BennieSheppard1 at 19:15, 3 January 2026

2026-01-03T19:15:21Z

49.207.202.32: /* Gandhi's Visit */Punctuation

2021-05-21T11:54:53Z

Gandhi's Visit: Punctuation

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Elanthoor
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = village
| image_skyline = File:ശ്രീ ഭഗവതികുന്നു ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൻറെ കെട്ടുകാഴ്ച.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Bhagavathi Hill Festival
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|9|17|0|N|76|43|0|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = Block Panchayat
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 15344
| population_as_of = 2001
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[English language|English]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 689643
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 0468
| registration_plate = KL-03
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = Aranmula
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Climate of India|Climate]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[Climatic regions of India|moderate]] <small>([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]])</small>
| website =
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}

''' Elanthoor ''' is a village in [[Pathanamthitta district]] of the Southern State of [[Kerala]], [[India]].<ref name="censusindia">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Village_Directory/Population_data/Population_5000_and_Above.aspx |title=Census of India : Villages with population 5000 & above |publisher=Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=2008-12-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208044522/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Village_Directory/Population_data/Population_5000_and_Above.aspx |archive-date=2008-12-08 }}</ref> Situated half way between Kozhencherry and Pathnamthitta, the area was part of the Kingdom of Travancore presumably since 1820. This peaceful rural belt has a significant place in the history of the freedom movement of the country and has made notable contributions to the film industry. It has been argued that the expression "Ellangalude Oor" shortened by over has become "Elanthoor". "Ellangalude Oor" would mean "aggravation of settlements" or a region of concentration of houses.

==Demographics==
As of the 2001 India [[census]], Elanthoor had a population of 15,344 with 7135 males and 8209 females.<ref name="censusindia" />

==Location==
Elanthoor is located between [[Pathanamthitta]] and [[Kozhencherry]]. The T. K. Road ([[Thiruvalla]]-[[Pathanamthitta]]-[[Kumbazha]] Road / SH - 07) connects Elanthoor to major towns. The village is easily accessible from the Main Eastern Highway passing through Pathanamthitta.

Nearest [[Police Station]]s: [[Elavumthitta]] (6km), [[Aranmula]] (8.6km), [[Pathanamthitta]] (8.6km)

Nearest Railway Station: Chengannur (CNGR) at approximately 18 km

Airports: Cochin International Airport (approximately 143 km) and Trivandrum International Airport (approximately 115 km)

==Gandhi's Visit==
[[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhi]] toured Travancore in 1937. This was in connection with the culmination of the Temple Entry Movement. During the tour which Gandhi preferred to call a "pilgrimage", he visited Elanthoor as well at the invitation of K. Kumar (Kumarji). Kumarji or Elanthoor Gandhi, known also as Travancore Kumar, was a famous personality of the bygone era. He was a veteran freedom fighter and was among the closest of Gandhi's disciples and associates in Kerala. In his speech, Gandhi described Elanthoor as a model village. He exemplified the historic work done in the region to admit "Dalits" into temples even before the Temple Entry Proclamation. Gandhiji said in his speech, " I tender you my congratulations for having of your own initiative got rid of untouchability even before the issue of the proclamation. The proclamation now sets the steal of approval upon your work and makes your work acceptable to the whole of Travancore". Gandhi inspired everybody to build further upon the great work done. The Mahatma was undoubtedly referring to the brilliant work done by Kumarji for communal harmony, Harijan upliftment, and temple entry. His efforts in Travancore were ably supported by Pandavathu Sankara Pillai and Ennakkadu Valiya Raja, two other important personalities associated with the movement. It seems that at least Bhagavathikunnu Temple and Thevar Nadai in Elanthoor had thrown open their doors to Dalits long before the proclamation. This ignored historical fact should engage the attention of historians and the entire country. Mahadev Deasi too has praised the untiring efforts made in the region to strengthen communal solidarity and to eradicate untouchability.

After the talk, Kumarji introduced Khadar Das TP Gopala Pillai and Pulinthitta PC George to the Mahatma. Mahatmaji scribbled a message on a piece of paper for Gopala Pillai which became an inspiration to him to take to Khadi. Before leaving Elanthoor, Gandhiji named a baby handed to him by Kumarji and had milk and fruits served by Kumarji's mother.

== Notable people ==
* [[Mohanlal|Mohanlal Viswanathan]], actor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecompleteactor.com/mohanlal-biography|title=About Mohanlal}}</ref>

* [[K. Kumar|Elanthoor Kumarji (Travancore Kumar)]], Gandhian Activist, Social Reformer and Chief Editor of 'Swadeshabhimani Newspaper previously edited by Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai

* Mahakavi Chekottu Asan, Poet

* Pulinthitta PC George, Political and Social Activist

* [[Meera Jasmin]], Actor

== References ==
{{commons category|Elanthoor}}
{{reflist}}

{{Pathanamthitta district}}

[[Category: Villages in Pathanamthitta district]]

{{Pathanamthitta-geo-stub}}

Epic of Travancore, Maha Dev Desai, Navjeevan Karyalaya 1937

Gandhi's speech at Elanthoor on 20th January 1937, Complete Works of Mahatma Gandhi

In the Land of K. Kumar, Keraleeya Gramangaliloode (Malayalam), Kattakkada Divakaran, SPCS 1967

9 Freedom Fighters From Kerala, www.pinklungi.com

Freedom Fighters of Kerala- Government of Kerala 1974

Kumar K, Sarva Vijnana Kosam, Government of Kerala

Keralathile Congress Prasthanam, Perunna KN Nair, Prathibha Publications 1967

Thiruvithamkoor Swatantrya Samara Charitram- C Narayana Pillai, Second Edition 2004 Page 401

Wikipedia Article on Pathanamathitta

Elanthoor - Revision history

BennieSheppard1 at 19:15, 3 January 2026

49.207.202.32: /* Gandhi's Visit */Punctuation