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Shoranur
—  town  —
Shoranur Location of Shoranur in Kerala and India
Coordinates	10°46′N 76°17′E / 10.77°N 76.28°E / 10.77; 76.28Coordinates: 10°46′N 76°17′E / 10.77°N 76.28°E / 10.77; 76.28
Country	India
State	Kerala
District(s)	Palakkad
chairman	M. R. Murali
Population • Density	42,022 (2001[update]) • 1,302 /km2 (3,372 /sq mi)
Sex ratio	1000:1096 ♂/♀
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	32.28 square kilometres (12.46 sq mi) • 49 metres (161 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 679121 • Telephone • +0466
Website	www.shornurmunicipality.in

Shoranur (Malayalam: ഷൊര്‍ണൂര്‍) is a town and a municipality in Palakkad district, Kerala, located on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River spread over an area of 32.28 km². It is a major transport hub, having the largest railway station in the state. Kerala Kalamandalam which is the premier centre for the learning of classical arts like Kathakali and Koodiyattam is located at Cheruthuruthi, a kilometer across the river from Shornur.

Etymology[link]

'Shornur' is believed to be have originated from Cheruvannur, which is found in the Revenue and Railway records.^[1]

Geography[link]

Shoranur is located at 10°46′N 76°17′E / 10.77°N 76.28°E / 10.77; 76.28.^[2] It has an average elevation of 49 metres (160 feet).

Demographics[link]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[3] Shoranur had a population of 42,022. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. The average literacy rate was 84%, which was higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy rate being 85%, and female literacy rate being 82%. 10% of the population is under the age of 6. The population is predominantly Hindu with sizable Muslim and Christian minorities.

History[link]

Shoranur was a part of Kavalappara Desam which was a petty feudatory under the Raja of valluvanad (Valluvakonathari). It extended from the Bharatapuzha till Mundakkottukurussi. The feudal lord was the Moopil Nair. The area passed on to the hands of Samoothiri of Kozhikode with the fall of Valluvanad. Moopil Nair who became the vassal of Samoothiri wielded some of his powers till the advent of british. The palace of Moopil Nair can be seen near the Eruppe Siva temple about 4 km from Shoranur railway station on the Shoranur-Kavalappara road.
With the British conquest of Malabar, Shoranur became a part of Madras Presidency. Under british rule Shoranur came into prominence, being at the border of the british empire and the erstwhile states of Kochi and Travancore. With the advent of railways it became one of the most important towns of Malabar.

Setting up of metal industries during the early 1930s ushered in a golden age for the town.
Post Independence with the formation of the state of Kerala the town became a part of Palakkad district.

Starting from the early 1980s the town slowly started to decline, first with the construction of a link line 1 km from the railway station and then by labour issues in the industrial sector, sending the local economy into a state of stagnation.

Industries[link]

Shornur is a part of the Ppalakkad industrial belt, having one of the three industrial estates of the district. The region manufacture agricultural tools consisting of axes, shovels, sickles, spades etc. The products are widely used in Kerala and the neighbouring states and are even exported.

• History

C. K. Menon who trained in metallurgy from Sheffield (U.K.) was the pioneer in this field. In 1929 he set up the first industrial unit in Shornur. His initial success was soon followed by the others with the setting up of similar industries in the area. The railway proximity ushered in a wider market and easy availability of raw materials.

Industries flourished during the second world war and after independence thanks to the increase in demand. This continued till the late seventies and early eighties but, with the gulf boom in 1980s there was a severe shortage of labour which pushed the industries into severe losses. The early 21st century ushered in hope as labour situation improved slightly. The older generation still remembers the days when Shornur was the "Sheffield of Kerala" or "Manchester of Kerala".

Transport[link]

Shornur Junction is the largest Railway Junction in Kerala with seven platforms and railway lines to 4 different routes (Palakkad, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Nilambur). Most of the main line trains operating in Kerala pass through the station or the link line a few meters away from the station. The station serves as a major transit point for the passengers from the Malabar region. The Venad express that connects Shornur to Trivandrum is one of the many trains originating from here.

• Triangular station

People of Shornur have been demanding for a triangular railway station as many of the long distance trains skip Shornur via the link route, 1 km from the station. When the triangular station is built it will be the second largest railway station in South India.

Shornur has two municipal bus stands - one at Shornur and other at Kulappully. There are regular private bus services from these bus stands to Thrissur, Palakkad, Ottapalam, Guruvayur, Pattambi, Cherpulachery and Chelakkara.Kulappulli is the starting point of the Kulapully-Palakkad highway which was constructed under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP).^[4] Long distance bus transport is provided by KSRTC. Mayilvahanam group, which is the largest bus operator in the region is based here.

The nearest airport is at Calicut.

Politics[link]

Shornur became a municipality in 1978 and is divided into 27 electoral wards. It is a part of Shornur Legislative Assembly Constituency and Palakkad Parliamentary Constituency.^[5]

Major industrial units[link]

• South India Metal Company
• the metal industries
• Sree Narayana Metal Industries

Other enterprises[link]

• government press
• Mayilvahanam Group
• Sankar foundries
• Nila group
• Kelco Group, Vallapuzha,
• Lilacc'z Design India Pvt Ltd
• Infinisgroup, Shoranur
• Concepts Unlimited
• Karippal Motors
• RK Constructions

Educational institutions[link]

• Al Ameen Engineering College
• Ariyanchira UP School
• St.Theresa's Convent School
• M.P.M.M.S.N Trust college
• S.N Trust Central School
• S.N Trust H S S
• Technical High School
• Maharishi Vidya Mandir
• Carmel School
• Vishnu Ayurveda College
• chalavara higher secondary school
• K.V.R High School
• Govt. High School Ganeshgiri
• jyoti engineering college
• ICCONS Kavalapara
• IPT & GPT College Red gate
• Lilacc'z Institute of Design
• NI English School

Other amenities[link]

• the Shornur fire station is located at Kulappulli.
• p.k Das institute of medical sciences located 5 km from Shornur at Vaniamkulam on the Kulappulli-Palakkad highway.
• Dr j family dental clinic.

Tourist attractions[link]

• Indian Institute of Panchakarma, Shornur
• Kerala Kalamandalam 2 km enroute to Thrissur
• Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam
• Kayiliyad Pooram

Nearest places[link]

• kulappulli 2 km north
• mundakottukurussi 5 km north
• Ottapalam 13 km east
• Palakkad 50 km east
• Thrissur 33 km south
• Pattambi 15 km west
• Cherpulachery 17 km northeast
• Wadakancherry 13 km south
• Vallapuzha 7 km north east
• Kochi 117 km south
• Kozhikode 103 km northeast
• Coimbatore 105 km east

Nearest airports[link]

• Cochin International Airport apprx 87 km
• Calicut International Airport 85 km
• Coimbatore International Airport 113 km

See also[link]

• Shornur Junction
• Valluvanad
• Palakkad district
• Kulappulli

References[link]

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