Mallapally

Mallappally (meaning "wrestler shrine" in Malayalam, from മല്ലൻ "Mallan" or "wrestler" + പള്ളി "palli" or "shrine") is a taluk in Kerala, India. It is one of the five taluks that make up the Pathanamthitta district. It is historically a part of the kingdom of Travancore and Cochin. Mallappally is the original home of many non-resident Indians, and has one of the lowest population growth and highest literacy rates in India. The taluk is part of Thiruvalla revenue division & Thiruvalla assembly constituency.

Demographics
As with other areas of Kerala, Mallappally also depends on migrant labour. In Pathanamthitta, they constitute 35% of the labour force.

Places of worship
Mallappally is the birthplace of some 'great' Kerala bishops, including Saint Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius, Metropolitan Archbishop Valakuzhy Joseph Mar Severios, Bishop Modayil MC Mani, Evangeilical Bishop Panamootil PS Varghese, and Cardinal Baselios Cleemis. ,Rt. Rev. Mathews Mar Seraphim Episcopa. Pathicadu St. Peters and St. Pauls Orthodox Church, built in AD 1888, is located 1 km from the town center. Cornerstone of this church was laid by St.Gregorious of Parumala (Parumala Kochuthirumeni).

Festivals
Every year during the summer, when the river water recedes, many sandy beds form in the middle of the river that are large enough to hold conventions and festivals. People from various parts of the Mallappally and Tiruvalla taluks come for the festival.