Paravur, Kollam

This article is about a town in Kollam district. For other uses, see Paravur.

Paravur പരവൂര്‍
Town(Municipality)
Paravur Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates: 8.811°N 76.669°E / 8.811; 76.669
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Kollam
Population (2011)
• Total	38,652
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	691301
Telephone code	0474
Vehicle registration	KL-02
Nearest city	Kollam (12 km)
Taluk	Kollam
Website	www.paravuronline.com

Paravur (Malayalam: പരവൂര്‍ Paravūr‍) is a town and a municipality in the Kollam district of the Indian state of Kerala. The beautiful lakes and sea coast in Paravur attract visitors and foreigners. The main attraction is the interconnection of Paravur Kayal lake (part of a system of back waters) and the Arabian sea. Paravur is 21 km away from Kollam city by road while Paravur can be reached within 15 minutes (12 km) by train from Kollam city.

Geography

Paravur is located at 8.78 N 76 E. It has an average elevation of 10 metres (32 feet). Paravoor, 21 kilometres from Kollam, is a narrow skirt of land stretching in between the backwaters and the sea. The famous Varkala beach is a mere 15 kilometres drive from here. There is an elevation of 6 mtrs above sea level and extending to 16 mtrs on the inland. The international shipping transit lane is about 15 nautical miles from paravur.Paravur has a natural water depth of 3 to 6 meters within 1 nautical mile from the land. The Beach is bit steep and not shallow at coasts. Influence of Indian Ocean Gyre, the main ocean current has ripped of most of the adjacent coast land.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Paravur had a population of 38,649. Males constitute 47% of the population and females 53%. Paravur has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 77%. In Paravur, 10% of the population are under 6 years of age.

History

Paravur was an important place for the Kings of Travancore. They have used Pozhikkara Palace in Paravur, to take rest during their long journeys. Before and after the independence of India, Paravur was a famous business center in Kollam.

Transportation

Nearest Airport is Trivandrum International airport(55 km)

Rail

Paravur is connected to Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mangalore and various towns in Kerala through Indian Railways .It is the nearest railway station to ESI Medical college Parripally.There has been a constant demand for stoppage of more trains taking into account the number of commuters using the trains to commute to Kollam and also to Trivandrum for access Educational and vocational needs.It is the only railway station in Chathannur constituency.

Train Timing towards Thiruvananthapuram Central

Train Number	Source	Destination	via	Type/Name	Arrival Time	Departure Time
16128	Guruvayur	Chennai Egmore	Ernakulam Jn, Alleppey, Trivandrum, Nagercoil, Madurai, Trichy	Guruvayur Express	2.24am	2.25am
16348	Mangalore	Trivandrum	Ernakulam Town, Kottayam	Mangalore Express	3.24am	3.25am
56307	Kollam	Trivandrum	Kazhakkoottam	Passenger	7.01am	7.02am
16630	Mangalore	Trivandrum	Ernakulam Town, Kottayam	Malabar Express	7.34am	7.35am
16381	Mumbai CST	Kanyakumari	Ernakulam Town, Kottayam	Jayanthi Janata Express	8.26am	8.27am
16341	Guruvayur	Trivandrum	Ernakulam Jn, Alleppey	Intercity Express	8.54am	8.55am
66304	Kollam	Kanyakumari	Trivandrum, Nagercoil	MEMU	11.17am	11.18am
16526	Bangalore	Kanyakumari	Ernakulam Town, Kottayam	Island Express	1.54pm	1.55pm
56304	Kollam	Trivandrum	Kazhakkoottam	Passenger	3.46pm	3.47pm
16649	Mangalore	Nagercoil	Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Trivandrum	Parasuram Express	5.20pm	5.21pm
56701	Punalur	Madurai	Kottarakkara, Kollam, Trivandrum, Nagercoil	Passenger	6.26pm	6.27pm
16301	Shornur	Trivandrum	Ernakulam Town, Kottayam	Venad Express	8.49pm	8.50pm

Train Timing towards Kollam Junction

Train Number	Source	Destination	via	Type/Name	Arrival Time	Departure Time
16127	Chennai Egmore	Guruvayur	Trichy, Madurai, Nagercoil, Trivandrum, Alleppey, Ernakulam Jn	Guruvayur Express	12.29am	12.30am
16302	Trivandrum	Shornur	Kottayam, Ernakulam Town	Venad Express	5.56am	5.57am
16650	Nagercoil	Mangalore	Kottayam, Ernakulam Town	Parasuram Express	7.09am	7.10am
56700	Madurai	Punalur	Nagercoil, Trivandrum, Kollam, Kottarakkara	Passenger	8.14am	8.15am
16382	Kanyakumari	Mumbai CST	Kottayam, Ernakulam Town	Jayanthi Janata Express	8.55am	8.56am
16525	Kanyakumari	Bangalore	Kottayam, Ernakulam Town	Island Express	1.50pm	1.51pm
56304	Nagercoil	Kottayam	Trivandrum, Kollam	Passenger	4.11pm	4.12pm
16342	Trivandrum	Guruvayur	Alleppey, Ernakulam Jn	Intercity Express	6.11pm	6.12pm
56308	Trivandrum	Kollam	Kazhakkoottam	Passenger	7.12pm	7.13pm
16649	Trivandrum	Mangalore	Kottayam, Ernakulam Town	Malabar Express	7.24pm	7.25pm
66305	Kanyakumari	Kollam	Trivandrum, Kazhakkoottam	MEMU	8.14pm	8.15pm
16347	Trivandrum	Mangalore	Kottayam, Ernakulam Town	Mangalore Express	9.36pm	9.37pm

Paravur Railway Station[PVU] is an 'Adersh Railway Station'. However, stoppage of Mangalore-Trivandrum-Mangalore Maveli Express(16603/16604), Chennai-Trivandrum-Chennai Superfast Express(12695/12696), Mangalore-Nagercoil-Mangalore Ernad Express(16605/16606), Palakkad Town-Trivandrum-Palakkad Town Amritha Express(16344/16343) trains in Paravur Railway Station[PVU] have been a long standing demand of Paravur people.

Road Network

Paravur has a well connected road network. It is about 23KMs from Kollam City and 55KMs from Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. Paravur is accessible from NH-47 from both Chathannoor and Paripally.Varkala is about 12KMs from Paravur. K.S.R.T.C and private bus services connects Paravur to other adjacent towns. In fact, Paravur is just 12KMs away from Kollam City through the coastal road which is now engulfed by the Arabian sea. Constant efforts are there to repair the coastal road, but the repaired road cannot withstand the furious waves most of the time.

Main Road Destinations

1. Paravur - Kottiyam- Kollam City - 23KMs
2. Paravur - Pozhikkara - Thaanni - Kollam Beach - Kollam - 12KMs [Under construction]
3. Paravur - Paripally - Madathara - 47KMs
4. Paravur - Varkala - Kadakavoor - Chirayinkeezhu - 25KMs
5. Paravur - Kundara - Kottarakkara -32KMs
6. Paravur - Chathannoor - Oyur - 17KMs

Bus Timing (from Paravur - Important services)

Type/Name	Source	Destination	via	Actual Time**
Ordinary	Kalakkode	Thiruvananthapuram	Parippally, Attingal	5.35am
Private	Paravur	Mundakkayam	Chathannoor, Kottarakkara	5.40am
Fast Passenger	Pozhikkara	Ernakulam	Kollam, Alappuzha	6.30am
LS Fast Passenger	Varkala Temple	Kodungallur	Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam	7.20am
LS Ordinary	Chathannoor	Thiruvananthapuram	Varkala, Attingal	7.35am
Fast Passenger	Pozhikkara	Vizhinjam, Poovar	Parippally, Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram	8.10am
Fast Passenger	Varkala Sivagiri	Kattappana	Kollam, Kayamkulam, Tiruvalla, Karukachal, Mundakkayam	9.50am
Fast Passenger	Varkala Temple	Ernakulam	Kollam, Alappuzha, Vaikom	2.20pm

Water Transportation

The Kollam – Kottapuram National Waterway 3 (India) is passing through Paravur. A Jankar service was there in Paravur before 5 years.

Festivals

Paravur is well known for its festivals. The town boasts of numerous temples, mosques and a church. The Temple festivities start from January extending til the April of the year. One of the major festival is the paravur Puttingal goddess temple, where every year there is a competitive fireworks display which continues till early dawn. As this happens during the peak tourist season there is a sizable amount of foreigners who come to see the temple festivities. Festivals in most of the temples have a procession with the elephants accompanied by traditional percussion instruments and also tableaus.

Some Famous Temples in Paravur

1. Puttingal Devi Temple, Kurumandal, Paravur
2. Aayiravilli Mahadeva Temple, Koonayil, Paravur
3. Pozhikkara Devi Temple (Travancore Devaswom), Pozhikkara, Paravur
4. Puthiyakavu Devi Temple, Thekkumbhagom, Paravur
5. Puthiyidam Mahadeva Temple, Thekkumbhagom, Paravur
6. Sastha Temple, Kurumandal, Paravur
7. Yakshikkavu Devi Temple, Kurumandal, Paravur
8. Ollal Mahadeva Temple, Koonayil, Paravur
9. Paarayilkaavu Mahadeva Temple, Nedungolam, Paravur
10. Kottekkunnu Subrahmanya Temple, Meenadu, Paravur
11. Panayilazhikathu Devi Temple, Koonayil, Paravur
12. Kunnathu Temple, Maniyankulam, Paravur
13. Thayyil Sree Shankara Narayana Temple, Maniyankulam, Paravur
14. Padijateveedu Durga,Sree Rama & Hanuman temple ,Maniyamkulam.

Tourism & Backwater

Paravur has an array of backwaters and lakes surrounding the town. But with the advent of roads and others means of transport the inland waterways had been neglected. But renewed efforts are underway to start linking the waterways to an ambitious inland waterways system being sponsored by the state government on the lines of what had once existed. One could easily view them on the way towards Pozhikkara and towards Kappil. The lake meets the sea and in between a small stretch of road which divides them can be viewed on way.

The panoramic views are breath taking if you opt for a birds eye view, not from the sky but from the mountain terraces situated north and east of the place.

Resorts, Bars & Hotels in Paravur

1. Aquasserenne Resort, South Paravur, Kollam
2. Fragrant Nature Hotels & Resorts Pvt Ltd, Nedungolam P.O, Paravur, Kollam
3. The Tranquil Palms Resort, Kurumandal, Perumpuzha, South Paravur P.O, Kollam
4. Lake Sagar Xavier's Estuary Resorts, Thekkumbhagam P.O, Paravur, Kollam
5. Padippurayil Bar & Hotel, Thekkumbhagam Road, Paravur P.O, Kollam

Maestros & Leaders

1. Late. Mahakavi K.C Kesava Pillai
2. Late. Paravur G.Devarajan (Music Director)
3. Late. Raveendran (Ex-Minister)
4. Late. Paravoor Ramachandran (Actor)
5. Late. Prathapa Chandran (Actor)
6. C.V Padmarajan (Ex-Finance Minister of Kerala)
7. Sasi Paravur (Film Director)
8. Saji Paravur [Sanjeev N.R] (Film Director)

Food and culture

The town like most other towns in kerala offers local cuisine as well as ones adapted for the tourists as well. There are a dozen local varieties of veggies and fruits found on the rural parts of the village. The village culture is still based on agriculture, fishing and animal farms. There are only a few orchards left these days for you might find some delicious fruits in there. Paddy cultivation has been on the decline due to the rapid urbanization as compared to the 1970s. Fishing is an important part of living for the beach dwellers.

Industry

There are a few industries for coir manufacturing. The Husk of coconut is processed and made to fibers and used as the main raw material for coir manufacturing. There are less than a dozen manufacturing units still in Paravur.

More industries such as detergents and food processing plants operate on a small scale basis in Paravur.

Government Offices

A few Government offices are there in Paravur. Lot of people approach these offices everyday.

The Important offices are,

1. Municipal Office, Paravur
2. Muncif Magistrate Court, Paravur
3. Sub-treasury Office, Paravur
4. Kerala State Electricity Board Office, Paravur
5. Fire Station, Paravur
6. Police Station, Paravur
7. Employment Exchange, Paravur
8. Village Office, Paravur
9. Post Office, Paravur

Banking

There are 5 nationalized bank branches & their ATMs in Paravur. In addition to that, so many co-operative banks also working in Paravur. The famous S.N.V Regional Co-operative Bank is a Paravur based co-operative bank, which is kerala's one of the biggest co-operative banks in terms of deposits. They are having their own ATM in Paravur, near to their main branch.

1. State Bank of Travancore[SBT], Opp. Post office (2 ATMs)
2. Federal Bank, Opp. Municipal Bus Stand (1 ATM)
3. Indian Bank, Near Traffic Circle (1 ATM)
4. Canara Bank, Near Municipal Bus Stand (1 ATM)
5. State Bank of India[SBI], Rasasi Building, Chathannoor Road (1 ATM & Cash Deposit Machine are under construction)
6. Kerala Grameen Bank(North Malabar Grameen Bank), Sahil Shopping Complex, Thekkumbhagam Road

Education

No colleges are there in Paravur. However, there are colleges in Chathannoor, Kollam and Varkala. the students from Paravur and its nearest places are mainly approaching these colleges for higher studies. So many Schools, Nurseries, Parallel Colleges etc. are working in Paravur.

1. Kottapuram H.S[K.H.S], Paravur
2. S.N.V Girls H.S, Paravur
3. Kottapuram Govt. L.P.S, Paravur
4. Govt. H.S.S, Thekkumbhagam, Paravur
5. Govt. H.S.S, Nedungolam, Paravur
6. Aayiravilli L.P.S, Koonayil, Paravur
7. Aiswarya Public School, Kalakkodu, Paravur
8. Little Flower Nursery School, Paravur
9. Vyasa Vidya Mandir, Koonayil, Paravur

10. Govt. U.P School Perumpuzha, Paravur

Healthcare

There is a number of private hospitals within the range of 3-4Kms distance from the heart of the town. However the town is still lagging for good hospitals with better treatments and facilities.

1. ESI Medical College, Parippally (9Kms)
2. Ramarao Memorial Govt. Taluk Hospital, Nedungolam, Paravur
3. Paravur Hospital, Samajam Junction
4. Shifa Nursing Home, Near Overbridge
5. Dayabji Hospital, Dayabji Junction
6. B.R Hospital, Nedungolam, Paravur
7. Royal Hospital, Standard Junction, Chathannoor (8Kms)