Peermade

Etymology

The name is sometimes related to the Sufi saint, 'Peer Mohammed', as "hill of the Peer" (പീരുമേട്). The name Peerumedu is derived from the fact that Pirmuhammed Waliullah, a prominent Siddha and Sufi monk of Tamil Nadu, chose the mountain for meditation for a long time. Siddhan, spiritual guru and famous Sufi poet of Tamil known as Rumi of South India Peeru Muhammad Sahib is resting at Takkala in Kanyakumari district. Takkala and Peerumed are pilgrimage centers.

There is also a local saying that the name "Peerumedu" has come from the large number of "Pera trees" ie. Guava trees that existed way back, Which inturn came to be called as "Peramedu" and now famously known as Peerumedu.

Demographics

As of 2011 Census, Peerumade had a population of 22,213 with 11,049 males and 11,164 females. Peerumade village has an area of 52.34 km2 with 5,617 families residing in it. The average sex ratio was 1010 lower than the state average of 1084. In Peerumade, 8.8% of the population was under 6 years of age. Peerumade had an average literacy of 89.1% lower than the state average of 94%; male literacy was 93.9% and female literacy was 84.5%.

Geography

The landscape of Peermade includes spectacular waterfalls, open grass lands and pine forests. Predominantly it is classified as Malanad with an elevation ranging from 3000 ft from the mean sea level.

History

Peermade was once the summer retreat of the Maharajas of Travancore. During those periods these regions were quite inaccessible, covered by dense forests and was inhabited by certain tribes like 'Malappandarams' and 'Malayarans'. The archaeological excavations points out that there was an ancient Neolithic culture flourished in the high-ranges which wasn't written or recorded. But the findings of cultural remnants from the hill tracks near Kumily and Vandiperiyar provides some factual evidences of the existence of a rich culture.

Peermade was the highest elevation on the mountain route that once connected the Travancore with Madurai in ancient Tamilakam. The mountain barriers created by the ghats separated these two regions. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the largest wildlife reserves in India, is 43 km away. It has herds of elephants and other wildlife as well as lakes.

Spices

The area is extremely fertile and until recently featured lush plantations of coffee, tea, cardamon, and coconut.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031208181105/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2003/09/28/stories/2003092800110100.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=8 December 2003 |access-date=2006-09-20 |access-date=2006-09-20 |archive-date=11 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311042823/http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/OPPORTUNITIES/GRANTS/DEVMARKETPLACE/0,,contentMDK:20836197~menuPK:224996~pagePK:180691~piPK:174492~theSitePK:205098,00.html |url-status=live

At a 2006 show, spice growers from Peermade displayed samples of organically grown spices including cardamom, black pepper, white pepper, nutmeg, mace, cloves, turmeric, ginger, vanilla beans, vanilla powder and herbs such as oregano, sage, thyme and rosemary. Oils of thyme and rosemary were also displayed.{{cite web |access-date=2006-09-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061015164904/http://www.indianspices.com/html/event_germ.html |archive-date = 2006-10-15}}

Education

Marian College and Mar Baselios Christian College of Engineering and Technology are located at Kuttikanam in Peermade.

Politics

Peermade assembly constituency is part of Idukki (Lok Sabha constituency).{{cite web |access-date = 2008-10-20 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090304011026/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S11/KL_Dist_PC_AC.pdf |archive-date = 2009-03-04 Vazhoor Soman is the current MLA of peermade.

Gallery

File:Pambanar.jpg|National Highway 183 through Pambanar community File:Peermade-2006b (5).JPG|Azhutha community File:Taluk Office-Peermade. Majistrate Court and Sub-Treasury are also functioned in this building..jpg|Tehsil Office File:Peermade estates3.JPG|Monsoon stream flowing through a tea estate in Peermade

Notes

Books

• The Story of Peermade by George Thengummoottil () http://theindia.info/theIndiainfo/downloads/The%20Story%20of%20Peermade.pdf

References

1. "The Kerala Official Language (Legislation) Act, 1969".
2. "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Kerala". [[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]].
3. http://www.theindia.info/peermade/ {{Webarchive. link. (30 December 2019 Story of Tea Plantation in Kerala / George Thengummoottil)
4. "District Census Handbook, Idukki". Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala.
5. http://old.kerala.gov.in/kercaljan06/p38-41.pdf {{Webarchive. link. (4 October 2013 A Heaven away from Heaven / [[George Thengummoottil]] / PRD, [[Government of Kerala]])
6. (10 January 2014). "Peermade". [[George Thengummoottil]].
7. http://www.mariancollege.org {{Webarchive. link. (29 December 2011 Marian College Kuttikanam Autonomous)
8. http://www.mbcpeermade.com {{Webarchive. link. (7 February 2012 Mar Baselios Christian College of Engineering and Technology website)