Chengannur

Chengannur (also spelled Chengannoor) is a Town and municipality in Alappuzha district, Kerala, India. It is also the headquarters of the Chengannur Taluk. Chengannur is located in the south-eastern part of the district, in the region known as Odanad, along the banks of Pamba River. Chengannur is southeast of the district headquarters Alappuzha and north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Both the NH 183 and Main Central Road (State Highway 1) pass through the town. Chengannur is noted for the Chengannur Mahadeva Temple and the Old Syrian Church of the ancient St. Thomas Christians community. It is also a major point for pilgrims to the Sabarimala Temple, and thus has been described as "The Gateway to Sabarimala". Etymology The name Chengannur (chem-kunnu-ur/oor) is derived from the words 'chem' (Malayalam) which means red, 'kunnu' (Malayalam) which means hill and 'ur/oor' (Malayalam) meaning land. It means the land of red hills. The red soil of Chengannur was different from the soil of nearby regions of Mavelikara & Kuttanad. History