Manathoor

Demography and religion

Around 750 families are living here. The majority of the people here are Christians and Hindus. All religions and culture live in religious harmony.

The Christian community belongs to St. Thomas Christians (Marthoma Nazrani) or Catholic Syrian Christians (RCSC). St. Mary's Church Manathoor, Pizhaku is the only church in this village. They follows Syro - Malabar Rite in Qurbana. It is under the Eparchy of Palai. Many ancient families are found here. The community has a shrine dedicated to Saint Joseph near Manathoor School Junction. During the period of Lent, the "Way of the Cross Procession" takes place to the Kurishu Mala in Manathoor - Karimkunnam Road. The birthday of Mother Mary, 7 and 8 September, is celebrated as feast days of the church. The parish has almost 410 families.

The Pizhaku Thrikkayil Sri Krishna Swami temple is very ancient. There was also a Palace associated with the temple. (Pizhakum Kottaram). This is near to Manathoor School junction. SNDP temple was newly constructed and dedicated to Sri Narayana Guru. During Sri Krishna Jayanthi Procession is held. Sapthaha Yajnam is conducted in Month of Nov - Jan. Utsavam falls in the month of January.

Name

The true name of Manathoor village is Pizhaku. The parish name caused this area to be known as Manathoor in the 1900s. In all records related to land and surveys, the place name is purely Pizhaku (Pizhakum Kara). The location of post office of Pizhaku at Ramapuram Kavala made boosting for the name Manathoor more popular when Ramapuram Kavala came to be known as Pizhaku Junction.

The meaning of Manathoor can be split into two words Maanath (meaning: Sky) and Ooru (meaning: Place).

Geography

This village is almost between Palai and Thodupuzha and post office is Pizhaku at Ramapuram Kavala. The neighbouring villages are Kurinji, Karimkunnam, Nellappara in North, Mattathippara, Kavumkandom in east, Ramapuram in west. The nearest railway station is kottayam. Nearest airport is Cochin.

Manathoor has low-lying areas as well as Mountains. The Pala - Thodupuzha Highway passes through the centre of Manathoor. The road lies in a valley, where both sides are elevated.

There are two main junctions in Manathoor: Church junction and school junction. The main spots in this village are Pampanal waterfall, St.Mary's Church, St.Joseph's High School, and Sri Krishna Temple.

Climate and agriculture

Manathoor's climate is neither too hot nor cold. June to November is the rainy season. The temperature varies from 20 degree Celsius to 36 degree Celsius which is almost constant throughout the year. During the start of monsoon rain, Pampanal waterfall is fuller than in other seasons. The place has mist-covered mountains and valleys.

The area's geographical position is suitable for the cultivation of rubber, pepper, coconut and vanilla. A majority of families have rubber plantations. There are some paddy fields as well. Major cultivation here is rubber and coconut.

Pampanal Waterfalls

Main article: Pampanal Waterfalls

Gallery

File:Manathoor SchholJn.jpg|Manathoor School Junction File:Board of Manathoor.jpg|Board On Pala-Thodupuzha Highway Inserted By KSTP File:Kurish Pally.jpg|St. Joseph's KurishPally File:Sunset view at manathoor.jpg|Sunset View among Rubber trees at Manathoor File:High School at Manathoor.jpg|St. Joseph's High School Manathoor File:Mist Covered Hill at Manathoor.jpg|Mist Covered view of Hill from Manathoor File:JaiHind Library at Pizhaku.jpg|JaiHind Library File:SNDP Sreenarayan Guru Temple.jpg|Pizhaku SNDP Temple

References

References

1. . (2011). ["Basic Population Figures of India, States, Districts, Sub-District and Village, 2011"](https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/42554/download/46180/2011-IndiaStateDistSbDistVill-0000.xlsx). *[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)*.