Pala, Kerala

Pala
Municipality[1]
Pala town
Pala town
Pala is located in Kerala
Pala
Pala
Pala is located in India
Pala
Pala
Coordinates: 9°42′47″N 76°41′00″E / 9.71306°N 76.68333°E / 9.71306; 76.68333
CountryIndia
StateKerala
DistrictKottayam
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyPala Municipality
 • Municipal ChairpersonDiya Binu Pulikkakandam
 • Member of the Legislative Assembly of Kerala (MLA)Mani C. Kappan
Area
 • Total
16.06 km2 (6.20 sq mi)
Elevation
31 m (102 ft)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total
22,056
 • Density1,373/km2 (3,557/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
686573, 686574, 686575
Telephone code+9148 22
Vehicle registrationKL 35, KL 67
Nearest cityKottayam
Vidhan Sabha constituencyPala
Lok Sabha constituencyKottayam

Pala (IPA: [paːlaː]) is a municipality[3] in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is located 28 km (17.4 mi) north of the district headquarters in Kottayam and about 167 km (103.8 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Pala also serves as the headquarters of Meenachil Taluk.[4] As per the 2011 Indian census, Pala has a population of 22,056, and a population density of 1,373/km2 (3,560/sq mi).

Pala is on the banks of the Meenachil River and is a major hub of Syrian Christian culture in Kerala.[5]

Demographics

As of 2001 Indian census,[6] Pala had a population of 22,640. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pala has an average literacy rate of 98%, higher than the national average of 73%: male literacy is 98.5%, and female literacy is 97.8%, still much higher than the state average. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Christians make up 65.09% of the population, Hindus 34.19%, Muslims 0.1%, other religions 0.05% and 0.15% not stated.

Religions in Pala Town (2011)
Religion Percent
Christianity
 
 65.09%
Hinduism
 
 34.19%
Islam
 
 0.1%
Other or not stated
 
 0.20%

Politics

Pala is a municipality since its formal inauguration on December 1, 1949.[7] the current municipal chairperson of Pala municipality is UDF-backed Independent Diya Binu Pulikkakandam, who is also the youngest municipal chairperson in the country.[8] The vice-chairperson of the municipality is Maya Rahul, another UDF-backed independent.[9][10]

Pala falls under the Kottayam Lok Sabha constituency and Pala Assembly constituency. It is represented by Mani C Kappan in the Legislative Assembly and by K. Francis George in the Lok Sabha.

Ward Ward Name Councilor Name Party Alliance
001 Paramalakunnu Adv. Betty Shaju Thuruthel KC(M) LDF
002 Mundupalam Shaju Thuruthen KC(M)
003 Market Josin Bino Left Independent
004 Kizhathadiyoor Sonia Chitted KC(M) UDF
005 Plathanam Georgekutty Cheruvallil KC(M) LDF
006 Kanattupara Sebastian J. Panaikkal INC UDF
007 Pulimalakunnu Jiji Baiju Kollamparambil KC(M) LDF
008 Kaveekunnu Riya Chiramkuzhy INC UDF
009 Kochidappadi Siji Tony Thottathil KEC
010 Moonnani Biju Varikkani KEC
011 Monastri Ruby Anto Padinjarekere KC(M) LDF
012 Chethimattom Tony Thaiparambil INC UDF
013 Murikkumpuzha Biju Pulikkakandam Independent Others (later joined UDF)
014 Parippil Kunnu Adv. Binu Pulikkakandam Independent
015 Palapurayidom Diya Binu Pulikkakandam Independent
016 Kannadiyurumbu Tomin Vattamala KC(M) LDF
017 12th Mile Sanil Raghavan KC(M)
018 Mukkalikunnu Lisikutty Mathew Kandathiparambil INC UDF
019 Pala Maya Rahul Independent Others (later joined UDF)
020 Lalam Biji Jojo Kudakachira KC(M) LDF
021 Vellappadu Leena Sunny Purayidom KC(M)
022 Arunapuram Rajitha Prakash INC UDF
023 College Ward Princy Sunny DCK
024 Kottaramattom Biju Mathews INC
025 Nelliyani Biju Palupadavil KC(M) LDF
026 Puthenpallikunnu Roy Francis CPI(M)

Sports

The Municipal Stadium is the centre of sports in Pala.[11]

The 61st Kerala State Schools Athletics Championships was held at the stadium in 2017.[12] At least 2500 students from 100 schools attended the sports meet.[13] The 63rd Kerala State Athletics Championship was also held at the stadium in the month of October, 2019.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Grama Panchayaths" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Kerala (India): Districts, Cities and Towns - Population Statistics, Charts and Map".
  3. ^ "Grama Panchayaths" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Revenue Portal". landrevenue.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  5. ^ "Pala- A Rurban Town in Kerala | CEPT - Portfolio". Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  6. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  7. ^ "പാലാ നഗരസഭയ്ക്ക് 76 വയസ്; മട്ടന്നൂർ പോലെ പാലായിലും വേറിട്ട തിരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പ്". പാലാ നഗരസഭയ്ക്ക് 76 വയസ്; മട്ടന്നൂർ പോലെ പാലായിലും വേറിട്ട തിരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പ് (in Malayalam). Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  8. ^ "Meet Diya Binu, Kerala's 1st Gen Z and India's youngest municipal chairperson". indiatoday.in.
  9. ^ "UDF secures power in all six municipalities in Kottayam". The Hindu.
  10. ^ Daily, Keralakaumudi. "Late twist in Pala: Maya Rahul demands chairperson post, Pulikkakandam family not yielding either". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  11. ^ "Municipal Stadium". Pala Municipality.
  12. ^ "State School sports meet to begin tomorrow; Rally carrying torch reaches Pala".
  13. ^ "Stage set for Kerala schools athletics meet but field wide open". Times Of India. 20 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Kerala state junior athletics: Young stars get chance to make big".
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