Idukki
Idukki is a district in the State of Kerala in India. It lies between 9 degree 15' and 10 degree 21' of north latitude and 76 degree 37' and 77 degree 25' of east longitudes. The District is bound on the East by Madurai District of Tamil Nadu State while on the West by Ernakulam and Kottayam Districts of Kerala. In the South it is the Pathanamthitta District, while on the North it is bound by Trichur and Coimbatore Districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu States respectively.The district's name, 'Idukki' is supposed to be derived from the Malayalam word 'Idukku' which means a narrow gorge.
The area of the district is 5,087 sq.km and it extends by 115km. from south to north and 67km. from east to west.
As the district lies mostly in the highland, it is covered with dense forest, steep hills, and deep valleys. Because of the undulating topography large area of the district is not suitable for scientific cultivation. There are 14 peaks in the district which exceed a height of 2000 meters above M.S.L. They are Anamala, Eravimala, Tathumala, Chenthavara, Kumarickal, Karimkulam, Devimala, Perumal, Ghudoor, Kabhula, Devicolam, Anchanad, Sabarimala and Karimala. Anamudi (Anamala) the highest peak south of Himalayas is in the Kuttampuzha Panchayat of Adimali Block and in the K.D.H Village of Devikulam taluk. The estimated height of the peak is 2817 meters.
The district consists of Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peermedu taluks of the erstwhile Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk (excluding two villages Manjallore and Kalloorkadu) of the erstwhile Ernakulam district.
History
IDUKKI District was formed on 26 January 1972 as per Government notification dated 24th January 1972.Stone-age dolmens were discovered in the valleys of Anchanad in Devikulam taluk. Archaeological excavation conducted during 1947-48 at Kallar Pattom colony in Udumbanchola taluk and at Vandiperiyar in Peermedu taluk brought to light the remains of Old Stone-age Menhir and Tombs.
Karikode near Thodupuzha was the head quarters of Vadakkumkoor Raja. There is remains of a fort at Karikkode. Near this fort there is a Devi temple said to have constructed by the Vadakkumkoor Raja. There is also another temple by name Annamala Temple constructed in Chola style. The church at Muthalakodam, near Thodupuzha is believed to have constructed before 13th Century. The Ninnar Mosque near Karikkode is said to have constructed by the Vadakkumkoor Raja for his Muslim soldiers. Thodupuzha was also a nerve business centre. There is historical evidence to prove that from ancient time onwards ivory, teak, rosewood, sandalwood, peacock etc., were exported to foreign countries.
Historians believe that Kuzhumoor, the capital of Chera Kings of the Sangam Age, is the Kumily in Peermade taluk. It is assumed that portions of Meenachil taluk and the whole of High Range were included in the Thanthuzhynad under the Kulasekhara Empire (A.D.800-1102). For some time these regions were under the region of the Thekkumkoor Kingdom. It was proved that Vennimala, one of the capitals of the Thekkumkoor Rajas, was in Idukki district. Poonjar Kingdom was established by Manavikrama Kulasekhara Perumal. Manavikraman brought Meenachil taluk and the High Range under his rule from the Thekkumkoor Raja. Thus major portions of Idukki district came under the rule of the Poonjar Raja.
The first cultivation was undertaken by A.W Turnor at Devikulam area in 1877.
Politics
Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies and their areas after delimitation order of 200888 Devikulam Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - Adimali, Kanthalloor, Mankulam, Marayoor, Munnar, Pallivasal, Vattavada and Vellathooval Panchayats in Devikulam taluk and Bisonvalley and Chinnakanal Panchayat in Udumbanchola Taluk.
89 Udumbanchola Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Erattayar, Karunapuram, Nedumkandam, Pampadumpara, Rajakkad, Rajakumari, Santhanpara, Senapathy, Udumbanchola and Vandanmedu Panchayats in Udumbanchola Taluk.
90 Thodupuzha Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Thodupuzha Municipality and Alacode, Edavetty, Karimannoor, Karimkunnam, Kodikulam, Kumaramangalam, Manakkad, Muttom, Purapuzha, Udumbannoor, Vannapuram and Velliyamattom Panchayats in Thodupuzha Taluk.
91 Idukki Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Arakkulam, Idukki-Kanjikuzhi, Kudayathoor and Vazhathope Panchayats in Thodupuzha Taluk and Kamakshy, Kanchiyar, Kattappana, Konnathady, Mariapuram and Vathikudy Panchayats in Udumbanchola Taluk.
92 Peerumade Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Ayyappancoil and Chakkupallam Panchayats in Udumbanchola Taluk and Elappara, Kokkayar, Kumily, Peerumade, Peruvanthanam, Upputhara and Vandiperiyar Panchayats in Peerumade Taluk.