Kothamangalam, Kerala



Kothamangalam is a municipality at the foot of the Western Ghats in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is located 31 km east of the district collectorate in Thrikkakara and about 177 km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Kothamangalam has a population of 38,837 people, and a population density of 969 /sqkm.

Geography
Kothamangalam is situated in the eastern part of the Ernakulam district. According to the division of the geographical regions of Kerala, Kothamangalam is in a mid-land region. The general topography is hilly.

The Periyar, the largest river in Kerala, flows through the taluk. There are dams built across the Periyar at Edamalayar, Lower Periyar, and Bhoothathankettu for hydroelectricity generation and irrigation purposes. The current Kothamangalam region was historically known as Malakhachira (മാലാഖച്ചിറ). Kothamangalamar, a small river which flows through the town joins Kaliyar and Thodupuzhayar to form the Muvattupuzhayar, which is the second largest river in Ernakulam.

Demographics
According to the 2011 Census of India, Kothamangalam had a total population of 114,574, 56,753 being males and 57,821 females. There are 30,067 households in the Kothamangalam municipality. The literacy rate of Kothamangalam Agglomeration is 95.24%, in comparison to the national urban average literacy in India of 85%. The literacy rate of males and females were 97.04% and 93.48% respectively. There were 98,398 who were literate, of which 49,412 were males and the remaining 48,986 were females.

Administration
The Kothamangalam municipality was formed in 1978 and is the headquarters of the taluk. The municipality has an area of 40.04 km2 and is divided into 31 electoral wards. Elections to the local self bodies are held once every five years. From the elected municipal councilors, a chairman and vice-chairman are elected.

Kothamangalam is part of the Idukki Lok Sabha constituency; until 2009, it was part of Muvattupuzha Lok Sabha constituency. Kothamangalam is also represented in the Kerala Legislative Assembly as a constituency. The panchayats in Kothamangalam Taluk are Nellikuzhi, Kottapady, Pindimana, Varapetty, Pallarimangalam, Pothanikkad, Paingottoor, Kavalangad, Keerampara, Vadattupara, Kuttampuzha, and Edamalakkudy.

Education

 * Mar Athanasius College of Arts & Science
 * Mar Athanasius College of Engineering
 * Mar Athanasius International School
 * Mar Basil Higher Secondary School
 * Mar Baselios College of Nursing
 * Mar Baselios Dental College
 * Mar Baselios School of Nursing
 * Mar Baselios Institute of Technology & Science
 * Malikdeenar Arts & Science College for Women Adivadu
 * St. Marys Public School
 * Nangeliel Ayurveda Medical College
 * Yeldo Mar Baselios Arts & Science College
 * St.Joseph's College of Nursing
 * Government Polytechnic College
 * Greenvalley Public School
 * St. George Higher Secondary School
 * St. Augustin's Girls Higher Secondary School
 * Vimalagiri Public School
 * Shobana English Medium School
 * Indria Gandhi College of Arts & Science
 * Indria Gandhi College of Arts & Science
 * Indira Gandhi College of Engineering for Women
 * Indira Gandhi Dental College
 * Indira Gandhi training college (B.Ed)
 * Indira Gandhi training institute (T.T.C)
 * Ilahia College of Engineering & Technology
 * St. Gregorios Dental College
 * Marian Institute of Management Studies
 * Bes Ania Public School
 * St. Stephens Higher Secondary School
 * St. Stephens Girls High School
 * T V Joseph Memorial Higher Secondary School
 * Government Technical High School
 * Yeldo Mar Baselios College School of Media and Design

Hospitals

 * Taluk Head Quarters Hospital
 * Mar Baselios Medical Mission Hospital
 * St. Josephs Medical Mission Hospital
 * Nangelil Ayurvedic Medical College
 * T V J Eye Hospital

Air
Cochin International Airport is located at Nedumbassery, and services both domestic and international flights. It is the first international airport in India to be built without central government funds, and is the world's first fully solar energy powered airport.

Villages

 * Chathamattam
 * Keerampara
 * Kottappady
 * Kuttampuzha
 * Neriamangalam
 * Pindimana
 * Pothanikkad
 * Thrikkariyoor
 * Varappetty