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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Pond in Thrissur, India}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2013}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}<br />
{{Infobox body of water<br />
| name = Vadakkechira <br />
| other_name = Vadakke Chira<br />
| image = Lake, Sakthan Thamburan Archaeological Museum,Thrissur.jpg<br />
| caption = A view of Vadakkechira pond<br />
| alt = View of Vadakkechira pond<br />
| image_bathymetry = <br />
| caption_bathymetry = <br />
| location = [[Thrissur]] city, [[Kerala]]<br />
| coordinates = {{Coord|format=dms|display=it}}<br />
| pushpin_map = Kerala#India<br />
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Vadakkechira pond within Kerala<br />
| type = Artificial pond<br />
| inflow = <br />
| outflow = <br />
| catchment = <br />
| basin_countries = [[India]]<br />
| length = <br />
| width = <br />
| area = {{convert|4|acre|abbr=on}}<br />
| depth = <br />
| max-depth = <br />
| volume = <br />
| residence_time = <br />
| shore = <br />
| elevation = <br />
| islands = <br />
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}}<br />
'''Vadakkechira''' ([[Malayalam]]: വടക്കെചിറ) is one of the four oldest ponds in [[Thrissur]] city of [[Kerala]] in [[India]].<ref>[http://wikimapia.org/114619/Vadakke-Chira Vadakke Chira (Thrissur)] [[Wikimapia]]</ref> It was built by [[Sakthan Thampuran|Shakthan Thampuran]] (1751-1805) and is one of [[Thrissur]]'s famous landmarks. It is owned by [[Cochin Devaswom Board]].<ref>{{cite news<br />
|title = Vadakkechira beautification project to be over by Onam<br />
|url = http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/28/stories/2006072806710300.htm<br />
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121104070609/http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/28/stories/2006072806710300.htm<br />
|url-status = dead<br />
|archive-date = 4 November 2012<br />
|date = 28 July 2006<br />
|work = [[The Hindu]]<br />
|access-date = 2009-06-19<br />
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web<br />
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/25/stories/2005082508350300.htm<br />
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060909092749/http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/25/stories/2005082508350300.htm<br />
|url-status=dead<br />
|archive-date=2006-09-09<br />
|work=[[The Hindu]]<br />
|title=Stone laid for koothambalam <br />
|date=2005-08-25<br />
|access-date=2013-06-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web<br />
|url=http://www.hindu.com/pp/2007/06/09/stories/2007060952250400.htm<br />
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125085257/http://www.hindu.com/pp/2007/06/09/stories/2007060952250400.htm<br />
|url-status=dead<br />
|archive-date=2013-01-25<br />
|work=[[The Hindu]]<br />
|title=New life for a historical pond in Thrissur <br />
|date=2007-06-09<br />
|access-date=2013-06-28}}</ref><br />
<br />
==History==<br />
[[Sakthan Thampuran]], [[Maharaja of Cochin]], built four ponds in [[Thrissur]] city for water management and irrigation purpose in his regime. They are ''Vadakkechira'', ''[[Padinjarechira]]'', ''Thekkechira'' and ''Kizakechira''.<ref>{{cite web<br />
|url = http://www.vicharakendram.org/Journels/Pragathy108-April-June2009.pdf#page=45&zoom=auto,0,614<br />
|title = SAKTHAN THAMPURAN AND THE EMERGENCE OF COCHIN AS A COMMERCIAL CENTRE<br />
|publisher = Saritha Viswanathan<br />
|access-date = 2013-07-11<br />
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150203093925/http://www.vicharakendram.org/Journels/Pragathy108-April-June2009.pdf#page=45&zoom=auto,0,614<br />
|archive-date = 3 February 2015<br />
|url-status = dead<br />
}}</ref> Members of the [[Cochin Royal Family]] and priests of the Ashokeswaram Temple used to have bath at the ghats on the northern side of the pond, and the public at those on other sides. [[Elephants]] used to be bathed at ghats on the eastern side. The ''Kulapparas'' and ghats for elephants are reminiscent of 18th and 19th century architecture. A walkway is on the southern side of the pond. The re-designed pond has sculptural seats, gateways ''Padippuras'', pools, fountains, a gallery and a rock garden.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article218112.ece?textsize=small&test=2|title=Poomala dam makeover nearing completion |work=The Hindu|access-date=2013-06-28}}</ref> M.M. Vinod Kumar has re-designed the pond and its surroundings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/pond-renovation-wins-jury-mention/article4377204.ece|title=Pond renovation wins jury mention |work=The Hindu|access-date=2012-06-28}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Fauna==<br />
[[File:Vadakkechira migratory birds.JPG|300px|thumbnail|left|Migratory birds in Vadakkechira]]<br />
The pond is a four hectare ecosystem complete with plants, birds, sacred groves and butterfly gardens. Vadakkechira is home to many avian species, including small green barbet ([[Megalaima viridis]]), white-breasted water hen ([[Amaurornis phoenicurus]]), blue rock pigeon ([[Columba livia]]), bronze-winged jacana ([[Metopidius indicus]]), pond heron ([[Ardeola grayii]]), white-browed wagtail([[Motacilla maderaspatensis]]), common kingfisher ([[Alcedo atthis]]), house sparrow ([[Passer domesticus]]), common myna ([[Acridotheres tristis]]), little cormorant ([[Microcarbo niger]]), lesser whistling teal ([[Dendrocygna javanica]]) and little grebe ([[Podiceps ruficollis]]).<ref>{{cite web<br />
|url=http://www.hindu.com/pp/2007/06/09/stories/2007060952250400.htm<br />
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125085257/http://www.hindu.com/pp/2007/06/09/stories/2007060952250400.htm<br />
|url-status=dead<br />
|archive-date=2013-01-25<br />
|work=[[The Hindu]]<br />
|title=New life for a historical pond in Thrissur <br />
|date=2007-06-09<br />
|access-date=2012-06-07}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Water supply==<br />
In 1983, when drought struck [[Thrissur]] city, then Minister M.P.Gangadharan with help of [[Kerala]] Water Resources Department cleaned the pond over a time of one month. In 1985, a water supply system was constructed by spending Rs 23 lakhs form Vadakkechira pond to supply water to [[Thekkinkadu Maidan]] and [[Swaraj Round, Thrissur]] by [[Kerala]] Water Resources Department. At the same time, a park was also set up near the pond. Later, the project was handed over to [[Thrissur Municipal Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web<br />
|url=http://epaper.manoramaonline.com/edaily/flashclient/client_panel.aspx<br />
|title=Metro Thrissur, Page 27<br />
|publisher=Manoramaonline.com<br />
|access-date=2013-07-11<br />
|archive-date=19 August 2016<br />
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819015013/http://epaper.manoramaonline.com/edaily/flashclient/Client_Panel.aspx<br />
|url-status=dead<br />
}}</ref><br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
{{Commons category|Vadakkechira}}<br />
{{Tourist attractions in Thrissur}}<br />
{{Tourism in Kerala}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Ponds in Thrissur]]<br />
[[Category:Parks in Thrissur]]<br />
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Thrissur]]</div>NatishaMooring9