Thiruvalla

Thiruvalla (means the land of Thiruvallabha i.e.Srivallabha) is a city and Taluk located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in India. The city is famous for its various religious festivals, schools etc. It is also the location of Nedumpuram Palace and Paliakkara Palace (also viju's palace). Thiruvanmundur, a village nearby has the confluence of River Pamba and River Manimala, believed to be the ancient Commercial trade centre 'Melkinda'. There existed a trade route from this place to Madurai the capital of Ancient Pandia Dynasty. They traded in pepper with Egypt before the Christian era. Thereafter the river and trade route upto Kumili was annexed by the Chera Dynasty with the help of Ay Tribe. It came under the conrol of Ay kings accepting the suzernity of Chera dynasty.The royal families in Thiruvalla may be the decentants of Ay kings.

The city spans a geographic area of 27.94 km² with a population of 56,828 (2001 Census). The nearest port is Alleppey, nearest airport is Cochin and the nearest train station is Thiruvalla. Thiruvalla always enjoyed a high literacy rate of 89-91%. This was also helped by the advent of Christian missionaries and the many schools started by them around the area, active promotion of education by the Royal Family of Travancore, and the communist government of 1969. The city has a tropical climate with a temperature variation of a high of 34.4C in summer to a low of 18.5C in winter with a healthy rainfall of 304 cm. The topography of Thiruvalla comprises plains, paddy fields, and small ranges. The major crops grown are rice, tapioca, coconuts, rubber, plantains, sugarcane and a variety of vegetables.

Few Facts:

Thiruvalla is also the city/town with the largest bank deposit in the country, thanks to the vibrant NRI community and intensive cash crop plantations. Almost every leading bank in the country, including the high-profile private ones, has a branch. Add to them, a number of private finance companies too have set up base.

Hospitals, both big and small, are found on every street corner.
Almost every household boasts a telephone with an ISD facility.
At least one member in every family is certain to be employed outside India.
High importance is given to quality education