Svetlanacnc at 02:05, 25 February 2026

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117.215.195.103 at 10:03, 5 October 2021

2021-10-05T10:03:54Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Chengara
| settlement_type = Village
| image_skyline = Chengara Junction.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = A view of Chengara Junction
| nickname =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|9|15|10|N|76|50|52|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| leader_title = Panchayat Member
| leader_name = Joyce Abraham
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Malayalam Tamil Hindi English
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 689664
| area_code = 0468
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = KL-83
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[English language|English]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = Nearest city
| blank2_info_sec1 = Konni, Pathanamthitta
| blank3_name_sec1 = Literacy
| blank3_info_sec1 = 99%
| blank4_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank4_info_sec1 = Pathanamthitta
}}

'''Chengara''' is a small village situated in the [[Pathanamthitta district]] in [[Kerala]], India. It is known for its natural environment, hills and climate,{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} and was found to have the cleanest air, in terms of concentration of dust particles.{{when|date=June 2020}}{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} Chengara is surrounded on three sides by Harrisons Malayalam Limited, a [[rubber]] plantation company.

Chengara is approximately {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} from the district headquarters, {{convert|110|km|abbr=on}} from [[Kochi, India|Kochi]], and just over {{convert|100|km|abbr=on}} from [[Thiruvananthapuram]], the state capital. The nearest towns to Chengara are [[Konni, India|Konni]] and [[Pathanamthitta]], at about {{convert|6|and|10|km|abbr=on}}. Konni medical college<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/cm-to-lay-foundation-stone-for-medical-college-in-konni/article4264994.ece | title=CM to lay foundation stone for Medical College in Konni | date=2 January 2013 | newspaper=The Hindu | accessdate=6 June 2018 }}</ref> is {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}} from the village.

== Climate ==
The village has a [[tropical climate]] with three distinct seasons: a humid [[summer]], [[monsoon]], and a moderate [[winter]]. The warmest month is April. The village often experiences heavy thundershowers in May, during which humidity remains high. The [[monsoon]] season is from June to August with most of the heavy rainfall in June and July, June being the wettest month of the year.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

== Demographics ==
{{Expand section|date=May 2020}}
Chengara has a population of just above 1,500.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} The [[literacy rate]] of the village is 99%.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

== Education ==

G.C.S.L.P. school{{expand acronym|date=June 2020}} is the only school in Chengara. The school is owned by the Chengara Service Co-operative Society Ltd. It covers a standard of I-V. The nearest higher secondary school is St. George Vocational Higher Secondary School in Attachackal. Students from Chengara also go to schools in nearby towns, such as [[Pathanamthitta]] and [[Kozhencherry]]. Those who study technical courses attend the technical institutes around [[Pathanamthitta]].{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

== Economy ==
The economy of Chengara is primarily based in [[agriculture]]. Rubber plantations are a major source of income for the local population. Chengara is among the largest [[rubber]]-producing places in Kerala, due to its hilly terrain, high humidity and rainfall. Other major crops are [[cocoa bean|cocoa]], [[coconut]], [[tapioca]] and [[black pepper|pepper]]. Chengara has a large number of [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|non-residents]].{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

== Politics ==
Major political parties in Chengara are [[Indian National Congress]] (INC) and [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] (CPI [M]). [[K. U. Jenish Kumar]] (CPI [M]) is the present{{when|date=June 2020}} {{abbr|M.L.A.|member of the legislative assembly}} of [[Konni, India|Konni]] which includes Chengara and Anto Antony is the present MP of Pathanamthitta constituency which includes Chengara.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}.Chengara belongs to Konni ''[[gram panchayat]]'' (village council). The present ''panchayat'' member of Chengara is N. N. Rajappan of INC.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} [[Chengara Surendran]] MP ([[Communist Party of India]]){{expand acronym|date=June 2020}} is also a native of Chengara.<ref>http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=3849&lastls=14</ref> Chengara Surendran (born 31 January 1968) was a member of the [[14th Lok Sabha]] of India. He represented the [[Adoor]] constituency of Kerala and is a member of the [[Communist Party of India]] (CPI).<ref>http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=3849&lastls=14</ref>

Traditionally Chengara is a stronghold of INC.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} Kerala congress also has presence in the village. Abraham Vazhayil (District Secretary Kerala Congress (M), Chairman, UDF Konni Constituency) is also a native of Chengara. Though Chengara has a long tradition of politics, there has been no conflict among the different political parties.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}

==Culture==
=== Religion ===
[[File:Bethel Marthoma Church, Chengara1.jpg|thumb|[[Bethel Marthoma Church]], Chengara]]The people of Chengara belong to various religions, the major ones being Christianity and Hinduism. Churches in the village includes [[Bethel Marthoma Church]], St George Orthodox Church Chengara ({{a.k.a.}} Chengara Pally, {{abbr|est.|established}} 1979),<ref>{{cite web|title=Chengara Pally|url=http://chengarapally.com/}}</ref> St Patrick's Malankara Catholic Church, and Bethel Brethren Assembly and Pentecost Church (IPC). The Hindu temple in the village is Chengara Siva Parvathi Temple.

[[Bethel Marthoma Church]] organizes an annual Chengara Convention in January every year. [[Bethel Marthoma Church]],Chengara belongs to the Ranni-Nilackal Diocese of [[Syrian church in India|Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church]].

'''St. George Orthodox Church, Chengara'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chengara Pally {{!}} St George Orthodox church chengara {{!}} Chengara church, Pathanamthitta.|url=http://chengarapally.com/|access-date=2020-06-12|website=chengarapally.com}}</ref> '''(Chengara '''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chengara Pally {{!}} St George Orthodox church chengara {{!}} Chengara church, Pathanamthitta.|url=http://chengarapally.com/|access-date=2020-06-12|website=chengarapally.com}}</ref>'''Pally or ചെങ്ങറ പള്ളി ''' ) is an ancient church located in Chengara , [[Pathanamthitta]], [[Kerala]] , [[India]]. '''The Church Is Also Known as “ Chengara Pally'''. It is the headquarters of the Thumpamon Diocese of the [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]].

=== Feast of St George===
The Feast of St. George, whom the church is named after and the patron saint of the church, is celebrated by St George Orthodox Church every year from May 1–5.

== Sports ==
[[Cricket]] is the most popular sport in the village. A cricket tournament is held annually during the mid-summer vacation. Other popular sports are [[association football|football]], [[volleyball]] and [[badminton]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

== Notable locations ==
Orakuzhi is a small [[waterfall]] located at the Kizhakkupuram border of the village. This place is a common hangout for youths.

Meemooti Thodu is another waterfall in Chengara, which is dangerous due to its high fall over rock. The possibility of damming the stream was explored but deemed unfeasible.

Harrisons Malayalam Rubber Plantation covers a significant part of Chengara, stretching over{{convert|3000|acre}}. It is crossed with many unpaved service roads suitable for bullock or trucks.

Chemmani Rubber Plantation covers {{convert|300|acre}} in Chengara.

== Infrastructure ==
=== Communication ===
Mobile services from many providers are available in the village. The major service providers are [[BSNL]], [[Bharti Airtel|Airtel]], [[Idea]], [[Vodafone]] and [[Jio]].{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} The village has a cable network which provides Malayalam channels and major channels in other languages.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

=== Transportation ===
Both [[Kerala State Road Transport Corporation]] (KSRTC) and private buses connect the Chengara with the nearby towns.

The Attachakal–Malayalapuzha road and Attachakal–Kumblampoika road pass through Chengara. From [[Konni, India|Konni]] this is the easiest route to places such as [[Vadaserikara]] and [[Ranni]]. The route can be used as [[Sabarimala]] route.

Chengara Junction is on the Attachakal–Chengara–Kumblampoika road, which connects the villages of Attachakkal, Chengara, Puthukulam and Kumplampoika. It originates at Attachakal junction and ends at Kumplampoika, and covers a total distance of {{convert|13.4|km|abbr=on}}

The nearest [[railway station]] is [[Chengannur]], {{convert|34|km|abbr=on}} away, and [[Thiruvalla]] which is around {{convert|41|km|abbr=on}} away.
The nearest airport is [[Thiruvananthapuram]] International Airport, about {{convert|100|km|abbr=on}} from Chengara. The [[Cochin International Airport]] is around {{convert|124|km|abbr=on}} from Chengara.

=== Institutions ===
Various institutions in Chengara are:
*Chengara Service Co-operative Society
*Chengara Pravasi Association
*Chengara Post Office
*Olive Mart supermarket
*Ration shop chengara

== Tribal agitations ==
{{Main|Chengara struggle|l1=Chengara Struggle}}

[[File:Chengara samaram.jpg|thumb|Tribal on strike]]

The village is frequently mentioned in the media due to a land struggle, popularly known as "Chengara Samaram", which took place on a rubber plantation {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}} outside the village. Led by Laha Gopalan, the Sadu Jana Vimochana Samara Vedi (SJVSV) agitation began with hundreds of Vedi workers encroaching upon the Kumbazha Estate of Harrison Malayalam Limited on 4 August 2007, demanding {{convert|5|acre}} of land for farming and {{currency|50,000|INR|linked=yes}} towards initial farming expenses to each landless family among them. They pitched tents on the occupied land and started tapping the rubber trees at the estate for their livelihood. The Vedi leader claimed that {{convert|200|ha|abbr=on|order=flip}} of land at Chengara were under SJVSV occupation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110601022259/http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/27/stories/2011052759391100.htm ]</ref>

During the agitation, notable persons including Medha Patkar, Arundhati Roy, Govindacharaya, and V. M. Sudheeran visited and extended solidarity with local families. However, the struggle created a negative image of Chengara. The previous LDF{{expand acronym|date=June 2020}} government had identified {{convert|831.03|acre}} of land in 10 districts for distribution among the 1,495 eligible landless people as part of the Chengara Package. Of the 1,495 families identified, 38 families belong to the [[Scheduled Tribes]] category and 1,227 to the [[Scheduled Castes]]. However, many people declined to occupy the land allotted to them, finding it unsuitable for habitation and farming. Vedi leader Laha Gopalan had categorically stated that there was no question of vacating the land until all the landless families at Chengara were allotted land suitable for farming and habitation. Some families have constructed permanent dwellings in the encroached land and started cultivation there. The Vedi too have set up a library and school on the occupied land.
<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2012-08-05|title=Chengara agitation historic: Metropolitan|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/chengara-agitation-historic-metropolitan/article3730292.ece|access-date=2021-02-28|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>{{update inline|date=June 2020}}

== See also ==
* [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]]
*[[Bethel Marthoma Church]]
*[[Pathanamthitta]]
*[[Konni, India]]
*[[Kumbazha]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* http://teamchengara.weebly.com/
* http://chengarapally.com/

{{Commons category|Chengara}}
{{Pathanamthitta district}}

[[Category:Villages in Pathanamthitta district]]

Chengara - Revision history

Svetlanacnc at 02:05, 25 February 2026

117.215.195.103 at 10:03, 5 October 2021