Karunagappally
Karunagappalli, also spelled Karunagappally, is a municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. It is 24 km north of Kollam and 60 km (37 mi) south of Alappuzha. Karunagappalli taluk consists of Alappad, Ochira, Adinad, Karunagappally, Thazhava, Pavumba, Thodiyoor, Kallalibhagom, Thevalakkara, Chavara, Neendakara, Clappana, Kulasekharapuram, Thekkumbhagam, Ayanivelikulangara, Panmana, Ponmana and Vadakumthala.[2] The taluk is bound on the north by Kayamkulam, on the east by Kunnathur taluk, on the south by Kollam and on the west by the Arabian Sea. It is one of the fastest developing towns in Kerala and is part of Kollam metropolitan area.
Economy
Karungappalli used to be an agrarian economy until the late 19th century with coconut, banana, tapioca and paddy as the main crops grown. With rapid urbanization and the consequent pressure on land, the reliance on agriculture has dwindled. Several cottage and small industries have now come up in the area including brick making, engineering and electronics. Proximity to Kollam (27 km) and the excellent road and rail infrastructure have helped in this transition.
Fishing forms the major source of livelihood for the coast dwellers. The area also receives substantial foreign remittances from the large number of people from here working in the Gulf countries. Now Kerala's many prominent business centres had their branches here.
Source - Wikipedia [Apr 2021]
The main tourist attraction is the house boat facility in Alumkadavu which is close (only 3 km) to Karunagappally town.[4] Sree Narayana Trophy boat race, an annual boat race is organised in the Kannety (Pallickal) River, Karunagappally, during the season of Onam Festival. Nowadays houseboat, safari boat and speed-boat services are operated from Kannetty boat club which 1 km apart from Karunagappally ksrtc bus stand to various places like Amrithapuri, Azheekkal beach, harbour, Ashtamudi lake through Vattakkayal, Kattilmekkathil temple and Chavara canal. And also to Champakkadavu where we can enjoy the beauty of villages, rare species of birds and diversity. The famous Chinese fishing nets can be found on the banks of the lagoon. The Amritapuri ashram is also situated in Parayakadavu, which is 8 km from Karunagappally. Other tourist attractions are Alumkadavu Backwater, Oachira temple, Pandarathuruth Church, Sheik Masjid Mosque, Padanayarkulangara Mahadeva Temple, Thazhava, Kovilthottam Light House, Sasthamkotta Lake, etc. Alumkadavu is the place where first houseboat made in India.
Recently, Azheekal Beach is gaining popularity as a local tourist attraction.
Karunagappally was an ancient Buddhist site. There was a Buddha bhikshu named Karinagan who lived in Karunagappally. He later became known as Pallikkal Puthran (as Karunagappally is situated on the banks of Pallikkal river) hence the name Karunagappally. Many traces of ancient Buddhist culture were excavated from various places in and around Karunagappally. A statue of Karinagan was placed in front of Mahadevar temple at the heart of the city. Now it has been moved to Krishnapuram Palace, Kayamkulam.
Road
Karunagappally is on the Kanyakumari-Kochi-Panvel National Highway 66 route. In taluk, Oachira to Neendakara is accessible through this same highway.
Main road transport is provided by State owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private transport bus operators. KSRTC Bus Station is situated in the heart of the town, on the National Highway 66 . Buses are available from Karunagappally to Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kottayam, Kayamkulam, Shasthamkotta, Harippad, Kottarakkara, Kodungallur, Guruvayur, etc. Local services are also available to destinations throughout the district. The station operates Super Fast, Fast Passenger, Non AC low-floor, Venad and Ordinary buses.
Rail
Karunagappalli railway station ,(KPY) is a NSG 5 category railway station situated in Edakkulangara. It lies on the Kollam-Kayamkulam rail route of the Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam railway line and is only 1.5 km far from the KSRTC bus station. Auto rickshaws are available from and to the railway station. Buses are available to railway station bus stop every 15 minutes (150 meters from station). Also buses are available from town to Alumoodu Jn. bus stop every 5 minutes, which is only 700 meters away from KPY railway station. There are 32 express and 18 passenger trains are available from here.
Mumbai (Lokamanyathilak)-Thiruvananthapuram-Lokamanyathilak Netravati Express, Kanyakumari-Bangalore-Kanyakumari Island Express, TVC-Hydrabad-TVC Sabari Express, Kanyakumari-Mumbai-Kanyakumari Jayanthy Janatha Express, Nagarcoil-mangalur-Nagarcoil Ernad Express, TVC-Mangalur-TVC Maveli Express, TVC-Ernakulam-TVC Vanchinad Express, Nagarcoil-mangalur-Nagarcoil Parasuram Express, TVC-Shornur-TVC Venad Express, TVC-Mangalur-TVC Malabar Express, TVC-palakkad-TVC Amritha Express, Rajya Rani Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Guruvayoor-TVC Intercity Express, Kollam - Visakhapatnam Express, Trivandrum-Mangalapuram-Trivandrum Express and Punalur Palakkad Palaruvi Express are the main train connections. Around 50 trains have stop here in both directions. Station Code: KPY.
Air
Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport and is easily accessible via the National Highway 66.
