Keerampara is an India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

n village in the state of Kerala

Kerala

or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....

, India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

. This place is once blessed with the footprints of all the holy personnel who passed through the Royal route (from Madurai to Kothamangalam).

History

The name itself signifies its contacts with the western countries from time immemorial. This part of the country has names tagged with "para". Contrary to general belief this does not signify a rock. "Para" in the Thracian language

Thracian language

The Thracian language was the Indo-European language spoken in ancient times in Southeastern Europe by the Thracians, the northern neighbors of the Ancient Greeks. The Thracian language exhibits satemization: it either belonged to the Satem group of Indo-European languages or it was strongly...

 means a "village" and thereby Keeram + para makes Keerampara = The Village of Parrots. Similarly Oonjappara becomes the Village of Swings. The [Thracians] had a very good influence in India before the birth of christ especially in the Ernakulam

Ernakulam

Ernakulam refers to the downtown area or the western part of the mainland of Kochi city in Kerala, India. The city is the most urban part of Kochi and has lent its name to the Ernakulam district. Ernakulam is called the commercial capital of the state of Kerala and is a main nerve of business in...

 district due to the trade links with ancient Kodungalloor [Musris.

St. Thomas

Thomas the Apostle

Thomas the Apostle, also called Doubting Thomas or Didymus was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is best known for questioning Jesus' resurrection when first told of it, then proclaiming "My Lord and my God" on seeing Jesus in . He was perhaps the only Apostle who went outside the Roman...

 is believed to have visited this place during his journey to Madura

Madura

Madura is an Indonesian island off the northeastern coast of Java. The island comprises an area of approximately 4,250 km². Madura is administered as part of the East Java province. It is separated from Java by the narrow Strait of Madura.-History:...

 and converted 240 people from Chelad( "Cheladans" )into Christianity

Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...

.

The Keerampara Panchayat is encompassed with many historical locations like the Cheramala, believed to be the summer palace of erstwhile Chera kings; Kalappara, the sword fighting ground of Kings; Ayyappan mudi,the serene temple at the hill top, the royal route of Alwaye-Madura passes through this place. It was formed 1 August 1953 and its first president was the late Sri. Joseph G Chelad.

Geography

Keerampara is a village ensconced at the eastern range of Ernakulam district

Ernakulam district

-Economy:Agriculture constitutes the most important segment of the district’s economy and it is the biggest source of employment. Of the geographical 235319 hectares, crops are grown in 0 hectares. Coconut is the principal crop followed by rubber, paddy, and tapioca...

 in Kerala.
It borders Chelad about 7 km (4.3 mi) from Kothamangalam

Kothamangalam

Kothamangalam is a town located in eastern part of Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala situated 45 km north east of Kochi City. It is located around 14 km north east to the town of Muvattupuzha. The town is situated in the foothills of the Western Ghats mountain ranges. It...

, the former seat of the Chera Kings

Chera dynasty

Chera Dynasty in South India is one of the most ancient ruling dynasties in India. Together with the Cholas and the Pandyas, they formed the three principle warring Iron Age Tamil kingdoms in southern India...

.
It covers and Area of 28.745 km² (11.1 sq mi). The total population is 15,000 with a population density of 522 persons/km² (200 people per sq. miles.)

The main river in Keerampara Panchayat is the Karickakkuzhy River which runs for 4 km (2.5 mi) and meets at Chelad Erappungal river.

The Chera capital is in its immediate vicinity.

Climate

Two predominant seasons are experienced there: Summer and Rainy season. The maximum temperature reaches about 25^oC (77^oF). Rainfall is about 2,500 mm (98") per year. Winter season is moderate there during December and January.

Education

Keerampara has one higher secondary school(st stephen higher secondary school ) and one high school (st stephen high school )

How to reach Keerampara

Nedumbassery airport is just 40 km (24.9 mi) from Keerampara and the nearest railway station is Alwaye which is 35 km (21.7 mi) from Keerampara. The holy Trikkariyur temple is only 6 km (3.7 mi) from Keerampara. The holy Mar Thoma Cheria pally is 6 km from this place.
Keerampara Panchayat contributes mainly to the parish of St.Stephen's Beth Aniyo Valiapalli,Chelad.

Places of tourist interests

• Periyar river for boat cruise; Thattekkad
• Salim Ali Bird sanctuary Thattakkad, a protected area for Tropical forest birds
• Cheramala a historical place
• Ayyappan mudi (mountain),a trekking destination
• Nadukani mudi, a trekking cum Catholic religious destination
• Boothathankettu barrage, Old Boothathankettu etc.