Kanchiyar

Kanchiyar is a village located in Idukki taluk of Idukki district, Kerala, India. The place has a vast cardamom and pepper plantations. Anchuruli, one of the famous tourist spots in Idukki district is located in Kanchiyar panchayath. The main settlements in Kanchiyar are Kozhimala, Swaraj, Labbakkada, Thoppipala, Mattappally and Kakkattukada.

Administration
Kanchiyar panchayath, which was recently raised to village level is divided into 16 wards for administrative convenience. The Kanchiyar village office is at Lebbakkada.

Demographics
There are almost 400 families of different cast and religion. census data, Kanchiyar village has population of about 21,023 in which 10,404 are women and 10,619 are men. The village has a literacy of about 92%. Kanchiyar village was bifurcated from Ayyappancoil village after Idukki taluk formation. Earlier, it was part of the Ayyappancoil village.

Religion
Majority of people are Hindus and Christians. They maintain healthy relations and mutual co-operation. The Clarist Convent started its career in 1957 in the land donated by Shri Mathai Kalappurackal. The L.S.T. Convent began its missionary work on 7 January 1996. The Snehashram for destitute, under the guardianship of Rev. Fr. Francis OFM is at Nariyampara, the board of this parish.

Important pilgrim centers

 * St.Mary's church, Kanchiyar-Pallikavala
 * Holy cross church, Nariyampara
 * India Pentecostal Church of God, Kanchiyar
 * Assemblies of God in India, Kanchiyar
 * The Pentecostal Mission, Kanchiyar
 * Holy family church, Kalthotty
 * Lourde Matha church, Meppara
 * Subramaniya Swami temple, Pezhumkandom
 * Puthiyakavu Devi temple, Nariyampara
 * Ayyappa-Mahavishnu-Devi temple, Nariyampara
 * Sree Mahavishnu temple, Meppara
 * Sree Dharmasastha temple, Thoppippala
 * Sree Krishna Swami temple, Mattappally
 * Muthiyamma Uma Maheshwara temple, Kanchiyar

Culture
Kanchiyar panchayath is inhabited by the tribal community Mannan. The Mannan community has unique culture and rituals. They have a kingdom at Kozhimala (Kovilmala) near Swaraj with an elected tribal king. This community is the only tribal community in Kerala that has a king, and one of the only two such tribes in India. The current king here is Raman Raja Mannan who was elected in March 2012. He was elected after the death of the previous king, Aryan Raja Mannan.

Education
The Following are the Institution on which we feel proud of St. Mary's L.P. and U.P. Schools which were started in 1959and 1977 respectively, the Clarist Convent, Mar Mathew Kavukattu Memorial Nursery run by the Clarist Convent, Marian Nursery School run by the Parish, J.P.M. Junior and B. Ed College which was started in 2005 by the C.S.T. fathers.

Educational institutions

 * Lourde Matha L.P. School, Lebbakkada
 * Govt. L.P. School, Kanchiyar
 * St.Mary's L.P School, Kanchiyar
 * St.Mary's U.P school, Kanchiyar
 * Mannam Memorial High School, Nariyampara
 * Government Tribal H.S.S, Murikkattukudi
 * Zion Public School, Swaraj
 * S.N English Medium School, Thoppipala
 * J.P.M College of Arts and Science, Lebbakkada

Transportation
Kanchiyar is well connected with both state highways and local rural roads. Kattappana-Kuttikkanam state highway passes through Kanchiyar. Plenty of private buses and state-owned buses operates here.