nair, IAS bureaucrat, former Chief Secretary
• M. S. Joseph, IAS bureaucrat.
• Jacob Thomas, IPS police officer
• K.J. Mathew, IAS bureaucrat, Chief Secretary
• P M Kuriakose, IAS bureaucrat, former Secretary
• V J Kurian, IAS bureaucrat.
• Tom Jose IAS, bureaucrat.

Commerce & Industry[link]

• Jacob Cherian Maruthukunnel - Pioneer in Banking, Motor Transport, Deep sea Fishing
• Abraham Kallivayalil- Pappan chettan - Pioneer in Rubber, Pepper, Cardomom Plantations.
• George Joseph Kottukapally - Director of Palai Central Bank and Sree Moolam Prajha Sabha Member
• George Thomas Kottukapally - Member of Parliament, recorded as the largest individual Syrian Christian landholder in history with over 13,000 acres
• Joseph Michael Manarkattu - Leader in State-wide Liquor Trade.
• Dominic Joseph Kuruvinakkunnel - Father of Tourism Industry in Kerala.
• C R Kesavan Vaidyan - Pioneer Medicinal Soap Maker.
• M O Devasia Mattathil - Leader in Forward Trade of Spices.popularly known as "The Pepper King"
• Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom (1884–1968) - Founder Managing Director of Palai Central Bank.
• Jose Joseph Mamparampil
• Annamma Joseph Kottukappally - Founder of the Anns chain of bakeries in Kerala
• Asha Sebastian Mattathil - Pioneer Jewellery Designer in kerala

Movies[link]

• Bhadran, Movie Director
• Miss Kumari, late Malayalam actress
• Joseph Kakkattil (Cherupuspam Kochettan), Movie Producer & Studio Owner
• Mani C Kappen, Movie Producer
• Suvarna Actress
• Rimi Tomy Singer
• Chanchal Actress
• Issac Thomas Kottukapally, National Award Winning Music Composer & Director
• Remya Nikhil Anchor, Dancer.

Science[link]

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

Journalist[link]

• Jose Panachippuram, Associate Editor, Malayala Manorama daily
• George Kallivayalil, Chief of Bureau, New Delhi, Deepika Daily
• Rogen Joseph,Editor,Engineers World
• Eby J Jose Editor, Gulf Life Magazine
• T.Devaprasad, Deepika Daily, Tvpm

Education[link]

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.

Demographics[link]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[16] Pala had a population of 22,640. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pala has an average literacy rate of 98%, higher than the national average of 73%: male literacy is 98.5%, and female literacy is 97.8%, still much lower than the state average. This is thought to be because of the plantation industry influence despite having large number of schools. In Pala, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

A Rare Social Model[link]

Although Palai is very much associated with rubber cultivation, the widespread cultivation of rubber started here only around the middle of 20th century. But Palai was into agriculture decades - or even centuries - before that. Until rubber came, farming in Palai was of the composite type, i.e. all crops were inter-planted in all fields by everyone. Typically, all fields had several tiers of plants. Big trees like Coconut, Jackfruit, Mango etc. were there at the upper-most level, followed by other plants of medium height that supported pepper vines. Then the banana plants were there, followed by tubers like tapioca, yam, sweet potato etc. These were staple items then. Further, there were the home-grown vegetables like lady's fingers, egg plant, different varieties of gourd etc. Finally, at the ground level, there were the shrub-like plants like ginger, turmeric etc. This form of composite cultivation, though required hard work throughout the year, was a self-supporting one.

Another feature of Palai is that the place was colonized centuries ago by people migrating from the plains in search of land, and with the hope of making a living - if not a fortune - by 'taming' the land. It was a sort of "wild west". Many among the new migrants perished in the hostile environment, but those who survived became well off. Also, there were no "landless labor" that was common in other parts of Kerala. There was a practice called "Kilachupaathy" (ploughed half) - also called "Vechupaathy" (kept half) - in which owners of large tracts of undeveloped land gave land to those willing to develop it, who in turn are allowed to keep half the land as their own after developing it, and only the other half need to be returned to the original owner. As a result of this novel practice, everyone was the owner of a small parcel of land that he cultivated himself. On the one hand, the cultivation of tapioca and other tuber crops saved the people from poverty and famines that affected other places, while on the other, the dispersed land holding helped to reduce disparities in income levels. A unique type of egalitarian social set up therefore emerged. This also prevented extremist ideologies from making inroads into Palai.

Even now Palai is one of the few places where the rich are not addressed as "Muthalali" (rich man). Instead, the common form of addressing is "Chettan" (elder brother). Those younger than you are simply called by their names, irrespective of their position, wealth or social standing. Only those in the bureaucracy or the professions are addressed by a polite "sir". One is reminded of the practice in Gujarat where all the elderly are addressed by even kids as simply "bhai" (elder brother) even if he happens to be the prime minister. The dominant presence of Syrian Malabar Nasrani Christians here also would have played a role in bringing about this unique social set up in Palai.

Social change which swept the rest of Kerala naturally affected Palai also. In the second half the 20th century, as income from land got divided among the many children in each family, the more enterprising among them started the second wave of migration - this time to the high ranges in Idukki district and to the northern Malabar region of Kerala. Many of today's residents in those regions confirm that their ancestors came from places in and around Palai. The 1960s saw another development. As education became common, many young boys and girls from even middle class families started going to Europe, USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand to work as Registered Nurses and other medical support staff. This brought great prosperity to a section of population. This was followed by the so-called "Gulf Boom" in which, though late, even many from Palai also joined. As the price of rubber became erratic there was massive influx into government jobs too. The 1990s saw children from every family trying to get a job, preferably an overseas job. The advent of the Information Technology boom made the dreams of many come true.

Records and Achievements[link]

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^[17] (151 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^[18]).

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,^[19] M M Jacob,^[20] P K Vasudevan Nair & Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai.^[8]
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^[20] (12 years).
6. Highest number of Bishops from a Diocese in India – Pala Diocese.^[21]
7. The first travelogue in an Indian language – "Varthamana Pusthakam" by Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar (eighteenth century).^[22]
8. The first native Indian Roman Catholic (and the only Syro Malabar Catholic) Saint – St. Alphonsa.^[23]
9. Author of the first encyclopaedia in an Indian language – Mathew M Kuzhively Syrian Malabar Nasrani.
10. First head of a Homoeo Medical Dept. of a State in India – Dr K Z George^[24] (1973).
11. First Bank to open a branch in India's capital New Delhi – Palai Central Bank (1932).
12. Maker of India's largest selling medicinal toilet soap – C R Kesavan Vaidyan (Chandrika Soap).^[25]

State Records:

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^[12] (1948).
3. Longest continuous term as MLA of the State and Finance Minister who presented highesr number of State Budgets – K M Mani (MLA from 1965 onwards and 10 State Budgets)
4. One of the first two from the State to be beatified by Catholic church – St Alphonsa^[23] (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).^[27]
11. First person from the State to dominate the multi-crore Forward Trade (Satta Bazar) in spices – M O Devasia Mattathil (1970s).^[30]
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).^[31]
14. First MBA degree holder of Kerala – K M George Kayalackakom - New York University^[32] (1948).
15. First Christian Mahakavi and Editor of one of the oldest literary magazines in Malayalam – Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai - Sreeyesu Vijayam (1926) & Vijnaana Rathnaakaram (1913).^[33]
16. First person to introduce the ‘Vanchippaattu’ branch of Malayalam poetry – Ramapurathu Warrier - Kuchelavritham (18th century).^[34]
17. First editor of a Malayalam Newspaper – Nidhiry Mani Kathanar - Nasrani Deepika^[35] (1887).
18. First bridge constructed by private individuals - Puzhakkara Bridge - 80 ft*16 ft (Constructed in 1998 by P.A Kuriakose and brothers John and Joseph, Puzhakkara family).[Page10, 15 June 1998 Malayala Manorama Daily, Business Deepika 15-21, 1999].
19. First Queen of the Malayalam silver screen: Miss Kumari
20. First candle manufacturing company in Kerala:THE LITTLE FLOWER CANDLE WORKS PALAI Estd.1939 Mg.Prop.J Thomas Chavara Palai
21. An entrance coaching institution: Brilliant Study Centre

Pala Related Websites[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Palai

• Palai in wikitravel
• Website about Palai

See also[link]

• Meenachil
• Meenachil River

References[link]

Saint Alphonsa Muttathupadathu, F.C.C., or Saint Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception (Malayalam: അൽഫോൻസാ മുട്ടത്തുപാടം) (19 August 1910 – 28 July 1946) was a Syro-Malabar Catholic Franciscan Religious Sister who is now honored as a saint. She is the first person of Indian origin to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church and the first canonized saint of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church of the Saint Thomas Christian community.

Life[link]

Early life[link]

She was born Anna Muttathupadathu, the fourth child of Cherian Ouseph and Mary Muttathupadathu, in Kudamalloor, near Kottayam, on 19 August 1910. She was baptized on the following 26 August. Alphonsamma, as she was locally known, was born in Arpookara, a village in the princely state of Travancore, which was under the British Raj at the time. Today the place is called Kottayam District, within the state of Kerala, India. This lies within the Archdiocese of Changanassery.

Her parents nicknamed her Annakkutty (little Anna) She had a poor, difficult childhood and experienced loss and suffering early on in life. Anna's mother died when she was young, so her maternal aunt raised her. Hagiographies describe her early life as one of suffering at the hands of her stern foster mother and the teasing of schoolchildren.^[1] Anna was educated by her great-uncle, Father Joseph Muttathupadathu. When Anna was three years old, she contracted eczema and suffered for over a year.^[2]

In 1916 Anna started school in Arpookara. She received her First Communion on 27 November 1917. In 1918, she was transferred to a school in Muttuchira. In 1923, Anna's feet were burnt when she fell into a pit of burning chaff; local hagiographies describe this as a self-inflicted injury in order to avoid her foster mother's attempt to arrange a marriage for, and thereby to fulfill her desire for becoming a Religious Sister instead.^[1] This accident left her permanently disabled.

Sister Alphonsa[link]

When it became possible, Anna joined the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, a religious congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis,^[3] and through them, completed her schooling.

Anna arrived at the Clarist convent at Bharananganam, Kottayam district, on Pentecost Sunday 1927. She received the postulant's veil on 2 August 1928, and in May 1929 was assigned to teach at Malayalam High School at Vazhappally. Her foster mother died in 1930. Three days later she resumed her studies at Changanacherry, while working as a temporary teacher at a school at Vakakkad.

On 19 May 1930 Anna entered the novitiate of the congregation at Bharananganam and received the religious habit, taking the religious name of Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception at that time. On 11 August 1931, she completed the novitiate and took her first vows. Sister Alphonsa took her permanent vows on 12 August 1936. Two days later she returned to Bharananganam from Changanacherry.

Sister Alphonsa then taught high school at St. Alphonsa Girl's High School, but was often sick and unable to teach.^[2] For most of her years as a Clarist Sister she endured serious illness.^[1]

Health declines[link]

In December 1936, it is claimed that she was cured from her ailments through the intervention of the Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara (who was beatified at the same ceremony as she), but on 14 June 1939 she was struck by a severe attack of pneumonia, which left her weakened. On 18 October 1940, a thief entered her room in the middle of the night. This traumatic event caused her to suffer amnesia and weakened her again.

Her health continued to deteriorate over a period of months. She received extreme unction on 29 September 1941. The next day it is believed that she regained her memory, though not complete health. Her health improved over the next few years, until in July 1945 she developed a stomach problem that caused vomiting.^[4]

Death[link]

She died on 28 July 1946, aged 35. She is buried at Bharananganam, Travancore (present day Kerala) in the Diocese of Palai.

During the last year of her life she came to know the later-Bishop of Kerala Sebastian Valopilly, a priest at the time, who frequently brought her communion. This bishop became famous in Kerala for championing the cause of poor people from all religious backgrounds who had come to live Thalassery as a result of shortages elsewhere. He was also the person who reported the miracle attributed to St. Alphonsa's intercession.

Veneration[link]

Claims of her miraculous intervention began almost immediately upon her death, and often involved the children of the convent school where she used to teach. The cause for the canonization of Sister Alphonsa began on 2 December 1953 in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Palai and she was declared a Servant of God. She was declared Venerable on 9 July 1985 by Pope John Paul II. Her beatification was declared 8 February 1986 by Pope John Paul II at Kottayam.

Hundreds of miraculous cures are claimed for her intervention, many of them involving straightening of clubbed feet, possibly because of her having lived with deformed feet herself. Two of these cases were submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints as proof of her miraculous intervention. The continuing cures are chronicled in the magazine PassionFlower.^[2]

On Sunday, 12 October 2008, Pope Benedict XVI announced her canonization at a ceremony at Saint Peter's Square.^[2][5]

Miracles[link]

The miracle attributed to her intercession and approved by the Vatican for proceeding with her canonization was the healing of the club foot of an infant in 1985.^[6][7]

Bishop Sebastian reported:

About ten years ago, when I was in a small village in Wayanad outside Manatavady, I saw a boy walking with some difficulty, using a stick. As he approached me I noted that both of his feet were turned upside down. I had a stack of holy cards in my pocket with Alphonsa's picture on them, so I pulled one of them out and gave it to the boy. When I told the boy that he should pray to this woman for the cure of his feet, the boy-he was quite smart for a ten-year-old boy-replied, "But I'm a Muslim, and, besides, I was born this way." I replied that God is very powerful, so let's pray.A few months later,a boy and a gentleman appeared at the house here.I didn't recognize them at first but soon learned that it was the Muslim boy with his father, here to tell me that his feet had been cured through their prayers to Sister Alphonsa. They showed me the calluses on the tops of his feet, and you could see the marks which had been made from the years of his walking with his feet turned under. Before they left, the three of us had our pictures taken.^[1]

The boy had reportedly taken Alphonsa's picture card and asked Alphonsa to help fix his feet. Several days afterwards one of his feet supposedly turned around. He and the other members of his family then prayed for the cure of the second foot, which also supposedly turned around later.^[1] The boy did not convert to Christianity.^[1]

Shrine[link]

Her tomb in Bharananganam has become a pilgrimage site as miracles have been reported by some faithful.^[8]

Beatification[link]

Tomb of Saint Alphonsa

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On 2 December 1953, Eugène-Gabriel-Gervais-Laurent Cardinal Tisserant inaugurated the diocesan process for her beatification. Pope John Paul II formally approved a miracle attributed to her intercession and Alphonsa was declared Servant of God on 9 July 1985. She was then known as Venerable Sister Alphonsa. She was beatified along with Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara, T.O.C.D., at Kottayam.

During the Apostolic Pilgrimage to India of Pope John Paul II, the Pope said as part of his speech at Nehru Stadium, Kottayam, on 8 February 1986, that:

"From early in her life, Sister Alphonsa experienced great suffering. With the passing of the years, the heavenly Father gave her an ever fuller share in the Passion of his beloved Son. We recall how she experienced not only physical pain of great intensity, but also the spiritual suffering of being misunderstood and misjudged by others. But she constantly accepted all her sufferings with serenity and trust in God, being firmly convinced that they would purify her motives, help her to overcome all selfishness, and unite her more closely with her beloved divine Spouse. She wrote to her spiritual director: "Dear Father, as my good Lord Jesus loves me so very much, I sincerely desire to remain on this sick bed and suffer not only this, but anything else besides, even to the end of the world. I feel now that God has intended my life to be an oblation, a sacrifice of suffering" (20 November 1944). She came to love suffering because she loved the suffering Christ. She learned to love the Cross through her love of the crucified Lord."^[9]

Canonization[link]

Pope Benedict XVI authorized Sister Alphonsa's name for canonization on 1 June 2007, a process that was started 55 years earlier. She had been beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1986 in Kottayam, 40 years after her death, in recognition of the numerous miracles through intercessory prayers to her.

The miracle that was attributed to her intercession and approved by the Vatican for canonization was the healing of the club foot of a Muslim infant in 1985 in the district of Thalassery of Kerala State.^[6][7] She was elevated to sainthood on 12 October 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI.^[6][7][10] The final ceremony for the canonization began on 12 October 2008 with the holy relics of Alphonsa being presented to the Pope by Sister Celia, Mother General of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, the congregation to which Sister Alphonsa belonged. Sister Celia was accompanied by Vice Postulator Father Francis Vadakkel and former Kerala minister K. M. Mani, all holding lit candles. Speaking in English, the Pope declared Sister Alphonsa a saint, after reading excerpts from the Holy Bible. The Pope himself read out the biography of Alphonsa after the ceremony.^[11]